Southwest Florida Reading Festival

PHOTO BY STEVE DEPINO Author/illustrator Jarrett Krosoczka and his book "Punk Farm"

The 9th Annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 15 at Centennial Park in the Fort Myers River District.

Young children and teens will be able to select from a variety of free Reading Festival activities - from games and craft workshops to author presentations and writing exercises. Different activities are scheduled every hour.

New to the event roster is PBS KIDS host Miss Lori. Youngsters can look forward to an energetic story time with Miss Lori at 10 a.m. and noon in the Shows for Kids area. Appearances by Dr. Seuss' beloved The Cat in the Hat and interactive storytelling performances are planned throughout the day, including with returning Reading Festival author and storyteller extraordinaire Irene Smalls. Her colorful storytelling techniques are known to engage the crowd, as seen at last year's festival. Smalls' show is scheduled for 2 p.m. in the Storytelling Tent.

Jarrett Krososczka, author and illustrator of children's books "Baghead" and "Bubble Bath Pirate," also plans to deliver a memorable performance in hopes of influencing young aspiring writers.

The lineup of teen activities is just as impressive. Providence Journal sportswriter Steven Krasner will jump start events on the Teen Stage with a news writing session at 10:15 a.m. Presentations from graphic novelists Jared Hodges and Lindsay Cibos (creators of the nationally syndicated comic strip "Peach Fuzz") and young adult author Melissa de la Cruz ("The Au Pairs" and "Blue Bloods" series of books) will follow at 11 a.m. and Noon. Wii gaming opportunities for teens will be ongoing, as well as library card sign-ups for all youths.

For more information about children and teen activities at the Southwest Florida Reading Festival, call (239) 337-READ or visit www. lee-county.com\ library

COURTESY PHOTO Storyteller Irene Smalls in costume and her book, "My Pop Pop and Me"