If you look at the website for the National Book Festival, you may be confused as to what the goal is. Language about “our country, its citizens and its libraries” and Laura Bush as the “hostess” are worrisome signs for those of us who like their entertainment and politics separate.
But many of the authors at this year’s festival are not American themselves, and the whole thing is sponsored by Target, which pretty much guarantees a mass culture good time for all. Plus free stuff, book signings, stickers and all sorts of “interactive educational games.” Fun!
The Fair is divided up into a variety of pavilions around the National Mall, some for authors and others for sponsors or programs that encourage literacy. Among the most intriguing non-author pavilions are the Library of Congress’, which includes a “Graffiti Wall” where you can write your recommendations for books to be added to the collection. You can also get your picture taken with every character who has ever encouraged a child to pick up a book, from Clifford and the Berenstein Bears to Arthur and Ms. Frizzle, along with, somewhat incongruously, various NBA/WNBA players.
The real draw for those over 10, though, is the authors. Among people you may have heard of are Joyce Carol Oates, who writes fantastically long and depressing masterpieces, Jack Prelutsky, who we all read in our fourth grade poetry unit, Sanjay Gupta, of CNN and Time magazine, and the list goes on. And Terry Pratchett will be there, which is really exciting, unless you’re a normal person.
The National Book Festival is kind of like America: sometimes you have no idea what the coordinators think they’re doing, but there’s just so much going on you can’t not be there.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29, on the National Mall between 7th and 14th streets (rain or shine). Free. In fact, you’ll probably come away richer. More info at http://www.loc.gov/bookfest/
