Concordia Hosts Breakfast and Books 2023

The Plum Creek Literacy Festival hosted its seventh annual Breakfast and Books event on Saturday, March 24th. 

The event is aimed toward teachers, librarians and book lovers and consisted of book sales, a breakfast buffet and keynote addresses from children’s book author/illustrators Matthew Forsythe, Nikki McClure, and Robin Preiss Glaser.  

Book sales began at 8 am followed by a breakfast buffet at 8:30. After that were keynote addresses by Matthew Forsythe, “One Thing and Two Things: How I Learned to Write Picture Books” Nikki McClure, “A Spring Morning in the Northwest” and Robin Preiss Glasser, “From Dance to Drawing and Back Again.” The event concluded with a book signing by the authors. 

Dr. Dylan Teut, director of Plum Creek Literacy Festival programming, speaks to the rejuvenating opportunity that Breakfast and Books provides. Teut stated, “Teachers and librarians are facing a constant flow of new challenges and expectations in their respective professions and appreciate opportunities that affirm and encourage them to keep doing great things for children. I believe everyone walked away with a renewed energy to finish out the academic year strong. While many of our speakers spoke about their process and inspiration, the overarching theme of the morning was persistence and following your hopes and dreams. You can do that no matter what age you are or vocation you hold.” 

Matthew Forsythe is the author and illustrator of the award-winning books, Mina and Pokko and the Drum. He was also lead designer on Adventure Time at Cartoon Network, character designer on The Midnight Gospel (Netflix) and production of the Oscar-nominated short film Robin Robin(Netflix/ Aardman). 

Nikki McClure is a bookmaker and artist. Previous books include All the Days by Cynthia Rylant, Mama, Is It Summer Yet?  1, 2, 3, Salish Sea and Old Wood Boat. In 2024, Something About the Sky, written by Rachel Caron and illustrated by McClure, will be published by Candlewick. She lives in Washington with her partner and son.  

Robin Preiss Glasser is the national bestselling illustrator of many books for children, including the Fancy Nancy series, written by Jane O’Connor; Lambslide and Escape Goat, written by Ann Patchett; and Grande Jete and Me by ballerina Allegra Kent. Robin is an alumna of the American Ballet Theatre School scholarship program under Patricia Wilde and danced professionally with the Pennsylvania Ballet. She lives in California with her husband. 

The Plum Creek Literacy Festival for Fall 2023 is scheduled for October 5-7, 2023. More information can be found on our website, www.cune.edu/plumcreek