[6]The 2018 ABC Children’s Institute [7], which will take place June 19–21 in New Orleans, Louisiana, will kick off the evening of Tuesday, June 19, with the first-ever Welcome Mardi Gras & Backlist Favorite Kids’ Book Character Costume Party [8].

Attendees should get their creative wheels turning now and start planning their costumes. Big prizes will be awarded for costumes across a range of categories, including:

• Best ensemble costume
• Best solo costume
• Best fierce female
• Best villain
• Best award-winning backlist
• Plus categories created on the spot

Costumes will be judged by a surprise panel of industry friends.

In addition to refreshments and a fun atmosphere, the opening reception will feature a round of costume character bingo, and attendees are asked to bring a copy of the backlist book featuring their character for a game of backlist character tag.

The Welcome Mardi Gras & Backlist Favorite Kids’ Book Character Costume Party [8] will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Lagniappe & Rhythms Foyer at the Sheraton New Orleans.

Booksellers who would like to attend the sixth ABC Children’s Institute should register now [9]. The conference fee is $119 per bookseller, with a maximum of five registrants per ABA member business. Questions about the institute should be directed to ABC Group Manager Gen de Botton [10].

The Ci6 hotel room block at the Sheraton New Orleans is filled; registrants in need of a hotel room should complete the waitlist form [11]. Those on the waitlist will be notified on a first-come, first-served basis if rooms become available. Hotel questions can be directed to ABA’s Jill Perlstein [12].

Booksellers may cancel their Children’s Institute registration at any time by e-mailing [email protected] [13]. Cancellations received prior to April 30 are eligible for a full refund of registration fees; cancellations received on or after April 30 are not eligible for refund.