Vacaville Event Celebrates Children's Book Week
May 05, 2012 | Posted by: Heather Ah San
Local author Corie Barloggi gives Mili Prakash,4, and Arya Prakash, 8, a copy of her children's book "In Jack's Mind" during the National Children's Book Week Kick-Off Celebration on Saturday at the Nut Tree in Vacaville. The event put on by the Solano County Library Association and Martin Pearl Publishing helped raise fund for reading programs and to support the Vacaville Police K-9 program. (Conner Jay/Daily Republic)
VACAVILLE —The Solano Library Foundation held a Children’s Book Week celebration Saturday at the Nut Tree Plaza to kick off National Children’s Book Week. The national event takes place Monday through May 13, but Dilenna Harris, executive director for the library foundation, wanted to get celebrations started on the weekend for the community to enjoy.
Andrea Johnson, who brought her 3-year-old Lili to the event, said she wants to encourage a love of a reading and books for her daughter. “I love reading,” she said. “It’s important for me that can she read well and, hopefully, love it.”
Story readings took place throughout the day for children of all ages. Harris said she was surprised to see children as old as seventh grade participating in story time. Vacaville police came to introduce their newest addition, Cosmo, a police K-9 officer, to the children. The foundation will help pay for Cosmo through funds raised during the event, according to Harris. There was also a special appearance from Mr. Jelly Bean, Mr. Oreo and Myrtle the Cow from Fenton’s Creamery and Restaurant nearby.
The publishing group Martin Pearl Publishing brought several children’s books to the event, Local author Corie Lee Barloggi signed copies of her book “In Jack’s Mind.” Barloggi, who teaches third grade at Suisun Elementary School, said she wrote the book to help enhance the literacy skills of the school’s young readers. During Jack the cat’s adventures, Barloggi tries to teach what she calls robust vocabulary, comprehension and writing skills. The publishing company and Barloggi put together a teaching PowerPoint presentation using the book for literacy educational purposes. Aside from its literacy lessons, the book is also about Jack believing in his dreams. While Barloggi signed copies of her books for children, she said to two of them, “You two make sure you believe in your dreams.”
