We here at Booklovers Bookstore are happy to have brought you The First Annual Aiken Children's Book Festival! The kickoff was a Panel Discussion for aspiring authors on Friday evening, 7pm, at the Aiken County Public Library. On Saturday, from 10am-6pm at Country Square Shopping Center on Huntsman Drive, we had a Costume Contest, Dr. Holly Woltz of Veterinary Services spoke about pet care, the SPCA had their Adopt-A-Pet drive, and the Aiken Department of Public Safety K-9 Team sent Jessie to make an appearance. Cathy Dzaugis, Schofield Middle School science teacher, was our Science Wizard. On top of all that, Home Depot held their Children’s Workshop and Steve Cobb did handwriting analysis.

Edward Tulane from The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane appeared by special arrangement with Liz Knapp, who told stories.

The Cat in the Hat and the Balloon Lady made a special appearance, delighting both children and adults!

Other organizations that took part in the Aiken Children's Book Festival included The Learning Disabilities Association of South Carolina, the University of South Carolina Press, the Aiken County Public Library, and Aiken Technical College.

1. Grace W. Lopper, “Molasses Making Time” -Bella Rosa Books, NC
2. Holly McClure, “Secrets and Ghost Horses” "Lightning Creek" -Bella Rosa Books, NC
3. Jean Covington, “Nanny Planted Love” -Aiken, SC
4. Idella Bodie, “Sacred Vision” “The Mystery of the Pirate’s Treasure” “The Secret of Telfair Inn” “The Revolutionary Swamp Fox” “Stranded!” and many others- Aiken, SC
5. Sherry Fair and Spatz, “The Scratching Sound” “The Best Parade Day” -Wagoner, SC
6. Amadeus the Traveling Dog and Mary Cofer, “Friendship Rules” “Aloha Adventure” “The Mystery of the Golden Pearls” -Atlanta, GA
7. Barbara Woolley, “Freedom West” -Aiken, SC
8. Donna Rathmell-German, “Carolina’s Story” and “Octavia” -Sylvan Dell Publishing, Mt. Pleasant, SC
9. Julie McLaughlin, “Hungry Mr. Gator” and “Mr. Gator`s Up the Creek” -Folly Beach, SC
10. Ayal Hurst, "Kokopelli the Wanderer" -Charleston SC
11. Hawk Hurst, storyteller -Charleston SC
12. Penny Ledbetter, “Mushrooms Day Away” -Aredelle Co, NC
13. Mary Triola, "Merlin's Door" "Children of the Dream" & "Caroline Rose" -Fredericksburg, VA
14. Mignon Ballard, "Aunt Matilda's Ghost" "Meet Augusta Goodnight" "Angel at Troublesome Creek" and others. -Ft Mill, SC
15. Phyllis Glowatski, "Light of Stars" -Folly Beach, SC
16. Jean Tolle, "The Galty Prize" -Barrington, Illinois
17. Liz Knapp, storyteller -Aiken SC
18. Judy Quealy, "It's NOT Funny" & “Return of Dewey Dewdrop” -Sylva, NC
19. Judith Geary, “Getorix: The Eagel and the Bull” -Boone, NC
20. Dee Dee Parker, “Josie Jo’s Got to Know”, -Hazelwood, NC All proceeds from the sale of 'Josie Jo's Got to Know' go to Breast Cancer Awareness, Cancer Research and Patient Expenses.
21. Tom Deitz, "Windmaster's Bane" -Oakwood, GA
22. Julia Ebel, "Addie Clawson, Appalachian Mail Carrier" (winner of the Willie Parker Peace History Book Award), "Orville Hicks: Mountain Stories, Mountain Roots" (Parkway Publishers), and "Walking Ribbon" (Viewpoint Press) -Jamestown, NC
23. Lawrence Wertan, "The Lost Champion" "International Grand Crown" and (writing as Lawrence Anderson Armstrong) "The Silver Flyer: A Charleston Christmas Story" -Boxer Publishing, Toccoa, GA
24. Helen Moore, "Trek With Floyd" (Floyd is her Llama, who attended along with another llama friend!) -Rutherfordton, NC
25. Kristen Jansen, Illustrator, "Trek With Floyd" -NC
26. Jerry W. Porter, "Shoeanna the Little Bird" -Evans, GA
27. Linda J. Hawkins, "Alexander and the Great Food Fight" "Alexander and the Great Vegetable Feud" and "Catering to Children" -Morgantown, KY
28. John Holladay, "Toothpick" (with A J Joannides)
29. Dr. Tom & Mrs. Georgia Lucas, "Fali" -Charleston, SC
30. Suzan Tanner McCoury, "The Most Unusual Adventures of Black Shadow Smokey and The Blue Streak" -Newland, NC
31. Christine Hurley Deriso, "Dreams to Grow On" "Do-Over" -North Augusta, SC
32. Christine Young-Robinson, "Chicken Wing" "Isra the Butterfly Gets Caught For Show And Tell" -Columbia, SC
33. Caroline Coleman Bennett, Charley's Columbia Backyard -Columbia, SC
34. Paula Hayne Bowers, Illustrator, Charley's Columbia Backyard -Columbia, SC
35. Charlotte Babb, "The Thing In The Tub" -Spartanburg, SC