Thursday, March 29, 2012

Take Your Kids to a Local Book Festival!

Maine Festival of the Book Starts Today, Continues Through April 1
Meet Over 75 Authors and Artists 

Join book lovers, authors, and artists for the Maine Festival of the Book, March 29 – April 1, 2012, in Portland!

Each year communities large and small across America host book festivals at which book lovers of all ages gather to learn about new books, listen to favorite authors and illustrators talk about the creative process, and get books signed. A book festival is a fabulous outing for families that enables you to share the joy of reading with kids!

If you are in the New England area this weekend, be sure to check out Maine's Festival of the Book in Portland. Most events are FREE and unticketed (with the exception of Opening Night), and available first-come, first-served. Four days, more than 75 authors, artists, and performers! Programs provided for ages 3 to 100! Loyal attendees will notice an added day to include a special program Thursday night presented in collaboration with Maine Humanities Council and the Kate Cheney Chappell ’83 Center for Book Arts at USM. Opening Night will be Friday night, March 30. Enjoy a free day of programs for all ages (and free parking) on Saturday, March 31 at the Abromson Center, University of Southern Maine — readings, panel discussions, film, signings, book sales and kids programs too.

Programs are designed to appeal to a variety of interests and many touch on the the writing process. Discussions this year will range from romantic fantasy to the biography of Kurt Vonnegut to an insider’s view of crime scenes, presented by a veteran NYPD undercover police detective.

The Maine Festival of the Book brings together writers and readers to enjoy readings, panel discussions, book signings, and performances. With the exception of Opening Night and Youth Outreach, festival events are first-come, first-served, unticketed seating, and are free.

For more information, visit MaineReads.org

If you can't make it to Maine this weekend, check out the dates and places of other upcoming book festivals:

April 27-28, Newburyport Literary Festival
Newburyport, Massachusetts

May 18, San Francisco Book Festival
San Francisco, California

September 21-23, Burlington Book Festival
Burlington, Vermont

September 22-23, National Book Festival
National Mall, Washington D.C.
Learn more:  LOC.gov/bookfest

October 27-28, Texas Book Festival
Austin, Texas

October 27, Boston Book Festival
Boston, Massachusetts
Learn more:  BostonBookFest.org

October 27, Children's Literature Festival
Keene, New Hampshire
Learn more: Keene.edu/clf