2021 Read To Me Virtual Conference

Welcome to “Read To Me: Build Me Up and Watch Me Grow! A pa‘a ke kahua, kūkulu nō ma hope” the 2021 Read To Me Conference where everything you could hope for in a children’s literacy conference can be found. Join us for outstanding authors, speakers, and presenters who will inspire you to engage in your child’s world of books and reading. This year’s conference theme and topics addressed how to utilize reading to support children’s social-emotional development. This was a FREE virtual event, courtesy of our sponsors.

Whether you are an early childhood educator, an elementary school teacher, a librarian, a parent, a caregiver, a children’s program manager, or just someone who is interested in sharing the love and joy of reading aloud, this conference is for you!

Discover the unexpected magic that awaits a child through books and read-alouds!

MISSED THE CONFERENCE OR WANT TO REWATCH? SELECT RECORDINGS AND E-PROGRAM ARE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING UNTIL AUGUST 10, 2021.

Click on this link to access the e-program. The following are recordings and/or resources from the conference:

8:30a-9:40a
Welcome, “Curiosity, Conversation and Compassion: How Picture Books Introduce Readers to Themselves and the World,” by Keynote Speaker Pat Zietlow Miller, and Read To Me’s 25th Anniversary

• PAT ZIETLOW MILLER’S BOOK LIST

9:40a-10:30a
Concurrent Sessions
1) Every Child Ready to Read at Your Library with Taryn Nako
2) Be Silly, Be Honest, Be Kind with Dr. Mari Uehara
3) A Multi-Sensory Approach Toward Learning to Read, Local Style! with David and Sarah DeLuca
4) “Simon Says, Do the Opposite”…Focus & Self-Control with Kim Guieb – No recording but resources/handouts are available
5) Talking About the Story with Verna Chinen
6) S.T.E.A.M. and Culture – Healing Happens in Relationships with Kasey Galariada and Pua Aquino
7) Some Things I’ve Learned From 30 Years of Helping Resource-Limited Families Read With Their Children with Dr. Gina French
8) What’s on Your Bookshelf? Children’s Literature for Health, Resilience, and Well-Being with Nadine Marchessault
9) E Huaka’i Kakou! (to the West Side of O’ahu) with Kamana’o Mano’i-Hyde
10) E Huaka’i Kakou! (to the East Side of O’ahu) with Jillian Luis

10:30a-11:30a
“What Do You Do With A Picture Book?” by Keynote Speaker Kobi Yamada and Closing

Keynote Speakers:

Kobi Yamada
Kobi Yamada is a multiple New York Times bestselling author including the award-winnirwmc2ng picture books: What Do You Do With An Idea?, What Do You Do With A Problem?, What Do You Do With A Chance?, Maybe and Because I Had A Teacher. The books have sold millions of copies, inspired a dance performance, a symphony performance, a musical theater performance and an upcoming animated film. His titles have been translated into over two dozen languages.

Kobi Yamada also serves as the President/CEO of Compendium, Incorporated, an inspiring gift and publishing company. Since 1992, Mr. Yamada and his staff have created numerous critically-acclaimed lines of inspirational books, products and programs. Compendium has had the honor of collaborating with some of the most recognized brands and retailers including: Target, Starbucks, Amazon, Nordstrom, Costco and Barnes & Noble. Compendium’s products are featured in thousands of stores throughout the world.

Mr. Yamada’s personal mission statement is: “One by one, we can be the better world we wish for.”

Pat Zietlow Miller
Pat Zietlow Miller knew she wanted to be a writer ever since her seventh-grade English teacher read her paper about square-dancing skirts out loud in class and said: “This is the first time anything a student has written has given me chills.”

Pat started out as a newspaper reporter and wrote about everything from dartball and deer-hunting to diets and decoupage. Then, she joined an insurance company and edited its newsletter and magazine. Now, she writes insurance information by day and children’s books by night. She has 10 picture books currently available and 10 more under contract.

Pat’s first book, SOPHIE’S SQUASH, won the Golden Kite Award for best picture book text. It also won an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor, a Charlotte Zolotow Honor and a Crystal Kite Award.

One of her recent books, BE KIND, was on the New York Times bestseller list for 10 weeks.

Pat has one wonderful husband, two delightful daughters and two pampered cats. She lives in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. You can find her online at www.patzietlowmiller.com and on Twitter at @PatZMiller. She also blogs about picture books at Picture Book Builders – www.picturebookbuilders.com.

Conference Schedule:
(subject to change)