Come and join Master Balloon Artist Shana Sharpe and learn how to make balloon art!  Delight your inner child and impress your outer children (should you have those) with the art of balloons!

You will learn a variety of introductory balloon sculptures and hear why this medium in particular is so suited to encouraging creativity in young minds.  

Every participant also gets a drink of their choice from Moby’s!  Spots are limited; sign up soon!

Shana Sharp and her husband David produce the weekly Sharp Balloons Family Hour on their YouTube channel. She also hosted two seasons of the Balloon Builders program on Noggin – each episode fully shot from her home studio mid-pandemic isolation.  But long before her entry into children’s media, she was (and still is) a professional kids entertainer for live events.  Shana is a firm believer that everyone should make something silly and pointless at least once a week.  New episodes every Wednesday at 4p Pacific, YouTube.com/sharpballoons.

Tuesday, March 31, 2026 – 5pm PT/8pm ET

Now more than ever, the media landscape in which we work demands constant innovation, calculated risk-taking, and dynamic leadership. In the expanded edition of his incisive 2014 book, Creativity, Inc: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration, Pixar Co-Founder Edwin Catmull details how entertainment industry professionals can create a team culture that fosters ingenuity, experimentation, and creative courage. Hosted and moderated by CMA Book Club Coordinator Cathryn Asip.

What happens when books disappear from shelves? What do kids lose — and what can they gain when stories fight back? 

Join Linda Ravin Lodding for a discussion about book banning, creative courage, and her new picture book It Started with a Book Ban (out April 9, 2026). We’ll also explore Linda’s reflections on transforming headlines into hope — turning real-world concerns into picture book possibilities that empower young readers.

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LINDA RAVIN LODDING BIO

Linda Ravin Lodding is an award-winning author of picture books that blend heart, humor, and a dash of whimsy. She loves writing read-alouds with kindness, curiosity, and playful surprises—stories that make children laugh, wonder, and feel seen.

Her books include The Busy Life of Ernestine Buckmeister (Flashlight Press), A Gift for Mama (Knopf), The Queen Is Coming to Tea (Sourcebooks), Painting Pepette (Little Bee), Wakey, Wakey Elephant (Union Square Kids), Little Red Riding Sheep (Atheneum), Flipflopi: How a Colourful Boat Made from Flipflops Is Saving the Oceans (Beaming Books, 2023), and Babies Are Not Bears (Reycraft). Her next book,  It Started with a Book Ban, will be published with Albert Whitman on April 9, 2026.

A New Yorker at heart, Linda studied at Barnard College and NYU’s Stern School of Business, and now lives in Stockholm, where she also serves as Head of Communications for a children’s rights organization founded by the Swedish Royal Family.

In addition to writing, Linda is a writing coach and editor who has helped nearly 100 children’s book authors refine their voice and strengthen their stories.

Website: www.lindalodding.com
Instagram: @lindaravinlodding_author

How to Future Proof your savings in this crazy world – The Psychology of Investing

Let’s be honest… the world feels a little wild right now, and making smart money moves can feel overwhelming. But understanding how we think about money (and why we sometimes make decisions we regret!) is your secret weapon for building lasting financial security. By learning to spot our own money habits, teaming up with a financial pro, and keeping emotions in check when things get bumpy, you can create a solid, personalized savings plan that’s built to weather whatever the world throws at you. Come join the team at OpenArc for a candid and illuminating conversation about your savings!

Join us for some great networking and light bites! RSVP for entry. Members FREE!

American Whiskey

247 W 30th St

New York, NY 10001

Careers evolve. Ideas change. Paths shift.

This session is all about the pivot: changing roles, industries, or even the ideas you once thought defined you. Join us for a candid, supportive conversation on what it really looks like to shift directions and build something new.

Come meet up with other CMA members for another great mixer – first drink is on CMA!

Thursday April 16th, 6:30-9pm.

All Season Brewing Company

800 S La Brea, 

Los Ángeles, CA 90036

Join us for the Children’s Media Association’s Coffee Chat in Palo Alto! Whether you’re a longtime member, a student or just curious to learn about our community, this casual event is a perfect chance to connect, network, and join the conversation about the future of Children’s EdTech and Media. All are welcome!

We will meet at:

Verve Coffee Roasters
162 University Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301

Transportation:

Public transit options include Caltrain, local buses, and free shuttles. Street and lot parking are available in Downtown Palo Alto. For more information on lot locations, please visit the City of Palo Alto website, most lots are free on weekends.

Animated Perspectives: Advancing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Animation Industry

Join us for an insightful conversation on bringing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices to the animation industry. Led by former Netflix recruiter now Talent Manager Sam Goff, this session will explore how the stories, characters, and worlds we create for children can shape their understanding of the world—and inspire empathy, curiosity, and inclusion from an early age.

Learn actionable strategies, industry insights, and real-world examples to help studios, creators, and teams craft content that not only entertains but also positively influences young minds. Whether you’re an animator, producer, or industry enthusiast, this conversation will equip you to lead change both on-screen and behind the scenes.

