Each year, one national section plays international host or sponsor to the occasion, and enjoys the privilege of establishing the theme for the year’s CBD. This year’s host is Estonia, and one of the country’s best-known illustrators, Jüri Mildeberg (aka Jüri Mildebergius) and other authors have each created a poster and message that will convey the importance of creating, publishing, promoting, and reading children’s literature.

The theme for 2011 is “The Book Remembers.” It focuses on the fact that, in literature, history is most accurate* when written by people who actually participated in the process. CBD aims to inspire a love for, and bring attention to children’s books worldwide.

The IBBY is a non-profit organization that has national sections in 70 countries. The priorities of the organization are to bring children and books together to promote international understanding through children’s literature, ensure that children have access to literature, as well as to aid efforts to create, publish, and disseminate children’s literature. The IBBY also provides training and support for research in the field of children’s literature.

One of its most well known efforts is the Children In Crisis Program, which aims to provide support, through books and storytelling, to children whose lives have been disrupted by civil unrest or natural disasters. The program has come to the fore lately in view of the events that have taken place in Haiti, Chile, Gaza, and Afghanistan. The Children In Crisis Program has also carried out “bibliotherapy” in Indonesia following the earthquake/tsunami events in 2004 and 2010.

* This, of course, greatly differs from the adage that “history is written by the winners,” which generally refers to popular or more accepted accounts of events from the past.

There were four pavilions set up in the venue. The Author Pavilion, Book Sales Pavilion, Pavilion of the States and the Let’s Read America Pavilions.

Author Pavilion

The Author Pavilion hosts all the author presentations, including book signings. Genres are separated into different booths and include Children, Mysteries and Thrillers, Fiction and Fantasy, History and Biography and Poetry and Prose. Past authors who have participated in the festival include Lois Lowry, Judy Blume, Jodi Picoult, David Baldacci, Sue Monk Kidd and Azar Nafisi, among others.

Book Sales Pavilion

At the Book Sales Pavilion you can buy your favorite authors’ books to have them signed at the Authors Pavilion.

Pavilion of the States

Learn about the literary traditions and literacy promotion projects of the 50 states. Representatives from the different states will be there to answer questions about their writers, book festivals, libraries and book awards among others. Check out other pavilion features including “Discover Great Places Through Reading” and “52 Great Reads About Great Places”.

Let’s Read America Pavilion

The Let’s Read America Pavilion features different activities to encourage reading among families and children.

Visit the National Book Festival Official Website for information on the 2010 Festival.

1. Oregon Writing Festival

The Oregon Writing Festival takes place every May at the Portland State University. Every year, they invite authors of books catering to kids from grades 4 to 12. This festival helps promote local writing activities and festivals, as well as connects writers to other Oregon writers and authors as well. They also take the time to honor and recognize outstanding student and teacher writers.

2. Tapestry of Tales Storytelling Festival

The Tapestry Of Tales Storytelling Festival celebrates its 10th year this 2009 as they continue to share love for the written word. Multnomah County Library hosts this festival every year in November. Create and share your story. Visit the festival with your family or friends.

3. wordstock

wordstock happens every year in Portland, Oregon, and gathers hundreds of readers, writers and storytellers in one place. The festival features author appearances, live storytelling performances and workshops for writers and students. This is the largest literary celebration in the Pacific Northwest, and one of the largest festivals in the US, with over 55,000 participants every year.

4. Southern Oregon Book and Author Fair

This literary fair takes place every November in Ashland, Oregon. Authors takes this opportunity to promote themselves, sell their books and meet other authors and, most especially, their readers. Dozens of Southern Oregon authors grace this event to promote reading and literacy nationwide.

So, what are you waiting for? Be sure to visit these literary fairs now!

1. Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair

The Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair happens every November at the Hynes Convention Center. The book fair features an extensive collection of antiquarian books exhibited and for sale, including rare collectibles and first editions. Other activities include author appearances and book signings.

2. Three Apples Storytelling Festival

The Three Apples Storytelling Festival occurs every September in the small town of Bedford, Massachusetts. To get people excited about the festival, the organizers arrange for Preview Performances, where libraries host free storytelling performances in preparation for the festival. They have Family Ghost Stories and Community Stage. There are also author appearances, as well numerous storytelling performances throughout the entire festival.

