CLEVELAND — The Mississippi Book Festival brought the joy of reading to the Delta Wednesday, Aug. 27, with its special Delta KidNote event featuring acclaimed children’s author Derrick Barnes at the Bologna Performing Arts Center.
Hundreds of elementary students from across the region gathered to hear Barnes, whose books celebrate the beauty, confidence and creativity of young readers. Barnes read from his new book “I Got You,” which celebrates the love and support of an older sibling.
Barnes is author of “Crown: An Ode to the “Fresh Cut,” a Newbery and Caldecott Honor book, and “I Am Every Good Thing,” both of which have inspired children nationwide to embrace their unique voices and stories.
Students from the following schools attended the program:
» Leland Early Learning
» A.W. James Elementary School
» T.R. Sanders Elementary
» Bell Academy
» Bankston Elementary School
» Claudine Brown Elementary School
» Davis Elementary School
» Leflore County Elementary School
» Threadgill Primary School
» Edna M. Scott Elementary
The KidNote event is part of the Mississippi Book Festival’s mission to expand literary access and engagement beyond its annual celebration in Jackson, reaching students in the Mississippi Delta with opportunities to meet and learn from nationally recognized authors.
“We believe every child should see themselves in the stories they read,” said Dr. Tonja Murphy, Mississippi Book Festival’s community engagement director. “By bringing authors like Derrick Barnes to the Delta, we hope to spark lifelong connections to books and inspire the next generation of storytellers.”
Sponsors who made the Delta KidNote possible included Delta Health Alliance, Feild Co-Operative Association, Crossroads Economic Partnership (Clarksdale), Friends of The Community Foundation of Washington County, Delta Group, Bologna Performing Arts Center and Delta State University.
The Delta KidNote builds on the success of the festival’s statewide youth programming, which each year connects thousands of Mississippi students with leading voices in literature.
The Mississippi Book Festival, a nonprofit founded by literacy advocates, launched in August 2015 on the State Capitol grounds and continues to draw thousands to its annual Literary Lawn Party and book lovers’ celebration. Hundreds of contemporary authors — national, regional and local — connect directly with fans and new readers, as invited guests on official panels that explore in-depth themes, or along Authors Alley, the festival’s hub for self-published authors.
To learn more about the Mississippi Book Festival, being held at the Mississippi State Capitol on Sept.13, and its year-round programming, visit www.msbookfestival.com.
