BCS Public Library System holds the Brazos Valley Children’s Literary Festival
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – Children were able to get up close and personal with some authors on Saturday thanks to the BCS Public Library System.
The system held its Brazos Valley Children’s Literary Festival to support children’s literary success. This year’s theme was “Open a Book, Open a World.” It all took place at the Larry J. Ringer Library.
There were several well-known authors in attendance such as B.W. Van Alstyne, Mary Mize, Sherry Garland, Van G. Garrett, Susan Fletcher and Kwame Alexander. They all gave a presentation, reading and they were even there for a book signing. Some arts and crafts activities related to the authors’ books took place afterward.
Kwame Alexander has written 40 books. He said the book he’s most known for is The Crossover which was made into a TV show on Disney Plus. He came from Washington D.C. for the event.
“I love writing books, but what I love more than that is to read books to kids, to share my stories, to see their eyes like lighten up, brighten up when they hear words or stories that make them imagine a better world so whenever I get an opportunity to present at a book festival or literary festival like the one here in Brazos County, it’s just exciting to me,” Alexander said.
He said literacy is important while young to raise connected, emphatic adults.
“We have to start when they’re little so they can begin to have an imagination that encourages that, I believe that a mind of an adult begins in the imagination of a child and what better way to do that than through the pages of a book,” Alexander said.
Those in attendance could buy a copy of authors’ books, and through a partnership with Hyperbole Bookstore in College Station, 10 percent of the proceeds were donated to the Friends of the Library to help support the library system.
