African American Children's Book Fair- Philadelphia -2/7/15-1-3pm

The 23rd Annual African American Children's Book Fair takes place in Philadelphia on February 7, 2015
Author and illustrators will make presentations from their books; also games, prizes, promotional give-aways and reading resources will be available. A wide selection of African American books to purchase will be featured at the event.

Authors and illustrators in attendance include Tonya Bolden, Eric Velasquez, E.B. Lewis and Zetta Elliott, Floyd Cooper and Sharon Dennis Wyeth

Location:  Community College of Philadelphia, Gymnasium, 17th and Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia
Time: 1-3pm
Date: Saturday, February 7, 2015
Admission: Free
Website: http://theafricanamericanchildrensbookproject.org

More info- Call 215-878-BOOK

Why should you attend?
Because  We Need Diverse Books!
See also http://educationservicesnews.blogspot.com/2014/05/all-white-world-of-childrens-books.html

Harlem Book Fair 2010

The 2010 Harlem Book Fair took place this past weekend at the NYPL Schomburg Branch

If you missed it, some of the events are archived on C-SPAN's Book TV.

The most important message from the panel discussions for librarians, teachers and parents was that if we want to see an increase in quality youth materials, representative of peoples of African descent and their history and culture, then we must SEEK OUT these materials at book fairs, libraries, and book stores; PURCHASE these materials and DEMAND that our SCHOOL LIBRARIES and CLASSROOMS contain these materials. These materials are not just for African American youth but contain universal themes for all readers. To prepare our youth for a diverse world, we have to provide them with materials that reflect that diversity.

The Program included some very stimulating and revealing panel discussions of interest to librarians and teachers. I have included both the descriptions and links to the archived videos.:

2010 HARLEM BOOK FAIR PROGRAM & SCHEDULE

SCHOMBURG C-SPAN PANEL DISCUSSIONS
Complete Saturday program
http://cspan.org/Watch/Media/2010/07/17/HP/A/35566/Harlem+Book+Fair.aspx


Of particular interest

White and Whatever: Diversity in Children’s & Young Adult Book Publishing
http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/294543-5


The United States is an extremely diverse nation. But books for children and young adults hardly reflect that diversity. Only a small percentage of the books published every year are written and or illustrated by people of color. Many of these don’t make it to the market place. Why, in 2010, when the nation has elected its first African American president, is the book publishing industry still not meeting the need and demand for books that explore the width and breathe of our country’s multicultural experiences? This panel will explore the complex issues and suggest solutions to a problem that is garnering a lot of attention.

MODERATOR: Wade Hudson, Publisher, Just Us Books

PANELISTS: Jerry Craft, Mamma's Boyz; Zetta Elliott, Bird; Cheryl Willis Hudson, My Friend Maya Loves to Dance; Vanesse Lloyd Sgambati, Publicist; Director, African American Children's Book Project


From Digital Divide to Digital Inequality: Bridging the Market-driven Literacy Gap
http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/294543-7

The advent of digital technology has redefined the very scope of literacy. While African American literacy rates are statistically on par with national averages, the advent of the market-driven digital age threatens timely access to information to the most economically disparaged...less a 'digital divide' than a 'information access' divide. Inequality of bandwidth; autonomy of use; skills level; quality of support; and purpose (whether the Internet is used for increase of economic productivity and improvement of social capital or for consumption and entertainment) are the current pressing concerns. These authors believe that visual representation is the one critical element that will balance the impact of these emerging issues and drive a new generation of readers successfully into this brave, new world.

MODERATOR: John Jennings, Black Comix: African American Independent Comics, Art and Culture (Mark Batty Publisher/Random)

PANELISTS: Damian Duffy, Out of Sequence: Underrepresented Voices in American Comics (Krannert Art Museum), Dawud Anyabwile, Brotherman; Alex Simmons, DarkJACK; Gregory Walker, ZM1

JCPL Book Fair in Jersey City 9/13/08

Here's another activity for September!

Bibliophiles, bookworms, book peddlers, and those who love writing and hearing the written word will have an opportunity to indulge themselves with a day of literary delights when Jersey City holds its first annual book festival on Saturday, Sept. 13."

