Off the Page: Family Day

Join us for Family Day, featuring internationally bestselling children’s author of the classic picture book “Old Turtle” Douglas Wood, and award-winning illustrator David C. Gardner. We’ll have food trucks, story time, and a Creation Station craft for the whole family. The first 100 visitors get vouchers for FREE FOOD and FREE ICECREAM from the food trucks!

The day's schedule:

10:15-10:55 a.m.         Story time and craft in the youth activity room

11:00-11:40 a.m.          Earth Songs & Stories with Douglas Wood 

12-2 p.m.                     Visit the food trucks, Creation Station, or browse the stacks

2-2:40 p.m.                  "Junia" read & draw with David C. Gardner 

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. we'll have The Island Bookshop and food trucks on premises!

Schedule subject to change.

Douglas Wood has been called Minnesota’s “renaissance man.” Author, artist, musician, naturalist, wilderness guide, he is the creator of 35 books for children and adults, with over two and a half million copies in print. His first book, "Old Turtle," was hailed a “profound work” and an “instant classic.” Translated widely, it has received many honors. Among Doug’s many honors and awards have been the Christopher Medal, ABBY Award, International Reading Association Book of the Year, Minnesota Book Award, Midwest Publishers Association Book of the Year, Parent’s Choice Award, Smithsonian Notable Book Award, Barnes and Noble Star of the North, Story Telling World Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Minnesota Association for Environmental Education. Douglas Wood has read his books, narrated, and performed at the White House, New York’s famed Lincoln Center, and many other extraordinary venues across the country.

David C. Gardner has illustrated many picture books, including the recently released "Junia: The Book Mule of Troublesome Creek," "The Harvey Milk Story," "Rettie and the Ragamuffin Parade," "Sarah Gives Thanks," the award-winning "Write On, Irving Berlin!," and "Ticktock Banneker’s Clock." A former artist for Walt Disney Animation Studios, he continues his visual development work for animation and teaches illustration at Ringling College of Art and Design. He lives in Sarasota. To learn more about his work, visit FlyingDogStudio.com.

Funding is provided in part through a Florida Humanities Book Festival Grant with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities and in partnership with Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources and the Library Foundation for Sarasota County. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.