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Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival

Author Talk with Ronni Diamondstein

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Why She Can’t Wait for you to Stop By the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival! 

By Maggie Mae Pup Reporter

I’m a dog–a very special dog. I’m a black-and-white, Toy Parti Poodle. My name is Maggie Mae, and I was the Inside Press Roving Pup Reporter for many years. With a nose for news, I gave the dog’s eye view of Chappaqua and beyond. I love to talk to authors so I’m excited to interview my mom Ronni Diamondstein about her debut picture book Jackie and the Books She Loved, and her experience at the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival.

This is your second year participating in the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival. What is it like?

As someone who was involved in the festival from the very beginning and having been a board member, it was a dream come true to be there last year with my first book and to be back again this year. Last September I was there with pre-pub copies of my book that debuted in November 2023. As a volunteer and board member in the past I knew how well the authors were treated and it was so great to experience it myself. I was thrilled to meet young readers and to see former students and colleagues, and friends come from far and near for a signed copy of the book. I’m looking forward to meeting more readers this year.

Why did you write Jackie and the Books She Loved and who is the audience?

I was always inspired by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, the former first lady of the United States and wanted to tell a new and different story about her for kids. While young children are the audience for this book, older children can use it as a resource in studying famous women. I am also finding that so many adults love this book. I’ve signed a lot of copies to grandparents who grew up knowing about both President Kennedy and Jackie. As they wrote in the book’s review in Kirkus magazine, “History fans and book lovers of all ages will adore this.”

What is the book about and are there any dogs in the book?

Jackie and the Books She Loved is about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and how her love of reading and writing were important in her life–from writing poems and stories as a child to her career as a journalist, and on to her work as a book editor having edited nearly 100 books for people of all ages. As for dogs, Jackie loved all animals, especially dogs and horses. As a child she wrote stories about her blasé black poodle General de Gaulle and George Woofty, Esq., a spirited terrier. You can read about them in the book.

Art by Bats Langley Copyright:Sky Pony Press

You’re a retired teacher and librarian. Any advice for kids, teachers, and parents on how to use the book?It’s great to read a book purely for pleasure, and I hope young people will feel that way when they read Jackie and the Books She Loved.  You can go to my website to find follow up interactive activities like BE A JOURNALIST LIKE JACKIE and BE AN INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER LIKE JACKIE. Teachers can use the book to launch Readers’ and Writers’ Workshops. All can be found in the EXTRAS section of ronnidiamondstein.com.

You can find Ronni signing copies of Jackie and the Books She Loved in the Courtyard of the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival on Saturday, September 28, 10AM-4PM at the Chappaqua Train Station. She’ll be alongside Stephanie Calmenson, the author of lots of dog books including her latest Oodles of Poodles and Doodles and May I Pet Your Do? and beloved author Laura Numeroff of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie fame who also wrote a dog book, If You Give a Dog A Donut.

Ronni Diamondstein          Randi Childs Photography

Sixteen-year-old Maggie Mae Pup Reporter has lived in Chappaqua since 2008. For more about her go to ronnidiamondstein.com 

 

 

As Excitement Builds for the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival… Teachers and Librarians Explain Why!

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The Chappaqaua Children’s Book Festival is less that a week away, and excitement is building! The CCBF, with over 8,000 visitors each year, has become one of one of the largest children’s book festivals in the country.

The 11th annual event, held September 28, 2024 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Chappaqua train station.

The festival will feature 160 authors including Laura Numeroff (the “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” series), 2024 Caldecott Medal winner Vashti Harrison, festival favorite Victoria Kann (“Pinkalicious”), Dan Gutman (the “My Weird School” series) and so many more!

The festival gives kids and families a chance to meet and interact with the authors of their favorite books and discover more. The fun-filled day includes food trucks, activities and more for all to enjoy. 

I asked some familiar faces around town who they are looking forward to meeting this year!

Who are you excited about seeing at the CCBF this year?

David Forsberg, 4th Grade teacher, Roaring Brook School:

This event has grown into a truly special day. Upon arriving, you sense excitement from children and parents as they walk around with new books that they can’t wait to take home and enjoy.  The authors from the festival are world renowned and may be familiar to Chappaqua students.  There are always new exciting authors that have something new to offer to the festival. 

