By Kelly Kandra Hughes

One of the Norfolk Library’s most successful Fall 2020 programs featured noted children’s historian Dr. By the next day, they were brainstorming ways to bring Dr. Marcus back. The discussion grew into a new idea—what if, instead of a single lecture, the library hosted a children’s literature celebration? They could make the event virtual, very appealing given the uncertainty of event planning during a pandemic, and they could invite authors from all over the country.

Forward to Summer 2021 and the Norfolk Library is thrilled to announce “What’s on Your Bookshelf? A Celebration of Children’s Literature.” The program kicks off at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 24, with a keynote address by Dr. Marcus on how children’s literature has changed throughout time.

The program continues Saturday morning with two separate events celebrating picture books and middle grade books. The first webinar Leonard Marcus, who presented a behind-the-scenes look at Margaret Wise Brown’s iconic “Goodnight Moon.” , from 9 to 10:15 a.m., will feature New York Times best-selling picture book author Pat Zietlow Miller and young adult author e.E. Charlton-Trujillo, whose new co-writing partnership resulted in the forthcoming picture book “Lupe Lopez: Rock Star Rules” (Fall 2021, Candlewick Press). Zietlow Miller and Charlton-Trujillo are already excited for their discussion. “Pat and I would be elated,” said Charlton-Trujillo in response to the library’s invitation. “Picture books is one of our favorite shared passions. And cats. And baking shows. And I’ll stop there.”

The second webinar on Saturday morning zeros in on middle grade books. From 10:30 to 11:45 a.m., Dr. Rajani LaRocca, a primary care physician who is also a successful children’s book author, will be in conversation with her agent, Brent Taylor, about all things middle grade. Dr. LaRocca’s latest book for this age group, “Much Ado about Baseball,” was hailed in June by best-selling author Brad Thor on NBC’s Today show as “one of the best children’s books I’ve read in the last ten years.” Dr. LaRocca says she’s “honored to be writing books for young readers right now, when the world needs stories about all kinds of people having all kinds of adventures, stories about the limitless potential of children and all the optimism and energy they bring to what they care about.”

Saturday afternoon brings a shift to the celebration. Switching focus away from published books, the speakers will present on what an aspiring writer needs to know about how to publish a children’s book. This webinar runs from 2 to 3:15 p.m. and features children’s book editors Eileen Robinson (Move Books) and Harold Underdown (author of “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Publishing Children’s Books”). They will give participants a behind-the-scenes look at how stories get published—from inception of idea, to 101st draft, to the editorial, design, manufacturing and marketing costs of a published book. “We’re excited,” says Robinson. “Lots of times people only hear about the editorial side—the writing process and then submission to an editor or agent—but very rarely does it go beyond that.”

Registration for each of the What’s on Your Bookshelf? A Celebration of Children’s Literature webinars is free and now open on the library website, norfolklibrary.org.