Library sets the scene for free events at the Milford Readers and Writers Festival

Friday, Sept. 20

10-11:15 a.m.: Children’s Activities with Mison Kim

Mison Kim will share her beautifully illustrated Dooleyglot Bilingual Board Books, "Fruits," "Bugs," and "Toys." You might learn a few words in Spanish, Chinese, or Korean, but these books go far beyond learning a single word for an object. Mison’s dazzling images invite young children to investigate and wonder.

There will be activities with over-sized books, large soft puzzles, big stacking blocks, coloring pages, and more. While this event is intended for young children, bring your parents too -- they’ll be sure to have fun.

Saturday, Sept. 21

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: "Wide Worlds of Fantasy" with Barbara Krasnoff, Rajan Khanna, Carrie Laben, Michael Libling, and Matthew Kressel

This panel will explore the various aspects of fantasy in the realm of speculative fiction. Panel organizer Lillian Longendorfer, a retired pathologist and laboratory director, published her first novel, "The Quad Consortium and the Sword of Bale" in 2015, and her second novel, "The Battle for the Sword of Bale," in 2019.

Panel moderator Matthew Kressel is a three-time Nebula Award finalist and a Eugie Award finalist for his novel “King of Shards."

The panelists are:

Barbara Krasnoff, whose short story “Sabbath Wine” appeared in Clockwork Phoenix 5, was a finalist for the 2016 Nebula Award. Her mosaic novel “The History of Soul 2065” was published in June.

Michael Libling is a World Fantasy Award-nominated author whose short fiction has appeared in numerous science fiction publications. He just released his 2019 debut novel, “Hollywood North: Life, Love & Death in Six Reels.”

Rajan Khanna is an author, podcaster, musician, and narrator. His three novels, “Falling Sky,” “Rising Tide,” and “Raining Fire,” take place in a post-apocalyptic world of airships and floating cities.

Carrie Laben is the author of the literary horror novel “A Hawk in the Woods." In 2017 she won the Shirley Jackson award in Short Story for “Postcards from Natalie," and Duke University’s Documentary Essay Prize for the essay “The Wrong Place."

Saturday, Sept. 21

1-2:15 p.m.: "Moral Lessons through Children’s Books," moderated by Angela Parrino, Ph.D

Children’s book authors and illustrators will discuss the importance of introducing children to reading early and to writing books with an educational component. Angela Parrino, a former associate professor at CUNY-Hunter College, School of Education, will moderate the discussion, which will include Jacqueline Lopresti, author and performer; Mark Jovic, author and nurse; Diana O’Brien, illustrator and graphic designer; and John Potestivo, author and teacher. Parrino founded GP’s Honey Tomes, LLC, an indie company dedicated to the literacy and health education needs of children ages 3 to 9, and to promoting lessons critical to developing humane adults.

Saturday, Sept. 21

3-4:15 p.m.: "Hook, Line and Sinker: How to Catch and Keep a Reader," with Gayle Krause

A master educator, Gayle Krause has turned her knowledge of children’s literature into hands-on workshops for children’s writers. Participants of this seminar will learn about the hook of a story (premise and promise) and discuss where it should be placed for optimum value. Writers will be offered the opportunity to review their current works-in-progress, and to workshop their first page to meet the hook criteria.

Krause is a local author of seven children’s books. Her debut novel, "Ratgirl: Song of the Viper," was nominated for the Horn Book Award and the International Reading Award.

For more information and an up-to-date calendar, visit the library website at pcpl.org. For information about the Milford Readers and Writers Festival visit milfordreadersandwriters.com.