Book Fest 2024

The Family Reading Partnership of the Chemung Valley Presents: Book Fest 2024: Read! Think! Dream! Book Fest is a family event offering free book-centered fun including live music, character readers, games, and activities. Free books for children while supplies last.

Food available for purchase from  BC Food Truck, Over the Moon Cheesery, and Cool Treats.

Print version of the poster (PDF)

Overview

Featuring authors

Nancy Viau, Kevin Coolidge, Charde Vera, Jessica Janowsky, Katrina Morse, Patrick T. Fibbs with Illustrator Lee O'Connell, and Shelly Cadek

Featured Performers:

Avi Pryntz-Nadworny - World Renowned Juggler; Richard Hughson - Walk Around Magic; Jeffrey Mathews- Emcee

Community participants

United Way Imagination Library, Bookmobile, EOP, Books to Grow On, CIDS, Community Arts of Elmira, Tanglewood, Horseheads Family Resource Center, River Friends, Girl Scouts, SPCA, Chemung County Historical Society, Elmira YWCA, Elmira Teacher's Association, Elmira Family Resource Center, and Elmira Downtown Development.

Featured Authors

Nancy Viau

Award-winning author Nancy Viau specializes in fiction for children ages 2-12. Her picture books include Splish, Splash First to Last (forthcoming 2023), Pruett and Soo, Today Is a Beach Day!, First Snow (2019 IPPY/Independent Publisher Book Award), Storm Song, City Street Beat, and Look What I Can Do! She is also the author of the middle-grade novels Samantha Hansen Has Rocks in Her Head, Something Is Bugging Samantha Hansen (2020 Skipping Stones Honor Award for Nature and Ecology), Beauty and Bernice (2018 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Finalist), and Just One Thing! (2016 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Gold Award). Nancy is the founder of the KidLit Authors Club, a group of 22 children’s book authors who band together to appear at bookstores, libraries, festivals, and conferences. A former teacher and kid-at-heart, she often visits elementary schools across the country to share her journey to publication and the writing process.

Nancy Viau’s Website: nancyviau.com

Kevin Coolidge

Kevin Coolidge is currently the author of fifteen children's books and the creator of the Totally Ninja Raccoons. He's available for school presentations from kindergarten to 5th grade. Presentations include providing information on the writing process and encouraging fun in literacy.

 He's especially good with kids, but is open to speaking with other groups as well. As a bookstore owner, Kevin can talk about books, small business, literacy, and most aspects of popular culture, in addition to his books. He resides in Wellsboro, PA, just a short hike from the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.

When he's not writing, you can find him at From My Shelf Books & Gifts, an independent bookstore he runs with his lovely wife, Kasey; several helpful employees; and two friendly bookstore cats, Huck & Finn.

He's recently become an honorary member of the Cat Board, and when he's not scooping the litter boxes, getting status reports on the squirrels, or feeding Gypsy her tuna, he's writing more stories about the Totally Ninja Raccoons.

Kevin Coolidge’s Website: kevincoolidge.org

Charde Vera

Charde Vera is an author, US Navy veteran, loving wife, and mother of two. Her mission is to build confidence and self-esteem through the power of books! She currently has three affirmation children’s books and a guided journal. She believes that words are important and that how we speak into and over our lives sets the foundation for our future. When she is not working on her next literary works Charde enjoys reading, vlogging, and traveling with her family.

Charde Vera Website: chardevera.com

Jessica Janowsky

Jessica Janowsky is an educator and a yoga and mindfulness instructor. She is a scholar, always learning and actively seeking opportunities to learn about herself, others, and the world. She enjoys reading, fitness, and being in nature. Her goal is to touch people of all ages through her stories about metta (love and kindness) and to inspire others to rise to the challenge of using their strengths in service to help the world a more loving and peaceful place. 

Katrina Morse

Katrina Morse is a children’s book author and illustrator, graphic designer, painter, and art educator. She grew up in Elmira and now lives in Ithaca. She loves learning from children and promoting peaceful conflict resolution and friendship. Morse also loves creating and enjoys painting and teaching at the Blue Door Studio. Find children’s book activities, order books, and schedule an author visit at katrinamorse.com.

Patrick T. Fibbs

Patrick T. Fibbs is the pen name of author Patrick Thomas who has written over 60 books and 150 short stories.

