‘Plant the Seed to Read’ event to blossom at Mill Creek Park


March 22, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Staff report

youngstown

The fourth annual Book Fair of Youngstown’s “Plant the Seed to Read” event will be at Mill Creek MetroParks’ Davis Center at Fellows Riverside Gardens from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

The Altrusa Club of Youngstown, in partnership with Mill Creek MetroParks, Western Reserve PBS and the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, is sponsoring the free event.

Author/illustrator Dar Hosta and children’s authors Julie Datko, Wendy Wilson, Jill Hardin, Sharon Mica, Dr. Martha Bruce and Ode Aduma will read and be available for book signings.

Special guest readers will include Ohio first lady Frances Strickland, Mayor Jay Williams and storyteller Jocelyn Dabney of Youngstown. Sign-language interpretation will be available for the hearing impaired.

Children can have their free photos taken with Western Reserve PBS children’s characters Curious George and Clifford the Big Red Dog.

Other participants include Pearlette Wigely, Chris Leeper, the Audubon Society, the Bubble Guy, Bread for the Brain, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Children’s Center for Science and Technology, First Book Mahoning Valley, Mahoning Valley Parent Magazine, M. Sanko Photography, The Vindicator, Ohio Early Education “Help Me Grow,” Child Care Connection, Wild Birds Unlimited, Youngstown State University SMARTS program and YSU Storytelling Adventures.

The library also will present the “Baby Brilliant” program.

Child-friendly snacks and lunch items will be for sale in the center’s Garden Caf .

The authors and Barnes & Noble will have books available for purchase. Stroller parking will be available. Due to limited space, strollers will not be permitted in the center during the event.

For more information, contact Patty Zitello, Altrusa Club of Youngstown, (330) 534-1491; Anita Wesler, Fellows Riverside Gardens, (330) 740-7116, ext. 203; Amanda Donatelli, Western Reserve PBS, (330) 677-4549; and Deborah Liptak, Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, (330) 744-8636, ext. 118.