Mazza conference hosts leading voices in children's literature

FINDLAY, OH (WTOL) - A local museum is hosting authors and artists of children's books in Findlay this week.

But this conference is more than a simple meet and greet for attendees.

For 26 years, the Mazza summer conference brings in hundreds of teachers and librarians to hear from and meet prominent authors and illustrators of children's books.

The three-day event allows the attendees to learn more about the writing and illustration process, to gain additional insight into how they can get kids engaged in reading.

"Each of them have a different story and start their presentation in the way they took or the road that they took to get published, and this year we actually have an agent. In the world of children's publishing these days, agents are very much a part of that equation," said Benjamin Sapp, director of the Mazza museum.

The museum has become a popular location for these artists and authors, like Floyd Cooper, who has worked on nearly 100 children's titles.

He said that this conference doesn't just help those people who are trying to get kids to read these books, but it's a breathe of fresh air for those who produce the work as well.

"I really do get inspired tremendously when I meet people who are so gung-ho about the work and the craft, and it just spills over and I carry all of that energy back home with me, and it helps me out a lot. So it's purely selfish reason that I'm here," said Cooper.

This year's summer conference is more than half over, but to learn more about next years conference or more about the Mazza Museum, you can visit their website.