• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

  • Home
  • Advertise
    • Advertise in One or All of our Magazines
    • Advertising Payment Form
  • Digital Subscription
    • Subscribe
    • Subscriber Login
  • Print Subscription
  • Contact Us

CCBF

Highlights for the 2016 Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival: “Be a Part of Our Story”

August 25, 2016 by The Inside Press

Be-A-Part-of-our-Story

By Dana Y. Wu

Our bucolic suburban hamlet with its excellent schools and vibrant community support for literacy is the perfect setting for the 4th annual Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival (CCBF) on September 24. This free, day-long event attracts thousands of families from Westchester and beyond to meet 90 authors and illustrators including award-winners Chris Raschka, Rita Williams-Garcia, and Jane Yolen.

Children’s authors and illustrators share a similar hope–to imagine a better world through images and ideas in books. Book lovers know the particular joy of putting a book into young hands and seeing curiosity greatly inspired by imagination.

Eric Velasquez says his book, Liberty Street, a story of a slave girl’s escape, is one of his favorites, “because the closer the little girl in the story gets to being free, the closer she gets to literacy.”

Writing as Activism

At a master class hosted at the Library of Congress, Kwame Alexander, the 2015 Newberry Award winner for The Crossover, said that “writing children’s books is activism.” Given recent events that signal a more polarized world, the CCBF is our community’s way to acknowledge, appreciate and celebrate both differences and commonalities in our increasingly multicultural and multilingual society.

Velasquez continues, “When I was a child, very few children’s books had characters that looked like me. I remember feeling left out and uninterested in reading.”

Today, his deeply moving drawings are rendered with realistic details so children see themselves, their friends and their families in his books, but also see outside themselves.\“Children need both windows and mirrors. Too much of one and not enough of the other can seriously impair the intellectual growth of a child, especially their sense of empathy,” says Velasquez.

Author/illustrator Nick Bruel, creator of this year’s CCBF poster “Be Part of Our Story” makes a conscious effort to be inclusive and authentic in his laugh out loud books which are about a cantankerous cat.

Bruel says, “In A Bad Kitty Christmas,” I needed to depict generations within the same family. I made several characters, Black, Asian and Hispanic, and I included a LGBT couple. I debated with myself–do I write a book that could potentially speak to that kid who actually has two Mommies? I recognized that there would be people who would be offended. Like it or not, that kid exists and deserves to see his/her world represented in a book. Over the years, I received many, many angry missives over the very brief mention of Nan and Pam and even a school in Houston banned my book.”

Shared Priorities

The CCBF is our community’s way to promote reading, freedom and the power of discernment–keys to our children’s success in the 21st century world. Our town’s recent capital bond vote enables our schools and the Chappaqua Library to be “active and dynamic learning environments where students engage in meaningful inquiry, invention, interaction, hypothesizing, collaboration, and personal reflection.” It demonstrates our shared priority that students think deeply, apply problem-solving skills, and actively participate in their learning. The CCBF represents the desire for all our kids and teens to experience a broader world through the pages of a book, with empathy in their hearts and critical thinking in their minds. Barry Graziano of Houlihan Lawrence says, “the CCBF “is a great example of bringing the community together for a great cause. By empowering our children with the art of reading and language, we open a world of culture.”

Here’s what to look forward to:

  • “Be Part of Our Story” Join the all-day excitement of the CCBF at the Robert E. Bell Middle School–rain or shine–Sept. 24th.
  • Meet and greet favorite authors and beloved illustrators at readings and book signings.
  • Healthy fun with live music, STEM challenges with Regeneron, and games courtesy of Kiwi Country Day Camp.
  • Enjoy treats from the food trucks and the always wonderful “Great American Bake Sale to End Hunger” at tables on the Great Lawn of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin.

“Banned Books Week” Sept. 25- Oct. 1, 2016

This annual event sponsored by the American Library Association celebrates the freedom to read, to seek and to express ideas, even those ideas which some consider unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those viewpoints to all who wish to read them.

InsideChapAd_Quarter2016c-600

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: books, CCBF, Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival, children, festival

CCBF “Funraiser” is May 1; A Chance to Meet Rosemary Wells!

April 26, 2016 by Inside Press

A Kids’ Carnival and “Funraiser,” with activities and carnival games for kids, will take place at 586 King Street in Chappaqua on Sunday, May 1 from 1 p.m. – 4pm, with proceeds benefiting the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival. Families will have a rare chance to meet Rosemary Wells, of Max and Ruby fame, courtesy of Houlihan Lawrence, and there will be lots of carnival fun including Kiwi Country Day Camp’s gaga pit, blow-ups, carnival games, plus raffles and refreshments.

A special appearance by Rosemary Wells at is planned at the May 1 funraiser.
A special appearance by Rosemary Wells at is planned at the May 1 funraiser.

