Welcome Parents as Teachers!

The Big Read Festival wants to thank Parents as Teachers for providing information, support and encouragement to new parents by helping their children develop optimally during the crucial early years of life.

The first 50 families who are registered with Parents as Teachers will receive a free hardcover copy of Jennifer Plecas’ new book, Please is a Good Word to Say!

Sponsored by Lisa Greening, Sam Blumoff and The Booksource

9:15-9:45am

Author and award-winning illustrator, Jennifer Plecas reads from and shows how she illustrates her new book, Please is a Good Word to Say. A perfect book for children ages 0-5, children will be (very politely) clamoring to hear it over and over again . . . and parents will be pleased to oblige.

Jennifer Plecas is an award-winning illustrator of many children’s books including Pleaseis a Good Word to Say, Good Night Good Knight, A Cold Winter’s Good Knight, Take Care Good Knight, and her soon to be released book, Love Is A Good Thing to Feel, available December 2008. Jennifer Plecas lives in Blue Springs, Missouri.

Have you seen Channel 9’s new PBS television show, Martha Speaks? Meet Susan Meddaugh, author of Martha’s Calling and Martha Speaks as she introduces us to her very popular dog, Martha!! Bring the whole family to hear Martha stories read by the author while watching Martha do tricks (and maybe speak) on stage.

Susan Meddaugh was born and raised in Montclair, New Jersey. She graduated from Wheaton College, where she studied French literature and fine arts. After working briefly with an advertising agency in New York, she moved to Boston and worked at a publishing company for ten years, first as a designer, then art editor, and finally as art director. While there, she did the illustrations for GOOD STONES (Houghton Mifflin) by Anne Epstein, and then decided to strike out on her own as a freelance illustrator and creator of children's books.

Since that time, Susan has written and illustrated many popular books for children, including MARTHA SPEAKS, which was chosen as a NEW YORK TIMES Best Illustrated Book for 1992. In 1998 she was awarded the New England Book Award, given by the New England Booksellers Association to recognize a body of work. Her work also was acknowledged with a New York Times Best Illustrated Award. She lives in Sherborn, Massachusetts

How is your knowledge of geography? Bestselling author of Scrambled States of America, Laurie Keller returns with those wacky scrambled states in her new book, TheScrambled States of America Talent Show. Laurie Keller will read from and illustrate the madcap new adventures and silly antics in her popular new book – and may even teach us a few interesting facts about states and geography.

In The Scrambled States of America Talent Show, this time they’ve come together for a spectacular show featuring their many goofball talents. But just when Indiana (the director) is about to call SHOWTIME, Georgia gets a bad case of stage fright and can’t perform in her juggling act. Will the show go on, or will it be curtains?

Laurie Keller is the popular author and illustrator of Do Unto Otters: A Book AboutManners; Grandpa Gazillion’s Number Yard;Arnie, the Doughnut; Open Wide: ToothSchool Inside, and The Scrambled States of America. She lives in North Muskegon, Michigan.

Much loved storyteller and St. Louisan, Loretta Washington, reads from and discusses her debut children’s book, Ellen: Growing Up With My Great Grandmother. This is Loretta Washington’s true life story growing up in the boot heel of Missouri. She will captivate the hearts of listeners as she tells her story – as only a master storyteller does.

Loretta Washington has lived in St. Louis for all of her life except for the six years she spent in the Missouri boot heel in the little country town of Wardell.

The two stories in the book, Ellen, originated from her time spent in the boot heel. Loretta and her brother were sent to live in Wardell with her great grandmother and grandmother when their parents separated and later divorced.

ELLEN was Loretta’s great grandmother, but everyone called her mama. She was a storyteller. And, Loretta’s love for the art of storytelling comes from her. Mama had an old rocking chair and Loretta had a little wooden stool. Mama and Loretta would sit on the front porch of our house and she would tell Loretta stories for hours.

Loretta also started Hodges Grade School in Wardell. In Wardell and throughout the south the school year was different than the one in St. Louis. The whole learning process was different in the small southern rural schools. They were taught differently because of multiple grades in one classroom and also due to a lack of teaching materials. And, when Loretta and her brother returned to St. Louis, they struggled for two years trying to keep up.

Loretta Washington has just started her fourteenth year as a storyteller and she believes that her love for this traditional art started in her childhood. And, now she gets to share her stories with others and her journey is nowhere near being over............................

Can you tickle a monster – and make it giggle? Author James Thach thinks you can. Join author James Thach as he reads from and discusses his new picture book, TheTickle Monster is Coming. He is also the award-winning author of A Child’s Guide toCommon Household Monsters. An ideal event for children ages 4 – 8 – or for anyone who thinks they can tickle a monster!

Beware the frightful tickle monster! The Tickle Monster is Coming is a silly, atmospheric bedtime story - one part wriggly anticipation, two parts fun as a little monster gets ready for bed—all the while dreading the arrival of the infamous Tickle Monster, who’s known for his relentless attack on toes, bellies, and every other ticklish place a young child—oops—a monster might have. Just right for bedtime giggles, this is a tuck-me-in story with a delightful twist.

