By Jeff Murphy,
March 4, 2020
WARRENSBURG, MO 鈥 Bringing children and the authors and illustrators of their favorite
books together, the 欧美视频鈥檚 annual is March 15-17 on campus. The event, which is in its 52nd year, features 28 nationally-acclaimed
authors and illustrators, 17 of whom will be new to the festival in 2020.
Thousands of students in grades 3-10 will have the opportunity to hear these authors
and illustrators speak about their craft and how they became interested in the field
of children鈥檚 literature. They also may have their books signed, be able to ask questions
of the writers, and participate in a campus scavenger hunt. Many children have submitted
designs for a new bookmark contest. The winners鈥 designs will be printed and distributed
at the festival.
The festival kicks off with a luncheon at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, March 15 in Elliott Student
Union 237A-B. This year's Sadler-Gilbert Series speaker is two-time Newbery Honor
winner, Gary Schmidt. He is known for best-selling novels such as Lizzie Bright and
the Buckminster Boy, The Wednesday Wars, and Okay for Now, a National Book Award finalist.
Authors are available to sign books on Sunday, following the luncheon. Tickets for
the luncheon are required, and cost $25 per adult, $17 per child. Admission to the
book sale in the Elliott Student Union is free, as well as the autograph session following
the luncheon.
The festival began in 1969 under the leadership of Philip Sadler, professor of children鈥檚
literature, and Ophelia Gilbert, laboratory school librarian, who invited five Missouri
authors to speak to students. Long after the two emeriti faculty members鈥 passing,
the festival has continually grown, and has included authors from Missouri and many
other states. It has provided Missouri children the unique experience of listening
to nationally-recognized authors and illustrators speak about how they became published,
and has helped fuel young interests in writing and reading. To learn more, visit .