Stars in Their Eyes

_{Gordon C. James, illustrator of Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, collaborates with festivalgoers.}

_{Children help paint this year’s mural project, which was led by artists Monty Montgomery ’98 and LeUyen Pham.}

Two Caldecott winners, New York Times best-sellers, and Ezra Jack Keats and Coretta Scott King awards honorees entertained and inspired thousands of young people at the 5th annual Virginia Children’s Book Festival, held on the Longwood campus last month.

The 2018 VCBF lineup was a who’s who of the most celebrated and beloved authors and illustrators working in children’s literature today, drawing more than 7,000 elementary, middle- and high-school students for dozens of free presentations and workshops—and, for some, unforgettable one-on-one interactions with their literary idols.

The Virginia Children’s Book Festival is the commonwealth’s premier literary event for children and one of the largest children’s festivals in the nation. It has been held on the Longwood campus every year since it began in 2014. 

_{LeUyen Pham, who has visually brought to life Vampirina Ballerina and many other beloved characters, drew a crowd—and an impromptu illustration—in Blackwell Ballroom.} 

_{The festival bookstore, run by volunteers, does a brisk business.}

_{Book lovers who flock to Longwood for the festival every October range from toddlers to high-school students to grandparents. These Prince Edward County High School students participated in a special workshop by Nic Stone, author of Dear Martin.}