Press Release

October 26, 2010

Ruth Lednicer
(312) 747-4907
lednicer@chipublib.org

Leland Elder
(312) 747-4053
lbelder@chipublib.org

THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY PRESENTS BOOKAMANIA,
A CELEBRATION OF CHILDREN’S BOOKS

The Chicago Public Library is celebrating children’s books and authors with its 17th annual Bookamania on Saturday, November 20, 2010, at the Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St. This free event starts at 11:00 a.m. and continues until 3:00 p.m. throughout the building, including in the Thomas Hughes Children’s Library, Winter Garden, Cindy Pritzker Auditorium and Main Lobby.

As Library Commissioner Mary Dempsey explained, “One of the best things a parent can do for their child is to instill a love of reading. Simply reading with a child and showing them the joy to be found in books will set them on a successful path to reading and lifelong learning. Bookamania offers families a day of fun, free activities celebrating the wonderful worlds that exist in children’s books.”

Children ages 3-10 and their families will have the opportunity to meet famous children’s book authors, illustrators and costumed storybook characters; enjoy puppetry, theater, dance, magic and music performances; and participate in dozens of book-related crafts.

This year’s Bookamania will feature noted children’s book authors and illustrators including Laura Numeroff and Lynn Munsinger, who together created The Jellybeans and the Big Book Bonanza. Also present will be Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy, authors of Muu, Moo!; Grace Lin, author of Thanking the Moon and When the mountain Meets the Moon; A. G. Ford, the illustrator of the book Goal!; and as always Readalouds will take place in the “Big Red Chair.” Children also will have the opportunity to have their picture taken with life-sized, costumed characters Dorothy, Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow and Tin Man from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; Pippi Longstocking; Llama Llama Red Pajama; the Chicago Library Owl and the Storybook King and Queen.

Special performances of Duck for President, Fancy Nancy & Other Story Books will be presented by Theatreworks USA, and additional performances by Chris Fascione, Maria Gutierrez, Rick Davidson and the Kenwood Academy Choir. A complete listing of activities is available on the Library’s website.

The Chicago Public Library continues to encourage lifelong learning by welcoming all people and offering equal access to information, entertainment and knowledge through materials, programs and cutting-edge technology.

The Chicago Public Library is comprised of the Harold Washington Library Center, two regional libraries and more than 70 neighborhood branches. All locations provide free access to a rich collection of books, DVDs, audio books and music; the Internet and WiFi; sophisticated research databases, many of which can be accessed from a home or office computer; newspapers and magazines; and continue to serve as cultural centers, presenting the highest quality author discussions, exhibits and programs for children, teens and adults.

The Harold Washington Library Center, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library and Conrad Sulzer Regional Library are open 7 days a week, the branch libraries are open 6 days a week and patrons can access all of the Library’s collections online 24 hours a day.

Bookamania is made possible through a grant from the Chicago Public Library Foundation and the Target Corporation. For more information, please visit the website at chicagopubliclibrary.org or call the Chicago Public Library Press Office at (312) 747-4050.