Festival of Books 2023

Details

Local Authors in Rooms 14-18 (1st grade hallway) with presentations beginning at 6:00 6:30, 7:00, and 7:30:

Latrice McGlothin, author of Hello Coco! Suds, Songs and Aunt Fancy's Salad [Room 14]

Latrice McGlothin, an R&B, jazz & inspirational singer and songwriter, uses her music to heal souls and connect people. Latrice was born in Milwaukee, where she grew up listening to a diverse collection of music. When Latrice is not entertaining, she and her husband enjoy traveling, she serves as Executive Director for a Community Foundation of a large credit union. Additionally, she is proud to have been named the first woman of color to Chair the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce. Latrice shares her singing and song writing talent in Hello Coco! Suds, Songs, and Aunt Fancy’s Salad with a hope of spreading joy to a young audience while also encouraging them healthy eating habits. https://www.latricemcglothin.com/
Teresa Verduzco, author of Sundays with Abuelita [Room 15]

Terea Verduzco wears her motherhood, spouse, educator, destination runner, and author badges proudly. After teaching for 24 years and sharing her childhood stories of gratitude, hope, and resilience with her students, she finally decided to turn those memories into books. Sundays with Abuelita was inspired by her family’s immigrant story. It describes a day making memories with Abuelita in a quaint village in Mexico, while waiting to reunite with her mother. https://adobehousepress.com/
S. Michele Chen, author of Superbeetle [Room 16]
S. Michele Chen lives in Southern California but visits her family in Taiwan frequently because the bugs no longer scare her (okay, maybe a little bit). She has published numerous crime fiction short stories and a novella under a secret identity. Superbeetle, an early chapter book that tells the tale of a big bug and a girl with a big heart, is her first children’s book and hopefully not her last. https://superbeetlebook.com/
Jim Warner, author of Stories I Tell (and El Rincon 1st grade teacher) [Room 17]
Jim Warner is an elementary school teacher but he wasn’t always. He used to run afterschool childcare and camps programs in Culver City for the YMCA and for Parks and Recreation for about 20 years. That’s where he learned to have fun all day long. Now, he writes music, children’s books and novels in his spare time when he’s not teaching first grade. He is an avid camper, musician and outdoorsman. He lives with his wife and daughter in Culver City.
Linda Hargrove, author of Wings Across the Moon (and mom of El Rincon 1st grade teacher Maria Hargrove) [Room 18]
Linda Hargrove is a Southern California teacher and author. She enjoys encountering nature, whether gardening at home or hiking outdoors in wild spaces. Wings Across the Moon was inspired by moments with her children discovering wildlife near their home. She looks forward to sharing the wonder of nature with others in 2024 as a UC California Naturalist.

Stuffy Reading Buddies & Cozy Tent Reading in the Library: Get a free flashlight, choose a stuffy and a library book, and cozy up for some reading time.

Story Videos in the Courtyard: You can take a short break and listen to a story or watch a Bluey episode.

Story Walk around Campus: Take a walk and read a story down the main hallway, starting next to the sliding red doors.

In the Cafetorium:

“How to Publish a Book” with Antoinette Stewart, Cesili Williams, and Kia Lazarre
Bookmark Station with Ms. Ashley Wheeler, Reading Intervention Teacher
Tote Bag Decorating
Comic Book Creation
Giant Word Search
Poetry Wall
Mad Libs
Literacy Games
Photo "Booth"
Book Exchange
LA County Library

In the Lunch Area: Pizza and salad.

Thank You:

Culver City Rotary Club
Village Well Books & Coffee
LA County Library
Authors
Donors of tote bags, fabric markers, and pencils
Teacher & Staff Volunteers
Parent Volunteers: Jen Fondo, Daniela Ciubotariu, De'Jah Carver, Jory Carver.
Festival of Books organizing committee: VK Shah, Teresa Wong, Billie Shipley, Caitlin Swartz, Lisa Evans, Anasia Obioha