Special guests coming to Columbia’s StoryfestSC to promote summer reading

Summer beacons elementary kids in Columbia, and they want to shed everything school-related as quickly as they kick off their shoes.

But South Carolina’s libraries hope to encourage kids to read this summer – not because they have to, but because they want to.

StoryfestSC is a summer reading kick-off event aimed at encouraging kids to read. This year’s summer reading slogan is “On Your Mark, Get Set ... READ!”

Research reported by School Library Journal shows that students who participate in summer reading programs significantly improve reading skills.

But local librarians know that won’t excite kids.

So Saturday at the S.C. State Museum, the S.C. State Library will have a party with Cocky, the Clemson Tiger, children’s entertainer Jim Gill (“The Sneezing Song,” “Hands Are For Clapping”), two authors, crafts, snacks, face painting and storytelling.

And it’s free.

“It’s just exciting,” said Curtis Rogers, communications director for the S.C. State Library. “We want to make an impression on them. Summer is coming, and we want to keep them reading as part of their summer activities.”

Award-winning authors/illustrators Lauren Castillo and Jarrett Krosoczka will be there speaking and signing books.

Castillo has written and illustrated over 14 books for children, including the critically acclaimed “Melvin and the Boy”, and the 2015 Caldecott Honor, “Nana in the City.”

Krosoczka is a two-time winner of the Children’s Choice Book Award for the Third to Fourth Grade Book of the Year, and is the author and/or illustrator of more than twenty-five books for young readers. His work includes “Punk Farm”, the Lunch Lady graphic novels, and “Platypus Police Squad” middle-grade novel series.

StoryfestSC is from 9 a.m-4 p.m. at the S.C. State Museum, 301 Gervais St.