On Saturday, June 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., in the Easton branch of the Talbot County Free Library, thirty-two of the country’s best authors and illustrators will be featured at the second annual Chesapeake Children’s Book Festival. The Festival is a one-day, rain or shine, free event that celebrates children, community, and literacy. Festival-goers have the opportunity to meet award-winning, best-selling, multi-talented authors and illustrators as they share their stories and love of children.
The Festival will feature live music, a blacksmith working his forge, make-a- book, an exhibit of Easton High School student art, free food and drink, sign up for the Imagination Library, a plant and seed exchange, a “Build Your Own Home” activity, a photo prop house children can have their picture taken in, and more. Several of the authors will give readings from their work.
The Festival will also serve as the kick-off event for the Talbot County Free Library’s summer reading program. Each child who signs up for the summer reading program will receive a voucher good for a free book from one of the Festival’s authors (while supplies last). The child gets to pick the book of their choice and have the author sign it. Studies have shown that children who read during the summer avoid significant drops in their reading skills and return to school in the fall better prepared than those that haven’t been reading.
In keeping with the theme of this year’s summer reading program—“Build a Better World”—the library is partnering with Habitat for Humanity Choptank on the project. Every time a child in the summer reading program reads a book, a donation will be made to Habitat for Humanity Choptank.
“We live in a community that loves books, children, and our library, “said Dana Newman, director of the Talbot County Free Library. “The Chesapeake Children’s Book Festival connects all three while creating a magical day of readings that gives attendees the opportunity to meet the fascinating people who write and illustrate books for children.”
“We are grateful to have such a talented and accomplished group of authors,” added Timothy Young, chair of the event. “Many of the participating authors and illustrators have earned spots on best-selling and best-of-the-year lists. Several of our authors have written more than 20 children’s books. We will have writers who have contributed to the New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, CBS, and The New Yorker. Festival authorRoxie Munro’s artwork has graced the covers of fourteen different issues of The New Yorker. All of our authors and illustrators have inspired children to connect with their love of books.”
Though authors will be coming to Easton from as far away as Kentucky and Rhode Island to participate in the Festival, Young will be one of several local authors also featured. Young is the author and illustrator of eight children’s books, including The Angry Little Puffin and I Hate Picture Books. Barbara Lockhart is an Eastern Shore writer and recipient of two individual artist awards in fiction from the Maryland State Arts Council. Lockhart’s Rambling Raft and Once a Pony Time at Chincoteague were written in collaboration with her daughter, Lynn Lockhart, who also illustrated the books. Lockhart’s Mosey’s Field was illustrated by Easton resident Heather Crow. Laura Rankin has been a children’s book author and illustrator since the tender age of five. Her professional career in the field began 28 years ago with The Handmade Alphabet, inspired by her older stepson who is deaf. Fluffy and Baron, Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie, Swan Harbor, and My Turn followed.
For a full listing of all the authors participating in this year’s Festival, please visit www.chesapeakechildrensbookfestival.com.
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