Families can meet children's book authors and illustrators and participate in a host of other activities to encourage reading during the first-ever Salt Lake City Children's Book Festival Thursday, April 20, through Saturday, April 22.
The festival, at Murray High School, 5300 S. State, is free of charge. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday."When a child gets to meet a live author, it makes the story a personal thing for them," said Gretta Millett, festival director. "This will be an opportunity for every child to see and listen to authors speak about their works and why they became an author. They can have books signed, get autographs."
The Children's Book Festival was created by local author Richard Paul Evans, who got the idea three years ago when he was signing books at a festival during a book-promotion tour.
"He thought, 'why aren't we doing this in Salt Lake City? We have so many wonderful children and families, more than most places,' " Millett said.
He felt that Salt Lake City could eventually be the home of the largest children's book festival in the country. "We've just tried to involve the community as much as possible and rely on community support so we can do it again," said Millett.
In addition to meeting the 24 authors and illustrators attending the festival, children can visit and have their pictures taken with storybook characters such as Winnie the Pooh, Madeline, Curious George and Paddington Bear.
More than 100 children's activities will be offered, all designed to excite children about reading. They will include book binding, printing and calligraphy; crafts; educational exhibits, such as a computer lab; and storytime with KSL anchors. An obstacle course, bounce house, face painting and various other activities will also be available.
Saturday morning, a breakfast with the Easter Bunny will be served from 8 to 11, and an Easter egg hunt will be held at 9:30. Cost of the breakfast, sponsored by the Lions Club and 4H, is $1.50 for children, $3 for adults or $10 per family. The 1996 world yo-yo champion Dale Myrbert will perform at 9 a.m.
A bookstore will offer books by visiting authors and others. Families can buy books there and have them signed by the authors.
Entertainment will include the Utah Shakespearean Theater doing "Seuss and Sendak" and a Friday night concert by the Goodman Family.
A schedule and other information is available at www.bookfestival.org.
Sponsors include the Deseret News, US WEST, Franklin-Covey, KSL TV, KSL radio, Chase Suite Hotel by Woodfin, Zany Brainy, Barnes & Noble, Richard Paul Evans Inc. and Radio Disney.
It is a non-profit event, and any profits from concessions or book sales will be used to benefit children's literacy in Utah and abused and neglected children through The Christmas Box House International.