Dear Michigan Librarians, Help encourage children's authorship! The College of Education, Health, and Human Services and the Mardigian Library at the University of Michigan-Dearborn are partnering again to sponsor a Young Authors' Festival and Writing Contest. This year's festival theme is "Celebrating Friendship." 1. The Writing Contest is for children in grades 3, 4, and 5. The contest theme is "Friendship." Entries are due Oct. 24, 2014. Three prizes will be awarded to each grade; one grand prize winner will also be selected. Winners will receive Barnes & Noble gift cards and be invited to read aloud their entries at the Young Authors’ Festival. Details and contest rules can be found at: http://library.umd.umich.edu/events/YAF/ 2. The Young Authors' Festival will be held Saturday, November 22, 2014 from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the University of Michigan-Dearborn's Mardigian Library.Children and adults will enjoy hearing Toni Buzzeo, author of over twenty children's books, talk about the creative process of writing “One Cool Friend,” her book that was named a 2013 Caldecott Honor Book. Breakout sessions for children and adults will be led by faculty and pre-service teachers. Children will practice their writing techniques while adults learn tips for supporting children’s writing development. Toni will be available for autographs at the end of the festival. Copies of "One Cool Friend" and several other titles by Toni will be available for purchase. The event is FREE and open to the public. Details can be found at: http://library.umd.umich.edu/events/YAF/ Registration begins Oct. 13, 2014. Light refreshments provided! The University of Michigan-Dearborn does not necessarily endorse speakers’ views. Anyone requiring accommodations under the provisions of the ADA should contact Sue Flannery at 313-593-5236 or sasbury@umich.edu prior to Nov. 1, 2014 to allow time for arrangements to be made. Partial support provided by the Mardigian Library and the College of Education, Health, and Human Services. Flyers for the event are also attached. Thank you! Regards, Carla Brooks, committee member, Young Authors' Festival -- *Carla Brooks* *Head, Library Research Center* University of Michigan-Dearborn Mardigian Library 4901 Evergreen Rd Dearborn, MI 48128 Ph: 313-593-5616 Fax: 313-593-5551 ctbrooks@umich.edu