by Suzanne Daub
On Saturday, September 7, Children’s Beach will transform into a haven for young book lovers and aspiring readers. This first ever Children’s Book Day promises to be filled with joy, creativity, and discovery for children aged 2 to 9. Positioned strategically between National Read a Book Day and International Literacy Day, the event aims to ignite a lifelong love of reading and learning in our island’s youngest residents.
Shantaw Bloise-Murphy, director of Culture and Tourism on Nantucket, partnered with the Nantucket Book Foundation to bring the idea to life. She described Children’s Book Day as “something I’ve been toying with since attending the Brooklyn Children Museum Book Fest for Kids…I grew up in a household where reading was crucial. I developed a love for books, falling in love with characters, and feeling a part of something else. My love of reading has transferred to my son, and watching his love of literature develop made me want to bring this to all children here on Nantucket.”
Realizing that Children’s Book Day fits well with the mission of the Nantucket Book Foundation, Bloise-Murphy presented the idea to Mary Haft, co-founder of the Nantucket Book Festival and Vice President of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation.
“She brought it to the board and they got on board,” explained Bloise-Murphy, who is working on the event with Tim Ehrenberg, Barbara Tibbetts, Sara DiVello, Wendy Hudson, Kaley Kokomoor, Jill Surprenant, and Becky Hickman. “We have a phenomenal library [on Nantucket],” she added, “it’s great to continue to support children’s literacy in different ways.”
Families are invited to join in the festivities from 10:30 am to 4 pm. Food, beverages, and facilities are available on site at the Gyp-Sea Cafe at Children’s Beach.
Children’s Book Day will offer a range of free experiences for children and their families designed to foster literacy and spark imagination, including craft activities, a Nanpuppets performance, a bubble machine, and a kindness parade. The full slate of events is still being finalized, but at press time, two distinguished authors are scheduled to be showcased, each bringing their unique flair to the day.
Gary Wakstein, known for his beloved series The Adventures of Cray, will be appearing under his pen name G Pa Rhymes. With charming stories and whimsical illustrations by Erica Leigh, his books captivate young readers with rhythm and rhyme designed to teach youngsters about kindness, empathy, friendship, honesty, and bravery. His interactive reading sessions and engaging storytelling will be a highlight of the day. On his website, the author states “My objective is to help children during challenging moments in life through the power of storytelling. Talking with kids at a young age about bullying, the environment, racial equality, and other social issues helps them understand what it means to be a good friend to others, ourselves, creatures, and the planet.”
Joining Wakstein is author Robin Newman, renowned for her entertaining and educational detective stories for children. Newman’s many books feature clever mysteries (full of puns and sure to inspire some giggles) and engaging plots that fascinate young minds. Both authors will participate in read-aloud sessions, allowing children to experience the magic of storytelling firsthand.
Wakstein, Newman, and Leigh will lead and assist young Children’s Book Day attendees in various craft activities that will encourage the kids to explore their artistic talents while connecting with the stories they hear. Some of the crafts can be worn or carried during the Kindness Parade at 12:30 pm, where children can join in a lively procession celebrating the importance of kindness and empathy.
Barbara Tibbetts, author of the Look Book series, has designed for the event a special scavenger hunt for kids. On Children’s Book Day, participants can pick up a scavenger hunt “bingo” card, and they will have a week to decipher and follow the clues. Completed cards can be turned in at Nantucket Visitor Services on Federal Street for a free book. “We want to do all we can to encourage kids to keep reading,” commented Bloise-Murphy.
Children’s Book Day is designed to be a community celebration of the joys of reading. By providing a platform for authors and offering engaging activities, this is a way to reinforce a commitment to nurturing young minds and fostering a love for literature. Rain date for this event is September 8.
For details and an up-to-date schedule of events, visit nantucketbookfestival. org/events
