Florida Department of State

Florida Department of State
Sue M. Cobb
Secretary of State

State Archives and Library of Florida Holds Celebrate Children - Celebrate Books Festival on April 1, 2006

The Florida Department of State, State Library and Archives of Florida will host Celebrate Children - Celebrate Books, a festival to honor children from all cultures and encourage them to experience the joy of reading. This exciting celebration is free to all, and will feature a variety of multicultural children's activities, including music, dance, author appearances, arts and crafts, storytelling, and puppetry. "We are proud to bring this wonderful celebration of children and literacy to Florida," said Secretary Cobb. "We encourage libraries, communities, and families to participate in the many activities going on statewide throughout the month of April."

Celebrate Children - Celebrate Books will kick off Florida's celebration of a nationwide event called El día de los niños - El día de los libros. Dia connects children from all languages and cultures with books, and encourages the celebration of children and literacy nationwide on April 30th. This event honors children, their languages, and their cultures; encourages reading and literacy; and promotes library collections and programs that reflect our diversity.

The statewide kickoff event will celebrate Florida's children of all cultures and how their lives are impacted by reading. Children can enjoy performances by award-winning children's entertainers Anna Moo, Lucía González, and Gerald Hausman. They will also have the opportunity to interact and have their photos taken with costumed characters from their favorite books, including Froggy, Miss Spider, and Max the Bunny. Barnes & Noble will be on hand with a bookstore where attendees can purchase children's books.

Other Dia events will take place statewide throughout the month of April. To encourage and enhance these celebrations, the Florida Department of State, State Library and Archives of Florida awarded 21 mini-grants to libraries throughout the state. These libraries will help their communities celebrate Dia through events such as multicultural storytelling, music, dance, food tasting, and book giveaways.

This event will be held in conjunction with Springtime Tallahassee's Jubilee in the Park. Transportation will be available between the Celebrate Children - Celebrate Books festival and the Springtime Tallahassee Kid's Park. Celebrate Children - Celebrate Books will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2006, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the R.A. Gray Building, 500 S. Bronough St., Tallahassee, Florida. Free parking will be available in the garage adjacent to the building.

For a schedule of activities and information about other El día de los niños - El día de los libros events taking place throughout the state, visit http://www.diaflorida.com. This event is funded under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Florida Department of State, State Library and Archives of Florida.