As Patrick T. Fibbs, he writes the middle reader series The Undead Kid Dairies, the Babe B. Bear Mysteries, Joy Reaper Checks Out, and the YA Emotional Support Nightmare. For younger readers, he writes the Ughabooz picture and chapter books and the Fuschia The Mermaid picture books with artist Lee O'Connell.

Patrick works as a Physical Therapist with kids in schools. He lives with his wife, 2 kids, a dog, a cat, and several imaginary friends. Patrick has also worked as a paperboy, library page, a tutor, running games in an amusement park, as a movie usher, a teacher’s aide, a salesman, done phone sales and surveys as well as stocking shelves in a supermarket. He has been a DJ on the radio, an altar boy, an editor, an artist, flown an open cockpit plane, sold the shirt off of someone’s back, and has been known to howl at the moon.  

Please visit his website at PatrickTFibbs.com.

Lee O’Connell- Illustrator

Lee O’Connell is primarily a watercolor artist. She began her artistic career after retiring as Director of Admissions, from Chemung Valley Montessori School in Big Flats. She loves the freedom of watercolor, and the unknown possibilities it offers. She is very energetic and lively when she paints, literally throwing paint at the paper to see what happens. Fushia is the first book she has illustrated, and she found it to be a fun and different way to express herself using Patrick’s words as inspiration.

Lee’s Website: leeoconnell.net

Shelly Coleman Cadek

Shelly Coleman Cadek is Mamaw to two amazing grandsons. One day while video chatting with them, the youngest one was running around and scaring everyone in the house. He kept yelling, “I am a dinosaur!” It was so cute and the inspiration for the book was born. Originally from Louisiana, I moved to Horseheads, NY 31 years ago with my husband, Tom. I have loved living in upstate NY, raising my son here. And now enjoying every moment with my grandsons. Thank you for sharing my first story with me. I hope you and your little dinosaurs have as much fun reading it as I had writing it. Make today a dino day!

Entertainment Schedule

Richard Hughson 10:00 - 2:00

Avi Pryntz-Nadworny 11:00 - 1:00

Jeffrey Matthews 10:00 - 2:00

Featured Performers

Avi Pryntz-Nadworny - (Pronouns: He/Him/His)

Avi is an award-winning photographer, movement artist, and CODA (Child of Deaf Adults). 

Avi grew up in Allegany County in the small town of Ward, NY. Throughout his career he has captivated audiences across North and South America, Europe, and Asia as a mesmerizing solo performer and a cast member with renowned companies like Cirque Du Soleil, PUSH Physical Theatre, Cirq’ulation Locale, and CirqOvation.

His magnetic presence extends beyond live performances, gracing screens in TV shows, commercials, and music videos. Notably, he has shared his insights and experiences through public speaking engagements at universities and TEDx events. He is currently focused on working with Deaf Refugee Advocacy to empower Deaf refugees, asylum-seekers, & immigrants through theater and movement. 

Avi spent his childhood engrossed in book and volunteering at his local library. He loves their ability to transport us to new locations and help us understand the world around us!

“My early years of reading truly opened doors that allowed me to travel the world and get me where I am today!” - Avi Pryntz-Nadworny

Some of Avi’s favorite books:

• Juggling: What It Is and How to Do It by Thom Wall.

• Redwall by Brian Jacques

• Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

Avi’s Website: cirquegravity.com

Walk Around Magic with Richard Hughson

Richard Hughson has been entertaining audiences of all ages for over thirty years. Yes, he started with Dad jokes for his kids – but he got better. Trained in mime, magic, martial arts, hospital clowning, and physical comedy he has been an actor, director, storyteller, and growing out his naturally white beard he portrays a renowned seasonal character.

As a founding member of Flower City Vaudeville, and Easily Amused, he has performed in fairs, festivals, schools, and libraries across western New York and northern Pennsylvania, including the Rochester Fringe Fest. He brings along a wealth of experience in getting people to enjoy their time with him.

Richard Hughson’s website: loopyrichard.com

Mr. Jeff

Jeffrey Mathews “Mr. Jeff” is thrilled to be returning to Bookfest for the third year in a row. During the day, Jeffrey can be found working at the West Elmira Library where he runs Storytime and creates programs for all ages. He is a trained musician, as well as a published playwright/composer. Jeffrey is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC.

Mr. Jeff’s website: jsmtalent.com