Children's Book Fest in Rhinelander, WI

Twenty-second Anniversary Children's Book Fest Scheduled for March 10 and 11, 2009

Attention Wisconsin, Minnesota and Upper Michigan librarians, teachers, parents, reading specialists and members of the general public who are interested in learning about the best books for young people! You are invited to attend Children's Book Fest 2009, a two day conference held at the Rhinelander Quality Inn (formerly Holiday Inn Express) Rhinelander, Wisconsin on March 10 and 11.

The ever popular, thoroughly informed and entertaining staff of the Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) in Madison Wisconsin will discuss books for children and young adults at an evening presentation on Tuesday, March 10, as well as at a day presentation on Wednesday, March 11. Both sessions will include a CCBC exhibit of the best 2008 books for young readers.

Most folks choose to attend one session or the other, but you certainly won't be turned away if you decide to stay overnight and come to both. In addition to the Quality Inn itself, a Super 8 and AmericInn are also close by.

PLEASE NOTE that separate registration (sent to two separate places) is required for the evening and day sessions.

All registrations must be received no later than March 6. Payment of $8.00 per person must accompany each registration blank. No purchase orders, please.

Telephone inquiries regarding the Wednesday presentation may be made to Tom at the Rhinelander District Library phone and email below. More information about the Tuesday presentation is available from Headwaters Reading Council member Joan Belongia brnstbks@newnorth.net 715/362-5111 (day).

Members of the CCBC staff co-author CCBC CHOICES, an annual recommended best books list. Children's Book Fest participants will receive a copy of the 150-page booklet as part of their registration package, as well as other booklists. The registration fee also covers the cost of refreshments and a CCBC honorarium. PLEASE NOTE: MEALS ARE ON YOUR OWN.

The Children's Book Fest evening presentation on March 10 includes time from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. to browse through the CCBC Book Exhibit followed by the main presentation from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.. Additional time to examine the CCBC Book Exhibit and talk with the speakers is scheduled from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m.

The Children's Book Fest day presentation begins on March 11 with registration and morning refreshments at 8:30 a.m. followed by a legislative update and other announcements at 9:30 a.m. At 10:00 a.m., the speakers will discuss current trends in children's literature and present a power-point presentation featuring the best books of 2008. Participants will have the opportunity to examine the CCBC Book Exhibit during the first hour of the day and again in the afternoon following lunch on their own.

Plans include an opportunity on both March 10 and 11 for individuals to purchase award-winning books highlighted by the speakers through an independent arrangement with Brown Street Books of Rhinelander. However, as there is no available space for additional vendors or exhibits, all inquiries along these lines will be answered with a polite, but firm "no thank you."

Headwaters Reading Council, the School District of Rhinelander and the Rhinelander District Library have invited the Cooperative Children's Book Center staff to bring the newest and best books for young people to Northern Wisconsin since 1987. Additional assistance is received from the Indianhead Federated Library System, Northern Waters Library Service and Wisconsin Valley Library Service, as well as business sponsors Brown Street Books, Ripco Credit Union, and Wisconsin Public Service.

A GOOD HUMORED DISCLAIMER: Children's Book Fest is organized and administered on a purely voluntary basis by a dedicated coalition of children's book lovers. We are unfortunately not equipped to provide registration confirmations or verification of attendance for 250 registrants. Cancelled checks serve as receipts. Although CEU status was investigated several years ago, it was ascertained that only the CCBC staff presentation segment would actually qualify; book browsing and selection does not.