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SAM GOFF BIO

Sam Goff is an independent Talent Manager working across animation, guiding writers, directors, story artists, and
visual development artists as they build sustainable, creatively fulfilling careers.

Sam earned a B.A. in Animation from Loyola Marymount University’s top-ranked School of Film and Television before beginning her career in animation production at DreamWorks Animation. While there, she contributed to major feature and television projects including Spirit: Riding Free, Fast & Furious: Spy Racers, and The Bad Guys. She later joined Netflix’s then-new animation studio, moving into Outreach & Engagement. At Netflix, Sam launched the Foundations mentorship program supporting emerging BIPOC talent, helped lead the Early Career Trainee Program for storyboard and visual development artists, and created the Unlearning Series, an internal DEI initiative celebrating inclusive education and dialogue.

Sam eventually shifted from recruiting to artist management, joining Fourth Wall Management to learn the craft of guiding creative careers. After three years, she launched her own practice. Today, Sam combines the skills of a manager, reverse recruiter, career coach, producer, and sometimes therapist. Beyond her management work, Sam is an active mentor and educator in the animation community. She volunteers with organizations such as BRIC and Women in Animation, frequently speaks on making applications “recruiter friendly,” and teaches her DEI-focused animation course, Animated Perspectives, at Loyola Marymount University.

She lives in Los Angeles with her wife and their six beloved pets.

Lil Bohdi & Me: Mindful Minis Yoga with Alex Reed is a playful yoga adventure for little movers and their grown-ups! Expect lots of stretching, wiggling, breathing, and giggling as kids explore yoga through music, imagination, and fun poses.Together, we’ll move our bodies, calm our minds (just a little 😉), and practice mindfulness in a way that feels exciting and accessible for kids. 

This joyful, interactive class is all about connection, creativity, and making mindful memories—no yoga experience needed.Come ready to move, laugh, and flow together 🌈🧘‍♀️

Join CMA for an exciting opportunity to connect with fellow members in a more intimate setting centered around tenure and experience. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, there is a group for you! These are casual exploration groups, perfect for finding peers in your career stage.

Mid career: (5+ years) For those with substantial experience who are established in their career and looking to advance or pivot who are not in senior leadership roles.

Join the CMA Bay Area for a moderated discussion on the opportunities and challenges AI presents to the children’s media industry. Whether you’re curious, cautious, or already deep in experimentation, we want your voice in the conversation. This event is open to CMA members and students. Refreshments and beverages will be served.

Location
Infinity San Francisco
Club Lounge
333 Main Street
San Francisco

Transportation
The venue is easily accessible via BART, Muni, and the SF Bay Ferry. Street parking is also available. There are also multiple parking lots in the area, if needed. Please allow extra time for potential traffic and parking if you are driving.

Join CMA members for a special private, guided tour of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. This will be an especially fun and meaningful exploration for CMA members, because the JPL sits at the intersection of science, storytelling, and inspiration. The lab is responsible for many of NASA’s most iconic space missions—like the Mars Rover missions and Voyager program—which have sparked curiosity and imagination for generations. For creators working in children’s television, publishing, and digital media, seeing firsthand how engineers and scientists turn bold ideas into real missions can provide powerful insights and authentic details that translate into more engaging STEM stories for young viewers. It also offers an opportunity to connect with the real-world innovators whose work fuels the kinds of discovery, problem-solving, and wonder that children’s media strives to inspire.

May 5th, 1pm-3:30pm. CMA Members only. We will need to collect clearance and safety info from each person attending for JPL and NASA. 

Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) – 4800 Oak Grove Dr., La Canada Flintridge, CA 910

• All US citizens 18 years of age or older visiting JPL MUST present official, government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport, before being allowed entry.
• Anyone not on our approved roster will not be admitted on to the facility.  All non-US citizens (Foreign Nationals) 18 years of age or older MUST present either a passport or resident visa (green card) before being allowed entry. Individuals without the appropriate identification will NOT be admitted to the facility.
• The tour includes considerable walking and stair climbing. Dress comfortably and appropriately for the weather. Wheelchairs can be accommodated with prior notice. Cameras are allowed on the tour. While a small personal item can be brought on tour, please refrain from bringing any large items, such as duffle bags and suitcases. *Note: All tours are conducted in English*

Celebrate the arrival of spring with CMA’s first Drink & Draw! Join us at Lavender Lake in Williamsburg for an evening of mingling, sips, and painting, led by children’s media art director, illustrator, and creative producer, Stephanie Six. In this beginner-friendly and process-driven “Spring Floral Watercolor Workshop,” attendees will learn simple watercolor techniques to capture the rich colors and layered petals of spring flowers. No experience needed. Just come ready to create, connect, and have fun!

Stephanie Six is an art director, picture book illustrator, and creative producer. She’s developed original content for PBS Kids, reimagined the classic Colorforms toy line into a Netflix series, and partnered with brands like Apple+, Amazon, and Little Bee Books to bring thoughtful, beautifully designed stories to life. Her most recent projects include WonderPets: In the City! (Apple+), an unannounced Yoto project, and art for the upcoming book series Princess Penelope’s Purse of Proposterous Things (Loyola Press). You can see more of her work at stephaniesix.com.