CHILDREN-YOUNG ADULTS LITERATUE FESTIVAL DRAWS CROWD

Award-winning writers gave students insight into how and why they do their jobs Thursday at the first day of the Children-Young Adults Literature Festival at Southeast Missouri State University.

Four authors were on hand for presentations and autographs Thursday. Author David R. Collins of Moline, Ill., author/illustrator Cheryl Harness of Independence, and husband-and-wife writing team Fredrick and Patricia McKissack of St. Louis were all on hand to share their enthusiasm for children's literature during the festival's opening day activities.

"I think this is great," said Lisa Murray, a teacher travelling with 36 students from Twin Rivers-Fisk Elementary School. "They're so far removed from what an authors life is like, but when they see them in real life and get to meet them, they get to see what it's like and maybe they'll decide to do it. Hopefully, they'll also get some ideas for writing assignments and know how to add some creativity."

The literature festival is a two-day event held to develop an interest in reading in student readers. Participants from throughout Southeast Missouri registered for the event for the opportunity to meet authors making presentations during the event and maybe get a favorite book autographed afterwards.

Festival co-coordinator Ann Gifford said the festival primarily targets children in fourth through sixth grades because these are largely the target audiences for the presenters. Authors are usually recruited two years before a festival, she said, and they are chosen because they seem to appreciate children and to enjoy writing for them.

"We really are very concerned that they not only write well for the children but also communicate well," Gifford said. "That way the children enjoy it much more. It seems to be really exciting for the students."

Children attending the event said they enjoyed hearing the writers explain how they get ideas and develop them into stories. Many were avid readers who either already owned or purchased books during the festival written by the presenters.

"It was neat," said 10-year old Brandy Cecil of Twin Rivers-Fisk. "I liked listening to the authors and asking them questions."

Chelsea Morgan, 10, of Twin Rivers-Fisk, said she enjoyed the festival because she likes to read and might want to be an author one day. "I learned a lot about authors and I learned about team writers," she said. "It's pretty cool."

Co-coordinator Jackie Cowan, who is a librarian at Sikeston High School, said the festival has grown considerably since its beginning 17 years ago. For nearly 10 years, fewer than 1,000 people attended the festival, she said. However, attendance has steadily increased over the past four years, and this year, some 2,000 participants -- including 1,700 children -- are expected to attend the event.

"We're limited by the bus schedules," Cowan said. "We can't start any earlier than 9 a.m. with the speakers, and we have to close down by 2 p.m. because they have to get back for the bus runs after school."

The festival is sponsored each year by the university's College of Education and the Southeast Department of Learning Resources, whose members are area school librarians. Other sponsors include the Missouri State Teachers Association Southeast District, Southeast Missouri Council International Reading Association, the Missouri Arts Council and Drury Restaurants.