Come and gone, but not forgotten

The 2008 National Book Festival (opens in a new window) is now but a memory — a happy one, a lasting one — maybe even one that will change a life or two. (Books do that, of course, though we often don’t know how or who.)

Anyway, the Library of Congress (opens in a new window) also gives ideas as to how others can host a book celebration and have lots of ideas to expand it. There’s a neat online toolkit (opens in a new window) with lots of ideas that can be used in homes and classrooms.

This year’s Book Festival was a great time for all; even a bit of rain and soggy walkways couldn’t dampen spirits or keep people away from it.

There was lots to see and do.

I got to hear three (of the 100 plus!) contributors to a new book entitled, Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out (opens in a new window) (Candlewick).

Mary Brigid Barrett, Steven Kellogg, and two-time Newbery Medalist Katherine Paterson shared stories about their work on the book — and the organization that it supports— the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance. (opens in a new window)

This is a fine book that makes some of the ‘story’ in ‘history’ come to life in pictures and words. There’s straight nonfiction, historical fiction, fantasy, memoir, and more — with lots of illustration that is sure to captivate readers of all ages. And it’s an ideal book to share especially these days with so much about the White House (opens in a new window)(and presidential candidates) in the news.

Let’s hope that the Book Festival that First Lady Laura Bush initiated will become a Washington institution — even after there is a new family residing in the people’s mansion, the White House.