Shoulder to shoulder, people all over the world gather to hear captivating plots from storytellers. After writers produce brilliant plots and illustrators add exceptional visuals, editors edit it all together until it becomes a moment of whalah!— a paperback or leather bound time capsule ready to unravel its mystery time and time again. That’s why community events, like the upcoming Southeast Wisconsin Festival of Books, deserve public recognition.

“The schedule includes something for everyone who enjoys a good book!” says children’s author, JoAnn Early Macken. She, along with many other authors/illustrators, will be “connecting with readers and reconnecting with writer and illustrator friends.” As a member of the Wisconsin chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI-WI), Macken is thrilled to be a part of this event.

Macken adds, “I always look forward to talking about books! And states, “If I have the opportunity, I’ll read my newest book, Waiting Out the Storm, a rhyming picture book about a girl and her mother who see a storm on its way, talk about what animals do in wet, windy weather, and snuggle up to watch the storm together.”

So on June 18-19starting at 11 a.m., the UW-Waukesha campus in conjunction with several other local organizations, will be hosting a free all-day, two day event. Over 50 adult and children authors and illustrators will be congregating at the college to share in the joy of public reading, signing and various other proceedings. Special features, according to www.sewibookfest.com, consist of:

�       Book signings and readings

�       A cooking stage featuring cooking demonstrations and cookbook

�       Performance stages for live music and drama

�       Art Fair and Exhibit featuring local artists

�       Special programming

For further information please visit the website above.