The Western Washington University’s Bond Children’s Literature Conference is an event where teachers and librarians, readers and writers gather to celebrate and learn about children’s literature. It is our hope you’ll mark your calendar each year as a reminder to return to Western Washington University’s campus to attend what has become a yearly celebration of literature written for children and young adults.

Our hope each year is for inspiration. Perhaps one of our featured speakers will say something that affirms what you already believe about the role of children’s literature in all of our lives. Perhaps you’ll enter a conversation that motivates your teaching or ignites your writing. Perhaps you’ll take home a new book that extends an idea shared by an author, illustrator, or even the person sitting next to you. Whatever you experience during the conference, we trust you leave refreshed and newly inspired to read, write, teach, and learn with deeper intensity and joy.

Each year we are honored that this conference carries the name of Fredericka Bond and the late Guy L. Bond, who have not only given much to Western, but whose years of dedicated teaching and scholarship continue to provide knowledge and inspiration to teachers who work with struggling readers. Because of their work, many children became readers and benefited from the gifts of authors and illustrators like Katherine Paterson, Nina Laden, Avi, and Janet Wong.

Nancy J. Johnson, Professor, WWU English Department and Conference Coordinator