no matter where you are, save the date

This is one of the best days of the year for a print junkie! The National Mall in DC plays host to a large collection of white peaked pavilions under which assemble an all-star lineup of authors and illustrators, legions of fans, book-related activities for all ages, signings and so much more. Runs from 10am until 5pm, and you will need every minute of it. Keep checking back in to the National Book Festival website for updates as the date draws closer. Some of this year's notable presenters and signers include Paul Theroux, Geraldine Brooks, Salman Rushdie, Jon Scieszka, and this year's event artist, Jan Brett (check out her beautiful, whimsical poster design for this year). As impressive as this small sampling of the 70 or so authors coming this year sounds, there is one name I advise you to put at the top of your list - Steven Kellogg, beloved children's author and illustrator. He soooooo wowed the crowd when I saw him here three years ago that I would skip anyone to see him. Not only does he have an amazing command of the oral tradition of children's literature but he wove it all together while simultaneously illustrating for the crowd on an easel. People were up front begging for those pages when he was finished. Don't miss out on this day of free extreme fun for the bibliophile and DO NOT leave your kids at home. They will love this event in a way you did not think possible.