18th Annual Charlotte Huck Childrens Literature Festival to Be Held January 2014

By: Patty Zurita

Community Writer

Photo Courtesy of:

Megan McClain

Photo Description:

The Charlotte Huck Children’s Literature Festival Committee work to plan the upcoming festival, January 24–25, 2014. Pictured around some of the books that will be represented by authors and illustrators are committee members (from left) Patty Hodges, retired elementary teacher; Char Burgess, University of Redlands liaison; Sue Hardy, student-teacher supervisor; Marsha MacLean, elementary teacher; Marjorie Arnett, Festival Coordinator; Colleen Quezada, Festival Registrar; Peggy Constantine, Children’s Literature professor; and Pam Bunch, children’s librarian. Not pictured are Gretchen Pelle, retired elementary teacher; Shelli Stockton, Marketing team at Esri; and Gail Boslow, Children’s Literature professor.

Children’s literature enthusiasts from around the country will attend the 18th annual Charlotte Huck Children’s Literature Festival taking place on Jan. 24 and 25, 2014 at the University of Redlands. Featured speakers will include Candace Fleming, Paul Janeczko, Eric Rohmann, David Wiesner, Eugene Yelchin, Dinah Stevenson and two-time Newbery Medal award winner Lois Lowry. Lowry is the author of “Number the Stars,” the “Anastasia Krupnick” series, “Bless This Mouse,” and most notably, “The Giver," for which she won the Newbery Award in 1994. In conjunction with her visit to Redlands, the University of Redlands Theatre Arts Department will present a stage play based on this book. Tickets for this production are included in the Festival fees, or can be purchased from the University of Redlands Theatre Arts Department at 909-748-8728. Charlotte Huck, the founder of this Festival, believed that, “If you present the right books to children, they will read and enjoy them. So, bringing children and books together really means getting them excited about reading.” Festival attendees will have the opportunity to meet authors and illustrators, as well as attend small group workshops that will include the best new children’s books and practical ideas for bringing children and books together. Full festival registration is currently $175 and will rise to $190 after Jan. 10, 2014. Full festival registration includes access to all events and meals, plus a ticket for a performance of “The Giver” on the University of Redlands campus. One-day registration for Friday, Jan. 24, 2014 includes all meals, Friday events and a ticket for the Friday, 8 p.m. performance of “The Giver” on campus for $120. One-day registration for Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, includes all meals, Saturday events and a ticket to the 3 p.m. performance of “The Giver” on campus for $95. Student prices require valid student IDs, and do not include meals or tickets for “The Giver.” Limited space is available for $25. Registration for the events closes at 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 17, 2014.