Welcome to Picture Books Summer Camp with PJ Library*

Welcome!

Congratulations on your acceptance to the 2024 Picture Book Summer Camp hosted by PJ Library! This five day, in-person program is centered on mentorship, inspiration, and the Jewish community with:

• opportunities for learning, feedback, and interaction
• ample self-paced time to make progress on a project, or play with your creativity
• many opportunities for feedback
• support for Jewish themes and research

Mornings will be structured around lectures, workshops, and hands-on activities. Afternoons will be for independent writing and revising, as well as meetings with fellow creatives (including your faculty reader and small groups). Each evening we will gather for discussion and sharing. (Tentative schedule below.

KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS:

• This is an in-person workshop at the Highlights Foundation Retreat Center hosted by PJ Library, with enriching experiences like keynotes from Heidi E.Y. Stemple, Lesléa Newman, and Alan Silberberg, as well as breakout sessions, mentorship, and ample time for independent writing, meeting informally with fellow creatives, and resting.
• A virtual beit midrash (or Jewish study hall) where we will provide resources along with 1:1 meetings to delve deeper into Jewish ideas and storytelling.
• Acceptance into the program covers tuition, lodging, and meals.
• Travel stipends to the retreat center will be available from PJ Library. 
• Storytellers will arrive by 5:30 pm Eastern on Sunday, August 25
• Storytellers will depart on Thursday, August 29 following lunch

Important Dietary Information:

PJ Library maintains kosher style options for programs that they host. During this retreat, we will only be serving vegetarian and kosher fish options. Snacks and drinks will be certified kosher. While the Highlights Foundation’s kitchen is not kosher, they are able to provide kosher certified packaged meals for accepted participants who mark this request.

ABOUT PJ LIBRARY:

Learn all about PJ Library at https://pjlibrary.org/home.

PJ Library sends free Jewish children’s books to families across the world every month. We know that something magical happens when parents sit down together to read with their children. PJ Library shares Jewish stories that can help your family talk together about values and traditions that are important to you. PJ Library welcomes all Jewish families, whatever your background, knowledge, or family make-up, or observance may be.

Questions directly for the PJ Library Team can be directed to: authors@pjlibrary.org

Important Dates:

Pre-retreat dates:

• July 14, 2024:   Link provided for manuscript submissions for small group discussions and faculty 1:1 reviews.
• July 22, 2024 at 1pm Eastern:   A pre-retreat Zoom session will take place to answer any questions you have about your retreat, including finalizing the schedule, submissions, what to expect in small group discussions, and more!
• July 24, 2024:   Submission due for small group discussions and faculty 1:1 reviews.
• August 19, 2025:   Room assignments and final travel arrangements confirmed.

Tentative Retreat Details:

Please note that this schedule is subject to change.

DAY 1: SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2024

• Please arrive by 5:00pm Eastern
• 5:30pm       Welcome with introductions
• Followed by dinner and a Special Welcome from PJ Library

DAY 2: MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2024

Morning:

• 8am Breakfast
• 9am Opening Keynote with Heidi Stemple
• 10am Break
• 10:30am  Breakout Sessions
  • Lesléa Newman (Topic to come) Group 1
  • Alan Silberberg (Topic to come) Group 2

Afternoon:

• Lunch
• Special Virtual Session (1pm Eastern)
• Peer discussion facilitated by PJ Library
• 1:1 Meetings with Faculty Reader (when not in peer group)
• Virtual Beit midrash: a place to discuss Jewish ideas

Evening:

• Appetizers & Dinner
• After Dinner: Panel discussion (fireside, weather permitting)

DAY 3: TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2024

Morning:

• 8am Breakfast
• 9am Keynote with Alan Silberberg
• 10am Break
• 10:30am  Breakout Sessions
  • Heidi Stemple (Topic to come) Group 1
  • Lesléa Newman (Repeat topic to come) Group 2

Afternoon:

• Lunch
• Free writing time and informal activities
• PJ Library & PJ Our Way: Ask Us Anything
• Virtual Beit midrash: a place to discuss Jewish ideas

Evening:

• Appetizers
• Dinner
• After Dinner: Panel discussion (fireside, weather permitting)

DAY 4: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2024

Morning:

• 8am Breakfast
• 9am Keynote with Lesléa Newman
• 10am Break
• 10:30am  Breakout Sessions
  • Alan Silberberg (Repeat topic to come) Group 1
  • Heidi Stemple (Repeat topic to come) Group 2

Afternoon:

• Lunch (optional Lunch & Learn discussions, topics to come based on conversations)
• Free writing time and informal activities
• Informal 1:1 Meetings with PJ Library Team
• Virtual Beit midrash: a place to discuss Jewish ideas

Evening:

• Group Photo
• Appetizers & Dinner
• Open Mic/ Sharing

DAY 5: THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2024

Morning

• Breakfast
• Break/Packing/Writing/ Informal meetings
• 10am Reflections from attendees & closing comments from PJ Library and Faculty

Afternoon

• Lunch & farewells

Note: Breakout topics and lectures are still being developed by faculty.

A note about workshop agendas and how they change and evolve. 

FEEDBACK EXPECTED:

• Mentorship will be provided for picture book writers and writer/illustrators through one-to-one meetings with faculty readers to review one, complete manuscript submission.
• You will also have the opportunity to workshop one picture book submission during facilitated peer discussions led by the PJ Library team.
• The goal of all feedback sessions is to offer you support, and ask questions to help you problem-solve, brainstorm new ideas, and work through challenges. You will receive comprehensive submission details within 6 weeks of the program’s start (by July 14, 2024). 
• Informal feedback will be offered throughout the workshop via discussions and open sharing during free creative time.

ABOUT THE HIGHLIGHTS FOUNDATION RETREAT CENTER:

All in-person Highlights Foundation workshops (including this special partnership with the PJ Library) are held at our Retreat Center: The Barn at Boyds Mills.  This site was the home of the original founders of Highlights for Children Garry and Caroline Myers, and is located in the Poconos Mountains of Pennsylvania on the traditional lands of the Lenape Nation. For more information about attending a workshop or retreat here, visit the Barn at Boyds Mills website. 

To learn more about the Highlights Foundation, please read about the mission and Community Standards.

HOW THIS WORKSHOP IMPACTS KIDS:

Books are a foundational part of children’s lives. This program will help you create authentic picture books so all children can experience the rich cultures, histories, and joys that only you can bring to the page!

Why do we mention this? Learn about the Highlights Foundation mission.