Orange County Children's Book Festival 2007

Book lovers of all ages mark your calendars! The fourth annual book festival located at Orange Coast College has extended to two days this year, Saturday and Sunday Sep. 29-30 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The festival attracts thousands of people each year. Children, authors, illustrators, educators and parents enjoy this annual event.

There will be plenty to see and do. In addition to book signings and presentations by authors and illustrators, some of this years highlights will include face painting, clowns, musicians and drawings.

Stacia Deutsch, author of the Blast To The PastSeries and David Seidman, who wrote Fantastic Four will attend the event as well as a number of other well-known authors. Illustrator, Priscilla Burris who illustrated I Love You All Day Long and Joy Allen who illustrated Exploding Gravy will be among the many illustrators who will be present.

There will also be multiple stages. Each has a jam-packed schedule of presentations and entertainment for both days. The Wild Animal Arena will feature zoo handlers, live animals and authors who have created books about animals including author, Deborah Turner who wrote How Willie Got His Wheels. The International Stage will feature international acts where you can meet Los Kitos and the Chivas USA soccer team mascot. Super hero fans won't want to miss the Super Heroes Stage which will feature Mark Williams who wrote Danger Boy and Gina Misiroglu who authored The Superhero Book. Sports enthusiasts will want to check out the Sports Stage where they will see Sports Writer, Steve Bisheff and Olympic Swimmer, Jason Lezak among other sports authors and athletes. There will also be a magic show! The Mainstage will feature the OCC Cheerleaders Squad, Mrs. B Storytime....with a Twist and many other performances by entertainers of all ages.

Bring your appetite because there will be plenty of food and drinks available. You will also have the opportunity to purchase books as there will be over 80 book and literary-related vendors.

The event was fashioned to support literacy, bring families together for a day of fun and promote children's charities.

Admission and parking are free. The festival is located in the campus quad at Fairview Rd. and Arlington St. in Costa Mesa.

If you would like to help out with the festival, there are still some openings for volunteers. You can sign up online.

For directions and an extensive list of authors, illustrators and exhibitors go to www.kidsbookfestival.com where you can also find the entertainment schedules for each arena.