3. The Boston Globe Children’s Book Festival

Held at the Parade Grounds of Boston Common in September, the Boston Globe Children’s Book Festival aims to bring all lovers of children’s literature, whether young or old, together. There are author and costumed character appearances as well as book signings. Admission is free so be sure to come and witness local and national authors celebrate their passion for children’s literature.

4. Newburyport Literary Festival

Held all over Newburyport in April, the Newburyport Literary Festival celebrates readers and authors alike. There’s Dinner with the Authors and Coffee with the Poets, as well as book signings and author appearances, so be sure to bring the entire family. There’s at least one thing to do for everyone.

So, what are you waiting for? Book a trip to Boston now!

If you’d like us to feature a literary fair or festival, please leave a comment with the details, and we’ll do what we can to accommodate it.

1. Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival

The Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival takes place in September every year. This year features storytelling performances by Michael McCarty, Lou Ann Homan, Gwen Hillary and Enoch Williamson, as well as the Fox Valley Storytelling Guild.

2. Newberry Book Fair

The Newberry Book Fair happens every year in the month of July. They feature different activities, such as book signings, debates, awards and speakers. Held at the Newberry Library, the Newberry Book Fair is a five day affair that continues to celebrate inexpensive used books.

3. Chicago Tribune Printers Row Lit Fest

Held during the first week of June every year, the Chicago Tribune Printers Row Lit Fest features storytelling performances and book readings by storytellers and authors. There are also stage performances as well as book releases. They have demonstrations and poetry reading sessions. They have writing workshops and conversations with so many different authors. They also have several cooking demos as well as presentations of different writers guilds. Come one, come all, it doesn’t matter. So, bring anyone or bring no one to celebrate the written word in Chicago.

1. Much Ado About Books

Check out the book festival organized by The Jacksonville Public Library Foundation in Jacksonville called Much About books. Authors are invited to spearhead panel discussions, book signings and writers’ workshops. There’s also the Children’s Chapter, a book fair featuring books and characters made especially for kids. And there’s also the Young Writer’s Awards, featuring the best work from middle and high school students in Jacksonville. Much About Books happens every February at the Jacksonville Public Library.

2. Miami Book Fair

Organized by Florida Center of the Literary Arts at Dade College, the Miami Book Fair is attended by book lovers all over the world every November. The book fair features sessions with different authors with readings and book signings, Children’s Alley (where kids are taught the importance of reading), and International Cafe with special focus on the different literary cultures of other countries. Another highlight is the Write Out Loud Cafe, which features readings from up-and-coming poets, writers, performance artists and monologuists, among others from South Florida. There’s also a Street Fair where hundreds of book lovers gather to buy their latest literary discoveries from the numerous booksellers present.

3. Southwest Florida Reading Festival

Held at the Harborside Event Center and Centennial Park in Fort Myers, the Southwest Florida Reading Festival aims to ignite people’s passion for reading. Past events include a marketplace where booksellers and distributors have a chance to sell their books. There are book signings, demonstrations and arts and crafts activities for children. They also sponsor writing contests for teens and aspiring authors. Be sure to check them out again next March!

4. Zora Festival

This six-day fair in Orange County celebrates the life and works of Zora Neal Hurston, writer, folklorist and anthropologist. The Zora Festival features museum exhibits, public talks, panel discussions, writers’ workshops and concertsevery January. Watch for the Outdoor Festival of the Arts, featuring literacy programs for kids, juried arts competitions and an international marketplace.

Next stop: Illinois

The Connecticut Children’s Book Fair was founded to create a venue to unite all people who love children’s literature, including readers, authors and illustrators. The fair is free to the public and to the entire family. Held for two days at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, the fair features book readings and signings by authors and illustrators. There are story book character appearances, with a chance to have breakfast with them. Scheduled every year in November, the fair runs from 10am until 5pm.

2. Connecticut Storytelling Festival

The Connecticut Storytelling Festival is organized every year by the Connecticut Storytelling Center. Fresh talent is brought in to give the audience a fresh and unique experience.  Workshops and storytelling presentations dominate the festival’s programs. The Connecticut Storytelling Festival is held in April every year in New London.

3. Rabbit Hill Festival Of Literature

This three-day event, held in October in Westport features creative biography and historical event pieces intended for middle school students. The festival features lectures, book readings and book signings with the authors. The entire festival is highlighted by the Saturday Symposium, a panel discussion featuring influential authors and the festival’s theme.

