It’s that time of the year again! When frost can be found on the ground, trees shed their autumn leaves and the Chicago Public Library celebrates children’s books and authors with its annual daylong Bookamania event for kids and families. Presented for the 19th consecutive year, Bookamania takes place on Saturday, November 17, 2012, at the Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State Street. This free festival starts at 11:00 a.m. and continues until 3:00 p.m. throughout the library. Bookamania is made possible through a grant from the Chicago Public Library Foundation and the Target Corporation.
“Parents can set their children on a successful path to reading and lifelong learning by showing them the joy found in children’s books and reading with them,” said Chicago Public Library Commissioner Brian Bannon. “Reading sparks children’s imagination, stirs their curiosity and expands language and vocabulary skills. Bookamania offers families a day of free activities combining enormous fun with valuable learning potential that exist in children’s books.”
Bookamania is geared for children ages 3-10. This fun-filled festival offers children and their families the opportunity to meet favorite children’s book authors and illustrators, greet costumed storybook characters, enjoy puppetry, theater, dance, magic and music, as well as participate in dozens of book-related art activities.
This year’s Bookamania features noted children’s book authors and illustrators Tad Hills, who wrote Rocket Writes a Story; Don Tate, author of It Jes’ Happened: When Bill Traylor Started to Draw; David Diaz, illustrator of Praise for the Day; and Fran Manushkin, author of the Kati Woo series. Children can have their picture taken with their favorite storybook characters including Bad Kitty, Biscuit, Ladybug Girl, Olivia, Very Hungry Caterpillar, Mother Goose, the Chicago Library Owl and the Storybook King and Queen.
Special performances of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie & Other Story Books will be presented by Theatreworks USA, as well as additional performances by Chris Fascione, Shanta, the Junior League of Chicago and Isabel Quinteros.
The Chicago Public Library continues to encourage lifelong learning by welcoming all people and offering equal access to information, entertainment and knowledge through materials, programs and cutting-edge technology. Through its 79 locations, the Library provides free access to a rich collection of materials, both physical and digital, and presents the highest quality author discussions, exhibits and programs for children, teens and adults. For more information, please visit the website at chicagopubliclibrary.org or call the Chicago Public Library at (312) 747-4050.
