Hurray for Books and the Children Who Love Them

• News
• Wednesday, October 01, 2008

It's a subject near and dear to my heart and livelihood--writing and books. Okay, that's two subjects, but who's counting? Here's your chance to get the kids away from the TV, computer, and/or video games and into the world of words and wisdom. Celebrating its fifth year, the Orange County Children's Book Festival (www.kidsbookfestival.com), coming up on Sunday 5 October (10 AM-4 PM) on the campus of Costa Mesa's Orange Coast College promises to be a fun (and word-filled) foray for children and their parents with none-other than actress Jamie Lee Curtis as this year's featured author, who will be signing "Big Words for Little People." Joining Jaime are other popular child-focused authors, illustrators, storytellers, and illustrators. Barney Saltzberg, author/illustrator of "Crazy Hair Day!" will also be making a presentation, and Larissa Marantz--illustrator for "SpongeBob Square Pants," "The Rugrats," and "The Wild Thornberrys" will offer an afternoon demonstration of her craft. And, books aren't the only menu items. You'll be treated to such diverse entertainment as the International Peace Choir, The Claddagh School of Irish Dance, and Tesoro de Mexico Ballet Folklorico Dance Group. To liven things up even more, there will be a live animal stage with scheduled morning and afternoon shows, a crafts area where kids can make their own personalized bookmarks, and a variety of child-friendly food and refreshments available for purchase. The festival and parking both are free.