Nearly 400 people have congregated from western U.S. states to hear authors and illustrators of children literature share their personal stories.
The Books for Young Readers Symposium, hosted on BYU campus in the Wilkinson Student Center, will run Friday, July 13, and Saturday, July 14, featuring nationally-acclaimed guest speakers.
“It’s been great,” said program administrator Susan Overstreet. “We’ve had a good turnout.”
This is the 14th symposium, and Overstreet said she hopes the symposium will continue annually.
At first glance it may seem like a publicity event to promote the books being sold, but it is very educational, Overstreet said.
“If it is good literature, it is meaningful to people of all ages,” Overstreet said.
Ellen VanOrman, a retired elementary teacher from Salt Lake City, has attended this symposium for more than five years.
VanOrman said she not only goes home with too many books, but also renewed enthusiam.
“It motivates me to want to read and learn new things,” she said.
Roland Smith, an author speaking at the symposium, said reading is one of the most important skills a child can be taught.
“If you can read you can do anything. If my book captures a reader for life it was successful,” Smith said.
Smith is a nature writer and a research biologist. His job has taken him to many parts of the world and he has been involved in countless endeavors to save endangered animals, he said.
Smith also enjoys visiting schools to talk with children who have read his books.
His purpose in writing is to inspire children.
“I want to create readers,” he said.
Children aren’t the only ones drawn to these stories.
Cathy Gardner, a school psychologist from Las Vegas, Nevada, has been to the symposium 13 out of the 14 years.
As an owner of a children’s book business, Gardner said books are critical in a child’s life.
“As a psychologist I use books all of the time,” Gardner said. “It helps children realize there are many ways to solve problems.”
