Concordia University, Nebraska to host 27th annual Plum Creek Literacy Festival

Concordia University, Nebraska will host its 27th annual Plum Creek Literacy Festival October 6-7, 2023. The special event features a children’s day with activities and special presentations as well as an adult conference that includes numerous nationally-renowned authors and illustrators.   

“Year after year, I am amazed at how an event focused around books and their creators brings together so many people of different backgrounds. The festival will not only connect authors and illustrators from around the country, but children from all schools: public, parochial, homeschool and academies including elementary and middle schools,” said Dr. Dylan Teut, director of the Plum Creek Literacy Festival. “Day-to-day instruction and life circumstances are different for each participant, but a common thread of a love to read, write, create and follow your dreams brings everyone together. The adult conference continues to be a pillar of professional learning opportunities for teachers, librarians, book lovers, pre-service teachers and aspiring creators to gather to network and learn. Our outstanding volunteers and Concordia University faculty and staff come together to make this a seamless experience for all involved.” 

This year’s festival will feature authors and illustrators include Jonathan Bean, Jeffrey Brown, Cozbi A. Cabrera, Diane deGroat, Michael Garland, Tommy Greenwald, Lisa McCourt, Lindsay Moore, Scott Nash, Billy Steers, Wendelin van Draanen, Eric Velasquez, Carole Boston Weatherford, Jeffery Boston Weatherford, Katie Yamasaki and Aaron Zenz. Literacy experts Georgia Heard, Dr. Vicki Anderson, Jack Hilgert, Brooke Tempel and Dr. Julia Schleck will also participate in the event. Saturday luncheon keynote speaker is National Book Award Winner Deborah Wiles. 

The festival includes a book pre-sale on September 20, a children’s day on October 6 featuring special presentations and activities for students and an adult conference on October 7 where authors, illustrators and several literacy experts speak on a variety of topics. 

For the third year in a row, two authors will gather with children from Nelson Mandela Elementary and four area Omaha elementary schools on October 5 for a satellite festival at Miller Park in Omaha. Hundreds of children will connect with Cozbi A. Cabrera and Eric Velasquez and participate in activities led by students from Concordia Nebraska's teacher education program. 

Additionally, a special exhibition titled “Guardian of Childhood: The Art of William Joyce,” is part of the Plum Creek Literacy Festival and is currently available for viewing at the Marxhausen Gallery of Art on Concordia’s campus through October 7. Admission to the Marxhausen Gallery is free and open to the public.  

The award-winning Plum Creek Literacy Festival, founded in 1996, seeks to encourage a love of reading, writing and books by bringing nationally-renowned authors and illustrators to Nebraska. These special guests host interactive workshops and keynotes for school children and adults. 

Learn more about the Plum Creek Literacy Festival here.