Family Book Festival to debut Aug. 21 at Blue Apple Books to celebrate reading

MADISON – Blue Apple Books is collaborating with Children- Read-Succeed, Huntsville, to present Family Book Festival, a celebration of reading. Dubbed “Whimsical Woodland of Words,” the festival on Aug. 21 will open at 5 p.m. and continue to 8 p.m. at the bookstore at 12 Main St. Adding to the excitement, Family Book Festival will coincide with Third Thursday on Main activities in historic downtown Madison.

The co-sponsor Children- Read-Succeed, Huntsville, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, focuses on eliminating intergenerational poverty with youth and family development, community education and social support services.

“We’re excited to announce the first of what we hope will become an annual back-to-school tradition,” Robin Dauma said. Dauma owns South & Pine and Blue Apple Books. “The Family Book Festival is meant to celebrate and encourage the role that reading plays in growing, encouraging and healing families in both everyday life and in times of extraordinary challenge.”

Six authors will appear at Blue Apple Book for book readings for children – and all ages. Heather Montgomery will open the readings at 5:30 p.m. Then, the authors will include Laura W. Carter, 5:45 p.m.; Matthew Paul Turner, 6 p.m.; Linda Hickman, 6:30 p.m.; Dr. Cheryl Law, 6:45 p.m.; and Heather Morris, 7 p.m.

Sponsored by Gilead Sciences, a tent will be set up to welcome families dealing with metastatic breast cancer (past or present). Gilead Services sponsored the publication of “The Adventure Jar: A Story of Magic for Families Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer.”

Attendees can enjoy indoor and outdoor activities at Blue Apple Books and under trees at the neighboring 12 Main St. Tents will be filled with friendly volunteers, ready to welcome families to participate in activities: • Children’s Author Tent — Meetand- greet sessions with children’s authors in between their reading times.

• Children’s Author Readings – Books for sale/signing by authors Matthew Paul Turner, Laura Wadsworth Carter, Heather Montgomery, Heather Morris and Linda Hickam. Inside Blue Apple Books.

• Miscellaneous — Kid-friendly Craft Tent, STEM Activity Tent, line dancing and photo booth. Bring a book for the children’s book swap.

Family Book Festival is free and open to the public. Food vendors will set up one block from Wise Street. For parking details, visit madisonal.gov/DocumentCenter/ View/18367/Downtown-Public-Parking-Map—Updated.

“We really hope to reach as many families as possible and get them excited about reading during the school year,” Dauma said.

For more information, call Dauma at 256-479-4681 or email owner@ shopsouthandpine.com, or call Batts at 256-509-0434 or email gpbattsaka@ gmail.com.