If you live in DC or nearby and you have not checked out the National Book Fest you are missing out. There is something for everyone to do. I recommend checking out the website b/c if you have a child that still naps like I do then you will absolutely want to plan, plan, plan. I like so many authors and would love to hear a lot of them speak and get them to sign books, but I have to narrow it down!  The thing to do is bring a book from each author that you want to sign, because though Barnes and Noble has a tent and many times there are autographed copies, the tent is unorganized and chaotic and you can spend a lot of money quickly! My plan this year is to take what I have by one of the authors and go buy what I don't before the event.

Enough of that-on to kid's activities. All day long there are various characters at the PBS ready to pose with your children. Here is the caveat: the characters that your kid will most likely want to pose with are popular so the lines are long, but the good part is they take a polaroid with you and your kid and the character and it is free. That is kinda cool, instead of fumbling around with a camera. There are also tents with various activities like drawing, meeting authors, doing computer activities and more.

This is a quote from the First Lady about the festival and a list of children and teen authors.  Enjoy, I will be there loaded down with books.

"There are activities for all ages at the National Book Festival," said Mrs. Bush. "Readers can explore genres from history and mystery to romance and cookbooks. Children can meet their favorite storybook characters. And visitors can learn about the extensive resources offered by the Library of Congress. "The festival authors, illustrators and poets will discuss their work in pavilions dedicated to Children, Teens & Children, Fiction & Mystery, History & Biography, Home & Family and Poetry. PBS characters and NBA/WNBA players will appear at the festival including NBA Legend and Hall of Famer Bob Lanier. Each year, players participate in the festival by reading their favorite children’s books aloud with the help of students from local area schools as part of "NBA Cares."

CHILDREN
Tiki Barber
Jan Brett
Marc Brown
David A. Carter
Doreen Cronin
Bob Lanier
Ivory Latta (NBA/WNBA)
Betsy Lewin
Kadir Nelson
Doreen Rappaport
David Shannon
Judy Sierra
Dionne Warwick

TEENS & CHILDREN
Mary Brigid Barrett
Joseph Bruchac
Sharon M. Draper
Neil Gaiman
Steven Kellogg
Katherine Paterson
Andrea Davis Pinkney
Matthew Reinhart
Robert Sabuda
Jon Scieszka
Charles R. Smith, Jr.
R. L. Stine
Judith Viorst

If you click on the author's name on the website, it will tell you what time that author is signing-also what they wrote or illustrated!

PS  They give out a cool poster and it is different every year. We are going to frame last year's poster and this year's and put them above our sofa. They are that cool looking. Target is always the sponsor and they give away a goodie bag too. Last year we got a Target fabric checker board that folds up and the checkers are stored on the inside.  Get there early before you miss too much!!!