The Family Reading Partnership of the Chemung Valley Presents: Book Fest 2021: Books Bring Us Together! 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.

Covid protocols including mask wearing and social distancing will be followed.

Print version of the poster (PDF)

Musical performances by

Mr. Jeff, Doc Possum and the Elmira College Theatre Department!

Featuring authors Katrina Morse and Kevin Coolidge

Community participants: CCLD Bookmobile, Community Arts, EOP Head Start and CoE, Tanglewood Nature Center, STEM Academy, Therapy Dog, YWCA

Food Available: Over the Moon Grilled Cheeserie

11:00 - Mr. Jeff Storytime and songs
11:45 - Doc Possum and Band
1:00 - Elmira College Theatre Collections from “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown”

Character Reader throughout the Fest!

Kevin Coolidge is currently the author of thirteen children's books and the creator of the Totally Ninja Raccoons. He is the co owner of From My Shelf Books in Wellsboro. Kevin also resides in Wellsboro, just a short hike from the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. When he's not writing, you can find him at the bookstore which he could not run without his lovely wife, several helpful employees, and two friendly bookstore cats, Huck & Finn. Kevin Coolidge Website.

Katrina Morse is a children’s book author and illustrator, graphic designer, and painter. She grew up in Elmira and has lived in Ithaca all of her adult life. She studied studio art at the University of Vermont and art education at Elmira College. Morse’s children’s books have themes of friendship, accepting differences, and kindness. She believes strongly in the power of creativity to make the world a better place and in her library and school visits encourages children to use “out of the box” thinking. Her published books are: "At Home with Books," "Love Those Letters," "It Began with a Song," and "Quiet Cat Loud Cat.” Katrina Morse Website

Jeffrey Mathews is thrilled to be making his Bookfest debut! During the day, Jeffrey can be found working in the youth department at the Steele Memorial Library where he creates programs for children ages 0-12. He is a trained musician, as well as a published play-write/composer alongside his best friend, Jordan Louis Fischer. Jeffrey is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC.

Doc Possum is the musical outlet of popular singer/songwriter David "Doc" Cavallaro who has entertained audiences of young and old alike since 1994 with a diverse musical output that's ranged from melodic rock to his current success in the family/children's musical genre.

Above all else Doc’s number one pursuit is that of a singer/songwriter. Songwriting has always been my major driving force and I am proud to have written some "family friendly" tunes that gained popularity with the release of his " Pouch Music” CD featuring “Songs for the child inside us all!” and the exciting live concerts which feature “Songs you will remember and ones you will never forget!”

I am very thankful for the success I have had and I feel it is my duty to help "pay it forward" by helping to inspire others to imagine, create and go after their dreams.