book it!

You read to your kids every night before bed. But here's your chance to really celebrate books and create a positive vibe around reading. On Saturday, September 26th, the Library of Congress will host the 2009 National Book Festival. Held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., between 7th and 14th streets from 10 AM to 5:30 PM, the festival will feature more than 70 authors and writers and is open to the public.

At the Teens and Children's pavilion, expect some of your kids' favorite writers. Children's authors include Mary Brigid Barrett, Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi, Kate DiCamillo, Shannon Hale, Nikki Grimes, Megan McDonald and Mo Willems. Teen and children authors include Judy Blume, Sharon Creech, Paula Deen, Liz Kessler, James Patterson, Rick Riordan, James > Swanson and Jacqueline Woodson, among others. The event is sponsored primarily by Target, in conjunction with other kid-friendly companies like PBS Kids Raising Readers, The Washington Post and Scholastic, Inc.

If you can't get to the DC area, get updates on the festival via the Library's new social media pages on Twitter, Facebook and iTunes, or through free podcasts featuring interviews with festival authors. Book lovers will also enjoy the launch of the website Read.gov, an accessible platform for readers of all ages.

Go to www.loc.gov/bookfest for more info on this amazing event, then get to the Mall to spend a very special day with your family.