saturday, sept. 19 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. hinds plaza
sponsored by princeton public library
Detail from 2015 Princeton Children’s Book Festival Poster by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
TENTH ANNIVERSARY
W
Herman Parish speaks with young readers at the inaugural Princeton Children’s Book Festival, Sept. 16, 2006.
elcome to the 2015 Princeton Children’s Book Festival. We’re happy that you’ve joined us to celebrate the 10th anniversary of one of our favorite library events.
with other local organizations becoming part of the event. This year, in response to community requests, food vendors have been added, too.
Over the past decade, the festival has grown from a gathering of 24 authors and illustrators to one of the largest events of its kind on the East Coast with more than 100 participants this year. Librarian Allison Santos, who brought the first festival to the library and has coordinated each one since, couldn’t be happier about the event’s evolution. But she isn’t really surprised.
Since 2011, the poster announcing the Princeton Children’s Book Festival has been created by one of the illustrators who attend, a tradition Santos feels “elevates our event to another level.” “With a new illustrator creating distinct artwork for us, our festival is reinterpreted and made fresh yearly,” she said. “Each illustrator brings something different to their poster.”
“Everybody in the community seemed to love the festival right from the beginning,” she said. “We had about 24 authors and illustrators the first year, mostly very local and all from New Jersey. And when the festival was over, I had many requests for authors from families in town and lots of questions about the next year’s festival. It was clearly an event the community enjoyed.”
Meeting the festival’s highly acclaimed illustrators and authors, who she calls “really wonderful people with amazing imaginations and tremendous dedication to children,” has been one of the most rewarding parts of coordinating the festival for Santos. But if she had to name her favorite thing?
Over the years, the book festival continued to grow in popularity and reputation. The event now draws an average of 5,000 guests of all ages who enjoy the chance to meet the creators of their – or their children’s – favorite books. “And now authors, illustrators, publishers and literary agents often contact me to ask to be part of the next festival,” said Santos. The book festival has grown in other ways, too, with live entertainment and partnerships
Newspaper ad for the first Princeton Children’s Book Festival.
“To see a child pick up and look over a book, and to see them exchange words and smiles with the creator of that book while getting their personal autograph, is my favorite thing about the festival,” she said. “You know those exchanges are something the child will always remember. And that they will cherish the book forever.”
2 0 1 5 PO S T E R A
mong the many things to look forward to about the Princeton Children’s Book Festival is seeing the poster that announces the event. Created every year since 2012 by one of the acclaimed illustrators attending the festival, the posters reflect each artist’s take on the role books play in children’s lives. Jarrett J. Krosoczka, who has written and/or illustrated many books for young readers including the highly acclaimed Lunch Lady graphic novel series and the Platypus Police Squad series, created this year’s poster. His inspiration was found in “It’s Tough to Lose Your Balloon,” the latest of his dozen picture books.
for the Third to Fourth Grade Book of the Year, and both his Lunch Lady series and “Punk Farm” picture book are currently in development as feature films. Krosoczka believes books have an important role to play in the lives of children, and calls them “escape portals” for young readers. “Regardless of what a kid is currently dealing with — be it good or bad — they have very little control of their current state of affairs,” he said. “Reading (and writing and drawing) offers kids the chance to escape their current realities.” Krosoczka, who lives in western Massachusetts, is visiting the Princeton Children’s Book Festival for the first time this year. “I have so wanted to participate in the past, but it seemed that every time I received an invite, my wife, Gina, and I were expecting a baby,” he said. “I’m so excited to attend, and hopefully bring along my wife and our two daughters!”
“In the book, calamities befall several children (a lost balloon, a sandwich dropped at the beach, a broken toy, etc.) and creative solutions to each Photo by Derek Fowles problem are offered,” Jarrett J. Krosoczka said Krosoczka. “Since it isn’t a storybook, more a self-help While Krosoczka knows he’ll enjoy seeing many of his peers in book for preschoolers, I was able to give equal page time to the children’s book world at the festival, he’s mostly looking a very diverse group of children. I wanted to bring all of those forward to meeting young readers. “It’s the best,” he said. “When children together in one illustration for the Princeton Children’s you write a book, you spend months toiling away on your own. Book Festival poster. In the image, everybody is reading … alas, You have your editor and other people on your team helping one boy has lost his balloon.” shape the story, but the real gratification comes a year or so A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Krosoczka’s later when the book publishes, and you’re able to get it in front first children’s book, “Good Night, Monkey Boy,” was published of its intended audience. For authors, meeting readers is like an in 2001. He has twice won the Children’s Choice Book Award actor getting to jump on stage and perform.”
SPE CIA L T H A NKS The library’s partnership with jaZams is one that festival coordinator Allison Santos calls “vital to the success of the Princeton Children’s Book Festival.” Owned and operated by Joanne Farrugia and Dean Smith, who are on the festival’s planning committee, the children’s book and toy store is a favorite destination for families from Princeton and beyond – as is the festival itself. “I can’t say enough about Joanne and Dean,” said Santos. “They are the most wonderful people to work with. They have such a strong dedication to the Princeton community and to our library.” Along with supporting other library events and programs, jaZams handles the book sales for the children’s book festival and donates 20 percent of proceeds to the library’s Youth Services Department. “We are so grateful, not only for their generosity, but for all of the effort they put in behind the scenes for the festival,” said Santos.
