Exploring Imagination, Belonging, and the Courage to Create Futures through Children’s Literature

2026 NCTE Annual Convention · 21 November 2026 · 17:45–19:00 · 118-C (100 Level)

Exploring Imagination, Belonging, and the Courage to Create Futures through Children’s Literature was a session at 2026 NCTE Annual Convention on 21 November 2026 in Philadelphia, with 11 speakers on record.

Speakers

• Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow — Speaker Random House Children's Books
• Wenyu Guo — Speaker University of South Florida
• Deanna Day — Speaker Associate Professor of Literacy, Washington State University
• Kathy G. Short — Speaker University of Arizona
• Darshna Katwala — Speaker Assistant Professor, Nassau Community College
• Matthew Panozzo — Speaker University of Memphis
• Violeta Encarnacion — Speaker Red Comet Press
• Rene M. Rodriguez-Astacio — Speaker California State University Fresno
• Suriati Abas — Chair Rutgers University-New Brunswick
• Mia Wenjen — Speaker Red Comet Press
• Linda Sue Park — Speaker Clarion