Guest speakers, authors, young authors, students, media specialists and families made the 6th Annual Kids Celebrate Reading Book Fair 2014 a great success! Photos by Zoe Campbell.
TEENS DOING GOOD THINGS
K is for Kids is a student volunteer-based nonprofit organization. The Foundation’s student leaders help spread the joy of reading by creating fun ways to engage children in activities that promote reading and help place more books into children’s hands – from toddlers to teens!
Event co-chairs Shianne and Gabby, both Gulf Coast High School students and members of Operation:Outreach sponsored by K is for Kids, stand beside the sign announcing New York Times bestselling author Craig Bouchard’s book signing at their pre-event planning meeting at Barnes & Noble Booksellers at the Waterside Shops in Naples.
Note: A Barron Collier High School senior, Zoe Campbell was one of three student photographers whose work is featured on naplesnews.com of K is for Kids’ recent From the Heart Teen Fashion Show. You can also see Zoe’s photos by clicking here webpage. Special thanks to Mary Kay Bernard for watermarking Zoe’s photos!
WELCOME
Jessica Olson, Barnes & Noble’s Community Relations Manager, welcomed guests to the book fair as student leaders from local high schools and Florida Gulf Coast University stood beside her.
SALUTE TO SCHOOL LIBRARIANS
Then a special salute to Collier County librarians was given. Traci Kohler, Ph.D., Director of STEM Resources, Instructional Technology & Media Services, Collier County Public Schools, applauded the efforts and service of those who serve under her.
K is for Kids’ student leaders line up at the opening of the sixth Annual Kids Celebrate Reading Book Fair, February 22, 2013 at Barnes & Noble Booksellers at the Waterside Shops in Naples. Participants included children and their families, guest authors and speakers, plus close to forty Collier County media specialists who received funds from the Foundation to purchase new books for their students.
Thirty-nine media specialists in attendance each received a complimentary $100 gift card to shop for new books for their students, courtesy of K is for Kids and supported by funding made available by Arthrex, as well as Melissa & Craig Bouchard and Signature Group Holdings. Twenty grant recipients of the Foundation’s reading programs also enjoyed their annual shopping spree for new books that coincides with the book fair.
CELEBRATING OUR 6TH ANNIVERSARY!
STUDENTS GRASSROOTS CAUSE RECOGNIZED,
FEBRUARY PROCLAIMED
“BRING A BOOK, BRING A FRIEND” MONTH
Above, Naples City Councilman Sam Saad III was on hand on behalf of Mayor John Sorey III to recognize the students’ efforts in their grassroots cause to “build readers and leaders” and proclaimed February as “Bring a Book, Bring a Friend” for Children’s Literacy Month. (Note: This is the sixth year the honor has been given.) To read the proclamation, click here: Proclamation_NaplesMayor-2014_JohnSoreyIII_K IS FOR KIDS FOUNDATION_02-06-14
Mario Chang, a senior at Gulf Coast High School and one of K is for Kids’ top teen leaders and spokespersons, accepted the proclamation on behalf of the Foundation.
K is for Kids staff photo
Nick Nolan, a senior at Barron Collier High School and the winner of K is for Kids’ first Young Entrepreneur Scholarship in February, takes his turn as student leaders outlined the day’s agenda and activities for children and their families. (Teen leaders in K is for Kids’ student leadership program speak publicly several times during the school year.)
SPECIAL GUESTS AND AUTHOR APPEARANCES
Jim McKenna, a professional reader and popular guest at many area elementary school libraries, shared some of his favorite children’s stories with young attendees.
Children’s book author Dottie Withrow followed Jim’s rousing first act by reading her second book “Mariella Mouse in the Opera House”.
Another author, local resident Lisa Trebilcock, also presented her second children’s book (literally hot off the press for the book fair!) – “E is for Everglades”. Lisa was asked to also read her debut book “N is for Naples”, an alphabet story that has become a perennial favorite of both locals and tourists. (Further down the reader may see a young toddler who later won the raffled book.)
TEENS’ FUN’RAISING STATIONS FOR THE KIDDIES
Family entertainer Walt Timoney, show below in the background, twisted balloons into towering hats and all sorts of creatures as teen hosts painted young faces and led kids on scavenger hunts.
YOUNG WRITERS
Each year, K is for Kids invites children to meet guest authors then write a book together for the Foundation’s annual book commemorating the book fair. Kids put pen to paper to write a page in the book and then get a complimentary portrait taken to accompany their “very short story”.
RAFFLES OF – WHAT ELSE? – BOOKS!
Before authors appeared featuring books for more advanced readers – ‘tweens, teens and young adults – many books were raffled off for all ages and were signed for the winners by the authors who wrote them!
Above: Gabby McCann, a student at Gulf Coast High School and Event Co-Chair receives help from the Foundation’s youngest volunteers as the winners are announced.
Two more children’s book authors appeared at the book fair to sign their books for lucky children who won them:
Walter Lee Johnson (shown above) of “The Jolly Shop” and Jacqueline Buyze (shown below), author of “A Story of Lawyers”, “A Story of Lawyers with Views from the Bench” and “A Joyful Royal Debut: Presenting Prince George”.
MORE AUTHORS APPEAR!
Rounding out the day were special treats for the book fair’s more advanced readers and the youth volunteers were appearances by two more authors.
Jason Kurek introduced the launch of his exciting new sci-fi series for ‘tweens, teens and young adults, “Chronoblood Chronicles”.
CEO Craig Bouchard gave attendees a sneak preview of his upcoming children’s book and mobile game, “Adventures of Ai” that will be released globally in June, before sharing his New York Times bestseller “The Caterpillar Way.”
KIDS LOVE EXPLORING COOL NEW BOOKS!
Why we love sharing books with children – the youngest book fair participant explores a cool new book.