We’re big bookworms and not afraid to admit it. We were often scolded for staying up past bedtime, reading books by flashlight under the covers. But an early love of reading creates lifelong learners, and studies show that children who read regularly at a young age are more successful in the classroom.

Last week, bibliomaniacs of all ages in Bloomington, Minn., were invited to the annual Target Children’s Book Festival presented by the Star Tribune for a day of free literary fêtes. The page-turning party at Hyland Lake Park was a full day of book readings, musical performances, autographs, face painting, festivities and fun.

In between story time, kids jumped and jammed to musical performances by Koo Koo Kanga Roo, Disney Junior’s Choo-Choo Soul with Genevieve, Hip Hop Harry, Moon Luna and Justin Roberts & the Not Ready for Naptime Players. Children reached new heights while reading and playing – a buoyant bounce house and rock-climbing wall were among the most popular stations.

Booklovers had the chance to meet their favorite authors and illustrators like Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi, Stephen Savage, Nancy Carlson, Melodee Strong, Peter Brown, Marianne Richmond, Bob Shea, Josh Lewis, Susie Bazil, Shawn McCann, Stephen Shaskan, Mac Barnett and Erin Falligant.

We wouldn’t dare keep our passion for paperbacks to ourselves, so Target collected new and gently used children’s books from festivalgoers to donate to local schools.  And Sept. 24-25, the two-day Library of Congress National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. will delight even more young readers with an unprecedented 112 authors, poets and illustrators at the event! We hope you will join us for this fantastic event!

Target is proud to sponsor the Library of Congress National Book Festival as part of our commitment to giving $1 billion to education by 2015. 

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