By Glenn Rolfe

BRIDGEVILLE — The return of a major literary event has been booked.

After two years of cancellations due to pandemic restrictions, the Sussex Children’s Book Festival is looking to make a triumphant return next month.

“We had our first (festival) at the Milton library in 2019. It was very successful,” said Karen Johnson, director of the Bridgeville Public Library. “So we’re just excited to bring it back. And this year, it’s going to be in Bridgeville.”

The big day is May 14, and the excitement could not be limited to one location, so activities will be held at the Bridgeville library, Passwaters Park and The Frozen Farmer, said Ms. Johnson.

Entertaining performances and adventures — with the theme of “Make a Splash and Dive into Summer Reading with the Sussex County Libraries!” — will be awaiting attendees at all locations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Featured at the library, at 600 S. Cannon St., will be Eric Litwin, whose kickoff at 10 will include a musical performance.

As the original author of the “Pete the Cat” series, Mr. Litwin offers a purr-fect mix of stories and songs to his audiences. Following the performance, there will be a meet-and-greet with fans.

The author will also perform at 1:30 p.m. at The Frozen Farmer, Del. 404, east of town.
Back at the library, the highlight of the festival will be visits by 12 authors of board, picture and chapter books, who will meet their youngest readers and sign their works.

Browseabout Books will be on hand for book purchases. Displays with information about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and upcoming summer reading programs will also be there, as well as a balloon artist.

The festival continues in Passwaters Park, directly behind the library, where visitors can continue their adventures with learning stations and hands-on projects.

With librarians from across the county, activities will be led by representatives from ILC Dover, the Delaware AeroSpace Education Foundation and the Marine Education, Research & Rehabilitation Institute.

PAWS for Reading companions — trained therapy animals — will also be sharing their love of reading with children, while Sussex Story Strolls wander the grounds with special gifts.

In addition, local self-published authors Chris Lee and James Malloy will be sharing their tales, and a celebration of farmers will take root at Evans Farms and The Frozen Farmer, with displays by the Delaware Farm Bureau and its Mobile Ag Lab and the Watkins Wonders Petting Zoo.

Read Aloud Delaware and the Sussex County Bookmobile, as well as local author Máximo Castellanos, will also be participating.

The book festival is made possible through partnership between Sussex’s independent and county libraries, plus the “Friends of the Library” groups for the Bridgeville, Lewes, Millsboro, Milton, Rehoboth Beach, Selbyville and South Coastal facilities.