2006 Illinois Authors Book Fair

2006 ILLINOIS AUTHORS BOOK FAIR NOVEMBER 16-18 -- THREE DAYS OF FREE FAMILY FUN!

Enthusiastic crowds visited the Illinois State Library in November for the annual Illinois Authors Book Fair, expanded in its 10th year to a three-day event.

Festivities kicked off Thursday, November 16 with an all-day celebration tied to Family Reading Night, an annual event sponsored by Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White where families are encouraged to read together. Authors and storytellers entertained Springfield area students during the morning and afternoon. That evening, parents and kids were entertained by award-winning children's author Marion Dane Bauer, popular musician and storyteller Mike Anderson and costumed characters Scooby-Doo, Mother Goose and Dora the Explorer.

Highlights of day two included inspiring speeches by Pulitzer-Prize winning author James B. Stewart (The Call to Duty: Leadership in Times of Terror and The Heart of a Soldier) and Scott Turow, whose work Ordinary Heroes was the subject of the Springfield area libraries' "Together We Read" program. Popular book appraiser Tom Joyce, who has developed a large following from his appearances at previous Book Fairs, made a return appearance. Gardening experts Gloria Young and Dianne Noland conducted a program for "green thumb" types.

Day three was filled with more than six hours of book signings, book discussions, workshops, performances and children's activities. Patrons purchased many author books and other items at the on-site bookstore. The book fair concluded with a discussion led by Kaylie Jones and the showing of the film A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries, based on the novel by Jones.

Secretary of State Jesse White, the Illinois State Library and the Illinois Center for the Book extend their thanks to everyone who made the 2006 Illinois Authors Book Fair such a big success, particularly our sponsors and partners: Chicago Tribune Foundation, Illinois Humanities Council, LaSalle Bank, Barnes and Noble, the State Journal Register, WSEC-TV, the "Together We Read" libraries, Springfield School District 186 and Springfield Mayor Timothy J. Davlin.