‘Read Out!’ to Feature Authors, Illustrators

Children and teens will get the chance to meet some of their favorite authors and illustrators and learn ways to improve reading skills Sunday at a “Read Out!” at The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks.

Authors and artists of children’s books from Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties will sign autographs and demonstrate how they make their characters come alive at various locations throughout the mall from noon to 5 p.m. A costume contest for youths dressed as their favorite book characters will also be held, and children will get to hear their favorite narratives read to them by skilled storytellers.

The “Read Out!” is in celebration of National Children’s Book Week and is intended to encourage parents to read with their children at least 20 minutes each day and to take advantage of the services available at public libraries.

The event is sponsored by the Ventura County Reading Assn., the Ventura County Library Services Agency and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators of the Ventura/Santa Barbara Region. For more information about the program and rules regarding the book character costume contest, call Alexis O’Neill at 581-1906.