Concordia Nebraska to host 28th Plum Creek Literacy Festival

by Amy Crawford

Seward, NE (09/03/2024) — Concordia University, Nebraska will host its 28th annual Plum Creek Literacy Festival October 3-5, 2024. The special event features a book sale, an art exhibit, a children's day with activities and special presentations, a children's play and an adult conference that includes numerous nationally-renowned authors and illustrators.

"The Plum Creek Literacy Festival continues to thrive and pull together nearly 10,000 people between its three days of operation," said Dr. Dylan C. Teut, Concordia Nebraska director of literacy events and resources. "Those served by the festival are as span from Kindergarteners through community adult volunteers who donate hours of time to make sure this event takes place. Public, private, parochial, and homeschool groups come to campus to celebrate the many facets of God's marvelous gift of literacy. The testimonials continue to demonstrate that this event is a highlight for many children in their school year and provides educators and students inspiration and references over the course of the school year. Where but Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska could you pull together such a large and unique yet very similar group? Everyone is here to celebrate the ability to read, write, create, and follow your dreams." This year's festival will showcase twelve authors and illustrators. Five literacy experts will also provide professional development for educators and librarians at the Saturday professional conference. The Saturday luncheon keynote speaker is Caldecott Medalist Brian Selznick who will talk about his illustration process and inspiration in a special session titled, "Words and Pictures."

"While it is a treat for school children, this event also gives the Seward community opportunity to connect with students on campus and gives the students on campus an opportunity to engage with the teachers, children, and presenters that visit," added Teut. "Many schools and community members mark their calendars well in advance each year to make sure they get to be part of this experience. The connectedness in celebration of literacy, and the hospitality and service shown by our campus community is what has elevated the festival to be described as one of the premier literacy events in the country, and continues to elevate Concordia University Nebraska as a literacy leader in the education field."

The event includes a book pre-sale on Wednesday, September 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Concordia Nebraska's Thom 003, a children's day on Friday, October 4 featuring special presentations and activities for students and an appearance by Nebraska's First Lady, Suzanne Pillen, who will be on campus to read to groups of students and talk about her love for literacy. The festival continues with an adult conference on Saturday, October 5 where authors, illustrators and several literacy experts speak on a variety of topics. Concordia University's faculty and staff provide programming for the children while they are on campus, and Concordia University students fulfill various volunteer and instructional roles, providing them with firsthand experience to connect their vocation with the nearly 3,500 children who will come to campus for the event.

The university will also host an affiliated special exhibition titled "Good Company: Original Children's Book Artwork" from the personal collection of Concordia Nebraska's Director of Literacy Events and Resources Dr. Dylan C. Teut. The exhibit features original artwork created by a host of picture book illustrators over the decades. The exhibit will be on display September 2 to October 11, 2024 in the Marxhausen Gallery located in Jesse Hall on the Concordia University, Nebraska campus. Admission is free, and the gallery open to the public Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. A gallery talk is scheduled for Sunday, September 22 at 2 p.m. Teut will take participants through a guided tour of the exhibit.

As part of the event, Concordia Nebraska will also present a play that is an adaptation based on James Preller's "Jigsaw Jones" book series. The play will be performed during the day on Friday, October 4 for several groups of children attending the festival. An open-to-the-public, free presentation of the play will also take place Friday, October 4 at 7 p.m. in the Black Box Theater in the university's Borland Center for Music and Theatre.

The adult conference offers ample opportunities for one-to-one discussion and interaction. Local literacy organizations provide resources at exhibitor tables. Undergraduate students from different universities connect and network as they prepare to be teacher educators. Book sales and autographing sessions will also be available. Professional development and continuing education credits may also be fulfilled through this conference.

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