Skip to main content
Add Me To Your Mailing List

HEY KIDS! COMIC SHOPS!
 ONLINE KID LIT CONFERENCE

kidslit1-1.jpg
 

August 27 & 28, ComicsPRO is hosting the first official C.R.E.D.I.T. Conference,Hey Kids! Comic Shops!


The Hey Kids! Comic Shops! Conferencewill be a 2-Day Kid Lit Online Conference featuring panels and workshops 
on topics such as Building and Stocking a Kids' Section, Creating Kids' Programming, Working with Schools and Libraries, 
Diversity in Kids' Lit, and so much more.


The conference will also include a Townhall where you can ask questions about your specific store needs to other retailers.


Participants who attend all of the courses can then take a certification test to earn the C.R.E.D.I.T. Kid Lit accreditation.


All participants will earn hours of Professional Development in Kids Lit.


Attending the conference is free for ComicsPRO members and $20 for non-members.


Sign up today at:https://comicspro.wufoo.com/forms/zyg6qw60h7hul9/

Schedule_kidlit.jpg
DAY ONE
THURSDAY, 8/27/26
ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME (EDT)

11:00 AM Opening Remarks Shannon Live, Director of Education, ComicsPRO
11:15 AM Opening Keynote: Value of Reaching the Younger Market Keynote Speaker, John Gallagher (Max Meow) Introduction by: Joe Murray, President ComicsPRO
12:00PM Opening Session: Building and Stocking Kids Section What makes a kids’ section work in your store? Where do you put it? What does shelving look like in that section? This opening session will talk about all the things you’ve always wondered about what makes a Kids’ section thrive. We’ll discuss the logistics of placement, merchandising, and how to make sure the space is a place where kids want to hang out while still passing the mom test. Panel Participants: Shannon Live (Bat City), Jenn Haines (The Dragon), David Murray (Hello Comics), Miranda Nordell (Dreamers & Make-Believers)
1:00PM Session: Kid Lit Creators Talk Diversity in Kids Lit Helping kids feel seen is a big part of what literature is all about! How do you help curate that discovery of self in your store?Kid Lit creators and retailers discuss diversity in Kid Lit, why it’s important to make kids feel seen, and how you can merchandise your store to better represent all kids. Panel Participants: Kristen Parraz (Santa Monica Comics Company) Susie Yi (Cat & Cat Adventures), Wahab Algarmi (Almost Sunset), Kiara Valdez (Stepping Up)
2:00PM Break
3:30PM Session: Manga for All-Ages
4:30PM Session: Bridging the Gap - Young Adult Graphic Novels for the Growing Reading As readers age out of Kid Lit (either by age or by reading level) it’s sometimes hard to find where to go next. This panel will help you discover Young Adult Lit titles that are great for bridging the gap between the worlds of the Bark Knight and the Dark Knight. Panel Participants: Mark de Vera (Yen Press), Sweeney Boo (Speak of the Devil), Miles Turiko Burks (Encore), Pablo Leon (The Journey)
5:30 PM Wrap Up




DAY TWO
FRIDAY, 8/28/26
ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME (EDT)

 
12:00 PM Welcome
12:05 PM Creating In-Store Kids Programs Now that you have a kids section with loads of books, how do you get kids to consider you the place to go for fun? Build all-star kids programming! That’s how! Hear some tips and tricks on how to build a community around kids in your store. From monthly recurring events to book launches to family fun days, we’ll help you create activities that every kid will want to join in on. Panel Participants: Shannon Live (Bat City Comic Professionals) and Billy Flake (Coliseum of Comics)
1:00 PM Working with Schools and Libraries Want to know how to take your programming beyond your doors? From library and school cons to curating shelf displays to developing contracts to help with orders, these panelists will help you figure out the most effective ways to team up with schools and libraries to help you plug into your community. Panel Participants: Jenn Haines (The Dragon), Christina Taylor (TLA/Comic Librarian), Moni Barrette (Comic Librarian)
2:00 PM Breakout: Townhall Have questions? We’ve got answers! Our expert panelists will be hosting a Townhall meeting to give you a chance to ask all the specific questions you’ve been holding in about your kid section! Come prepared to talk space, product, design, etc! Panel Participants: Shannon Live (Bat City), David Murray (Hello Comics)
3:00 PM Break
3:10 PM Stocking Kid Lit in a World of Book Bans and Challenges Kid and Teen Lit are at the forefront of Book Challenges and bans, so how do you carry these books in your store? How can you talk about these books with parents and kids? What are the best ways to showcase and sell books while still protecting your rights as a retailer? Panel Participants: Shannon Live (Bat City Comic Professionals), Michael Torma (Oni Press), Gina Gagliano (Avery Hill)
4:00 PM Marketing to Kids and Families Kids and families are a different target audience than most comic shops target with their general marketing. In this session we’ll talk about things from what language you should use when talking to/about kids, what are families looking for in a space they go to, where do you find families to put your marketing, etc. We’ll showcase some sample ads that can help you reach Comic Shop Kids and their adults in a way that helps establish you as the place to be. Panel Participants: Shannon Live (Bat City Comic Professionals)
4:50 PM Closing Remarks We are still receiving confirmations, so there may be even more panelists to come! Plus, all registered attendees will receive an information packet post-event that will highlight the key takeaways and information from each panel.



kidslit2-1.jpg

COMICSPRO C.R.E.D.I.T.


What is C.R.E.D.I.T.?


C.R.E.D.I.T stands for Comic Retailer Education, Development, and Industry Training.


C.R.E.D.I.T is the new ComicsPRO Retailer Accreditation program that helps comic shop retailers (owners, managers, and associates) develop skills while earning certifications that can help for years to come.


Why get certified?


In today's job market, certifications can help boost an employee's value, making them stick out above other candidates. Having a tangible measurible understanding of information also helps showcase a retailer's industry experience and dedication when applying for loans and other important assistance options. Not only that, but the more we learn and grow with and from each other, the stronger our industry becomes as a whole!

TheHey Kids! Comic Shops! Conference, is just the first official conference in C.R.E.D.I.T. accreditation.


More conferences and other online education oppportunities coming soon.

kidslit4-1.jpg

HEY KIDS! CLASSES INCLUDE:


  • Building and Stocking a Kid's Section
  • Working with Schools and Libraries
  • Determining Age Appropriateness
  • Manga for All Ages
  • Diversity in Kids' Lit
  • Creating In-Store Programming
  • Bridging the Gap with Young Adults
  • Stocking Kid Lit in a Book Banning World
  • Marketing to Kids and Families


Full schedule coming soon!

kidslit13-1.jpg

KID LIT TOWNHALL

Have questions about your store design? Need some direct tips on how to handsell a certain title? Stumped on where to take your kids' programming?


Join us at the Townhall during our Kids Lit Conference to ask your questions to some of our expert panelists and fellow retailers.


Reserve your spot for the conference here:

https://comicspro.wufoo.com/forms/zyg6qw60h7hul9/