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Organizers of the Boston Book Festival announce a special expansion of the 2017 BBF activities at the East Boston branch of the Boston Public Library on Saturday, October 28. The programming, developed in partnership with the Boston Public Library, will include workshops, discussions, and character appearances on-site plus a session live-streamed from the BBF headquarters in Copley Square. The East Boston Branch of the BPL is located at 365 Bremen Street. All activities are free and open to the public.
“We’re delighted to offer BBF programming this year in East Boston,” shares BBF founder and executive director Deborah Z Porter. “We’re thrilled to extend BBF’s reach beyond Back Bay and into other neighborhoods, this year bringing award-winning authors and content to residents of East Boston. They’ll get a feel for BBF as we live stream a BBF session from downtown in Copley.”
“As Boston Public Library and Boston Book Festival have historically partnered in Copley Square, we are very pleased to expand this great tradition and celebrate all things literary in the East Boston neighborhood this year,” said David Leonard, President of the Boston Public Library.
Boston Book Festival Programming at East Boston Branch of the Boston Public Library:
10am Read, Make Crafts, and Hug Curious George
Hear a story about George, make a craft, have photos taken with, and maybe even hug the lovable monkey, Curious George!
11am Chefs Joanne Chang, Karen Akunowicz, and Stella Parks
Live streamed from Rabb Hall at the Central Branch of Boston Public Library is the BBF session The Biker, The Baker, and the Dumpling Maker, featuring three top chefs / cookbook authors, hosted by Steve Holt, a food writer (and East Boston resident) whose work has appeared in Boston Magazine, Edible Boston, and Best Food Writing 2011.
1:30pm Reading and Illustration Workshop with James DeMarco
Local author James DeMarco will read his newest book, The Day the Dinosaurs Played Hockey. After the reading Mr. DeMarco will lead a workshop on illustration, for kids 6 to 10.
3pm Workshop with Matt de la Peña
Children’s author Matt de la Peña hosts a workshop for kids ages 8-12 on writing. This Newbery medalist wasn’t always a writer (or even much of a reader). Hear about his journey from reluctant reader to award-winning author of kids’ books like Last Stop on Market Street and Mexican WhiteBoy. Kids can bring questions about writing or ideas for their own stories. Plus the first 25 kids to attend will enjoy a brand-new copy of Matt’s latest book Miguel and the Grand Harmony.
4pm Discussion of One City One Story
Each fall the Boston Book Festival produces a city-wide read of a short story, culminating in an author session at the festival in Copley Square. This year, in addition, the East Boston outreach librarian Diaz Idakaar will host a discussion of this year’s One City One Story “Relativity” (never before published) by Somerville author Daphne Kalotay. Free printed copies of the story are available at all BPL branches, as well as translated versions online here: https://bostonbookfest.org/one-city-one-story/.
