Latin American Author To Kick Off Book Fest For Kids

The has really increased activities for kids this year.

In fact, kids will have their own special kickoff at on Friday, Aug. 31, a few hours before of Decatur gives the festival keynote address at Emory.

At the Agnes Scott event, the book chosen for will be announced.

The book festival folks sent this full preview of kids' activities

For the first time in the history of the AJC Decatur Book Festival Presented by DeKalb Medical (AJC DBF), kids will get their own version of a keynote address—a Kidnote. Nationally renowned performer and children’s author Jose-Luis Orozco will take attendees on a journey through Latin American culture, history, and oral traditions with an energetic and interactive concert Friday, August 31, at 4 p.m. in Presser Hall at Agnes Scott College.

This special event for families is free and open to the public and no ticket is required. Seating is first come, first served.

Children and families are invited to join Orozco in singing, dancing, and acting out songs through the entire show. As part of the kid-friendly celebration, On the Same Page will also reveal their fall selection for 2012. On the Same Page is a community-wide reading program that brings families and schools together around the same book, working in conjunction with Little Shop of Stories, the AJC Decatur Book Festival, the Decatur Education Foundation, and the Decatur Rotary Club.

Terra Elan McVoy, AJC DBF Program Director, is looking forward to engaging families through an array of events. “I’m elated to announce such a stellar line-up of children’s programming. One of my favorite parts of the weekend is seeing kids get excited about reading and seeing their favorite characters come to life,” she exclaimed.

Among the additional highlights for families are the parades Saturday and Sunday morning of the Festival. On Saturday morning, best-selling author Kevin Henkes will lead the children’s parade along with his much-beloved heroine, Lilly, who will help Kevin celebrate his new book, Penny and Her Doll.

For Sunday’s parade, festival organizers will make sure she’s somewhere safe when Nick Bruel brings his infamous star, Bad Kitty. (Bookzilla better look out too, since Bruel’s newest picture book is Bad Kitty for President.)

The Saturday parade will assemble at 9:30 a.m. at the DeKalb County Courthouse: 556 N. McDonough Street, Decatur 30030. The Sunday parade assembles at 11:30 a.m. at the same location.

Dav Pilkey, creator of the Captain Underpants series is also bringing his newest book, Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Return of Tippy Tinkletrousers, to AJC DBF.

From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, September 2, he will sign books right next to the children’s stage in the park area on the west side of Clairemont Avenue. Pilkey will sign a maximum of two books per customer and will allow personalizing as time permits.

 Visit the AJC DBF web site, www.decaturbookfestival.com, for the full lineup of children’s activities and authors.

 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Decatur Book Festival Presented by DeKalb Medical (AJC DBF) is the largest independent book festival in the country, and the fourth largest overall.

Over Labor Day weekend (Aug. 31-Sept. 2), tens of thousands from Metro Atlanta and beyond will share the historic downtown Decatur Square with world-class authors, illustrators, editors, publishers and booksellers for a weekend filled with literature, music, food, and fun.

For more information, visit www.decaturbookfestival.com, “like” Decatur Book Festival on Facebook, or follow @DBookFestival on Twitter.