Appearances by Skippyjon Jones author Judy Schachner, The Day the Crayons Quit author Drew Daywalt, Saint Anything author Sarah Dessen and Fancy Nancy co-creators Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser highlight the children and teen’s programming and events at the 10th annual Atlanta Journal-Constitution Decatur Book Festival Presented by DeKalb Medical (AJC DBF).
Events include Schachner’s Kidnote address at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, and parades each morning on Saturday, Sept. 5, and Sunday, Sept. 6. The teen events conclude on Sunday with a rousing game of Truth or Dare with popular Young Adult (YA) authors as contestants and the always popular Teen Poetry Slam, a collaboration among a trio of non-profit groups dedicated to promote writing on behalf of kids—Verbalyze, Vox Teen Communications and the Wren’s Nest.
Children and Teen’s Programming Manager, Diane Capriola, the owner of Decatur bookstore Little Shop of Stories, said the events are not to be missed.
“We are so excited about the programming this year,” Capriola said. “I’m a huge fan of Judy Schachner and I know many kids and their parents are, too. The other events and stages offer something for everyone.”
Festival-goers can obtain Kidnote tickets at Charis Books & More, Eagle Eye Books, Little Shop of Stories and Tall Tales Books. Tickets are required but free and limited to four per person. This year, the event is moving to Decatur High School’s Performing Arts Center (310 North McDonough Street). Schachner launches a new character and picture book, Dewey Bob, at this year’s festival.
Daywalt, who will launch his follow-up, The Day the Crayons Came Home, at this year’s festival, will kick off the children’s events on Saturday by leading a colorful parade, in which participants are invited to dress as their favorite color from the crayon box. The parade will lead to the gym at the Decatur Recreation Center (231 Sycamore Street), the new home of the Children’s Stage, which is presented by the Decatur Education Foundation.
On Sunday, O’Connor and Preiss Glasser will lead a très chic (that’s fancy for very fancy!) parade group to the Children’s Stage. Participants are invited to dress their fanciest and actors from Synchronicity Theatre’s fall presentation of Fancy Nancy, The Musical! will join them. Guests are invited to congregate at the Community Bandstand on the historic Decatur Square before the start of both parades. The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday and at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday.
Featured novelists on this year’s Children’s Stage include: Jeanne Birdsall (Penderwicks in Spring), Gennifer Choldenko (Chasing Secrets), Adam Gidwitz (Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back: So You Want to Be a Jedi?), Jacqueline Kelly (The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate), Ingrid Law (Switch) and graphic novelist Craig Thompson (Space Dumplins).
Two popular YA authors anchor the Teen Stages (located on the MARTA Plaza). Dessen opens Saturday with a conversation about Saint Anything, her newest novel, and at noon on Sunday Libba Bray shares Lair of Dreams, the follow-up to her highly lauded The Diviners. Graphic novelist and real-life derby girl Victoria Jamieson shares her debut novel, Roller Girl, and will be joined on stage by members of the Atlanta Derby Brats of the Atlanta Junior Roller Derby League.
For more information about AJC DBF’s children and teen’s programming, visit these links:
https://decaturbookfes.wpengine.com/sessions/index/venue:555f31f4171201f16269c735
https://decaturbookfes.wpengine.com/presenters/genre/ya-fiction
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Decatur Book Festival Presented by DeKalb Medical (AJC DBF) is the largest independent book festival in the country. Over Labor Day weekend (Sept. 4-6) tens of thousands from metro Atlanta and beyond will share the historic Decatur Square with world-class authors, illustrators, editors, publishers and booksellers for a weekend filled with literature, music, food and fun. For more information, visit decaturbookfestival.com,“like” Decatur Book Festival on Facebook or follow @DBookFestival on Twitter.