Impact
Why It Matters
The Children's Literature Festival has always been about sparking the love of reading, writing, and illustrating in the next generation. Because the genre of children's literature has such an important influence on kids, it is equally priceless for the festival to provide them with this chance to engage. Many people involved with the festival can testify to its effect as they are quoted below:
Children obviously enjoy hearing stories, and there's an intimacy that storytelling has that they can't find in a TV.
– Gladys Coggswell, guest author quoted in Truman's 2003 edition of the Index
A lot of the authors will indicate that they started writing in fourth or fifth grade, and the kids get excited because they think, 'I'm writing. Maybe I'll become an author someday.'
– Daisy Rearick, committee member quoted in Truman's 2014 edition of the Index
I think what is really great about this festival is that the children are from rural areas who don't necessarily get to meet authors.
– Laurie Lawlor, guest author quoted in Truman's 1999 edition of the Index
The Festival is a much anticipated event, many teachers and parents in Northeast Missouri attended several festivals when they were children and want their children and classes to have an experience similar to their own.
– from the application for the Missouri State Spotlight on Literacy Grant sent in 2009
Inspiring Others
Just like Truman took inspiration from the literature festivals surrounding them, their own Children's Literature Festival has provided inspiration for others. Ideas and opportunities which could only occur because of the festival have been opened up in many different ways.
After graduating from Truman in 2010, Benjamin Rearick traveled to Ethiopia through the Peace Corps. He felt that the way reading was viewed during his visit in this country lacked creativity, so he organized the Mendida Storybook Festival to introduce children to reading for more than just business. Modeled after the literature festival he was exposed to at his alma mater, there were guest speakers, presentations, and read-alouds. The Early Childhood Education students at Truman also designed picture books and mailed them to the kids in Ethiopia who would partake of this new event.
An art shop in Kirksville, Beard's Gallery, was able to see illustrator Peter Parnall stop by while he was in town for the Children's Literature Festival in 1987. Both he and Ed Emberley were able to be featured at the Red Barn Community Arts League as well, influenced by the festival's desire to bring authors and audiences together.
Letters
Several letters from both authors and young students alike have been preserved in the Special Collections Department of Pickler Memorial Library. They were sent regarding just how the Children's Literature Festival impacted them. A few from the Atlanta C-3 school have been included below.
Transcription of 1993 letter (right):
Dear Children's Literature Festival Committe,
Thank you for sponsoring the Literature Festival. The Atlanta C-3 4th and 5th graders enjoyed it alot. We learned that reading and writing are fun. We were truly inspired by the authors.
Yours truly,
Atlanta C-3
4th grade students
Transcription of 1996 letter (center below):
Dear Authors,
We were all so happy we could meet you. We all enjoyed it alot. We had a FUN time.
