Free Two-Day Literacy Festival at Fairytale Town on September 27 & 28

Fairytale Town presents the ScholarShare Children's Book Festival, a two-day festival celebrating early childhood literacy, the weekend of September 27 and 28!

Now in its 14th year, the annual Festival features readings and presentations by children's book authors and illustrators, storytelling performances, hands-on literacy activities, and more. Admission to the Festival and Fairytale Town is free to the public thanks to the event's sponsor, ScholarShare College Savings Plan. 

Barney Saltzberg, acclaimed author and illustrator of nearly 50 books for children, will headline the two-day Festival. Saltzberg will present "Beautiful Oops!," his award-winning tale about turning mistakes into something beautiful, as well as his latest book, "Chengdu Could Not, Would Not Fall Asleep," the story of a young panda who cannot fall asleep, inspired by the Chengdu Research Base in China. 

This year's lineup of featured authors and illustrators also includes: Michael DeWall, Peter Elman, Sandy Lynne Holman, Linda Knoll, Kathryn Otoshi, Gayle Pitman, Christian Robinson, Joanna Rowland, Linda Joy Singleton, Nikki Shannon Smith, Kenneth Spengler and Margaret Spengler. Authors and illustrators will be available to sign books immediately following their presentations. Families can also shop for featured books at the Time Tested Books booth.

Award-winning artist and educator Francie Dillon and friends from Puppet Art Theater Company will emcee both days of the Festival. Voice of the Wood, using masks and movement, will present two stories daily, including "How Jackrabbit Got His Very Long Ears" and "Nessa's Fish." Plus, regional literacy and arts organizations will be on hand to provide information about early childhood literacy and more.

"The ScholarShare Children's Book Festival is the perfect opportunity for families to create or renew a shared love of reading, as well as being a fun outing the whole family will enjoy," said Kathy Fleming, Fairytale Town's executive director.

The Festival is sponsored by ScholarShare College Savings Plan, a tax-advantaged way for families to save for college. Additional sponsors include Wells Fargo, Golden 1 Credit Union, IKEA, Sierra Health Foundation, RCA Community Fund of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, and Time Tested Books. Media sponsors include Mix 96, KVIE Channel 6, and The Sacramento Bee.

Event Details

What:  14th Annual ScholarShare Children's Book Festival

When:  Saturday & Sunday, Sep. 27 & 28 

Time:  10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Park Hours: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Daily (weather permitting)

Cost:  Free. Adults must be accompanied by children.

Where:  Fairytale Town, 3901 Land Park Drive, Sacramento, CA 95822

Phone:  (916) 808-7462

For more information, please visit www.fairytaletown.org.

Post information and picture courtesy of Fairytale Town.