“The Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival has grown to become one of the most anticipated family events in Westchester,” said CCBF Executive Director Dawn Greenberg. “In order to continue championing our cause to promote children’s literacy, we need the support of our community. It’s through fundraisers such as the Kids’ Carnival, as well as through our thoughtful sponsors, that we are able to raise funds to keep our Book Festival as vibrant as previous years.”

COST:
Admission is $20 per family.

REGISTER:
To register visit, EVENT BRITE.
(https://www.eventbrite.com/myevent?eid=24333125032)

WHEN:
Sunday, May 1, from 1 to 4pm

WHERE:
586 King Street, Chappaqua, NY

WHO:
The Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival is the only children’s book festival in Westchester County. From princesses to pups, to angst-filled tweens, and every crazy character in between, you’ll find them all at the fourth annual CCBF, on September 24, 2016. More than 85 popular authors, who bring your favorite characters to life, are expected to participate. Most will be signing their books and reading excerpts. It will be a family event with tons of fun, food, kid-friendly activities, entertainment and, of course, books! For more information, visit www.ccbfestival.org or follow the CCBF at www.facebook.com/chappaquachildrensbookfestival.

Filed Under: New Castle Releases Tagged With: books, CCBF, Chappaqua, Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival, children, Family, Inside Press, Rosemary Wells, theinsidepress.com

Second Annual Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival

July 24, 2014 by The Inside Press

Peter Sis
Children’s Book Author Peter Sis with fans appreciating his books and autograph.

Over 80 Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators to Participate

September 27

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Authors Covering Multiple Genres and Reading Levels, Author Readings, Illustrator Demos, Book Signings, Hudson Valley Llamas, Local Food Vendors and The Great Chappaqua Bake Sale

More than 80 renowned children’s book authors and illustrators will be participating in the second annual Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival (CCBF), recently voted “Best Bookworm Event” by Westchester Magazine. The Festival will take place on Saturday, September 27, at Robert Bell Middle School in Chappaqua, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Books will be available for sale, local food vendors from around the region will offer great eats, and the 5th Annual Great Chappaqua Bake Sale will be selling baked treats and raffle tickets to benefit Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign to end childhood hunger. Admission and parking are free, and the event is rain or shine.

“At our inaugural Festival last year, more than 4,000 visitors had the chance to talk to and have their books signed by their favorite children’s authors and illustrators,” said Dawn Greenberg, executive director of the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival.   “We hope even more visitors discover us this year.  Reading is the number one predictor of a child’s success–our goal is to get Westchester reading, and to have fun doing it!”

This year’s authors and illustrators include many who participated last year, such as Alyssa Capucilli (Biscuit), Bruce Degen (Magic School Bus series illustrator), Dan Greenburg (The Zack Files) J.C. Greenburg (Andrew Lost series), Victoria Kann (Pinkalicious), Gail Carson Levine (Ella Enchanted), Wendell Minor (Galapagos George illustrator), Jerry Pinkney (The Tortoise and the Hare illustrator), Jean Van Leeuwen (Oliver and Amanda Pig series) and Bernard Most (How Big Were the Dinosaurs? ).  New authors/illustrators this year include Christopher Healy (Hero’s Guide trilogy), Doreen Rappaport (Helen’s Big World), Steve Sheinkin (The Notorious Benedict Arnold), Carol Weston (Ava and Pip) and Jacqueline Weitzman (You Can’t Take a Balloon into the Metropolitan Museum), among others.  A complete list of CCBF authors/illustrators can be found at http://www.ccbfestival.org/authors/.

Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival 2013, Helen Perelman. Photo Grace Bennett
Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival 2013, Helen Perelman. Photo Grace Bennett

In addition to book signings, author readings and illustrator demonstrations, families will have the chance to participate in a variety of activities such as gymnastics with Jodi’s Gym. Here are more examples of additional sponsors and the activities they have planned:

 

o   GaGa, life-size games and airbrush tattoos courtesy of Kiwi Country Day Camp

o   a collage activity with internationally-acclaimed mixed media collage artist Michael Albert, courtesy of the Chappaqua Learning Center

o   science activities with science author Vicki Cobb

o   music with children’s entertainer Miss Rhea

o   sensory play with WeeZee – The Science of Play

o   soap making with Kensico Soap Bar in Thornwood

o   costumed character appearances sponsored by Breeze

o   live llamas from Hudson Valley Llamas

Food available for purchase will include BBQ from Chappaqua’s Le Jardin du Roi, pizza, popcorn and hot dogs from Bellizzi in Mt. Kisco and wraps, sandwiches and salads from Village Social in Mt. Kisco.

CCBF is a not-for-profit volunteer organization dedicated to promoting literacy and community.  Major sponsors of this year’s Festival include Kiwi Country Day Camp, Chappaqua Learning Center, Regeneron, Breeze Gifts, Cartwright and Daughters Tent and Party and Booktopia Fairs, with in-kind donations from DDR Public Relations and Inside Chappaqua.

