Children's Authors Spread Love of Reading to Redwood City

Put down your iPad, your Kindle, your Nook. Then head to Orion School on Saturday to remember how good it feels to flip the pages of a hardback book and marvel at beautiful illustrations that aren't pixelated.

The 10th annual Orion Children's Authors and Illustrators Festival was started 10 years ago by the then school librarian and parent Sharon Levin who was passionate about children's literature. 

At that time the Festival was put together in six weeks with a lot of blood, sweat and laughter.  Ideas that were presented at the first Festival have become Festival tradition, such that each class makes a special banner as a gift for their author or illustrator.  

The beautiful logo and calligraphy were created at that time too.  The calligraphy is still done by the same Orion alum parent, Inja Vitero.  Even though her daughter is now a junior at , Inja continues to voluntarily make the posters, name tags and special table signs each year. 

This Festival is definitely a labor of love for past and current Orion families.

Why was it started in the first place?

"We wanted children to meet the people who were responsible for creating the books they loved."  says co-founder Sharon Levin.  

While it is an event that is very personal to Orion with each classroom adopting an author or illustrator and then studying her/his work in depth, it is also Orion's gift to the greater Bay Area community.

The point of the event is to help break down the barriers between reader and author. The festival has been and will always be free - the Orion community does not want cost to be an issue for anyone who want to meet these amazing people.
Author Bruce Hale (the Chet Gecko mysteries among others) and will be back for Round 2.  

When asked why he donated his time and energy to this he said,  "Great people, and a book-loving environment -- that's what brings me back.  And for us Central Californians, the lovely Bay Area locale doesn't hurt either."

Three time Newbery Honor winner Jennifer Holm says, "It's always so great to meet my readers. This is a wonderful event."

Every author or illustrator will give a 30 minute presentation.  When not presenting, they will be available at their 'signing tables' in order to sign books (provided for sale by Hicklebee's and independent children's bookstore) and chatting with fans.  

In addition to Jennifer Holm and Bruce Hale,  one of the presenters is Elisa Kleven - who has been at every festival since the first one.   She is considered the Good Luck Charm ever since she was asked (with very little notice) if she would come to the festival and she said, "Absolutely, just let me know what you need me to do."

Other presenters include Thacher Hurd (author/illustrator of Mama Don't Allow and also the son of Clement Hurd, illustrator of Goodnight Moon), Shirin Bridges (The Thinking Girls Guide to Princesses and the Dastardly Dames series), Deborah Underwood (The Quiet Book, The Loud Book) and VERY special illustrator, Elizabeth Gomez (The Upside Down Boy, Movie in My Pillow) who also happens to be an Orion Parent.

The Festival runs from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4 and books and food (proceeds from food sales support the Outdoor Ed trip) will be available for purchase.

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