The 16th annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is slated to take place this weekend at USC – and there's a lineup of celebrity appearances, readings, author signings, question-and-answer sessions, and other activities you and your family won't want to miss. Among the kid-friendly highlights of the free literary bonanza: the Target Children's Stage, a booth featuring Irvine's Be There Bedtime Stories and a special children's hour at the Chapman University booth.
• The Target Children's Stage will feature a range of authors and illustrators, including Mo Willems of "Knuffle Bunny" fame; R.L. Stine, the creator of the "Goosebumps" series; and Jamie Lee Curtis, who has penned such works as the "Books to Grow By Treasury" and "My Mommy Hung the Moon." Performers include everyone from Mallory Lewis and Lamb Chop, to Justin Roberts & the Not Ready for Naptime Players. They'll all share their love of books while seated on the Target Big Red Chair, which represents the company's commitment to education and boosting children's learning and reading skills.
Carl Reiner read on the Target Children's Stage last year.
In addition, Target will offer a Book Nook for families and a bookstore, and the company will collect new and gently used selections at its donation station. The books will be given to 24 schools in the L.A. Unified School District. (For a full lineup of Target Children's Stage activities, click here.)
• For those families interested in Web-based books, head over to booth 539 to learn about Irvine's Be There Bedtime Stories. Through the platform, webcam-recorded videos of a storyteller – perhaps a loved one – are embedded into an e-book, which allows the family members to connect even when they're not around. (Hence the name "Be There!")
• Chapman University's booth 226 will offer a children's hour on Sunday beginning at 10 a.m. Young readers will have a chance to meet Chapman alum Megan Meyer, author of "Lariott the Liger," a story that teaches children about family, diversity and identity through a number of imaginative creatures. Kids can also meet Garett Gruber, the creator of "The Monster Removal Guide." The book helps kids face their fears by offering tips for getting those pesky monsters out from their bedroom hiding places. Chapman's booth also will be offering a number of other activities throughout the two-day event; for a full listing, click here.
The L.A. Times Festival of Books runs April 30-May 1. While general admission is free, tickets are required for panel discussions and lectures. For more information, visit latimesfestivalofbooks.com.
Kristen Schott is OC Family's children's book editor. Be sure to check out "Storytime," my video book reviews, for more fun facts about stories you and your kiddies must read.
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