July 19, 2012. Walt Disney once said, “there is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island,” and this is about to become reality at the High Country Festival of the Book on Saturday, August 4 at the Meadowbrook Inn in Blowing Rock.
Beginning at 9 a.m. with a presentation from Caldicott Medal recipient, Gail Haley, kids can go out on the patio by the duck pond from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. where Youth Services Director at the Watauga County Public Library, Judith Wyncoff will be on hand to show kids how to create their own book. The kids can take an old book and alter it with paint, stamps, collages, pop-ups, ribbons and unlimited imagination to make a whole new creation.
Throughout the day, there will be plenty of authors with books for kids (and adults) for all ages. Some of the other authors for young readers include Jonathan Graves, author of Isabella Propeller, Judy Geary and her Geotrix Series about Ancient Rome, Julia Taylor Ebel, whose award-winning books speak to children of all ages and many other authors who will sign their books.
The library’s new “Working Title” youth writing club will head up a panel discussion with author Scott Nicholson and moderator, Owen Gray at 3 p.m. in the tent on the patio. This is a great opportunity for tweens and teens who are interested in becoming published authors in this digital age.
Facing budget cuts, particularly in Youth Services, the Friends of the Library are excited to share some our favorite children’s authors and promote the lifelong passion of reading. These events are free to the public but you can support the efforts of the Friends by participating in the ticketed events: Civil War Symposium, memoir writing workshop, and dinner with the authors or simply by becoming a member of the Friends of the Library at the Festival or at the Watauga Public Library circulation desk. Visit the web site for more information www.highcountryfestivalofthebook.com.
Friends of the Watauga County Public Library: A wholly volunteer organization, the Friends of the Library promote the Watauga County Public Library and its goals, while inspiring a love of literature. They aim to enhance the quality of the Library by providing resources not covered by state and local funding.
