Two noted children’s authors — Pam Munoz Ryan of California and Manoa writer James Rumford — will be featured at the 16th Biennial Conference on Literature and Hawaii’s Children, taking place Thursday through Saturday.

The conference, "Where Pictures Speak and Stories Paint," is aimed at parents, teachers, librarians, writers, illustrators and others interested in children’s literature. Organizers say there are three concurrent tracks of presentations and discussions. One is "Interpreting Literature," emphasizing ways of reading children’s literature; a second, "Using Literature," will provide activities for children at home, in school and at the library; and the third, "Creating Literature," will help writers and illustrators publish their work. Sessions will be held Friday and Saturday at Chaminade University.

A special Teen Track for students in grades 6 to 12 will be offered Friday for aspiring writers and Saturday for illustrators.

The opening festivities include a free event from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Tenney Theatre, with a performance by Honolulu Theatre for Youth and appearances by Ryan and Rumford.

"Story Magic" features a free slate of creative activities and stories for kids ages 5 to 11 from 1:15 to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Ryan has written more than 30 books for children, including juvenile and young adult fiction. Her works include "Esperanza Rising," based on her grandmother’s immigration from Mexico to California, and "When Marian Sang," about opera singer Marian Anderson’s historic 1939 performance on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Her more whimsical picture books include "Mice and Beans," "Nacho and Lolita," and "Tony Baloney."

Rumford writes and illustrates stories inspired by his world travels. His Pacific navigation story "Island-Below-the-Star" was named one of the best children’s books of 1998 by The , and he has won numerous other honors. Other books by Rumford include a children’s version of "Beowulf," and "Silent Music," which incorporates Arabic calligraphy in telling the story of a young boy surviving the war in Iraq.

Registration will be accepted throughout the conference. Academic and professional education credit may be available for some sessions.

Many events are free, but for complete information, visit www.childrensliteraturehawaii.org, call Children’s Literature Hawai‘i at 956-7559 or email clh@hawaii.edu.

Other sponsors are the University of Hawaii English Department and the Hawaii Council for the Humanities.