Sarah Warren
Presenter:
“Identifying Your Storyteller Origin Story: How to Write With Integrity and Intention”
Sarah Warren is an award-winning children's book author and a contributor to Bravery Magazine. Her trade picture books include Beyoncé: Shine Your Light, Charlotte and the Nutcracker (written with Charlotte Nebres), Stacey Abrams: Lift Every Voice, and the forthcoming titles: Majora Carter: How to live in a Better Neighborhood Without Leaving Home, Marla Spivak Thinks Like a Bee, and Everything a Drum. Her book, Dolores Huerta: A Hero to Migrant Workers, was picked for the 2013 Amelia Bloomer Top Ten Book List and awarded a Jane Addams Peace Association Children’s Book Award honor.
As an early childhood educator, she is dedicated to bringing multicultural, everyday heroes to life in elementary schools where children do not often see themselves reflected in the literature they experience. She teaches teen-aged writers to raise awareness through their one-of-a-kind expressions. Sarah has partnered with Free Arts Minnesota, The Bridge for Youth, and Avanti Center for Girls to provide workshops for young people. She is a registered trainer for the Minnesota Center of Professional Development and an Artist Educator for Face Forward: Humanity Through Art.
Sarah seeks to reach ALL readers by presenting in a variety of settings, including People Serving People, the Children's Hospital, and the Minnesota State Fair. A former educator, Sarah served (very) young people as a Minnesota Reading Corps tutor and coach, a Head Start teacher; and a YWCA of Minneapolis Children's Center director. She currently facilitates community story strolls featuring other BIPOC Minnesota authors. Sarah’s family lives in Minneapolis with their dog, Bruce Valentine.
Regarding her presentation topic, Sarah said "According to acclaimed critic, writer, and educator Phillip Lopate, nonfiction writers strive to tell a 'literary and literal truth.' Nonfiction books are true, and they also feel true. But how can writers develop the objectivity they need to locate the truth? How do children’s writers in particular make sure their books will be trustworthy touchstones for teachers, librarians, caregivers, and young readers? In this talk, we will discuss how our personalities, cultural backgrounds, experiences, prejudices, fears, and passions can impact research, writing, and revision. Using writing exercises and a playful, reflective practice, we will consider the motivations that fuel our storytelling. Participants will leave with tools to create entertaining, accurate nonfiction that will inspire intercultural exploration and wonder.”