Author James Otis Thach remembers vividly what it was like to hide beneath the covers, awaiting a visit from the Tickle Monster. Sometimes he still does that! When not writing monster books, he runs a tutoring company with his twin brother. James lives in Los Angeles, California. www.jamesthach.com.

National Book Award winning author of When Zachary Beaver Comes to Town, Kimberly Willis Holt, reads from her newest Piper Reed: The Great Gypsy. This time, Piper Reed is dead set on winning the Gypsy Club pet show – if only she could teach her dog Bruna a few tricks! Piper Reed is a favorite of boys and girls in grades 2 – 6 – or for anyone who is a kindhearted but and occasional bossy middle sister!

Piper’s dad, the Navy Chief, might be gone again, but Piper’s got plenty to keep her busy at home: new neighbors, a spaceship beach house, a trip to New Orleans, and most important, the upcoming Gypsy Club pet show. Piper is determined to win, but teacher tricks to her do seems nearly impossible. Bruna is simply unteachable! Or is she? Join Piper as she embarks on new and exciting adventures! Piper is a spunky heroine with lots of spirit – she’s both kindhearted and bossy as she tries to find her palce in the world as a middle sister.

Kimberly Willis Holt is the author of the novels Piper Reed, Navy Brat; Part of Me; Keeper of the Night; My Louisiana Sky; and When Zachary Beaver Came to Town, winner of the National Book Award. She lives in Amarillo, Texas. www.kimberlywillisholt.com

Daniel Kirk
Elf Realm: The Low Road

Beloved picture book author, Daniel Kirk, introduces us to his debut fantasy novel, Elf Realm: The Low Road, the first in an exciting trilogy set in the world of fairies. In Elf Realm, Daniel Kirk has created a mystical world that will envelop all middle school and high school readers. It is a rich story peppered with illustrations that make it come alive.

Elf Realm is the story of Matt and his family who move to a new neighborhood, but they do not realize that they’ve inadvertently stumbled into the middle of massive upheaval in the fairy world. With the elves’ territory disintegrating and dark factions looking to seize control, apprentice mage Tuava-Li must defend her way of life—even when that means cooperating with Matt, a human and a natural enemy, as he may just hold the key to keeping the elf realm from certain destruction.

Daniel Kirk has illustrated a number of popular and bestselling books for children, including Library Mouse, a Parenting magazine Best Book. This is his first novel. Daniel lives in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, with his wife and three children .

Popular young adult author of Dairy Queen and its sequel, The Off Season, Catherine Murdock takes us to the world of fairytales in her new young adult novel, Princess Ben. Catherine Murdock will read from and discuss the inspiration behind her not-too-typical fairy tale, Princess Ben, a story about your not-too-typical princess, Benevolence. Catherine Murdock will be introduced by St. Louis children’s author of the novel, Busted, Antony John.

Princess Ben is a young adult fairytale. With her parents lost to unknown assassins, Princess Ben ends up under the thumb of the conniving Queen Sophia, who is intent on marrying her off to the first available "specimen of imbecilic manhood." Starved and miserable, locked in the castle's highest tower, Ben stumbles upon a mysterious enchanted room. So begins her secret education in the magical arts: mastering an obstinate flying broomstick, furtively emptying the castle pantries, setting her hair on fire . . . But Ben's private adventures are soon overwhelmed by a mortal threat facing the castle and indeed the entire country. Can Princess Ben save her kingdom from annihilation and herself from permanent enslavement?

Be the first person in the country to see and own the new, beautifully illustrated Mary Engelbreit book, Mary Engelbreit’s Nursery Tales: A Treasury of Children’sClassics. Local favorite artist Mary Engelbreit will read from and share her favorite stories in her new collection and sign copies of her book. A great holiday gift for all!

In Mary Engelbreit’s Nursery Tales, Jack and the Beanstalk, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the Little Red Hen, and nine other tales are brought to life. The delightful characters will become storyland friends for life for children who meet them here. Just wait until your child sees the Giant's expression as he cries, "Fee, fi, fo, fum," or the adorable Elves dancing in the Shoemaker's cottage! The Ginger-bread Boy's candy buttons and the dazzling feathers of the Ugly Duckling are among the many inviting details to discover with each new look.

Mary Engelbreit grew up studying the illustrations in the vintage storybooks of her mother's own childhood, and she developed a unique style that harkens back to those simpler times. Mary's distinctive images have made her a celebrity to millions, who eagerly snap up gift items, calendars, books, fabrics, and more.

Mary's dearest wish has always been to illustrate for children. Her New York Times bestselling The Night Before Christmas is already part of the holiday tradition for families across the country. Her New York Times bestselling Mary Engelbreit's Mother Goose is a beloved addition to a child's first bookshelf and a perfect companion to Mary Engelbreit's Nursery Tales.

Mary Engelbreit lives in St. Louis, Missouri.