Last year, our 4th grade students were able to meet Sayantani DasGupta at an author’s day visit at RBS.  Students and teachers were engaged listening to the incredible experiences and writing methods she shared.  Dr. DasGupta grew up in Ohio and shared about how she was always addicted to reading and loved learning about how authors came up with their own ideas.  She became a pediatrician and children’s author.  Our 4th grade students were immediately captured by her energy, disposition and her impressive accomplishments. 

I hope that families take advantage and attend the festival with their children this year!  You can’t go wrong.

Robbin Freidman, Chappaqua Library:

I’m looking forward to meeting Katie Yamasaki, the author and illustrator of several warm and inspiring picture books. In addition to creating books, Yamasaki is a muralist and her picture book illustrations bring the same kind of vibrancy and scope as her murals. For my first book club session of the school year (the book club is for middle school students with an adult, usually a parent), we read “Turtles of the Midnight Moon” by María José Fitzgerald, so I know all those readers and I are hoping to say hello to her.

Mercy Garland, Chappaqua Library:

I am looking forward to meeting Rajani LaRocca because I love her novels-in-verse (“Red, White and Whole” AND “Mirror to Mirror”).  I also look forward to meeting Nicole Melleby because she creates really deep characters dealing with complex problems and issues.  For illustrators- I would love to meet E.B Lewis because his work is always so beautiful.  

Julie Ann Polasko, Chappaqua Library:

As a Children’s Librarian, I am continually learning from our new books. I am so excited to meet M.O. Yuksel and tell her how grateful I am for her books, because they represent those of the Muslim faith, and educate others. Examples are her picture book In My Mosque, and the biography One Wish, about Fatima al-Fihri, the founder of the oldest continuously operating University in the world!

I’m also looking forward to seeing Carrie Finison. Her “Dozens of Doughnuts” is one of my go-to suggestions for a funny picture book. It features a bear preparing for hibernation by making doughnuts (as one does)–but has she been too generous when all of her woodland friends come knocking?

Teresa Bueti, Chappaqua Library:

I’m hoping to meet author & illustrator Dan Santat. I’ve loved so many of his own books, from the Caldecott-Award-winning “The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend”, to the sensitive “After the Fall”, to his middle school graphic memoir “A First Time for Everything”, and then there are the ones he’s illustrated for other authors, like Minh Lé’s “Drawn Together”.   I enjoy his energy and humor–his work is incredibly varied, but so distinctive.

Chris Eidem, Chappaqua School Librarian:

I am looking forward to meeting Kyle Lukoff (“Too Bright to See”) and am excited to talk with him about his Newbery Honor and Stonewall awards and thank him for writing books that support our LGBTQ adolescents. I also look forward to seeing Phil Bildner (“A High Five for Glenn Burke”) whom I have met on several occasions and who is a trusted voice for the LGBTQ community, and also is a baseball fan!

Hudson Talbot is a favorite author friend who I have hosted at Roaring Brook for Author Day several years ago.  We have a connection with Hudson NY, my hometown, and where I attended an exhibit of his illustrations. He lives across the river near Catskill and I visit with him when I am home at my mom’s house.

One of the greatest experiences for a librarian and an author is not only connecting a student with the right book at the right time, but witnessing it changing their life.  Hudson wrote his autobiographical book “A Walk in the Words” describing and illustrating his struggle with dyslexia as a child. I was so pleased to give this book to our reading teacher specifically for a student who was struggling with reading. This book allowed the student to recognize his disability and know that he was not alone, and now has been able to grow as a reader with the support and understanding he needed. It was life changing. That to me is the ultimate “Why”  for what we strive to do every day.

We are so very lucky to have this event in our own backyard, bringing the best and largest selection of authors and illustrators for all ages.  I look forward to it each year and am so pleased to have supported this project from its earliest conception to now being in its 11th year.

Cayne Letizia, English teacher, Horace Greeley High School:

As a high school English teacher at Horace Greeley High School, I’m particularly excited about the inclusion of a few young adult authors at this year’s Chappaqua Book Festival, like Dhonielle Clayton and Erik J. Brown. These writers offer stories that resonate with the age group I teach. Engaging with authors who understand the challenges and experiences of adolescents is a great way to inspire my students. I’m also looking forward to seeing my students volunteer and give back to the community–it’s an amazing opportunity for them to contribute and be part of something much larger than themselves.

