Naples native and Barron High School graduate Margaret Cardillo will serve as a guest author at the Third Annual K is for Kids® “Kids Celebrate Reading” Book Fair to be held Saturday, February 12 from 12 noon to 4 pm at Barnes & Noble, Waterside Shops in Naples.
Margaret Cardillo
Just Being Audrey
Cardillo’s debut children’s book, Just Being Audrey, will be released later this month by Harper Collins. Inspired since childhood by Audrey Hepburn, Cardillo wrote the book as a way to share her admiration for the late actress’ life and humanitarian efforts, and to introduce young girls to a positive role model.
During the Book Fair, Cardillo will conduct a brief writing workshop and assist young writers as they put their talents to work on stories for the K is for Kids Young Authors book. She’ll also sign copies of “Just Being Audrey.” Girls attending the event are encouraged to dress up as Audrey Hepburn and will receive a strand of white beads as a souvenir of the event. The day will also feature a host of kid-centered activities for boys and girls such as storytelling, scavenger hunts and face painting.
A portion of proceeds from all purchases made at Barnes & Noble on February 12 will be donated to K is for Kids, a Naples-based non-profit organization.
“We’re so excited to have Margaret join us for this event,” says Karen Clawson, founder and executive director of K is for Kids. “The fact that she grew up in Naples makes her appearance even more special.”
Although a resident of South Florida, Cardillo makes frequent visits to Naples. After graduating from Barron Collier High School and Boston College, Cardillo moved to New York City to work as a children’s book editor. She returned to the University of Miami to earn her Master of Fine Arts in creative writing as a James A. Michener Fellow. She is currently a candidate at UM for her second MFA in screenwriting
The ”Kids Celebrate Reading” Book Fair is the highlight of K is for Kids’ month-long celebration of Bring a Book, Bring a Friend for Children’s Literacy Month, as proclaimed by Naples Mayor Bill Barnett and the Collier Board of County Commissioners. Residents and visitors are invited to donate new or gently used hardcover books at several public drop-off locations throughout Collier County. For a list of locations, additional events, and ways to get involved, visit www.KisforKids.org.
About K is for Kids
Founded in 2008, K is for Kids Foundation® promotes literacy and a love of reading in children by enriching their libraries and expanding their access to books in and out of school. Through its focused efforts, K is for Kids® helps cultivate the skills kids need to be creative thinkers, adventurous problem solvers and visionary leaders.