Children's Book Fair: Where the 'Wild Things' are and much more

An annual community-wide celebration of children's literature, the 57th Street Children's Book Fair, will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, on 57th Street between Dorchester and Kimbark avenues, and on Kimbark between 56th and 57th streets. The event is free and open to the public.

The book fair will feature a parade of storybook characters; entertainment stages with storytellers, musicians and dancers; and stacks of affordable books.

The event will also include some perennial favorites: free face-painting and balloons, life-size storybook rooms featuring scenes from Where the Wild Things Are, Peter Pan and Goodnight, Moon and interactive life-size storybook versions of Where's Spot? and The Three Little Pigs.

In addition to providing entertainment, the fair is a showcase for a range of Chicago booksellers interested in children's literature -- from general bookstores selling new and used books to specialty stores focusing on children with special needs.

Franny Billingsley, author of the acclaimed children's book The Well Wished, will introduce winners of the Chicago Public Schools Young Author's Award, including Ellen McCullagh, daughter of Professor Peter McCullagh.

In case of rain, the fair will be at Ray School, 57th and Kimbark.

For more information, call 536-8103.