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A real page turner
L.A. Reads reporter Rachel Rees finds out about the 12th annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books and what 2008 attendees have to look forward to.
BY Rachel Rees
For L.A. Reads
PHOTO: Courtesy of Santa Barbara Independent
Over 140-thousand L.A. residents flocked to the 2007 Festival of Books.
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PHOTO: Courtesy of the Santa Barbara Independent
A large focus of the event has consistently been promoting children's literacy.
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It’s a weekend of page-turning fun.
Each spring, the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books brings readers of all ages and their furry friends out for a weekend of author panels, book signings, and performances.
In 2007, at the 12th annual festival , close to 140-thousand book lovers attended the event, lining up to hear some of their favorite authors speak, including Mitch Albom, Gore Vidal, and Michael Connelly, while many others just enjoyed time in the weekend sun amid hundreds of books.
The weekend's activities are always planned not only to inspire reading in adults, but also to spark a passion in kids and show them just how fun reading can be.
“This is strictly a kids’ weekend,” says Philippa Kennealy, who came to the festival with her daughter and granddaughter. “They get to see some of their favorite authors, they then get to go have popcorn and go back and sing some songs so it’s really fun for them.”
“[My] kids are very much enjoying the hands on projects, [especially] the making the newspaper page at the L.A. Times booth and we’re looking forward to exploring the rest of the day,” said Karen Lee, mother of two.
Such activities are just one aspect of a multi-pronged effort put on by the Los Angeles Times to promote children’s literacy.
Another such effort is marked by “Reading by 9,” a volunteer group orchestrated by the Los Angeles Times that teaches kids to read. And according to volunteer Ana Ochoa, the group was eager to be at the festival.
“Part of our mission,” explained Ochoa, “is again, to get kids to read. You know, there are a lot of children that don’t read by the time they reach the age of 9.”
Next to the “Reading by 9” booth, children’s author Marcia Trimble had set up shop, displaying several of her books, such as Malinda Martha Meets Mariposa, which are written in a fashion to teach kids reading skills. But probably even more noticeable that the books is Trimble’s energy – and her the passion she posesses for reading to very young children.
“Every single time [I do], a huge smile went on their faces ... at 2-years-old ... you don’t know that’s going to happen,” Trimble beamed. “You know, that’s fun.”
Even being a big kid at the festival has its outside perks.
“My oldest son, his teacher is giving him extra credit if he will come and cover the festival,” said Karen Lee, validating why her family drove from Palos Verdes to the Westwood campus to attend.
But regardless of the drive, all those in attendance seemed thrilled to be celebrating books. Parking costs aside, admission to the festival is free in an effort to encourage literacy. And you can only expect the 2008 festival to be that much more of a page-turner.
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