Are you looking for new picture books to share in your classroom, curriculum, or collection? This presentation will feature the “best of the best” from the 2023 publishing crop (for ages 1 -6).  

A variety of books will be featured, including quality read aloud books, distinguished illustrations, and picture books about diversity and inclusion. Log-in and enjoy this hour-long event. 

As a result of this program, attendees will: 

• Develop a list of new picture books that connect to the preschool and kindergarten audience, both as read-aloud performance and one-to-one reading sessions 

• Learn how to choose diverse books for collections and programming, with a wide variety of themes, tones, subjects, and illustration styles. Acquire simple techniques to analyze picture book art 

• Identify books that align with kindergarten readiness skills and make connections to other books while discovering new authors and illustrators 

Katie Clausen ~ Biography 

Katie Clausen is the Early Literacy Services Manager at Gail Borden Public Library. She completed her MLIS from Dominican University and holds an M.A. in Children’s Literature from Simmons College.  

She has presented at the Illinois Library Association’s Annual Conferences, ALSC Institute, Opening Minds Early Childhood Conference, and the National Network of Medical Libraries (NNLM). Check out Katie’s articles in the ILA Reporter and Children & Libraries: The Journal of ALSC. Katie’s specialties include: early literacy, children’s literature evaluation, play-based learning, and best storytime practices.