Fort Bend County Libraries Book Festival

Description

Fort Bend County Libraries announces its first “Fort Bend County Book Festival” on Saturday, November 4, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at George Memorial Library, 1001 Golfview in Richmond. The event celebrates books, authors, and the importance of literature to the imaginations of children and adults alike. Featuring an exciting line-up of authors, storytellers, performances, and workshops, the festival will have literary events, free activities, and fun for the whole family throughout the building and in the outdoor amphitheater behind the library. Food trucks will be on site selling a variety of food options. The day’s event will kick-off with a children’s theater performance of “Chicken Big” at 10:00 am, in the Jodie E. Stavinoha Amphitheater. Enjoy the magic of live theater and celebrate the gift of literacy to children in this family-friendly performance based on a children’s book written by Keith Graves and adapted to the stage as a one-act musical by Books Alive! for the Noyes Fine Arts Foundation’s Book Bash program. In this quirky revision of the classic “Chicken Little” story, a very small hen lays a big, giant egg. Out of this egg came one big, humongous . . . something. “Run for your lives!” the other chickens cried. No matter how they try, these clueless chickens can’t make sense of the gigantic new member of their family -- until he saves the day! Told with wacky, laugh-out-loud humor, this tale has silliness to spare! At 11:30 am, master puppeteer Jean Kuecher and her beautifully handcrafted marionettes will entertain children of all ages with a performance of “Rumpelstiltskin” on an elaborate stage set up in the Meeting Room. In this puppet show, watch as the spinning wheel changes straw into gold, the Elf snares the Queen’s father, and the King’s horse comes to the rescue. After the performance, stay to learn some of the backstage secrets. The delicately handcrafted, 1/3-life-sized marionettes are built by Kuecher, producer of Marionette Playhouse, who also designs their beautiful costumes and majestic scenery. The FBCL Book Festival will also feature literary readings, book signings, and a publishing workshop. Headlining authors include local children’s author Pat Miller and up-and-coming novelist Judithe Little from Houston. Miller and Little’s books will be available for sale and signing. Pat Miller will speak at 1:00 pm in Room 2C about her most recent children’s book The Hole Story of the Doughnut and about her journey from starting as a teacher/librarian to becoming an author. Historical novelist Judithe Little’s presentation will also take place at 1:00 pm, in the Meeting Room. Little will share insight into the research that was involved in her debut novel Wickwythe Hall, which was inspired in part by an actual confrontation between the British and French navies in July 1940, during World War II. In her presentation, “Ready to Publish Your Story?,” which will take place at 11:00 am in Room 2C, Houston Writers Guild CEO Fern Brady will share insight into the publishing industry. Learn about the different paths to becoming a published author and about the roles of various people that one may encounter in the process. In her performance, “So I Heard This Story . . .,” beginning at 12:00 noon in Room 2C, master storyteller Sheila Starks Phillips will mesmerize audiences young and old by weaving tales of wit and wisdom. A master storyteller for more than 25 years, Phillips has appeared at festivals and venues around the country, including being featured in the Exchange Place program at the National Storytelling Festival. A past president of the Tejas Storytelling Association, she has also served as the Teller-in-Residence at the International Storytelling Center. Showcasing some of the many craft activities that take place at the libraries throughout the year, a “Recycled Books Exhibit” will be set up in the library’s lobby, and demonstrations will take place at 11:00 am and 12:30 pm. Examples of upcycled and repurposed book-craft projects will be on display. Traditional book readers who have thought about transitioning to electronic versions of books they read may want to test the waters at the eReader Petting Zoo, which will take place in the Computer Lab from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Listen to audiobooks or try out different eReaders, such as Kindles or Nooks, before making the commitment to purchase one. Library staff will be available to demonstrate the different devices and answer any questions. The Friends of the George Memorial Library will have a big Book Sale at the front entrance of the library, and membership applications will be available for people who would like to join them in supporting the library. The Friends group is instrumental in providing financial support to the library for materials and educational opportunities not covered by the county budget. Visitors to the book festival will also be treated to the “Capture Fort Bend” photography exhibit in the library’s Bohachevsky Gallery, featuring works by local amateur photographers portraying the culture, nature, people, and places of Fort Bend County – from hidden gems to favorite places and scenes. The Fort Bend County Book Festival is made possible by the Friends of the George Memorial Library. The Friends organization is instrumental in funding library programs such as the children’s Summer Reading Club. Proceeds from the book sales and annual membership dues also help to underwrite the costs of special programming and various cultural events at the libraries. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the library system’s Public Information Office at 281-633-4734.