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January 25, 2002
For Immediate Release
Contact: Susan Coleman
434-982-2983
mrfr@virginia.edu
VABook! 2002 Hosts StoryFest for Families
March 23, 2002
Family Activities Spotlighted
Sponsored by Harris Teeter and State Farm Insurance Company
(Charlottesville, Virginia,January 25, 2002) . . .
The Eighth Annual Virginia Festival of the Book (VABook! 2002) will again present
its popular Saturday family event, StoryFest, as part of its Motheread
and Fatheread initiative. The day-long family literacy event will take place
on March 23, 2002 from 10 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in its new location at the main
branch of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library, near the Historic Downtown Mall.
In announcing the new location, Robert Vaughan, President of the Virginia
Foundation for the Humanities, said, “We are very happy to present StoryFest
at the Library. It’s a natural match for us. The Library has always been
active in developing and presenting quality children’s programming.”
Hours of free and fun family-oriented events will take place throughout the
day. The Harris Teeter Dragon, the State Farm Insurance Company Good Neigh Bear
and Classroom on Wheels School Bus, the AlbemarleKids.com Bee Ladybug and the
Cat in the Hat plan to attend.
Appearing at StoryFest will be internationally renowned, award-winning storyteller
Jim Weiss, who “spins a might colorful yarn” (Parenting Magazine). Mr.
Weiss has traveled the world captivating and delighting young and old audiences
with his storytelling. His many awards include several Parents’ Choice Gold
Awards, ALA Notable Children’s Recording, and Storytelling World Award. His
newest recordings on CD and tape are Tell Me a Story: A Treasury of Classics,
Treasure Island, and Jewish Holiday Stories.
Also appearing is Colin Bootman, popular illustrator of many children’s
books including, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., In Mama’s House, and The Music
in Derrick’s Heart. Mr. Bootman’s illustrations (realistic paintings),
are praised by teachers, librarians, and parents. Originally from Trinidad, Bootman
now lives in Brooklyn, New York. His visit will mark his first appearance at the
Virginia Festival of the Book.
Writing and art competitions will be prominently featured at StoryFest. WHTJ
Charlottesvillle’s Public Broadcasting Service will present awards to the
winners of their Reading Rainbow Young Artists and Illustrators Contest. Each
of the winners will be invited to present their story or artwork. The contest
is open to students from kindergarten to third grade. In addition, the winners
of the Virginia Festival of the Book Poster Contest will be announced and awards
will presented by the Altrusa Club.
New this year will be a parent and child interactive workshop called “Your
Family vs. the Horrible Troll!” Using Three Billy Goats Gruff by Paul Galdone,
staff from The Parent Center, Inc. will help parents and children find out if
the Three Billy Goats Gruff can work together to solve the Troll’s problem.
Related programs in printing and book making for children will take place
between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the McGuffey Art Center, only blocks from the library
on the corner of 2nd and Market Streets.
Shenanigans will have books for sale during the day; authors will be available
to sign books. Sprinkled throughout the day will be Read Aloud Story Times, door
prizes, and free fun items. The full schedule will appear in Festival program,
which is distributed through libraries, bookstores, at Festival venues, and through
Harris Teeter. Program information is also available on the VABook web site, www.vabook.org.
which contains the latest information.
Media inquiries, call Jane Goodman at 434-923-0808.
Motheread and Fatheread of
the Virginia Foundation, a family literacy
initiative, is a program of the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities serving
the Commonwealth of Virginia. Using children’s literature, Motheread and
Fatheread seeks to increase reading and parenting skills and to bring the joy
of reading into every family.
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