Throughout the day on Saturday, May 21, children’s authors will talk about their stories and sign books at the Children’s Pavilion. Featured authors include:
- 2011 Newbery Medal winner Clare Vanderpool
- 2010 National Book Award winner Kathryn Erskine
- American Girl author Alison Hart
- Three-time Emmy winner Brian Meehl
- Mary Amato
- Mary Downing Hahn
- Dominique Paul
- Erica Perl
- Mary Quattlebaum
- Wendy Shang
- Pam Smallcomb
- N.D. Wilson
Also taking place at the Children’s Pavilion will be performances by the Unicycle Lady, storytelling by Arianna Ross and the presentation of the Mayor’s Book Club Reading Contest’s winning class and student.
In and around the Children’s Village, children will be able to take part in American Girl activities, enjoy arts and crafts projects, play brain games, attend story time and workshops, and donate new or gently used books at the Reading Tree booth. There may even be a visit from the Cat in the Hat!
Children ages 6-14 also are invited to join Adventure Theater for a free mini-workshop during which they will learn and then perform a musical number from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Advanced registration is required the day of the festival, starting at 10 a.m. at the Adventure Theater booth. Each mini-workshop is limited to 30 participants.
Other fun, interactive activities will be taking place throughout the day run by Washington Parent magazine, the Alzheimer’s Association, Family Services, Inc. and Montgomery College Early Childhood Club.
For more information on the schedule of activities, visit the website.
About the Gaithersburg Book Festival
The Gaithersburg Book Festival is an annual all-day celebration of books, writers, and literary excellence. In just its second year, the Festival is already becoming one of the premier literary events in the Washington region. The 2011 Festival will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2011, on the grounds of Gaithersburg City Hall, with shuttle buses running from nearby Lakeforest Mall. Activities include appearances, discussions and book signings by more than 50 national bestselling and award-winning authors as well as local up-and-comers; writing workshops; a Children's Village; a Coffee House with poets and singers/songwriters; onsite book sales, both new and used; exhibitors and, of course, food, drink, ice cream, and more. Admission, parking, and shuttle bus rides are free. For more information please visit the website.