I’m looking forward to seeing Torrey Maldonado at the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival because my son and I both enjoyed reading his books “Tight” and “What Lane?” Meeting Torrey will be a great experience for both of us!

For more information, a list of authors, or to volunteer, visit http://www.ccbfestival.org/ or follow the CCBF at www.facebook.com/chappaquachildrensbookfestival.

 

 

The Chapters of my Life at the Chappaqua Children’s Festival

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I have, quite literally, grown up with the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival.

I was just 5-years-old when the very first CCBF took place, and it was here that some of my earliest and most cherished memories formed. Walking through the arch-decorated with festival-themed balloons, I felt like I had entered a whole other world – a world filled with imagination and creativity.

I browsed through countless books, selecting the ones that piqued my interest. Later, at home, I read those books 100s of times, imagining the words coming off the pages and the characters filling my room, thus the beginning of my love for reading.

The very next year I asked to volunteer for the festival with my mom. Even at the ripe old age of 6, I remember how good it felt to be a part of something that I knew was larger than myself. I loved standing at the information booth, greeting friends, neighbors and excited strangers, handing out information and maps and feeling the buzz and excitement surrounding me. I felt grown up and proud to be a part of it.

The next few years I remember it finally sinking in that the kind, engaging people at the tables ACTUALLY WROTE THE BOOKS! Thinking back, I probably took for granted that so many of these renowned authors lived right in my town! I watched in awe as they wrote a dedication to me, fostering a connection that is so rare and I was so lucky to experience.

My mom always said that the only thing you can never have enough of is books, and so many from the festival still grace my bookshelves. They will always be treasured.

I recognized the real impact an author can make. They plant seeds of wonder in the minds of kids that never stop growing. When I helped work the line for Pinkalicious – always a festival highlight – I was amazed by the never–ending line of exuberant young readers waiting their turn to meet their hero. I felt humbled by Victoria Kann’s patience and grace as she greeted every fan and signed books long past her scheduled appearance.

The next few years I had even more interaction with these esteemed authors, working as a greeter, and often escorting authors to readings throughout the day. I was so appreciative that these famous and creative minds would take the time to ask about me. These interactions gave me confidence in both conversational speaking and also inspired me to write.

As the years went on, and sports and activities made it harder to volunteer, I still made time to go – “graduating” to bagging and working as a cashier with my friends, something that I always watched the older kids do as an attendee. Each book I bagged or order I processed made me feel like I was making a difference, getting books into the hands of those who otherwise can’t afford them and planting those seeds of curiosity in their minds. Everyone should know the joy of a new book!

On the 10th anniversary of the CCBF last year, as an intern, I helped produce videos for social media after interviewing area businesses about what the festival means to them. The tasks reminded me of what this festival means to me – bringing this amazing community together, giving back, and celebrating a shared love of reading and books.

THE 2024 CHAPPAQUA CHILDRENS BOOK FESTIVAL

Join us as we celebrate our 11th year of connecting authors to readers!

September 28, 2024, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Chappaqua Train Station

The CCBF, with over 8,000 visitors each year, has become one of one of the largest children’s book festivals in the country.

The annual event, which dazzles and delights readers of all ages, will this year feature 160 authors including Laura Numeroff (the If You Give a Mouse a Cookieseries), 2024 Caldecott Medal winner Vashti Harrison, festival favorite Victoria Kann (Pinkalicious), Dan Gutman (the My Weird School series) and so many more!

The Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival is grassroots, all-volunteer effort, with community members working together so children and teens can be inspired by their favorite authors. The festival gives kids and families a chance to meet and interact with the creators of their favorite characters and to appreciate that there is a real person behind the art and the words on the page.

