Children's Literature Festival Draws National Authors, Illustrators April 1-3
SALISBURY, MD---From three-time Caldecott Medal winner David Wiesner to the widely-acclaimed writer Phillip Hoose, esteemed authors and illustrators from around the world visit Salisbury University for its annual Children’s Literature Festival April 1-3.
“We are extremely excited about the high quality of authors and illustrators coming to this year’s festival,” said Dr. Ernie Bond of SU’s Teacher Education Department. “We want to share that excitement with local artists and writers, with kids of all ages and with teachers. And, of course, with the Green Earth Book Awards, we want to reach out to anyone who is concerned about the world we live in. We are very proud that Salisbury is hosting a national literary award and even prouder that our festival is free and open to the public so anyone can attend.”
Children, young adults and parents can meet renowned literary professionalsand hear them speak about their workduring several events Wednesday, April 2, in Caruthers Hall Auditorium. At 1 p.m., Wiesner, the only three-time winner of the Caldecott Medal for distinguished American picture books (including Tuesday and Flotsam) explores the art of visual storytelling. At 2 p.m., Hoose discusses The Race to Save the Lord God Bird, his multi-award winning book about the extinction of the legendary ivory-billed woodpecker and those who tried to paint it, shoot it, sell it, and, in a last-ditch effort, save it. At 3 p.m., three 2008 National Green Earth Book Award honorees lead an environmental writing panel.
Wiesner also delivers an address at the Eastern Shore Reading Council banquet at 4:45 p.m. in the Worcester Room of the Commons. Banquet admission is $32, $25 for council members. For reservations contact Brandy Terrill at bjterrill@salisbury.edu.
The evening culminates with the 2008 National Green Earth Book Awards 7 p.m. in the Wicomico Room of the Guerrieri University Center. Hoose is keynote speaker. Recipients are Winston of Churchill: One Bear's Battle Against Global Warming, written by Jean Davies Okimoto and illustrated by Jeremiah Trammell; The Light-Bearer’s Daughter by O. R. Melling; and The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming by Laurie David and Cambria Gordon. Five Honor Books are also recognized including Adrian Fogelin’s The Sorta Sisters and Henry Cole’s On Meadowview Street. The ceremony is preceded by a 5:30 p.m. environmental community festival featuring the Salisbury Zoo, Ward Museum, Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County and Coastal Bays, among other organizations. It is followed by a book signing and reception.
Green Earth Book Award winners receive a $2,500 prize and $500 for the environmental organization of their choice. Okimoto donated her contribution to Polar Bears International, which is dedicated to understanding issues affecting polar bears. The recipient, President Robert Buchanan, shares his vision of saving the polar bears’ region and the planet at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, in Henson Science Hall, Room 103.
The Children’s Literature Festival extends into the community with a Young Author Reception 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, at the Most Blessed Sacrament School in Berlin, MD. Hoose keynotes the reception, which recognizes winners of the Eastern Shore Reading Council’s Young Author Contest. On Thursday, April 3, a breakfast reception with the authors is 10 a.m. at Poplar Hill Mansion in Salisbury. At 1:15 p.m. Okimoto and Fogelin visit the Wicomico Public Library, while Melling and Gordon visit the Ward Museum, for a talk and book signing.
All events are free unless otherwise noted. The public is invited. For more information call 410-548-3257 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.