Bringing nationally recognized authors of various genres of children's and adult books together under one roof, both the Book Fair and "Celebration" afford book lovers the opportunity to rub shoulders with writers and take advantage of readings, book-signings, workshops and other special events.
Sponsored by The Literary, the Children's Book Fair - which is free - will be held tomorrow in the Winnet Student Life Building at Community College of Philadelphia, 17th and Spring Garden streets from 1 to 3 p.m. More than 100 publishers will be represented.
Among the illustrators who will appear are Floyd Cooper ("I Have Heard of A Land," Joanna Cotler Books/HarperCollins) and E.B. Lewis ("The Bat Boy and His Violin," Simon & Schuster), both awarded Coretta Scott King honor awards from the American Library Association this year, along with Javaka Steptoe ("In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall," Lee & Low), the ALA's 1998 King Illustrator Award winner.
The Moonstone-sponsored "Celebration"- which also uses Community College as home base, but hosts events at other venues as well - is a literary conference for novices and seasoned writers alike.
Although most of its events are free - and on-site registration will be available - pre-registration is suggested.
The three-day event kicks off Feb. 12 at International House, 3701 Chestnut St., with a fund-raiser for Cave Canem, a summer workshop and retreat for African-American poets. Requested donation for this "evening of poetry and conviviality" is $10.
"Celebration" gets into full swing at Community College on Feb. 13, with a meeting of the Union of Writers of the African Peoples, chaired by renowned South African poet/activist Dennis Brutus at 10 a.m.
That session will be followed by "Meet The Editor," a how-to-get-published panel discussion moderated by Vanesse Lloyd Sgambati of The Literary (11:30 a.m.), a panel discussion on "The State of Black Writing" featuring editors and authors of several genres (2 p.m.) and workshops (4 p.m.).
Saturday's highlight is a reception for celebrated author, activist and Temple University professor Sonia Sanchez ("Homegirls and Handgrenades," "Under a Soprano Sky," "Does Your House Have Lions" and numerous other titles), who will be presented with Moonstone's Lifetime Achievement Award at a 6 p.m. reception at the Logan Square Branch of the Free Library, 1901 Vine St. Conference registration is required to attend.
On Feb. 14, more than 70 authors will be back at Community College for book-signing and informal discussion during the "Meet The Authors Book Fair" running 12 to 5 p.m.
Rounding out the day's activities will be a storytelling hour with Keepers of the Culture (12:30 p.m.) a panel discussion on youth mentoring (1:45 p.m.), "What Brothers Think, What Sistahs Know," a relationship seminar led by husband and wife duo Denene Millner and Nick Chiles (3 p.m.), and a series of poetry events (1-4:30 p.m.) including featured readings by poets James Johnson, Robbyne Kaamil, Angela Kinmore, Lois Moses and Kimmika Williams at 3 p.m.
Send e-mail to lucasr@phillynews.com.
