One Book Two Book Festival celebrates fifth anniversary in Iowa City

Book lovers young and old will flock to downtown Iowa City next Saturday and Sunday for the fifth annual One Book Two Book Festival.

Organized by the Iowa UNESCO City of Literature, the festival 'celebrates writing for kids and by kids,' said John Kenyon, director of the City of Literature.

'Every author we know and love had to start writing somewhere,' Kenyon said. 'It's important to recognize that and let kids here in the Corridor know that it is something we value.'

The festival's main day of programming takes place next Saturday with a variety of events throughout the day. Kenyon noted that all programming is free, making the festival a great opportunity for families to get in touch with the world of children's literature.

'We've refined the festival every year and now after five years we've figured out what makes it work,' he said, noting that they've realized the ever popular costumed book characters (including Elephant and Piggy, Madeline, Curious George and Clifford) should make two appearances on Saturday. 'If you have come to the festival before, the format is very much the same. We've hit upon a winning formula.'

That formula includes workshops and presentations by a whole host of well known, award-winning children's book authors. 'We bring authors in who will be talking about their work and inspiring the kids,' Kenyon said. 'A big part of this is to let people know that not only are there these great nationally known children's book authors from elsewhere, but there are nationally known authors from here in the Corridor. They are making a name for themselves while living in our community and we want the kids to know that too.'

This year's keynote presentation, planned for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, will feature the writing and illustrating duo of Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann. Known most recently for their collaboration in writing 'Bulldozer's Big Day,' these award-winning authors will share what they've learned while writing their many books.

'We are really excited to have them here,' Kenyon said. 'They are presenting together and we are excited to see that dynamic and show kids how they can collaborate creatively.'

Another important part of the festival is getting kids to try their hand at writing and illustrating, Kenyon said.

'We will have three workshops going on,' he said. The Junior High Writing Jam — a part of the festival for the last three years created in partnership with the Iowa Youth Writing Project (IYWP) — invites students in seventh and eighth grade to work with local authors Delia Ray and Christian Schoon.

'Students will be creating some work based on prompts that IWYP has put together that tie into Christian and Delia's books,' Kenyon said. 'Then they have a chance if they want to read those works aloud.'

The festival also includes Comic Book Confidential, lead by local artist and illustrator Jonathan Sims. Students in fifth through eighth grade will work to create their own comics and Kenyon said he is excited to see the kids interact with Sims. 'His stuff is really bright and out there and I'm sure the kids are going to love it.'

For younger students in grades second through fourth, Rohmann will be leading an illustration workshop as well.

'We want to make sure kids of all ages have an opportunity to take part in these wonderful workshops,' Kenyon said. He added that he's also proud that the One Book Two Book Festival is able to offer these workshops free of charge to participants, although they do request that parents sign their children up in advance via OneBookTwoBook.org.

The festival continues next Sunday with a special afternoon presentation to recognize writing achievement by local students in the annual 'Write Out Loud' contest, Kenyon said.

'Over the course of the weekend we recognize more than 150 young writers from the Corridor,' he said. Kenyon encourages community members to attend this showcase even if they aren't familiar with the winning students.

'It's a chance to hear young writers who have been identified as being really good at what they do, read their work,' he said. 'These stories are funny and poignant and sometimes they are heartbreaking. You will be amazed that these are kids between the ages of 8 and 14 who are doing this caliber of work.'

Kenyon said for those kids to be standing up on stage and holding their certificates while an audience of 300 or 400 people claps for them is a big deal.

'It let's them know that writing is important, that this thing they do well is worth pursuing. Scoring the winning touchdown for City High or being in the All State Band representing Xavier or winning a debate tournament for Washington are all great things. But they are not any better than a kid being able to take words out of their imagination and put them down on paper and tell a story that has never been told before,' he said. 'We need as a community to raise up those kids that do that well and celebrate. And for the kids that don't do it as well, we need to provide them tools to improve. And that is largely what this festival is all about.'