These days, with budget cuts to schools, it's harder to get youngsters interested in reading. Thankfully there are events like the 12th annual Claire's Day, a family book festival, held this year at the Maumee branch of the Toledo Lucas-County Public Library. The event — sponsored by nonprofit Claire's Day Inc. — will bring a host of children's authors and illustrators to the area, including Mark Crilley, creator of beloved children's character Akiko, and Rhonda Gowler Greene, whose newest book “No Pirates Allowed! Says Library Lou,” was just released in February. The event will feature music by Wilson Lake and the Rock Bass. An opening for the event will be held at the Main Library, $65 for adults, at 7pm on Thursday, May 16 and which supports the nonprofit at Claire's Night with a cocktail reception and an unveiling of art by Bruce Langdon and Mark Manders. The balance of the event is on Saturday, May 18 is free at the Maumee Branch Library, 501 River Rd., Maumee. 419-259-5381. toledolibrary.org.—JS
Authors of your childhood dreams
These days, with budget cuts to schools, it's harder to get youngsters interested in reading. Thankfully there are events like the 12th annual Claire's Day, a family book festival, held this year at the Maumee branch of the Toledo Lucas-County Public Library. The event — sponsored by nonprofit Claire's Day Inc. — will bring a host of children's authors and illustrators to the area, including Mark Crilley, creator of beloved children's character Akiko, and Rhonda Gowler Greene, whose newest book “No Pirates Allowed! Says Library Lou,” was just released in February. The event will feature music by Wilson Lake and the Rock Bass. An opening for the event will be held at the Main Library, $65 for adults, at 7pm on Thursday, May 16 and which supports the nonprofit at Claire's Night with a cocktail reception and an unveiling of art by Bruce Langdon and Mark Manders. The balance of the event is on Saturday, May 18 is free at the Maumee Branch Library, 501 River Rd., Maumee. 419-259-5381. toledolibrary.org.—JS
