Okay, I've decided to write a little bit about my weekend, because why not...
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Okay, I've decided to write a little bit about my weekend, because why not...
The LA Festival of Books is the largest book festival in the US, and it's FREE! It's held on the campus of USC, and hosts over 100k attendees each year. Hundreds of exhibitors set up booths throughout the campus, and several outdoor stages are set up for different author panels/interviews.
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Okay, I've decided to write a little bit about my weekend, because why not...
The LA Festival of Books is the largest book festival in the US, and it's FREE! It's held on the campus of USC, and hosts over 100k attendees each year. Hundreds of exhibitors set up booths throughout the campus, and several outdoor stages are set up for different author panels/interviews.
In addition, there are many, many panels held indoors in campus buildings. Those panels are ticketed, but they are generally fairly inexpensive (~$8), with the exception of a couple that are more expensive, usually reserved for more recognizable folks. This year, there were panels with Lionel Richie, Larry David, and Sarah Jessica Parker in conversation with Alexandria Oliva.
After most panels, the participating authors offer to sign books, and individuals are able to purchase said books, usually nearby, if they wish.
2/n
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In addition, there are many, many panels held indoors in campus buildings. Those panels are ticketed, but they are generally fairly inexpensive (~$8), with the exception of a couple that are more expensive, usually reserved for more recognizable folks. This year, there were panels with Lionel Richie, Larry David, and Sarah Jessica Parker in conversation with Alexandria Oliva.
After most panels, the participating authors offer to sign books, and individuals are able to purchase said books, usually nearby, if they wish.
2/n
Visiting the exhibitors can be fun. Many local bookstores have their own signing events with several authors, and a lot of publishers and craftspeople set up as well.
I didn't spend too much time perusing the booths this year. It can be fun, but again, with tens of thousands of people making their way to and from, it can be a bit overwhelming.
However, the dense number and sheer diversity of book lovers, young and old, is a joy to see. There is palpable energy and solidarity that is often missing from events that are less inclusive in events that are NOT free to the public.
3/n
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Visiting the exhibitors can be fun. Many local bookstores have their own signing events with several authors, and a lot of publishers and craftspeople set up as well.
I didn't spend too much time perusing the booths this year. It can be fun, but again, with tens of thousands of people making their way to and from, it can be a bit overwhelming.
However, the dense number and sheer diversity of book lovers, young and old, is a joy to see. There is palpable energy and solidarity that is often missing from events that are less inclusive in events that are NOT free to the public.
3/n
A large portion of the event I actually spent at the kid's tent. A stage is set up for children's authors to come and read from their books and sometimes take questions from the kids (I have a 7 yr old daughter).
That portion was hosted/emceed by musicians Andrew and Polly who seemingly have an endless well of energy and positivity. I was also kind of stoked, because they have a lovely version of "Forever Young" that frequently gets plays on my playlist--and they happened to perform it while they were buying time in between author sets!
4/n
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A large portion of the event I actually spent at the kid's tent. A stage is set up for children's authors to come and read from their books and sometimes take questions from the kids (I have a 7 yr old daughter).
That portion was hosted/emceed by musicians Andrew and Polly who seemingly have an endless well of energy and positivity. I was also kind of stoked, because they have a lovely version of "Forever Young" that frequently gets plays on my playlist--and they happened to perform it while they were buying time in between author sets!
4/n
One thing I'll mention about the authors that come through this stage. They are curious, funny, engaging, and wise. They are a typically less-celebrated subset of artists, because, you know, they create "children's" books...
But that does not mean they are any less capable than the most celebrated artists... After all, you wouldn't think of a pediatrician as "less" of a doctor just because they engage with children.
5/n
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One thing I'll mention about the authors that come through this stage. They are curious, funny, engaging, and wise. They are a typically less-celebrated subset of artists, because, you know, they create "children's" books...
But that does not mean they are any less capable than the most celebrated artists... After all, you wouldn't think of a pediatrician as "less" of a doctor just because they engage with children.
5/n
Case in point, Mac Barnett (current ambassador for young people's literature) and Jon Klassen (current recipient of the astrid lingren memorial award). Their readings of their books are always delightful, but their insights about life, art, and stories are so delightful and enchanting.
Even if you do not have kids, you're doing yourself a disservice by NOT picking up one of their books and experiencing the stories for yourself. But also, reading them aloud to a child also puts us on the same level playing field... which also teaches us something about ourselves.
6/n
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Case in point, Mac Barnett (current ambassador for young people's literature) and Jon Klassen (current recipient of the astrid lingren memorial award). Their readings of their books are always delightful, but their insights about life, art, and stories are so delightful and enchanting.
Even if you do not have kids, you're doing yourself a disservice by NOT picking up one of their books and experiencing the stories for yourself. But also, reading them aloud to a child also puts us on the same level playing field... which also teaches us something about ourselves.
6/n
For example, I also attended a panel with Mac Barnett, and previous ambassador for young people's literature, Jason Reynolds, and they were joined on the stage by actor Yvette Nicole Brown. The discussion was meant to be about "picture books", but it ended up being one of the most enlightening and profound panels I've attended in recent memory (and that's saying a lot... I was at Cory Doctorow and Adam Becker's panel the following day!).
These individuals hold children in such high regard, that it is both humbling and inspiring as a parent to know that these people exist in our world.
(I also got to meet Yvette and get a selfie--which was awesome, as Community is one of my favorite shows!)
7/n
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For example, I also attended a panel with Mac Barnett, and previous ambassador for young people's literature, Jason Reynolds, and they were joined on the stage by actor Yvette Nicole Brown. The discussion was meant to be about "picture books", but it ended up being one of the most enlightening and profound panels I've attended in recent memory (and that's saying a lot... I was at Cory Doctorow and Adam Becker's panel the following day!).
These individuals hold children in such high regard, that it is both humbling and inspiring as a parent to know that these people exist in our world.
(I also got to meet Yvette and get a selfie--which was awesome, as Community is one of my favorite shows!)
7/n
Anyway, back to the kid's stage at the festival. There were a slew of other great authors, but it was also awesome to see Mychal Threets (Mychal the Librarian), the new host of Reading Rainbow.
We previously had a chance to meet him at a book signing event, but it was also so much fun to see him on stage reading from his new book, and at the same time advocating for diversity, inclusion, and mental health advocacy in the context of public libraries! That was so much fun.
8/n
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Anyway, back to the kid's stage at the festival. There were a slew of other great authors, but it was also awesome to see Mychal Threets (Mychal the Librarian), the new host of Reading Rainbow.
We previously had a chance to meet him at a book signing event, but it was also so much fun to see him on stage reading from his new book, and at the same time advocating for diversity, inclusion, and mental health advocacy in the context of public libraries! That was so much fun.
8/n
Broke my link, keep going here:
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