Each year, Longwood University in Farmville hosts the Virginia Children’s Book Festival in an attempt to get kids excited about reading and celebrate children’s literature. The festival, now entering its third year, has grown to become the largest children’s literature festival in the nation. This year’s festival kicks off on Oct. 13 and concludes on Oct. 15, and it’s expected to be the largest festival yet.
“When we first started the festival three years ago, we had 1,000 children attend,” says Juanita Giles, the co-founder and executive director of the festival. “Now, we have 7,000 preregistered and thousands more attending from all over Virginia.”
Giles founded the Virginia Children’s Book Festival after discovering that, in her small town alone, one 1 in 5 people were illiterate. “This is an impoverished town,” Giles says. “Most people either do not have access to books or cannot afford to buy them. We are trying to make a difference not only in our town but in the entire state, including Northern Virginia.”
Since the festival’s inception, library check-outs have increased, and festival organizers have received more than 400 thank-you notes from families. “We really want to reach all of the children in Virginia,” Giles says.
The three-day festival will include appearances from 22 renowned children’s authors, including Todd Parr, author of the New York Times best-seller The I Love You Book. Giles says the authors are excited about the event because it’s among few of its kind in the U.S. “They were surprised that this was a festival strictly for kids, whereas major literature festivals only have small sections for kids,” she says.
Some of the other festival activities include the Poe Museum’s interactive performance of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart; a magic show by Allan Kronzek, author of The Sorcerer’s Companion; and a cosplay day on Saturday (so visitors should make sure to pack their favorite costumes). The festival takes place Oct.13-15 at Longwood University in Farmville, and it’s free.
While you’re there:
1. Stop by the Moton Museum for a Civil Rights story time that will give your children a lesson in history and instill an appreciation for diversity.
2. Take a long bike ride across the High Bridge Trail to take in the beautiful state park’s scenery and the Appomattox River.
3. Relax at the Sandy River Retreat, which includes an adventure park that offers outdoor and indoor activities for children such as zip-lining and clay workshops. The retreat also offers five-star cabins if you want to stay overnight.
