Hosting over 500 students who were able to meet an author and an illustrator, Sterling College’s Santa Fe Trail Children’s Literature Festival took place on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016. Students from area elementary and junior high schools heard from author Christine Taylor-Butler and illustrator Brad Sneed.

“It was a wonderful day for everyone involved. Christine and Brad were fantastic with the children as they taught valuable skills in writing and illustrating. We are thankful for those who helped plan the event, our guests, and the schools who were able to participate,” said Dr. Terri Gaeddert, director of the Sterling Teacher Education Program.

During the presentations, Taylor-Butler performed science experiments that entertained the students while explaining her process in writing books. Taylor-Butler, a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, writes fictional books that incorporate science facts. Sneed talked to students about storyboarding, sketches, and the overall process of illustrating a book. His website, bradsneed.com, lists 26 picture books that he has illustrated.

Students from Sterling Grade School, Barton County Special Services, Chase Elementary School, Little River Junior High School, Raymond Junior High School, Rice County Special Services, Windom Elementary School, and several college students from Sterling College education and art programs were able to participate in this year’s literature festival.

A special dinner was hosted by the Sterling Teacher Education Program, where Taylor-Butler and Sneed were able to share with librarians from the attending schools, the planning committee, and select Sterling College education students. During the dinner, Gaeddert announced this year’s Merrillyn Kloefkorn Book Award, an award is used to honor Kloefkorn, who initiated the Santa Fe Trail Children’s Literature Festival in 2002. This year, three books were provided for each school in attendance. One book, “The Lost Tribes” by Taylor-Butler, will be housed in the receiving school’s library, while the other two books, “When the Wind Blows” and “Johnny Kaw: A Tall Tale,” illustrated by Sneed, will be given to two students from the receiving school. Upon hearing her book was donated to attending schools, Taylor-Butler said she would give the sequel to “The Lost Tribes,” “Safe Harbor,” to each school when it comes out in November.

The planning committee for this year’s Santa Fe Trail Children’s Literature Festival includes Sterling Grade School Librarian Amy Brownlee, adjunct lecturer Vicky Kessler, Kathy Rich, Gaeddert, and Nancy Hicks, Sterling College administrative assistant of education. Rishawn Austin, convergent technology specialist, helped with technology needs throughout the day.

Sterling College is a Christ-centered, four-year college located in Sterling, Kansas, with a mission to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith. For more information, visit www.sterling.edu.