San Antonio Busy Kids

Enjoying a good book at the Texas Book Festival, Austin, Texas, United States. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Has your family explored any fall festivals happening around San Antonio? Well it’s not just candy and creatures bringing the fun this fall. Prepare to explore a world of literature, imagination, and ideas at the Texas Book Festival at the State Capitol in Austin this weekend.

Saturday, October 27 and Sunday, October 28, you won’t want to miss this Texas-sized book festival filled with some of the nation’s most entertaining children’s authors, books, activities, and entertainment, free and open to the public. Plus, there’s literary fun for adults too, just check the schedule to find your favorite author and let the reading begin.

First stop for the family, the Children’s Chapter. Three tents full of activities, entertainment, and story-reading that will get your young reader exploring and engaging with books. But there are countless ways to learn and enjoy the Texas Book Festival. Here are just some of the attractions to look forward to:

• Hand to Mouth Puppet Theatre: Sat. 10 a.m., puppeteer, painter, graphic artist, costume designer, and book illustrator Ellen Turner Scott amazes with the art of puppetry
• Become a Fashion Designer: Sat. 11 a.m., kids can learn how to make fun, fabulous outfits with Marjorie Galen, author of The Fashion Designer’s Handbook & Fashion Kit: Learn to Sew and Become a Designer in 33 Fabulous Projects
• How to Draw Stuff: Sat. 12 noon, kids will join Scott Sutton, author and illustrator of How to Draw Stuff and The Family of Ree series, to learn 10 simple secrets to making cartoon characters actually look like what they’re trying to draw
• Texas Book Festival Fiction Writing Contest: Sat. 1 p.m., the three junior and high school students who won TBF’s fiction writing contest will discuss their literary works and inspirations
• Kent Cummins: Sun. 11 a.m., magician, juggler, puppeteer, teacher and writer Cummins puts on an unforgettable show that’s sure to entertain audience members of any age
• Chautauqua, with Joaquin Hancock, Family, and Friends: Sun. 1 p.m., a fun, interactive show that explores the realms of play, song, dance, and waking life including songs passed down through generations and works still coming into being
• Rob Scotton: Sun. 1 p.m., Splat the Cat: Splat Says Thank You! will leave Splat fans thankful to know this cat-and-mouse duo
• Animals, Animals, Animals!: Sun. 2 p.m., kids can learn from their favorite children’s authors how to draw some of the most vibrant animals being published in picture books today

The full schedule is available online, and it’s all happening in and around the State Capitol Building this Saturday and Sunday. When you find the sessions you want to attend, plan to get there early because seating is first-come first-served. And if you want to get a book signed, just head over to the Children’s Book Signing Tent at Colorado and 13^th Street after the session — books must be purchased from the Barnes&Noble Book Sales Tent at the festival in order to be signed– authors will start signing books 15 minutes after their session ends.

With readings and discussions from more than 250 renowned Texas and national authors, it’s sure to be a good weekend at the Texas Book Festival.