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Children's 2018 Book Festival another huge success

| 11 Oct 2018 | 07:11
    Photos by Roger Gavan Although it was cloudy with an occassional sprinkle of light rain the seventh Warwick Children’s Book Festival, held on Saturday, Oct. 6, on Railroad Avenue in the Village of Warwick, drew record crowds and by all accounts was a huge success.
    Photos by Roger Gavan Although it was cloudy with an occassional sprinkle of light rain the seventh Warwick Children’s Book Festival, held on Saturday, Oct. 6, on Railroad Avenue in the Village of Warwick, drew record crowds and by all accounts was a huge success.
    Many of the authors like Jordan Novak brought props that portrayed the themes and subjects of their writings and illustrations.
    Many of the authors like Jordan Novak brought props that portrayed the themes and subjects of their writings and illustrations.
    The Children's Book Festival raised more than $8,000 for the Albert Wisner Public Library and sold between 2,500 and 3,000 books in the space of five hours.
    The Children's Book Festival raised more than $8,000 for the Albert Wisner Public Library and sold between 2,500 and 3,000 books in the space of five hours.
    Albert Wisner Public Library Director Rosemary Cooper (center) poses with primary sponsors Glenn and Susan Dickes.
    Albert Wisner Public Library Director Rosemary Cooper (center) poses with primary sponsors Glenn and Susan Dickes.

WARWICK — Although it was cloudy with an occasional sprinkle of light rain the seventh Warwick Children's Book Festival, held Saturday, Oct. 6, on Railroad Avenue in the Village of Warwick, drew record crowds and by all accounts was a huge success.
The free admission event, presented by the Albert Wisner Public Library, the Village of Warwick and primary sponsors Glenn and Susan Dickes, featured 70 authors and illustrators of children's books for grades Pre-K to 12.
And many of the authors autographed their books.
Some also wore or brought props that portrayed the themes and subjects of their writings and illustrations.
Musical entertainment featured Tommy Gardner from the award-winning Uncle Brothers and recording artist and bassist Barry Wiesenfeld.
There was also a special presentation of Sign Language Storytime in which signing two picture books, "Bad Kitty," by Nick Bruel and "Be a Tree," by Warwick resident Jordon Novak, was performed by a group of youngsters, while their respective authors read them aloud simultaneously.
The teens had been learning American Sign Language at the Library under the tutelage of professional sign language interpreter Ferne Lurie.
"We raised over $8,000 for the Library," said Tom Roberts, owner of Ye Olde Warwick Book Shoppe, which served as the bookseller. "I haven't run a report yet but I estimate we sold between 2,500 and 3,000 books in the space of five hours. We never stopped right up to the end of the day. It was the most successful Children's Book Festival to date."
Roberts had also donated 25 percent of the proceeds from the book sales to the Albert Wisner Public Library. Rosemary Cooper, library director, said that the funds would be used to help support upcoming programs. But she stressed that the primary purpose of the Children's Book Festival was to encourage literacy at an early age.
Cooper also praised Glenn and Susan Dickes for their generosity in funding all the expenses involved in presenting the event at no cost to the library or the taxpayers.
"The Children's Book Festival," said Glenn Dickes, "is a credit to Rosemary Cooper, Lisa Laico, Judy Pederson and everyone else at the library who worked on it. Despite less than ideal weather, turnout was strong and book sales brisk. We are proud to be principal sponsors of this annual event."
- Roger Gavan