Fifteenth annual 57th Street Children’s Book Fair celebrates reading

Hyde Parker Arne Duncan, new CEO of Chicago Public Schools, is honorary chairman

The worlds of Harry Potter, Peter Rabbit and the Boxcar Children will unite in Hyde Park at the 15th annual 57th Street Children’s Book Fair on Sunday, Sept. 23, from 1 to 5 p.m. The fair will take place on Hyde Park’s bookseller’s row, 57th Street, between Kimbark and Dorchester avenues.

The free event will begin with a kickoff parade led by Professor Dumbledore, headmaster of Harry Potter’s school of magic. All children are invited to participate, dressed as their favorite storybook characters if they wish. The parade will line up in front of 57th Street Books, 1301 E. 57th St., at 12:45 p.m.

More than 15 Chicago booksellers, ranging from national chains to specialty stores, will showcase their collections of new and used children’s books. Storytellers, puppeteers, singers, dancers and musicians will perform on three open-air stages throughout the afternoon. Performers will include storyteller Denise Berry-Hanna, the Chicago Storytelling Guild, puppeteer Marilyn Price, Dance Africa and the Hyde Park Youth Symphony.

The fair also will include face painting, arts and crafts activities and three-dimensional "storybook rooms" based on "Where’s Spot?" and "The Three Little Pigs." Several winners of the Chicago Public Schools Young Authors competition will read their work in the storybook rooms.

This year’s honorary chairman is Arne Duncan, newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Public Schools and a longtime resident of Hyde Park. "It is a pleasure for me to be part of this great community event," Duncan said. "I invite all Chicago families to the 57th Street Children’s Book Fair for a day dedicated to celebrating reading, meeting storybook characters and enjoying the entertainment that fills 57th Street."

The book fair, part of World Music Festival: Chicago 2001, will feature a performance by Rup Tung Cack, a Vietnamese folk group, as well as a preview of "Alice in Wonderland" by the Hyde Park School of Ballet. The ballet will be performed in its entirety at the University of Chicago’s Mandel Hall, 1131 E. 57th St., on Sunday, Oct. 14, as part of Chicago Book Week (Oct. 9-15).

The fair is sponsored by the University of Chicago’s Office of Community Affairs and the Mayor’s Office of Special Events.

Additional Contact:
Lisa Yountchi (773) 536-8103

Photos:

Arne Duncan, CEO of Chicago Public Schools, and Joyce Anderson, 15, of the Hyde Park School of Ballet