Daniel Kirk, author/illustrator of the Library Mouse series, will join Alyssa Capucilli, author of the Biscuit series, and dozens more children's book authors and illustrators at Celebrate Children's Book Day, a one-day gala devoted to children's literature and filled with readings, demonstrations, magic, music, and book signings at Washington Irving's Sunnyside on Sunday, Sept. 25.
The event, which takes place from 12-6 p.m., is sponsored by Sunnyside Federal Savings and Loan of Irvington. In all, more than 60 children's book authors and illustrators will take part.
In addition to author appearances, costumed characters Clifford, the Big Red Dog, Bunnicula, Biscuit, and Franklin the Turtle, will be roaming the grounds. The creators and stars of the legendary children's television show The Magic Garden, Carole Demas of Irvington and Paula Janis, will be performing from 4:30-5:30. The duo is celebrating 40 years of performing.
New faces to Book Day this year include: Peter Brown, author/illustrator of You Will Be My Friend!, Jerry Davis author of Little Chicken's Big Day, Daniel Kirk, author/illustrator of the Library Mouse series, Will Moses, author/illustrator of Mary and Her Little Lamb, Lena Roy author of Edges, and Helen Perelman author of the Candy Fairies series.
Returning favorites include many from Westchester County:
From Bedford Hills: Katie Davis, author of The Curse of Addy McMahon.
From Chappaqua: Jean Craighead George, author of My Side of the Mountain; Matt Van Fleet, author/illustrator of Three Little Mermaids; Jean Van Leeuwen, author of the Amanda and Oliver Pig series; Barbara Dee, author of Solving Zoe.
From Cold Spring: Jean Marzollo, author of I Spy Spectacular.
From Croton: Gloria Pinkney, author of Back Home; Susan Jeffers, illustrator of Hansel and Gretel.
From Hartsdale: Eric Velasquez, illustrator of Grandma's Gift.
From Hastings: Alyssa Capucilli, author of the Biscuit series; Ed Young, illustrator of Moon Bear; Roni Schotter, author of Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street; Dan Greenburg, author of The Secrets of Dripping Fang series; and J.C. Greenburg, author of Andrew Lost series.
From Irvington: Alan Richardson and Karen Tack, creators of Hello, Cupcake.
From Katonah: Judy Blundell, author of 39 Clues.
From Larchmont: Wendy Popp, illustrator of Where the Sunrise Begins; Todd Strasser, author of Famous.
From Mamaroneck: Charise Mericle Harper, author/illustrator of Just Grace series.
From Ossining: Susanna Reich, author of Painting the Wild Frontier; Gary Golio, author of Jimi; Sounds Like a Rainbow
From Scarsdale: Bernard Most, author/illustrator of Dinosaur Cousins.
From White Plains: Howard Fine, illustrator of Hampire!; Yumi Heo, illustrator of Polka Dot Penguin Pottery.
From Yonkers: James Howe; author of Brontorina
From Yorktown: Marisabina Russo, author of The Bunnies Are Not in Their Beds.
Author and illustrator appearances, including readings and demonstrations, will be broken into 90-minute segments beginning at 12, 1:30, and 3. The full schedule of authors appears on www.hudsonvalley.org. Books by all of the attending writers and illustrators will be available for purchase and signing.
Food from Irvington-based Geordane's will be available for picnickers.
The event is produced by Beth Vetare-Civitello and Susan Brandes. The non-profit Historic Hudson Valley owns and operates Sunnyside, which is the romantic, picturesque homestead of Washington Irving, the author best known for The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle.
Admission to Sunnyside is $12 for adults; $10 for seniors; $6 for children 5-17; and free for children under 5 and HHV members. Tours of Irving's house are included in the price of admission. Tickets can be purchased online: www.hudsonvalley.org. Washington Irving's Sunnyside is at 89 West Sunnyside Lane in Tarrytown, one mile south of the Tappan Zee Bridge, off Route 9.
