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TOOELE — Three years ago Isa Ventura —who, with her husband Dr. Peter Ventura, owns The Purple Cow Bookstore in Tooele — attended a children's literature event in Provo. The experience so inspired Isa Ventura that she decided to bring the same kind of educational, inspirational and exciting event to the kids and parents of Tooele.
"We wanted to share our love of children's literature and provide the opportunity for local children to meet authors and illustrators," she said.
Ventura presented the idea for the Children's Book Festival to other literacy groups in Tooele and soon had partners from the Tooele City Library, the Tooele PTA and the Tooele County School District Education Foundation.
"Though my husband and I started the festival, it would not be possible without our wonderful committee members, sponsors, staff and volunteers," Ventura said. "This year I feel it will be even better with so many more organizations involved in the planning."
In addition to local education organizations, community members, teachers and businesses have jumped on board to make the festival a thrilling event.
"The greatest strength of this festival is how it brings our community together," said Julie Busico, a Purple Cow employee.
"Tooele has never had anything like this festival, and it's just a really fun experience for kids and adults," Louise Hulet, also a Purple Cow employee, added.
This year the Children's Book Festival will be held on Saturday, Oct. 15, at the brand new Community Learning Center, 211 Tooele Blvd., Tooele. The event offers two fun ways to meet authors and explore the joy of reading.
'Brunch with Authors and Illustrators'
The Brunch with Authors and Illustrators, a ticketed event, is a delightful, more intimate experience held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. This event allows kids and adults to sit down over a delicious meal, catered by popular Tooele restaurant Sostanza, and talk one-on-one with these talented people. Marie, age 14, said of last year's brunch, "I liked eating breakfast with the authors and illustrators and getting to interact with them."
"This is such a neat thing for families. Both the kids and the adults enjoy sitting down with authors and illustrators. It's fancy, fun and the food is wonderful," Ventura explained.
- The King's English Bookshop: Author Alan Rogers, Sept. 29, 7 p.m.; Book Festival kickoff with Robert Flughum, Sept. 30, 7 p.m., SLC Library auditorium; Celebrating Jane Austen with Jennifer Adams and Jenni James, Sept. 30, 7 p.m.; author Brian Doyle, Oct. 1, 12:30 p.m., Cathedral of the Madeleine; author Randall Wright, Oct. 1, 2 p.m.; author Dorothee Kocks, Oct. 1, 4 p.m.; author/illustrator Marianne Richmond, Oct. 3, 5 p.m.; author/violinist Gerald Elias, Oct. 4, 7 p.m.; author Matthew Kirby, Oct. 5, 7 p.m.
- Dolly's Bookstore: Showing the Love Event with Love Times Three, Sept. 29, 7 p.m.; author Brandon Mull, Oct. 5, 6 p.m., Coalville Middle School; Modern Book Club: "Hellhound on His Trail" by Hampton Sides, Oct. 6, 7 p.m.; author/violinist Gerald Elias, Oct. 8, 2:30 p.m.
- Park City Library: Friends of the Library Author Luncheon, Oct. 13, 11:30 a.m. Tickets available at the library.
- Deseret Book will host multiple signings in conjunction with "Ladies Night" Oct. 1, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. Visit Deseret Book's website for information.
- Sundance Resort Author Series: Author Leslie Marmon Silko, Oct. 1, noon; author Catherine Gildiner, Nov. 5. Tickets required.
- Utah Educational Savings Plan is holding a bookmark design contest for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Eight winners will be selected to receive a $1,000 college savings certificate. Entries must be submitted by Sept. 30.
- Utah Humanities Council Book Festival: Sept. 30 to Oct. 31, multiple events statewide.
- Children's Book Festival: Oct. 15, Tooele. Brunch with authors, 10 a.m. to noon, and free events, noon to 3 p.m.
Families who attend this year's brunch will have the chance to rub shoulders with Lisa Mangum, author of "The Hourglass Door" trilogy; Kristen Landon, author of "The Limit"; Justin Cole, author of "The Wet-Bird Feathered Bread"; Frankie Corrigan, local radio DJ and author; and Barbie McConnell and Rusty Gregory, author and illustrator of "Marsipity."
Also on the guest list are local author Quinn Heder, author and literacy specialist Darci Mock, and myself. I'm thrilled and honored to be a part of this event and can't wait to sit down with all these great people and the families that will attend.
To up the fun factor, brunch will include the entertaining antics of the LaForge Encore Theatre Company, performing a reader's theatre of "Marsipity," a children's Halloween picture book. There will also be time for kids to ask authors and illustrators questions.
Tickets for the brunch are $25 and on sale now at The Purple Cow Bookstore, 992 N. Main St., Tooele, (435) 882-9805. A limited number of tickets are available. All funds from ticket sales are donated to the Tooele School District Education Foundation to help promote literacy in schools.
Free family activities
In addition to the brunch, the festival will include free activities for families from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Attendees will enjoy Book Bingo, a fun game of matching book posters to authors, and Story Corner, a continuous read aloud storytime.
"The story teller was fun to listen to!" Abby, age 10, said after visiting the Story Corner at last year's event.
Fans will also have the opportunity to have books signed and pictures taken with authors and illustrators as Eve, age 15, had the chance to do last year. "I enjoyed meeting the authors of some of my favorite books and getting them signed," she said.
The free events also include vendor booths and many other fun activities that, as Busico explained, "help kids learn about literacy in a unique way."
"Our ultimate goal for the festival is to get families excited about reading. We hope kids, adults and teachers will come have a fun day with us," Ventura concluded happily.
For more information, visit the Children's Book Festival website.
Next week: Wicked Good Witch Books
Teri Harman writes and reads from home amid the chaos of three young children. For book reviews, book suggestions and more book fun, visit book-matters.com. Find Teri on Facebook (Book Matters-Teri Harmon) or Twitter (@BookMattersTeri).
