Join Elizabeth Gray Boachie-Ansah, a former elementary educator and author, for an interactive and inspiring workshop that will showcase a framework for cultivating literacy. Learn seven practical and proven tips that can be easily applied by families to unlock their child’s lifelong love of reading.

Read and write short poems written from photographs. Led by Heidi Mordhorst, author of two poetry collections for young readers, this workshop will teach about ekphrasis, creative writing about visual art. You’ll compose a poem together on chart paper, choosing words that sound good to your ears and feel good in your mouth. Then, you’ll select from an array of interesting photos and compose your own poems. The workshop will close with an opportunity to share poems with the group. Young poets will take home their ekphrastic poem and a souvenir.

Everyone has a story to tell…including you! This interactive workshop, led by author Naomi Milliner, will explore how to craft a story that is uniquely YOU: one that no one else can write. You’ll play a game or two, try some fun writing prompts, and get your creative juices flowing.

Modeled after poems in “Wild Washington,” an illustrated poetry book about animal sculptures in Washington, D.C., and led by poet and artist Nancy Arbuthnot, this workshop will review haiku techniques to create animal cards (illustrations optional) with a haiku about a favorite pet, wild animal or animal sculpture.

Join cartoonists Dave Roman (“Unicorn Boy”) and John Gallagher (“Max Meow”) for a fun-filled workshop about developing unique characters, brainstorming ideas and collaborating with fellow artists to create unexpected comic stories full of crazy twists and turns.

Discover the creative possibilities of art journaling. This workshop, led by poet and storyteller Jennifer-NeToi Claiborne, combines poetry, song lyrics, quotes and visual storytelling to help you create meaningful journal pages. Explore techniques like free writing, collage and drawing to express yourself through words and images. Supplies are provided, but feel free to bring favorite quotes, photos or lyrics to inspire your work.

People who could never meet, lands that are fantastic and magical are at the center of this workshop. Author and educator Hildie Block will lead you through the process of using wacky prompts to tell truly far out stories with fantastic characters.