From our Smarty friends at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Children, teens and families are invited to ImaginOn Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. for EpicFest, a free children’s literary festival organized by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation, which aims to strengthen and instill a love of reading. Children and families will have an epic time participating in activities including LEGO building, robotics, early learning stations for toddlers, a coffee shop for teens, storytelling, family cooking, a family concert with Secret Agent 23 Skidoo and more!
EpicFest will feature these award-winning children’s and young adult authors:
Tad Hills, a New Your Times bestselling children’s book author and illustrator of Duck & Goose and Rocket series
Claudia Mills, an author of over 50 books for young readers, including recent titles Zero Tolerance, The Trouble with Ants, and Izzy Barr, Running Star
Lauren Oliver, New York Times bestselling author of young adult novels Before I Fall, Panic, Vanishing Girls, and the Delirium trilogy: Delirium, Pandemonium and Requiem
Brendan Reichs, Charlotte-native and co-author of the New York Times bestselling Virals series
Melissa Thomson, an elementary school teacher in New York City and author of the Keena Ford series
Sheila Turnage, author of New York Times bestseller and Newbery Honor winner Three Times Lucky
Maya Van Wagenen, a 17-year-old, New York Times Bestseller author of Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek
Carole Boston Weatherford, a NAACP Image Award winner and New York Times bestselling author and poet with 40 books of poetry, nonfiction and children’s literature, including Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom.
Parents are also encouraged to attend a free workshop on Friday, Nov. 6 at 9 a.m. at Beatties Ford Road Library featuring Byron Garrett, author and chair of the National Family Engagement Alliance. Garrett serves as the Director of Educational Leadership & Policy for Microsoft and a consulting author for Scholastic. He was recently named to The Root 100 which recognizes emerging and established African-American leaders under 45 who are making extraordinary contributions.
EpicFest has been created to remember and honor Elizabeth (Libby) Preston’s passion for reading and encouraging and instilling a love of reading in children. In addition to the Preston Family, EpicFest is made possible by presenting sponsor Wells Fargo, with additional support from NEH, American Airlines, Publix, Charlotte Parent, and the Charlotte Hornets.
For more details visit foundation.cmlibrary.org/epicfest
