The Simi Valley Friends of the Library and Simi Valley Public Library present their annual Family Book Festival. This year’s theme, “There’s No Place Like the Library!” celebrates all things Oz, with a special emphasis on the books of Frank L. Baum and his great grandson, Roger S. Baum. This free and highly anticipated event will feature a special Wizard of Oz themed storytime, filled with music and stories presented by Glinda the Good Witch and other Oz characters.

The Library and Friends of the Library are partnering with community groups to provide crafts and activities for children. Help Dorothy find her way back to Kansas by visiting stations sponsored by Monte Vista School (the Land of Poppies) and Momentum Academies (the Land of Glitter). Meet Glinda the Good Witch, courtesy of Fairytales Entertainment. Each organization is donating their time, talents, and resources.

From noon to 1:00 p.m. children may snuggle up to a dog and read their favorite book during a special session of Bark Buddies, courtesy of volunteers from Love on a Leash and Therapy Dogs International. Readers and pre-readers of all ages are welcome to interact with these gentle therapy dogs.

All ages are encouraged to dress as your favorite Wizard of Oz character and take pictures with Glinda and other Oz inhabitants in a specially-decorated area inside the Library.

The Simi Valley Friends of the Library has been sponsoring the Book Festival since 1997 as a way to bring families together to celebrate reading. Research shows that families who read together, grow together. In conjunction with the Festival, they donate books to Simi Valley Unified School District libraries and offer $400 grants to the schools so they may host an author or illustrator. The Friends of the Library support the Simi Valley Public Library year-round through financial support of programs and the purchase of new materials, mainly through book sales in the Friends’ Bookstore which is located inside the Library.

For more information, click here. For information about all Library programs and resources, including e-resources, click here or call 805-526-1735.