11th Annual Claire's Day Celebration

Keeping Up With Kids  |  05/08/2012

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Grab your book marks and reading glasses.

Authors, teachers, students and parents are gearing up for the 11th Annual Claire's Day Book Festival and celebration on Saturday, May 19th beginning at 10 a.m. The event is held annually on the third Saturday in May at the Maumee branch of the Toledo Lucas County Public Library, located at 501 River Road.

Claire's Day was created in loving memory of Claire Lynsey Rubini, who passed away from a heart condition in 2000 when she was just ten years old. The event embraces all of Claire's favorite pastimes, including telling stories, dancing, making crafts, and most of all, reading. Its mission is to inspire kids of all ages, as well as their families, to be lifelong readers through exposure to a variety of literary opportunities and experiences.

The 11th Annual Claire's Day features children's book authors and illustrators from across the country. Speakers will meet with young bookworms to discuss their craft and sign books. The 2012 line up includes picture book, grade school fiction, middle school fiction and and children's non-fiction authors. Don't miss appearances by Carrie Harris, Linda Gerber, Will Hillenbrand, David T. Greenberg, Paul Orshoski and five other established authors. When not presenting, writers will be available to autograph books in the Barnes and Noble Author Tent.

In addition to author presentations, Claire's Day offers storytellers, live music and hands-on activities. A highlight of the day is the C.A.R.E. Awards (Claire's Awards for Reading Excellence), presented to students recognized by their schools as being the most improved in their reading skills. Students in grades 1-8 are nominated by their principals from the greater Toledo region.

For more information on the Claire's Day itinerary, or to learn more about the non-profit organization, visit www.clairesday.org.