The Talbot County Free Library is gearing up to celebrate the 10th Annual Chesapeake Children’s Book Festival (CCBF), on Saturday, June 7th, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Easton Branch on 100 W Dover Street.
The festival is a free, one-day event that celebrates early literacy, community, and the joy of reading — rain or shine. It’s also the launch of the Talbot County Free Library’s popular Summer Reading Program. Attendees can look forward to a variety of activities for the entire family, including author readings, crafts, games, giveaways, music, and more.
Children who sign up at the Festival for Summer Reading will receive a voucher for one free book from one of the 20 visiting authors and get a free cookie (both while supplies last). This year, the special sugar cookie will showcase CCBF’s beloved blue crab mascot in celebration of its 10th anniversary.
In keeping with the festival’s fun spirit, there’s a new twist this year! Aligned with the “Color Our World!” theme of the Summer Reading Program, children attending the festival can submit their name suggestions for the CCBF blue crab. The winner will earn a special prize—and, of course, bragging rights!
“I enjoy seeing the look of wonder on the children’s faces when they peer into the meeting room, which is full of children’s authors and the books they brought to share” said Senior Youth Services Librarian, Laura Powell. “Noticing how they move from room to room, participating in the many literacy-based activities and seeing their friends from school, hearing them say: “This is such a fun party!”
This year’s festival will feature 20 of the nation’s top children’s book authors and illustrators, including several whose work has been nationally celebrated. Among the guests will be a designer who helped bring Jim Henson’s Muppets to life, a Maryland disability advocate, and a New York Times bestselling author.
Many of these writers have earned prestigious awards for their work, and all were carefully chosen in a thorough selection process. As always, they’re excited to meet and interact with their young fans. Throughout the day of the festival, authors and illustrators will be available to discuss their books, and several of the authors will be giving readings.
This year’s festival will also include an appearance from the beloved Opera Bears, Maryland Opera’s talent trio of performers and their bear puppets who dazzle children with spectacular singing and storytelling. The trio will perform at 12:00 p.m. in the Children’s Area.
Funding for the festival has been provided in part by grants from the Friends of the Talbot County Free Library, Easton Utilities, Maryland Opera, the Talbot County Government, and Talbot Arts (with revenues provided by the Maryland State Arts Council). Maryland Public Television (MPT) is the media partner for the festival.
The following partner organizations will help us celebrate CCBF 10: The Friends of the Library, the Judy Center, Imagination Library, Raising a Reader, The Radcliffe Creek School, Master Gardeners, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and MPT.
For more information about the 10th Annual Chesapeake Children’s Book Festival, including a biography of each participating author and illustrator and a schedule of the day’s events, please visit https://chesapeakechildrensbookfestival.com/ or call 410-822-1626.
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