Philadelphia Tribune, The
11-22-1996
Multicultural children enjoy book fair at Convention Center.
It was a family affair at the Multicultural Children's Book Fair held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center last Saturday.
The chance to meet favorite authors, hear stories and find books from diverse cultures drew over 3,500 people to the book fair.
"This is exhilarating. There were a lot of families out here. This was definitely a family affair." said Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati, book fair producer.
There were also raffles, poster giveaways and balloons. The publisher of the Tales of Angels series was responsible for decorating a wing of the convention center with white balloons.
Despite the popularity of balloons, books drew families to the fair.
"There's a lot of books to choose from. It is my first time here and I think it is good," Donna White said. Her son Dante shook his head in agreement. His brother Cortez's shy silence said it all.
White's husband concurred. "I brought my sons out, because they need books, and it is nice to get out to read," he said.
Publishers came to the fair to show off their latest wares. The Free Library of Philadelphia signed up children for library cards, and the Philadelphia Phillies enrolled them into the Junior Phillies.
Children's author Irene Smalls thrived off the constant din of the storytelling room. "It has been wonderful. There are kids who enjoy reading and parents who support them. It has been experience," Smalls said.
It is nice to be around people who enjoy reading."
She put the children through the paces with a reading from Jonathan and His Money. They walked in zig zag formation, giant steps, itsy bitsy baby steps, and slow motion.
African and African-American history is the focus of Smalls' work. Her latest books highlight the diversity of kindergarten and Johnkankus, a forgotten slave holiday that honored an African chief.
Smalls even has a page on the Internet. People who log onto www.melanet.com/johnkankus will find a lesson plan for teaching African-American holidays, information about Johnkankus, pictures and audioclips.
Children also had a good time at the book fair.
"It's fun. I got the book The Picnic and The Soldier, said Khrystine Ford, 6. She won Cappy the Lonely Camel.
Her mother Sandra Ford said, "I thought it was a good experience for my daughter. I thought it was interesting to meet the authors. It is a different experience meeting the authors. You get a chance to see what a person looks like. I thought that it was a nice experience for her to meet them."
Ethnic NewsWatch SoftLine Information, Inc., Stamford, CT
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