Ain't Dead Yet

What with the assault on reason, the death of reading, the collapse of newspapers and the privatization of culture, it’s amazing these kinds of book fairs are still going on. But at this festival, it’s possible that one popular movie-star scream-queen children’s-books author could meet up with an esteemed California poet/novelist/essayist/Chicano activist/children’s book author. Yup, Jamie Lee “A Fish Called Wanda” Curtis—author of seven beginning-reader books, Golden Globe-winning actress and Huffington Post blogger—might cross paths with Gary “Fresno Boy” Soto (too many accolades to list) at a food booth or on the little train chugging past the dance and music stage, animal displays, or book signings. This variety of kismet could happen only at a big, free, public celebration of reading and literacy with exhibitors such as Santa Ana’s heroic Librería Martinez, the OC Department of Education, libraries and the Discovery Science Center. There’s face painting and crazy hair, too—clever cover for subverting the dominant paradigm.
Sun., Oct. 5, 10 a.m., 2008