Story Faire (featuring guest appearance by Prof. Sears McGee)

In support of a local event, we pass on this invitation by one of our professors, J. Sears McGee:
Dear Friends,
Have you ever wondered how I’d look in a dress? And even if you haven’t, wouldn’t that be worth seeing? I will be wearing a long ruffled dress and a straw hat with flowers on the brim on Saturday, April 24th at the fourth annual StoryFaire, held this year at De la Guerra Plaza from 11 to 4 p.m.

Here’s the story. My wife, Marni, started StoryFaire four years ago – it’s a literacy festival, a book signing and launch for local authors and illustrators of children’s books, a party for kids, and a benefit for its two sponsors, CALM and Storyteller Children’s Center. It’s a wonderful day with food, musicians, dancers, balloon art, crafts and games, author presentations, book sales sponsored by Chaucer’s, face painters, clowns and magicians. All this, with free entry – and ME. Oh yes, in addition to 17 local authors and illustrators, Valerie Tripp (who has written 31 of the American Girl books) will also be there, signing books and greeting her fans.

But back to my costume. I will be Granny Winston, a wolf in drag – a character in one of Marni’s books, WINSTON THE BOOK WOLF. He’s rather Churchillian. Don’t miss my long tail. Marni will also be dressed up, as another of her characters, SILLY GOOSE. She’s launching a new book this year, BUMBLE, THE LITTLE BEAR WITH BIG IDEAS and as such will be one of 8 authors launching new books at StoryFaire 2010. If you haven’t seen any of her books, have a look at her website (marnimcgee.com – click on “Books”).

Stunning Stats: More than three out of four of those on welfare, 85% of unwed mothers, and 68% of those arrested are illiterate. About three in five of America’s prison inmates are illiterate, and 85% of all juvenile offenders have reading problems. Children who have not developed some basic literacy skills by the time they enter school are 3 – 4 times more likely to drop out in later years.

hm 4/22/10