The Pat Conroy Literary Center will host a Children’s Book Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13, at Santa Elena History Center, 1501 Bay Street. One of Pat’s passions in life was to turn every child into an avid reader, and this day is dedicated to fostering a life-long companionship with books.

The event is free and open to the public, sponsored by local businesses Motor City Pops, Stephen Murray T-shirts, Budget Print, and the Storybook Shoppe in Bluffton.

Open to readers and book lovers of all ages, the Pat Conroy Children’s Book Fair is a day-long gathering slated with interactive events that include a scavenger hunt, make your own bookmark, and a mermaid conservation presentation, as well as book signings and readings. Interested attendees are encouraged to register in advance at https://patconroychildrensbookfair2018bpt.me

This year’s highlighted speaker is Lisa Anne Cullen, the author or editor of eight children’s books and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in writing for children and pairs this passion with her love of illustration, art, photography, and screenwriting. Cullen has won awards for her artistic and written works and finds pure joy in connecting with the natural world. Her author-illustrated, picture book folktales “Little Orange Honey Hood” and “Three Wild Pigs” are being released through the University of South Carolina Press/Young Palmetto Books spring and fall of 2018.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

This year’s special guest is Melissa Conroy, daughter of Pat Conroy and the author/illustrator of “Poppy’s Pants,” which was reissued Sept. 30.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>She also wrote “Grandma Is an Author” and “The Lowcountry Coloring Book.” Melissa earned master’s degrees in painting and textile design from the University of Georgia and Philadelphia University.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

The Fair will also feature nine other children’s book authors (Rebecca Chamberlain, Nancy Raines Day, Ann Eilers Lilly, Nina Leipold, Sheri Levy, Susan Diamond Riley, Chelsea Rowe, and Helen Wilbur), one poet (Miho Kinnas), and a select group of young Camp Conroy authors. There will be book readings and signings throughout the day.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Five free workshops are being offered: “Telling Stories Through Pictures;” “Write Your Garden;” “Find Your Lost Treasure;” “Make Your Own Character;” and “Haiku Tanka, Linked Haiku, and Halibu Prose.”
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Pat Conroy Children’s Book Fair Workshops:</strong></p>
• 10-11a.m. — Rebecca Chamberlain Telling Stories Through Pictures- Conference Room. This workshop touches on the process of illustrating a standard 32-page picture book for children. Participants preview thumbnail sketches and original artwork from Maralee and the Turtles of the Sea as they create quick one-inch thumbnail sketches from a story idea. Discover how to develop a character and explore how to add movement, emotion, and action into illustrations. A picture book template is provided to each participant. This course is suitable for all skill levels, from beginner to experienced artist. Standard pencils and erasers are needed for this workshop.

• 11 a.m.-Noon — Helen Wilbur Write Your Garden – Conference Room. Participants work on their skills with a hands-on exercise using their five senses to build a word garden. In this session for budding writers, author Helen Wilbur shares her story of a young girl's determination to grow her garden in Lily's Victory Garden. With the right tools, discover how an idea as small as a seed can be nurtured to grow into a story.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>Young writers will build a word garden.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>Ages 8 and older.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

• 1-2 p.m. — Susan D. Riley -Find Your Lost Treasure- Meet in the Events Room. Following a reading from her soon-to-be published chapter book, The Sea Island’s Secret, participants will be sent on a treasure hunt to find previously hidden messages in bottles. Once found, the messages will be decoded to reveal their hidden meanings. Ages 8 and older.

• 2-3 p.m. — Melissa Conroy – Make Your Own Character – Conference Room. Following a reading from her re-issued book Poppy’s Pants, Melissa will guide participants in designing and sewing their own doll. Materials will be provided. Ages 8 and older.

• 3-4 p.m. — Miho Kinnas -Haiku Tanka, Linked Haiku, and<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>Halibu Prose – Conference Room. From a Haiku to a book with audience participation, participants learn the stages of creativity and production of the poetic form of Haiku. Ages 14 and older.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>