In all, more than 50 children’s book authors and illustrators will take part.
“It is amazing that little Tarrytown is home to one of the only events dedicated to Children’s book authors and illustrators,” said author Nick Bruel of Tarrytown. “No where else have I seen such a heavy concentration of luminaries in the children’s book world all gathered in one place. Every year I am astounded by the hundreds of people that attend.”
In addition to author appearances, costumed characters Clifford, the Big Red Dog, Bunnicula, Biscuit, and Franklin the Turtle, will be roaming the grounds. Magician Dikki Ellis will be performing pocket magic from 12:30-4:30pm. The creators and stars of the legendary children’s television show The Magic Garden, Carole Demas of Irvington and Paula Janis, will be performing from 4:30-5:30.
New faces to Book Day this year include: Michael Buckley author of The Sisters Grimm series, Bryan Collier illustrator of Dave the Potter, Gary Golio author of Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow, Diane Goode illustrator of But I Wanted a Baby Brother!, Victoria Kann author/illustrator of Pinkalicious , Steven Kroll author of The Tyrannosaurus Game, Matt McElligott, author/illustrator of Even Monsters Need Haircuts, and Lizzy Rockwell author/illustrator of Don’t Go Up Haunted Hill…or Else!
Returning favorites include many from Westchester County:
Author and illustrator appearances, including readings and demonstrations, will be broken into 90-minute segments beginning at 12, 1:30, and 3. The full schedule of authors appears on www.hudsonvalley.org. Books by all of the attending writers and illustrators will be available for purchase and signing.
Food from Irvington-based Geordane’s will be available for picnickers.
The event is produced by Beth Vetare-Civitello and Susan Brandes and sponsored by Sunnyside Federal Savings and Loan of Irvington. The non-profit Historic Hudson Valley owns and operates Sunnyside, which is the romantic, picturesque homestead of Washington Irving, the author best known for The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle.
Admission to Sunnyside is $12 for adults; $10 for seniors; $6 for children 5-17; and free for children under 5 and HHV members. Tours of Irving’s house are included in the price of admission. Tickets can be purchased online: www.hudsonvalley.org. Washington Irving’s Sunnyside is at 89 West Sunnyside Lane in Tarrytown, one mile south of the Tappan Zee Bridge, off Route 9.