The celebratory day includes food trucks, activities and more for all to enjoy. For more information, a list of authors, or to volunteer, visit ccbfestival.org or follow the CCBF at facebook.com/chappaquabookfestival

A Little Rain Couldn’t Stop Our Parade

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Authors Describe How the 10th Annual Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival Rocked their Worlds, too

Our author Zoya Nabeel (R) with the Chappaqua Library’s Cathy Paulson and ‘Bad Kitty’

The Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival is a tradition that we’ve marked in our calendars for 10 years. Once back to school season starts, I know I’m going to be whisked away into its magical world once again. Since 2013, this festival has been putting books into the hands of eager readers, along with an experience they will never forget. After years of attending as an avid reader myself, I had an amazing opportunity to interview six authors who are regular attendees of the festival. The stories they shared made me laugh, cry, smile, and feel so lucky to live in a town that holds this treasured event each year.

These authors experience their fair share of interesting and intriguing encounters with readers, parents, and other authors. They have made countless memories, and they describe how they take a mental polaroid picture of every individual they speak to!

“Every time I come here it’s like I’m in a conversation for four hours with the best people, the kindest moms and dads, the most fun kids,” says author of Throwback, Peter Lerangis. That enthusiasm is reciprocated as every single kid who comes up to an author’s booth is genuinely ecstatic to be talking to the person who crafted their favorite book, or the story that made them fall in love with reading.

Leslie Kimmelman, author of Ready, Set, Run: The Amazing New York City Marathon, had a similar experience where she felt immense pride in the impact her stories have had on young kids, “I worked at Sesame Street for many years and I was one of the creators of the character Julia, who is autistic, and one year I was offering one of my books called We’re Amazing, 1,2,3 about Julia, and someone came over to me and she picked up the book and looked through it and said, “I’m a Julia”, and I thought that was so sweet. It really made my day.” It’s small but mighty moments like these all authors yearn to hear in their career, and the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival facilitates hundreds of such conversations every year.

The September 30th festival featured 180 authors, with books that highlighted BIPOC characters, characters with disabilities, mental health challenges, characters from the LGBTQ+ community, and so much more. Every kid who attended this festival could envision themselves in the cover of a book, and that is so powerful in enhancing literacy.

This festival also gives adults a chance to re-find their inner child. Author Peter Lerangis stated: “Some adult comes up to me and says with a low voice, ‘hey remember me?’ and I’m like, ‘why would I remember you?’ And the reader, now 18, recalled meeting him in the fourth grade and how that changed his life. “That’s really moving.”

In fact, every single author offered a moving encounter during the festival that they say are a reminder of why authors even wake up every morning and do what they do!  Author Artie Bennett described how one kid came up to him and shared that their book is the reason they like to read. Another reader memorized the author’s entire book!  “A small girl came up to me and began reciting Poopendous. She had taken to it so greatly that she had memorized it… that nearly brought tears to my eyes, to see that someone could enjoy something I created so much to where she had clearly read it over, and over, and over again and had committed it to memory.”

Along with the connections the authors make with their beloved readers, the connections they make with one another can be just as profound. Nick Bruel, author of the Bad Kitty series, explained: “All of us here… we live in such insular worlds where we sit in our little hobbit holes and write and illustrate books all by ourselves, we don’t actually interact often, so events like these are great opportunities to do that.” Bruel said he met author Alan Katz, one of his closest friends today, because he had been seated next to him at the event.

“The last time I saw the wonderful, great Jerry Pinkney was at my house, after I met him at this event four years ago… I miss him terribly and I knew that every year I would see him. This will be the first year that I won’t.” Pinkney, the beloved author of The Lion & the Mouse unfortunately passed away on October 20th, 2021, at 81, however his legacy lives on in the books he wrote and the lives he touched. Hearing Mr. Bruel talk about him, and their meaningful friendship, was very touching.

It may be the 10th year of this book festival, but the magic that has been with the creators, authors, and readers lives on every year. Bennett, also the author of The True Story of Zippy Chippy: The Little Horse Who Couldn’t, summed it up well: “The Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival is where dreams come true, and they do the most magical job. During a monsoon, everyone was out to make sure that the authors, and all the young book lovers would have a festival – as well organized, as well put together, as if it were a 70-degree sunny day!”

On a personal note, it was a joy to talk with each of these authors and to feel their appreciation. Alan Katz, author of Got Your Nose! described “the energy, the spirit, the readers, the people who put it together. There’s no word in the dictionary to describe how awesome they are in bringing together, you know, over 150 authors, thousands of readers, and a way to celebrate literacy and a love of books.”

