The Hudson Children's Book Festival has been taking place over the last 10yrs. That means kids have grown up coming to it. For a decade people have been taking a sat. to come and spend time with authors and a gym full of people from all over.
I cannot comment on the first 5 but I have taken photos of the last 5. I have been lucky enough to capture some very special moment through the years between kids and authors, kids and parents and just the excitement of the day.
What always moves me is these authors out look on our festival. I spoke to several and they love the excitement. Kids truly look at the authors like they are rock stars. In in their own right some really are. But it goes beyond that. There is a magic that transpires in those moments between the author and the reader.
It was a few years ago that I met a little girl who was autistic, she has a sensitivity to sound. He mother was very protective and encouraging at the same time , which in itself was very beautiful. The little girl loved the book and the character in it. When the little girl saw the author her eyes lit up, but then she saw a stuffed animal of the character...her eyes got so big and the biggest smile came over her little face. In this moment the author was able to form a connection with her. For a moment the mom was able to let down her protective guard and enjoy her daughter's laughter and joy in meeting the author. She kept telling me, "This never happen, she never goes up to people like this."
This was and will always be one of my favorite Book Festival moments. Books disarm people and make them feel safe and connected to the author in some way. You can read a book and feel a sense of pride and self worth. Or feel like you can relate and now have the strength to endure. Kids can read books and want to take on the world. Once a kid sees themselves in a book they become empowered.
This is why the book festival is so important. It give kids a chance to meet authors that inspire them. Authors who will listen to them talk about why they love the book or what they want to be when they grow up.
This is why I love the book festival, It makes me feel like I am a part of something magical.