2023 CBC Graphic Novel Committee Free Programming at San Diego Public Library
The CBC Graphic Novel Committee presents 7 great panels on Friday, July 21! Attendance is FREE! Join us at the San Diego Public Library Central Library.
Familiar Faces (10 – 11 AM)
Beloved characters and renowned creators provide enticing access to the world of graphic novels. Join them as they share insights into using high-profile works to introduce readers to books.
Moderator:
- Dr. Lesley S. J. Farmer – Professor of Library Media, CSULB Teacher Librarian Program Coordinator
Panelists:
- Mike Maihack (Spider-Man: Animals Assemble! (A Might Marvel Team-Up)) – Abrams Children’s Books
- Raina Telgemeier (Smile) – Scholastic / Graphix
- Gene Luen Yang (The Books of Clash Volume 1: Legendary Legends of Legendarious Achievery) – Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group / First Second
Fantastic Adventures (11 AM – 12 PM)
The panelists will explore exercising imaginations and engaging passions with graphic novels.
Moderator:
- Lisa Harrison – Middle School Teacher
Panelists:
- Nichole Santangelo – STE(A)M teacher
- Franco Aureliani (Fae and the Moon) – Little Bee Books / Yellow Jacket
- Odunze Oguguo aka Whyt Manga (Apple Black) – Quarto Books / Rockport Publishing
- Lucas Turnbloom (Steve L. McEvil and the Second Wind) – Random House Graphics
- Gabriel Valentin (Digital Lizards of Doom) – MadCave / Papercutz
- F.C. Yee (Chronicles of the Avatar) – Abrams Children’s Books
Growing and Becoming (12 – 1 PM)
Protagonists’ coming-of-age experiences include grappling with family dynamics, identity and mental health, border community life, tween and teen milestone moments, and body image, offering readers opportunities to see themselves or gain insights into others’ experiences. Come hear these book creators share these tales of growing and becoming.
Moderator:
- Tina Lerno – Digital Content Librarian and Comics Specialist, Los Angeles Public Library
Panelists:
- Deb JJ Lee (In Limbo) – Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group / First Second
- Jose Pimienta (Twin Cities) – Scholastic / Graphix
- Dan Santat (A First Time for Everything) – Scholastic / Graphix
- Victoria Ying (Hungry Ghost) – Scholastic / Graphix
Filling the Shelves (1 – 2 PM)
Creating and promoting graphic novels for all readers in challenging times.
Moderator:
- Gina Bottini – Program Specialist-Secondary Professional Development Center
Panelists:
- Yukiko Chavez, Library Media Technician, Vista Unified School District
- Rich Johnson, VP of Sales and Business Development, Diamond Books
- Art Baltazar (YAHGZ: The Craynobi Tales) – MadCave / Papercutz
- Kazu Kibuishi (Amulet) – Scholastic / Graphix
- Jana Tropper (Animal Rescue Friends) – Andrews McMeel Publishing
- Dr. Lesley S. J. Farmer – Professor of Library Media, CSULB Teacher Librarian Program Coordinator
Interactive & In-Person (2 – 3 PM)
Hooray! Your school or library has booked a graphic novel creator for an in-person event. What might you expect?
Moderator:
- Moni Barrette – President, Graphic Novel & Comics Round Table, American Library Association
Panelists:
- Mac Barnett (The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza) – HarperCollins / Katherine Tegen Books
- Jonathan Case (Little Monarchs) – Holiday House / Margaret Ferguson Books
- Nidhi Chanani (Shark Princess #2: Shark Party) – Penguin Young Readers / Viking Books for Young Readers
- Mark Fearing (Welcome to Feral (Frights from Feral #1)) – Holiday House
- Dan Santat (A First Time for Everything) – Scholastic / Graphix
All Together Now! Find Your Voice! (3 – 4 PM)
Whether it’s community stories centered around kindness, friendship, and unity or exploring the way voices have power to share stories, express individuality, and spark change, graphic novels offer stories to connect and inspire. Watch as they share how these themes resonate in the works of these authors and more.
Moderator:
- Christina E. Taylor – Youth Services Consultant, Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Panelists:
- Samuel Sattin (Buzzing) – Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Sarah Sax (Picture Day) – Random House Children’s Books
- Steenz (Lost and Found (Book #2 of Heart of the City)) – Andrews McMeel Publishing
Unstoppable Forces (4 – 5 PM)
Graphic novels featuring a Filipino-American take on Depression-era noir featuring mistaken identities, speakeasies, and lost love; finding safe space as a queer teen; the historic struggle for gender equality in high school sports; and a fantastic take on underrepresented history provide inspirational and empathetic stories of overcoming adversity.
Moderator:
- Matthew Noe – Lead Collection & Knowledge Management Librarian, Harvard Medical School
Panelists:
- Rina Ayuyang (The Man in the McIntosh Suit) – Drawn & Quarterly
- Kate Glasheen (Constellations) – Holiday House
- Matt Tavares (Hoops) – Candlewick Press
- Jasmine Walls (Brooms) – Levine Querido
A special thank you to:
- Maryelizabeth Yturralde, a Southern California independent bookseller and graphic novel expert, for creating the panel themes and organizing the panelists
- The fabulous team at the San Diego Public Library and the SDCCI organizers
- Jason Kelley, the director at The Comics Appreciation Project, for his work in creating the graphic
- The brilliant book creators, their publishers, and the CBC Graphic Novel Committee members
- And all the local librarians and teachers, the everyday heroes!
