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Illustration courtesy of Hans Wilhelm. All Rights reserved.

18th Annual Connecticut Children's Book Fair is coming up and we're looking for volunteers!

The 18th Annual Connecticut Children’s Book Fair will take place on November 14 and 15, 2009, from 10am-5pm each day, in Rome Commons Ballroom at UConn’s campus in Storrs, Connecticut.

A project of the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center and the UConn Co-op, this annual, free event brings together prominent authors and illustrators and the public to foster the enjoyment of children’s literature and literacy. Presentations and book signings, storytelling, crafts, holiday shopping, and storybook characters will be available through the two-day event.

Among the authors and illustrators scheduled to appear the year are: Tedd Arnold, winner of the Edgar Award for best mystery in the category of Young Adult Fiction for Rat life, Pegi Dietz Shea, winner of the Connecticut Book Award for Tangled Threads, Anita Riggio, whose manuscripts will be featured in the Dodd Research Center's gallery during the Fair, and Lois Lowry, winner of two Newbery Awards. For more information on authors and illustrators who will be at the Book Fair and a complete schedule, please visit the web site at http://bookfair.uconn.edu.

The Book Fair will again offer a free Saturday and Sunday morning breakfast with Clifford the Big Red Dog from 8:45am-10am. Participation is available on a first-come, first-served basis and space is limited, so call 1-800-U-READ-IT to attend. Reservations will be taken starting on October 1, 2009.

We are seeking volunteers!

- Saturday & Sunday, November 14-15, 2009 from 8:30am - 5:00pm
- Rome Commons Ballroom
- Rome Hall, South Campus Complex
- University of Connecticut, Storrs
- Volunteer shifts are usually two or more hours, between 8:30 am and 5 pm.

Volunteers' responsibilities may include:
    * Volunteering at the Breakfast with Clifford
    * Working at the information desk or volunteer check-in table
    * Working with children's arts and crafts activities
    * Serving as a door greeter or conducting a survey
    * Volunteering as a costume character or tour guide for characters
    * Volunteer opportunities for musicians/singers to lead 45-minute sing-alongs with children

If you are interested in volunteering at this event, please send a note to j.weinland@gmail.com and include in your email the following information: your name, home and work phone numbers, email address and your preference for a particular job or requested time period (e.g., 9:30 am-Noon, 1- 2 pm, etc.)

We are always looking for new volunteers. If you know anyone who would like to volunteer at this event, please forward their contact info to j.weinland@gmail.com.

Thanks and we hope to see you at the Fair!

For the history of the Northeast Children's Literature Collection, click here.