The 2015 Princeton Children’s Book Festival is co-sponsored by jaZams, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc., Bai Brands, the Friends of the Princeton Public Library, D’Angelo Italian Market and Rojo Roasters
RED TENT
BLUE TENT
Tent designated by color of tablecloths
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John Parra
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Jarrett J. Krosoczka Val Jones and Adam Auerbach Nancy Krulik Rita Williams-Garcia Michelle Knudsen Matt Phelan Tad Hills Brett Helquist Ammi-Joan Paquette and Audrey Vernick
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Melissa Iwai Anne Rockwell and Lizzy Rockwell Monica Wellington Herman Parish Lauren Castillo Alan Katz Sophie Blackall Brian Floca Sergio Ruzzier and Edward Hemingway Michael Buckley
LOOK FOR THESE BOOKS AND AUTHORS ON TABLES WITH RED TABLECLOTHS
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Mike Curato and Angela Dominguez Nancy Tafuri Jacky Davis and David Soman Jerry Pinkney David Ezra Stein Wendy Mass Courtney Sheinmel and Lisa Greenwald David Lubar Jordan Sonnenblick Tracey West
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Tommy Greenwald Charles Santore Jen Bryant Rosemary Wells Bruce Coville Sarah Weeks Alyssa Satin Capucilli Gail Carson Levine Sean Ferrell and Beth Ferry Jennifer Sattler
LOOK FOR THESE BOOKS AND AUTHORS ON TABLES WITH BLUE TABLECLOTHS
YELLOW TENT
PURPLE TENT
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Margery Cuyler Susan Stockdale and Corey Rosen Schwartz Ame Dyckman and Adam Lehrhaupt Nick Bruel Greg Pizzoli and Zachariah OHora Paulette Bogan David Biedrzycki Deborah Freedman E.B. Lewis Steve Light
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Patrick McDonnell Florence Minor and Wendell Minor Hazel Mitchell and Liza Gardner Walsh Fran Manushkin Tony Abbott Steve Sheinkin James Preller Kristine A. Lombardi Brian Biggs and Max Brallier Jennifer Berne and Kelly Barnhill
LOOK FOR THESE BOOKS AND AUTHORS ON TABLES WITH YELLOW TABLECLOTHS
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Doris Ettlinger Jeff Campbell and Scott M. Cohn Roxie Munro Matt Myklusch and Robin Newman Samantha Berger Laurie Calkhoven Catia Chien Chris Eliopoulos and Laura Marx Fitzgerald Mark Greenwood and FranĂŠ Lessac Aaron Becker and Emilie Christie Burack
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Eric Wight London Ladd J.A. White and Lauren Magaziner Claire Legrand and Megan McCafferty Jerry Pallotta Sally Cook Ida Pearle and Kate Samworth Jessica Olien and David Potter Heather Alexander Sujean Rim and Rachel Vail
LOOK FOR THESE BOOKS AND AUTHORS ON TABLES WITH PURPLE TABLECLOTHS
P R ESE N TAT I O N S
11-11:10 a.m.
Jennifer Sattler
1:30- 1:40 p.m.
E. B. Lewis
11:10-11:20 a.m.
Alyssa Capucilli
1:40- 1:50 p.m.
Zach OHora
11:20-11:30 a.m.
Samantha Berger
1:50- 2 p.m.
Kate Samworth
11:30-11:40 a.m.
Michael Buckley
2-2:10 p.m.
Catia Chien
11:40-11:50 a.m.
Brian Biggs
2:10- 2:20 p.m.
Tommy Greenwald
11:50-Noon
Jacky Davis and David Soman
2:20- 2:30 p.m.
Michelle Knudsen
Noon-12:10 p.m.
Hazel Mitchell
2:30- 2:40 p.m.
London Ladd
12:10-12:20 p.m.
Steve Light
2:40- 2:50 p.m.
John Parra
12:20-12:30 p.m.
Angela Dominguez
2:50- 3 p.m.
Ame Dyckman
12:30-12:40 p.m.
Jarrett J. Krosoczka
3-3:10 p.m.
Mark Greenwood and FranĂŠ Lessac
12:40-12:50 p.m.
Rosemary Wells
3:10- 3:20 p.m.
Nancy Tafuri
12:50-1 p.m.
David Lubar
3:20- 3:30 p.m.
Sean Ferrell
1-1:10 p.m.
Aaron Becker
3:30- 3:40 p.m.
Alan Katz
1:10-1:20 p.m.
Bruce Coville
3:40- 3:50 p.m.
David Ezra Stein
1:20- 1:30 p.m.
Matt Phelan
3:50- 4 p.m.
Edward Hemingway
ACK NOWLE D G M E N TS
Committee
Sponsors
LIBRARY STAFF Allison Santos, Festival Director Caroline Quinones, Associate Festival Director Amanda Chuong, Website Coordinator Steven Millett and Nick Stuart, Technical Support YOUTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT: Mimi Bowlin, Katie Bruce, Cory Bys,Susan Conlon, Violetta Manzaneres, Geena Molinaro, Martha Perry Liu, Kerri Sullivan Leslie Burger, Executive Director Timothy Quinn, Marketing and Communications Director Janet Simon, Development Director of the
COMMUNITY Joanne Farrugia and Dean Smith, jaZams Megan McCafferty
Food Vendors Entertainment Guitarist Kenn Kweder Singers Easha and Shravya Nandyala Princeton Symphony Instrument Petting Zoo. Kidlit TV
D’Angelo Italian Market Rojo Roaster the bent spoon House of Cupcakes
SAVE THE DATE Friday, Oct. 23 // Children’s Literature Conference
This daylong summit features speakers and panels focusing on topics at the forefront of the children’s book world. bit.ly/PrincetonCLC
Made possible by a generous gift from Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc.
PRINCETON PUBLIC LIBRARY // SANDS LIBRARY BUILDING // 65 WITHERSPOOIN STREET, PRINCETON, NJ, 08542 609.924.9529 // WWW.PRINCETONLIBRARY.ORG