Country Day hosts valley book festival Saturday
Aspen Country Day School will host the inaugural All-Valley Children’s Book Festival on Saturday at the school from 10 to 2 p.m.
The festival, co-hosted by the Aspen Writers’ Foundation and Spellbinders, a storyteller organization, will include workshops, author talks, festival activities and a book sale.
“This is the first in what we hope will become an annual festival,” said Country Day spokeswoman Carolyn Hines. “We thought it would be a great way to get more kids reading, especially with summer coming up.”
As part of the festival, the Aspen Writers’ Foundation will host two hour-long writing sessions for children. The sessions will be structured like the popular Scribes and Scribblers summer writing camps, but with a focus toward younger writers.
The festival will include several interactive activities. Spellbinders storytellers will deliver two stories, and teachers from the Science Outreach Center will read aloud from the Dr. Seuss classic “Bartholomew and the Oobleck.” Kids will have a chance to make their own gooey Oobleck substance inspired by the book.
Two local authors will also read from their work. Lois Sando, author of “Erick’s Hungry Winter,” a picture book set in Owl Creek, will read and sign copies of her book. And Jill Sheeley, creator of the “Fraser the Yellow Dog” adventure series, will be on hand for autographs.
The festival will include carnival activities as well. Children can take Stuart Little canoe rides, bounce in the House of Bounce castle, have their face painted and make their own bookmarks. A local magician will dress up as Harry Potter’s headmaster Albus Dumbledore, and artwork from Country Day students will be on display.
A cookout lunch will be available starting at 11 a.m. for $6, and books will be on sale all day.
The festival is open to all. Aspen Country Day School is located a mile up Castle Creek Road from the roundabout. For more information, call 925-1909.
Eben Harrell’s e-mail address is eharrell@aspentimes.com
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