Jarrett Lerner, author of A Work in Progress offered: “It’s such a great literacy community.”

Leslie Kimmelman expressed her love for the festival from its very beginnings: “The volunteers are amazing. The crowds of people coming are amazing, the authors are wonderful and there are more of them every year. It’s just such a fun fair.”

Within the pages of this book festival lies the lessons, the shared experiences, the sacred places that exist in the hearts of every individual who steps foot under the tents or on the fair grounds. The smiles we leave with, the ones that have lasted 10 years, will hopefully last for countless more.

Save the Date for the next Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival: September 28, 2024. Follow ccbfestival.org.

Storytellers Unite: Meet the Authors of the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival

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By Mollie Roth

The upcoming Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival will be an opportunity for young readers and their parents to connect with the authors who make reading hour and bedtime come alive. Local librarians, educators, and volunteers have planned a fantastic event where children can come together with the authors that spark their imaginations.

Headlining the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival is Mary Pope Osborne, author of the beloved Magic Tree House series. Young and old, fans of Jack and Annie’s time-traveling and global-trotting adventures will have the opportunity to speak to Osborne about all their favorite stories, as well as learn about her newest books. Meeting authors like Osborne is an opportunity for children to form personal connections to books new or beloved. Chappaqua Librarian Theresa Bueti looks forward to seeing young people engage with books in a brand new way. When young patrons attend the festival, “they realize that people write books,” says Bueti, turning the solitary act of reading “real, vivid, and approachable.”

The students at Douglas Grafflin Elementary School are particularly excited to meet author Josh Funk. His book My Pet Feet won the 2023 Official March Book Madness Picture Book Bracket after being voted in by the Grafflin community and their nation-wide peers. Kaitlyn Lester, a library media specialist at Grafflin Elementary, says, “students are excited to meet [Funk], tell him how much we love My Pet Feet, and explore his other books that we are sure to love!”

Keep an eye out for Lauren Tarshis, author of the New York Times Bestselling series I Survived. Roaring Brook Elementary School’s Suzanne Stolzenberg and Andrea Schaber from West Orchard Elementary School say their students are very excited to meet the author of this disaster themed collection about children who survive a thrilling historical event. Coming to the festival shows children that “if they have something they want to say, they could write a book about it,” claims Bueti. In the aftermath of a global pandemic, perhaps Tarshis’ work will prove inspiration to young readers.

Many illustrators will also be in attendance at this year’s book festival. Head of children’s services at Chappaqua Library Robbin Friedman is particularly excited to meet Ruth Chan. “Her animal faces are so goofy, adorable, and expressive,” notes Friedman. “Everything about [Chan’s work] is weird and wonderful and exactly the right way.” Chan has a long career as an illustrator, as well as being the sole creator of books like Thank You, Neighbor! For children interested in creating and expressing themselves through art, meeting the illustrators at the festival should be a galvanizing and memorable experience.

There are seven scheduled readings throughout the festival day, where attendees can hear stories read by their authors. This is a wonderful chance for children to connect with their peers and the adults in their lives as they all encounter the same story at the same time. Author Raj Halder will be reading This Book is Banned, a picture book grappling with censorship in a delightfully silly and meaningful manner. However, the experience of being told a story is not limited to our yearly festival. Through the Chappaqua Library, anyone can rent the audiobooks of many books found at the festival. Many children’s authors read their books themselves, so children can have a little slice of the festival all year round.

The books mentioned are available for purchase at the festival, along with many other fascinating reads. However, finding new books does not have to be a once-a-year event. Stoever encourages “every child [to] find the librarians from the children’s room at the Chappaqua Public Library and speak to them.” The librarians are thrilled for this opportunity to further engage with the community, and recommend the book clubs and reading groups for anyone motivated by this year’s festival.

The Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival will take place on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at the Chappaqua Train Station, from 10am to 4pm. Along with the author and illustrators, there will be food trucks and a family fun zone. Admission is free, and livestream coverage of the event.  For regular updates, visit www.ccbfestival.org

Inside Press Story Presented in Partnership with the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival.