Latter Branch hosts Children’s Book Festival

“Reading is such an important part of people’s lives,” she added, noting that she brings her students to the Library at least once a year. “You lose something important when you don’t turn a physical page.”

Michael Allen, who came to the Festival from Algiers, said that his two children, Makayla, 2, and U’nique, 4, were both avid readers. “They love reading books, love Dr Seuss,” he said. The live animals at the Festival were an unexpected bonus: “Once Makayla got to meet Molly [the pony], she got real excited,” he added.

Despite the creatures milling about outside, including a giant python from Audubon Zoo, for many festivalgoers the Latter Library itself, which reopened in November after undergoing months of roof repair and renovations, was the main draw of the Festival. The Library is housed in an historic 1907 mansion that once housed silent film star Marguerite Clark, whose images adorn the walls inside.

“I love this library,” said Frank Bommarito, relaxing with his family just outside the main doors, which had been reopened for the first time earlier that morning. “It just gives you a different feel. It makes you feel like you’re at home reading a book.” Bommarito’s daughter Julia, 13, excited by her fresh purchase of Kathryn Laskey’s novel The Capture, agreed: “I just like to come here and read,” she said.

For Sydney Hansen, 12, on her first visit to the branch, the books inside took a back seat to the building itself. “I was impressed at how big it is,” she noted.

Branch staff were pleased with the turnout, noting the positive reaction of attendees not just to the festival but to the branch library itself. “We’ve had so many people coming into the library,” Assistant Branch Manager Shelley Masog said, “They’re getting to know us again. It’s wonderful.”

Organizers had expected about 1500 people at the festival, but halfway through the afternoon said they were sure that figure had already been surpassed. “We’ve probably seen 1500 kids alone,” said project manager Susan Landry of the New Orleans Convention Company, Inc.. “By the end of the day we’ll probably have about 2500 people pass through. We’ve run out of free book bags, which is always a good sign.”

Plans for the festival began in early October, with a meeting between Ruby Bridges and First Lady of New Orleans Cheryl Landrieu, who both are actively involved in literacy promotion efforts. Bridges, who is best-known for being the first African-American to integrate William Frantz Elementary in 1960 under Mayor DeLesseps Morrison, had been a patron of the Latter Library as a girl, and wanted to share those experiences with today’s children. Over the following weeks — the Festival was intended to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Bridges’ action — city officials, Foundation members, and branch staff met to set the program, begin a publicity campaign, and enlist support from musicians and authors.

While many participating authors such as James Carville and Nancy Parker were already based in New Orleans, others came from across Louisiana to take part. Dee Scallan, an author and storyteller for the Northeastern Louisiana Arts Council, came to the Festival to promote her Moby Pincher line of books, as well as lead writing and drawing workshops for children. “Kids have a lot of ideas but they don’t always know how to put them together,” Scallan said. “Hopefully we’ll have a lot of authors coming out of this generation.”

Ryan Mathis, dressed as Moby Pincher in a six-foot-tall crawfish suit, agreed.

“We want to do anything we can to help promote literacy in New Orleans,” he said, greeting a chorus of giggling children by clacking his bright red claws. “Anything we can do to get kids excited about books.”

The Latter Library is open to the public every day except Friday, and holds a regular book sale Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 10am-2pm. For more information, see the New Orleans Public Libraries or the Latter Library Facebook page.

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