VABook! Introduces New Program with Motheread and Fatheread Day

Charlottesville, VA (Feb. 23, 1999) -- The Virginia Foundation for the Humanities will be introducing Motheread and Fatheread of Virginia, its new family literacy program, at the fifth annual Virginia Festival of the Book, which will be held in Charlottesville from March 24-28, 1999. Motheread and Fatheread is a family literacy program that uses children's literature to help all members of the family learn to read and strengthen family relationships through the sharing of stories. An entire day will be devoted to Motheread and Fatheread on Saturday, March 27, in the Water Street Terrace Room in the Charlottesville Ice Park. Special guest Nancye Gaj, founder of Motheread, Inc. will attend the day-long event which is sponsored by Harris Teeter Corporation.

Motheread and Fatheread Day will begin at 10:00 am with a reading and visit by Connie Porter, author of the Addy books in the American Girls Collection. Storytelling with Dylan Pritchett, renowned storyteller of African and African American tales, will follow at 11:00 am. At noon there will be reading and storytelling with Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard. Also during the lunch time children can make books and crafts with Josef Beery and Festival friends. Meanwhile, parents talk with teachers of children's literature Nancye Gaj, Pat Crook, Christine San JosÈ, children's librarian Nancy Cook, and children's drama educator Jean Wilhelm about ways to share books and stories.

Christine San JosÈ, author, storyteller, and former senior editor of Highlights magazine will present folktales at 1:30 p.m.. At 2:30 p.m., entertainer/motivator Alex -Zan presents high-energy entertainment mixed with inspirational messages. A read-aloud story time with David Baldacci, Clifton Taulbert, community members, and other Festival authors and organizers will round out the day until 5:00 p.m.