The AJC Decatur Book Festival has released more details on children's and teen programming for the 10th annual event planned Sept. 4-6.
Highlights are to include appearances by "Skippyjon Jones" author Judy Schachner, "The Day the Crayons Quit" author Drew Daywalt, "Saint Anything" author Sarah Dessen and "Fancy Nancy" co-creators Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser
Credit: hpousner
Credit: hpousner
Schachner, who will be launching a picture book, "Dewey Bob," about a sweet raccoon in search of a friend, at this year’s festival, gives the free Kidnote talk at 5 p.m. Sept. 4 at Decatur High School’s Performing Arts Center (310 N. McDonough St.).
The festival will kick off Saturday, Sept. 5, with a children’s parade from the Decatur Square led by Daywalt, who will be promoting his follow-up, "The Day the Crayons Came Home." Participants are invited to dress as their favorite color from the crayon box. The parade will lead to the gym at the Decatur Recreation Center (231 Sycamore St.), the new home of the Children’s Stage.
A second children's parade, also from the square to the Recreation Center, will be held Sunday, Sept. 6, led by the "Fancy Nancy" authors. Participants are encouraged to dress their fanciest. Actors from Synchronicity Theatre's fall presentation of "Fancy Nancy, The Musical!" will join them.
Credit: hpousner
Credit: hpousner
Featured novelists on this year’s Children’s Stage will include Jeanne Birdsall ("Penderwicks in Spring"), Gennifer Choldenko ("Chasing Secrets"), Adam Gidwitz ("Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back: So You Want to Be a Jedi?"), Jacqueline Kelly ("The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate"), Ingrid Law ("Switch") and graphic novelist Craig Thompson ("Space Dumplins").
Two popular young adult (YA) authors will anchor the Teen Stages (located on the MARTA Plaza). Dessen opens Saturday with a conversation about "Saint Anything," her newest novel; and on Sunday, Libba Bray shares "Lair of Dreams," her follow-up to "The Diviners."
Credit: hpousner
Credit: hpousner
Graphic novelist and real-life roller derby competitor Victoria Jamieson will share her debut novel, "Roller Girl," and will be joined onstage by members of the Atlanta Derby Brats of the Atlanta Junior Roller Derby League.
The teen events will conclude Sunday with a game of Truth or Dare with popular YA authors as contestants; and the Teen Poetry Slam, a collaboration among a trio of nonprofit groups dedicated to promote writing on behalf of kids — Verbalyze, Vox Teen Communications and the Wren’s Nest.
Kidnote tickets are limited to four per person and may be obtained at Charis Books & More, Eagle Eye Books, Little Shop of Stories and Tall Tales Books.
Those wanting to participate in the parades should gather at the Community Bandstand on the square before the start of of each: Saturday's steps off at 9:30 a.m.; Sunday's at 11:30 a.m.
More information:
