Bowling Green State University’s annual Literacy in the Park event will feature children’s author
Patricia Polacco.
The Lansing native has written and illustrated more than 115 books for children in addition to being a
playwright and penning for adults. She is a much-sought-after lecturer and keynote speaker. Some of her
most popular books include “The Keeping Quilt,” “Thunder Cake” and “Thank you, Mr. Falker.”
Presented by BGSU’s College of Education and Human Development, Literacy in the Park will take place from
10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 29, at Perry Field House. The event is free and open to the public. Last year, more
than 2,000 people attended the event.
Literacy in the Park, which has taken place for more than a decade, promotes the importance of literacy
in the lives of children and features more than 40 interactive exhibitor booths and displays.
The focus of the event has been expanded to address all of the different ways literacy is important in
our lives.
In addition to reading and writing activities, families will have opportunities to engage in activities
about digital literacy, science and environmental literacy, financial literacy, nutritional literacy,
physical education literacy and many other forms of literacy that can be found in their lives and
communities.
In addition to these literacy-related activities going on throughout the day, there will also be
entertainment on the main stage and two presentations from Polacco.
Born in Michigan, Polacco’s family on her mother’s side were Jewish immigrants from Russia and the
Ukraine, and her father’s people were from the county of Limerick in Ireland.
Both cultures valued and kept their history alive by storytelling. Her heritage and the themes of family
traditions and storytelling feature prominently in her books, which touch on a wide variety of topics
including bullying and understanding differences, learning disabilities, tradition and heritage, family
relationships and more.
While there is no cost to attend, guests are encouraged to register to speed entry into the Field House.
More information and registration is available at bgsu.edu/literacyinthepark.
Guests with disabilities are requested to indicate if they need special services, assistance or
appropriate modifications to fully participate in this event by contacting Accessibility Services,
[email protected] 419-372-8495 prior to the event.
(A story featuring an interview with Polacco will run in the Sentinel-Tribune next week.)