MARNI McGEE
About StoryFaire
ANNOUNCING STORYFAIRE 2011: APRIL 30, 2011
SATURDAY FROM 11 TO 4 P.M. AT DE LA GUERRA PLAZA IN DOWNTOWN SANTA BARBARA. IT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
StoryFaire began in the summer of 2006 when Marni approached the directors of Storyteller Children's Center about combining the launch of WINSTON THE BOOK WOLF with a fund raiser to benefit Storyteller. Their enthusiastic response led to the creation of StoryFaire--a party for little kids, a book launch and signing, and a benefit for the homeless and at-risk children served by Storyteller Children's Center.
Each year Storyteller provides free, high-quality early childhood education to more than 100 homeless and at-risk children. These children live in shelters, cars, substandard housing. In 2010, CALM (Child Abuse Listening Mediation) joined Storyteller in sponsoring StoryFaire. With CALM's support, we moved downtown. StoryFaire 2010 was held at De la Guerra Plaza with nearly 1000 people attending. It was a great day!
Each year Storyteller provides free, high-quality early childhood education to more than 100 homeless and at-risk children. These children live in shelters, cars, substandard housing. In 2010, CALM (Child Abuse Listening Mediation) joined Storyteller in sponsoring StoryFaire. With CALM's support, we moved downtown. StoryFaire 2010 was held at De la Guerra Plaza with nearly 1000 people attending. It was a great day!
By the way, that charming Granny Winston is my husband, Sears. . . aka J. Sears McGee, professor of History at UCSB.
StoryFaire 2010 featured 18 children's book authors and illustrators, including American Girl author Valerie Tripp, Barbara Jean Hicks, Mary Ann Fraser, Joe Cepada, Dan Hanna, and more. There were tents, balloons, food, entertainers, music, arts & crafts, raffle baskets and lots of children!
Featured authors in 2011: Caroline Arnold (WIGGLE AND WAGGLE), Alexis O'Neill (THE RECESS QUEEN), Erica Silverman (BIG PUMPKIN), June Sobel (SHIVER ME LETTERS), Dan Hanna (THE POUT-POUT FISH IN THE BIG-BIG DARK), Amada Irma Perez (MY DIARY FROM HERE TO THERE), Ann Whitford Paul (TORTUGA IN TROUBLE), Marni McGee (SLEEPY ME & MESSY ME), and Jim Buckley who is launching his new children's book press, BEACH BALL BOOKS.
The tenth author this year is actually a fifth-grade class from Washington School, presenting and selling copies of the book they've written together, THE WRATH OF THE RAT.
Our emcee will be the famous-and-wonderful Michael Katz, pictured here.
Entertainers include Putnee, the Linda Vega Dancers, Storyteller Oscar Flores, magician Trenton Caine, the Academy of Rock and Roll, Tea in Tiara, and singers from Cold Spring School.
New StoryFaire backdrop and logo design
Chaucer's, our bookstore sponsor, provides the authors' books, handles sales on site, & donates 20% of the proceeds to the cause. THANKS, CHAUCERS!
In 2010, many books were sold at StoryFaire, but we also had the joy of giving away more than 500 brand new to the children who attended. For some, it was be the first book they'd ever owned.
In 2010, many books were sold at StoryFaire, but we also had the joy of giving away more than 500 brand new to the children who attended. For some, it was be the first book they'd ever owned.
City Councilman Grant House is a great StoryFaire supporter. At the close of StoryFaire 2011, he will lead our Grand Finale Parade as Cat-in-the-Hat.
THE STORYFAIRE PROGRAM NOW INCLUDES TEN AUTHOR VISITS TO LOCAL SANTA BARBARA SCHOOLS.
REMEMBER: READING SAVES LIVES!
