Join the San Francisco Public Library Main Children’s Center and the SFPL Racial Equity Committee for the Library's inaugural BIPOC KidLit Fest, featuring the 28th Annual Effie Lee Morris Meet-the-Author Program.
Featured Speaker: Christina Soontornvat
- Date: Saturday, April 6, 2024
- Time: 2 p.m.
- Topic: "Follow Your Dreams"
- Location: Koret Auditorium, Main Library
- Book Signing: Meet the author after the program
About Effie Lee Morris – A Woman Ahead of Her Time
The ELM Meet-the-Author Program series at SFPL pays tribute to Effie Lee Morris (1921 – 2009), a trailblazer as SFPL's first coordinator of children’s services and the first Black president of the Public Library Association.
Ms. Morris was a tireless advocate for diversity, inclusivity, and the rights of all young people. She initiated the first annual celebration of Black history for youth at the Cleveland Public Library and was the first librarian at the New York Public Library whose work focused on children who were blind or visually impaired. At SFPL, her commitment to serving historically and intentionally excluded communities made a lasting impact. Notably, Ms. Morris also founded the local chapter of the Women’s National Book Association.
First-Ever SFPL BIPOC KidLit Fest
Join authors Natasha Tripplett, Aida Salazar, Lisa Moore Ramee and more at the inaugural SFPL BIPOC Kid LitFest with featured author Christina Soontornvat. This daylong celebration of diverse authors is designed for budding readers, emphasizing the joy of diverse narratives and promising an afternoon of inspiration, representation and the transformative magic of literature.
This year’s keynote author is the award-winning Christina Soontornvat, author of over 20 children’s books, and will explore ideas of “Following Your Dreams” as explored in her works, The Tryout, Ramble Shamble Children and A Wish in the Dark. Don't miss this celebration crafted for young minds, including a book signing and free copies of Soontornvat's works for attending youth, while supplies last.
For more information, call (415) 557-4554, or email ChildrensCenter@sfpl.org.
An Expanding Commitment to Equity
Since 1997, the annual ELM program has brought distinguished authors and illustrators to speak about their works. Since 2021, in partnership with the SFPL Racial Equity Committee, the program focuses on authors and illustrators of color, aligning with Effie Lee Morris's priorities. The Effie Lee Morris OWL Book Club strengthens the library's bond with San Francisco's youth.
Our Wise OWLs Soar
In 2023, the ELM Program expanded to include the OWL Book Club, honoring Ms. Morris with her personal symbol, the wise owl, in a woodcut by artist Ashley Bryan (1923 - 2022).
The OWL Book Club engages SFPL children’s librarians in partnering schools, providing enrichment activities alongside shared readings. Each student receives a special bookplated copy of the featured author’s book.
To join the OWL Book Club, call (415) 557-4554 or email ChildrensCenter@sfpl.org.
Previous guest speakers and programs
2023 Jewell Parker Rhodes
Words as Witness, Words as Healing
2022 Nicola Yoon (virtual event)
2021 Jason Reynolds (virtual event)
2019 Isabel Campoy
Mi Voz Latina for a Choir of Diversity in Children's Literature
2019 Renée Watson
The Miracle of Joy: How Stories Heal
2018 Shane Evans
The Art of Dream
2017 Gary Soto
Too Much of a Good Thing: The Many Genres of Gary Soto
2016 Christian Robinson
You Are Here: Finding Yourself in Picture Books
2015 Chris Raschka
Remembering Books
2014 Yuyi Morales
Creating Children's Books: An Immigrant's Story
2013 Eve Bunting
Picture Books That Can’t Be Written: Social Issues in Children’s Literature
2012 Jerry Pinkney
A Sense of Place Real and Imagined
2011 Gerald McDermott
Tricksters: Gerald McDermott and the Art of the Folktale
2010 Ashley Wolff
Sunrise/Sunset: Exploring the Many Cycles of Life in Picture Books
2009 Pat Mora
The Zing of Writing
2008 Patricia McKissack
Storytelling, the Heart of Literacy
2007 Javaka Steptoe
On the creation of Swan Lake, the classic story retold by Walter Dean Myers and illustrated by Javaka Steptoe
2006 Tomie dePaola
What Haven’t I Done Yet
2005 Pamela Munoz Ryan
Dreams, Discoveries and Daring Women
2004 Nikki Grimes
Does the World Really Need Another Book
2003 Daniel and Robert D. San Souci
Creative Collaboration with the Picture Book : An Inside View
2002 Milly Lee
Hay Choy: A Feast for Readers
2001 Thacher Hurd
Art Dogs and Alligators: Bringing Books to Life
2000 Alma Flor Ada
One Life, Many Voices: An Author’s Journey
1999 Ashley Bryan
Deep Like the Rivers : African Tales, Black American Poetry and Spirituals
1998 Laurence Yep
Yes, Virginia, There Is a Godzilla: Talking About Children’s Literature
1997 A Celebration of Children’s Literature- Featuring treasures from the Effie Lee Morris Historical and Research Collection of Children’s Literature