A Tale of Our City" will be held in Van Vorst Park on Montgomery Street, right across the street from the Main Branch of the Jersey City Free Public Library. The library is organizing the event and hopes to make it annual.The festival will be part of a daylong nationwide celebration known as "the Big Read," an initiative of the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) that puts a spotlight on encouraging reading and literacy.

The festival is funded by a grant from the NEA.As part of the initiative, free copies of Ray Bradbury's classic sci-fi novel Fahrenheit 451 will be handed out to festival attendees who have a valid library card, or who apply for a card during the festival. Members of the Jersey City Theater Company will conduct a public reading of the book.

Sonia Araujo, the assistant library director for the Jersey City Public Library, said last week that so far 12 authors have committed to an appearance at the festival. They will sign and sell their books, as well as read excerpts.Among them are city native and noted historian Thomas Fleming, and Helene Stapinski, an author of several books including the memoir of life in Jersey City, Five Finger Discount.

Source: Hudson Reporter, Ricardo Kaulessar

Harlem Book Fair 2008

The 10th HARLEM BOOK FAIR Anniversary Celebration & Gala
Harlem, New York
in association with the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

Events from July 18 - 20, 2008
West 135th Street from Malcolm X Blvd.
to Frederick Douglass Blvd.

The programs of the 10th Anniversary Gala and Celebration of the Harlem Book Fair will begin on Friday, July 18th and conclude on Sunday, July 20th at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. The outdoor festival will be held on Saturday, July 19, from 11 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on West 135th Street between Lenox Avenue and Frederick Douglass Boulevard.

Authors from around the world, literature discussions and more!
http://www.harlembookfair.com/page12740.asp
http://www.qbr.com/page12742.asp
http://www.qbr.com/page12741.asp

Including:
YOUNG READERS PAVILION
TMA (THURGOOD MARSHALL ACADEMY)
SATURDAY, JULY 19

12:30 – 1:30pm ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL CHILDREN’S BOOK: ONE ON ONE WITH THE EXPERTS (PANEL DISCUSSION)
Moderator: Irene Smalls
Panelists: Linda Trice (Kenya's Word); Troy Johnson (Founder of aalbc.com); Bernette Ford, Publisher ColorBridge Books; Eric Velasquez (Illustrator); Janet Hubert (J.G. and the B.C. Kids)

3:15 – 4:15pm COMIC BOOKS: WHAT’S THE STORY WITHIN THE STORY
Room TBA (WORKSHOP)
Facilitator: Jerry Craft (Mamasboyz)
Learn how to draw comics. What’s the story behind Iron Man? What’s the story behind The Hulk? Comic books and graphic novels are often the first access to reading for our youth. This workshop creates access to creative self-expression and enhances self-esteem

3:00 – 4:00pm WRITING FOR THE YA MARKET: ONE ON ONE WITH THE EXPERTS
Room 303 (PANEL DISCUSSION)
Moderator: Clara Villarosa (Founder, Hue-Man Bookstore)

Panelists: Rita Garcia-Williams (No Laughter Here); Jaira Placide (Fresh Girl); Jennifer Burton (Topeka Heights)
http://www.harlembookfair.com/page12760.asp


See the events at
http://www.harlembookfair.com/page10688.asp

Spanish Language Materials-Book Fair-3/7/08

Please spread the word and save the date…
Spanish Language Materials Book Fair
Here is an excellent opportunity for librarians and educators to purchase Spanish language materials for adults, teens, and children!

FREE ADMISSION!
Date: March 7, 2008
Time: 10:00AM to 4:00 PM
Where: The Newark Public Library
5 Washington St.,
Newark, NJ 07101-0630
For Directions go to:
http://www.npl.org/Pages/AboutLibrary/directions.html

For parking information go to:
http://www.npl.org/Pages/AboutLibrary/directions.html#parking

Please send an email to lromerobpl@yahoo.com to confirm your attendance.

EVENT SCHEDULE & LOCATION:

10:00 AM Librarian’s orientation—Auditorium (4th Floor)
10:00 AM-4:00PM Book Fair—Centennial Hall (2nd floor)

For more information please contact:
Libbhy Romero
E-mail: lromerobpl@yahoo.com
Phone: 718-230-2435