Local sweets shop Hall of Scoops crafted two new flavors to benefit CCBF – Pinkalicious (created with the permission of and guidance from Pinkalicious author Victoria Kann) and Rocky Read, to be sold at Hall of Scoops in the month of September, with a portion of the proceeds going to the CCBF.   Those who visit Hall of Scoops should also check out the full-wall mural on the south side of the building, generously painted by Chappaqua artist Sophie Mendelson.  The mural is dedicated to CCBF, and depicts scenes from the Book Festival and around Chappaqua.

Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival 2013, Bruce Degen. Photo Lauren Sabol
Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival 2013, Bruce Degen. Photo Lauren Sabol

CCBF is sponsoring JCY-Westchester Community Partners, which develops intergenerational programs to meet the literacy needs of children in Westchester communities such as Yonkers, Mount Vernon and Elmsford. CCBF Executive Director Greenberg said, “We wanted to be able to support and promote literacy for families that don’t have the resources of a town like Chappaqua.”  JCY-WCP will have a booth at the festival with Clifford the Dog, where visitors can learn about JCY-WCP’s various literacy programs.  “We will also be supporting JCY-WCP year-round, including sending a group to their Summer Reading Program at Yonkers Riverfront Library,” said Greenberg.

This year’s Book Festival poster was designed by award-winning author/illustrator Peter Sís, a resident of Hastings-on-Hudson.  Sís’s design depicts a child being taken on a journey with the help of a book-shaped flying machine.

Vicki Cobb, author of science books for children, said of last year’s Festival, “On beautiful autumn afternoons, when the sun is shining and the leaves are glowing with color, people crave gatherings like this – an excuse to connect with people, ideas, beauty…All these events embody the individual’s need to know that, yes, there is a person behind a creative work, someone who has touched me or touched his/her pen to a beautiful book.”

2014 poster 150KBCCBF is the only children’s book festival in Westchester County and was inspired by Book Day at Sunnyside, which was discontinued in 2012 after 15 years.  CCBF will take place at the Robert Bell Middle School, directly across the street from the Chappaqua train station (a 50-minute train ride from Grand Central Terminal).  Event parking is free at the Chappaqua train station. The Festival is rain or shine.  For more information, (and for the most up to date list of participating sponsors), visit www.ccbfestival.org or follow the CCBF at www.facebook.com/chappaquachildrensbookfestival.

Filed Under: New Castle Releases Tagged With: CCBF, Chappaqua

Primary Sidebar

Please Visit

William Raveis – Armonk
William Raveis – Chappaqua
White Plains Hospital
Houlihan Lawrence – Armonk
Houlihan Lawrence – Briarcliff
Houlihan Lawrence – Chappaqua
NYOMIS – Dr. Andrew Horowitz
Raveis: Lisa Koh and Allison Coviello
Purple Plains
Compass: Miller-Goldenberg Team
Korth & Shannahan
Douglas Elliman: Chappaqua
Beecher Flooks Funeral Home
CPW Vein & Aesthetic Center
Elliman: Pam Akin
World Cup Gymnastics
New Castle Physical Therapy
Dr. Briones Medical Weight Loss Center
Houlihan: Kile Boga-Ibric
David Visconti Painting & Contracting

Follow our Social Media

The Inside Press

Our Latest Issues

For a full reading of our current edition, or to obtain a copy or subscription, please contact us.

Inside Armonk Inside Chappaqua and Millwood Inside Pleasantville and Briarcliff Manor

Join Our Mailing List


Search Inside Press

Links

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Subscription
  • Print Subscription

Publisher’s Note Regarding Our Valued Sponsors

Inside Press is not responsible for and does not necessarily endorse or not endorse any advertisers, products or resources referenced in either sponsor-driven stories or in advertisements appearing in this publication. The Inside Press shall not be liable to any party as a result of any information, services or resources made available through this publication.The Inside Press is published in good faith and cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in advertising or sponsor driven stories that appear in this publication. The views of advertisers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher’s.

Opinions and information presented in all Inside Press articles, such as in the arena of health and medicine, strictly reflect the experiences, expertise and/or views of those interviewed, and are not necessarily recommended or endorsed by the Inside Press. Please consult your own doctor for diagnosis and/or treatment.

Footer

Support The Inside Press

Advertising

Print Subscription

Digital Subscription

Categories

Archives

Subscribe

Did you know you can subscribe anytime to our print editions?

Voluntary subscriptions are most welcome, if you've moved outside the area, or a subscription is a great present idea for an elderly parent, for a neighbor who is moving or for your graduating high school student or any college student who may enjoy keeping up with hometown stories.

Subscribe Today

Copyright © 2025 The Inside Press, Inc. · Log in