4. Sunken Garden Poetry Festival

The Sunken Garden Poetry Festival is organized by the Hill-Stead Museum to create a place for learning, reflection and enjoyment for the people. The Festival is held at the museum’s Sunken Garden, with poetry readings from renowned poets including Robert Bass and Brenda Hillman. The festival also features the winners of the Connecticut Poetry Circuit Winners. Hear them read during the summer at the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington, CT. Line-up changes every year.

Next up: Florida

The Northern Arizona Book Festival is a gathering of poets, writers, authors, historians, painters in Flagstaff, Arizona, to share their love for the written word. It is a three-day weekend full of poetry readings, workshops, panel discussions and literary events that celebrate the literary community of Arizona and the USA. Past guests have included Diana Gabaldon, T. Greenwood and Bruce Aiken. The Northern Arizona Book Festival takes place in April every year.

2. Cochise Cowboy Poetry & Music Gathering http://www.cowboypoets.com/joomla/index.php

Western poets and musicians gather at the Buena Performing Arts Center in Sierra Vista every February to celebrate Arizona’s history through words. The Cowboy Poetry Gathering also encourages students from Grade 3 to 12 in Arizona to celebrate Arizona’s history through a poetry contest. The winners get published and get to participate in readings during the gatherings.

3. Arizona Festival Of Books http://tucsonfestivalofbooks.org/

The Festival Of Books is one of the largest, if not the largest, gathering of literary lovers in Arizona. Thousands of people fly to Tucson in March every year to hear authors, poets and writers share their love for written works. Poetry readings, exhibits, workshops and panel discussions keep people busy during these three days. Held at the University of Arizona, it’s a fun-filled event for the entire family.

Next stop: Connecticut

California

1. Bay Area Storytelling Festival

Featuring several of the best storytellers in the country and around the world, be prepared to hear a variety of stories told at the Bay Area Storytelling Festival. Held at the Kennedy Grove Recreational Area in El Sobrante, California, various storytellers stand  up to share new and old stories with the audience, from folk tales to ghost stories to fairy tales. This 2-day event welcomes people of all ages, from school kids to kids-at-heart.

2. Los Angeles Times Festival Of Books

The Los Angeles Times Festival Of Books is the event to go to when you want the chance to talk to your favorite authors. Held on UCLA grounds, outdoor events are free while panel events featuring different authors are ticketed events. This two-day event also features around 300 exhibits of booksellers, publishers, literacy and cultural organizations who are there to promote and sell books in their line-ups.

3. Mariposa Storytelling Festival

An annual event that features prominent storytellers from all over the country, prepare to be entertained with the stories they bring. They not only bring their stories but will share them with their audiences through movement, dance, song and expressions. Held at the Yosemite National Park, you definitely will experience another literary world.

Next stop: Arizona

The Bay Area Anarchist Book Fair started when Bound Together, an anarchist collective bookstore, wanted to celebrate their 20th anniversary. Around 40 anarchist authors and publishers attended as vendors, displaying their works. Fourteen years later, the Anarchist Book Fair is still going strong with this year’s affair happening on May 14 and 15 at the SF Country Fair Building at Golden Gate Park.

2. Bay Area Playwrights Festival

The Bay Area Playwrights Festival was created to gather and get to know playwrights. The organizers select a play from submissions to their group and stage a public show of the same play. This year’s public shows will take place at the Magic Theatre in San Francisco from July 17 to 26.

3. San Francisco International Poetry Festival

Open to the public, the San Francisco International Poetry Festival showcases 15 poets from San Francisco and around the world and from up-and-coming poets to renowned masters. The festival features poetry readings in different bars and cafes in North Beach, Sunset and Bernal Heights.

4. The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival

Sharing the experience of Shakespeare’s plays is the goal of the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival. Running from July 18 to September 20, the Festival will run in Pleasanton and Cupertino and end in San Francisco. Held at the Presidio in San Francisco, this year’s festival will host the production of Comedy Of Errors.

5. Litquake

Litquake is San Francisco’s premiere literary festival. It is held in various venues all over the city and features literary readings, performances and panel discussions. Every year, there are more than 300 authors joining literary fans in celebrating the written word. Litquake ends with Litcrawl, a three-hour literary crawl through the book shops and galleries of SF’s Mission District, featuring readings and panel discussions. This year’s festivities will take place all over San Francisco from October 9 to 17.

Is that enough reason for you to visit San Francisco to celebrate the written word? I hope it is!