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Boatload of Personalities & Events for Kids at the 4^th Annual Collingswood Book Festival
By Walt Howat

One thing the Collingswood Book Festival this Oct. 7 won’t be lacking is plenty of colorful and interesting personalities for children of all ages to meet, and, in many cases, chat and interact with. The Festival, an annual event where the town’s main drag closes down and is filled with tents, speakers, performance stages and exhibitors, has grown into the largest book event in the region. Last year, over 12,000 people enjoyed the Festival’s many free activities. And, this year, special efforts are being made to make the Festival exciting for entire family, particularly the children.

Linda S. Day is a marvelous ball of creative energy and the author of the award-winning book Grandma and Her Magic Scissors. Grandma is a real cut-up who can show kids how they can take an ordinary piece of paper and turn it into their own work of art. Her book has won so many recognitions it is difficult to name them all, and as Grandma she has appeared at Disney locations and festivals throughout the country. Every child should cut it up with Grandma at least once in their life. She will be meeting and demonstrating and laughing with kids at the Collingswood Festival.

Maybe there is no such thing as an author of rock star status among middle schoolers, but Jason Sonnenblick might come close. His book Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie is one of the books that just seems to draw “Wow, I loved it” from the young teens and his speaking engagements are packed. He will meet with preteens and teens and talk about his new book, Notes from a Midnight Driver.

The parents of Alex, Liz and Jay Scott, who wrote the book Alex and the Amazing Lemonade Stand, will be in town to actually run a lemonade stand at the Festival, talk with kids about Alex, and sign copies of their book.

So your 11-year old wants to be a writer? Well Sandra Warren will be at the Collingswood Book Festival and beside her many favorite books for young children, she is also well-known for her talents and creative ways to get children thinking about writing and putting their ideas into finished works. Could she help bring out the Hemmingway in your child?

The Festival’s list of authors with books for youths from teens to tots is long and interesting and includes many favorites, such as Marcie Aboff, whose humor and creative twists have long delighted children. Kim and Danny Adelman, as the group Kin Eagle, provide a delightful read-along, sing-along book for parents and children.

Along with the many lively and interesting personalities, a huge tent called “Loompaland,” specifically for kids, will offer live entertainment, speakers, and free crafts. Younger children can make such items as visors and bookmarks, while older siblings create their own decorative journals, book bag clips, “I love books” bracelets, and Japanese folding books.

Parents will find their own kaleidoscope of colorful personalities to meet and listen to. A matrix of tents and stages will bring music and theater of all types. From Elvis to alternative, from choral to Cole Porter, from modern drama to Shakespeare, all of which will be free to the public.

“Books are fun,” said Jean Brennan, director of the Festival, “and we want the Festival to show this. We will have musical stages throughout, author/speaker tents, exhibitor tents. We want you to hear the authors, meet them. We want the children to experience a wide variety of enjoyable experiences. You will be surprised by all of the activities we will have going on and we hope you and your children will come away with wonderful memories of how much fun books really can be.”   

Festival events begin on Oct. 2, but culminate on Saturday, Oct. 7 with an all-day outdoor festival. For more information about authors and other events, visit the extensive Web site www.collingswoodbookfestival.com.

Walt Howat is a writer and retired professional helping to make the festival all it can be and more.