SEVENTEEN YEARS AGO, literary publicist Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati had a simple idea: Bring together the people who create books and the children who love them.
So during African-American history month in 1992, she launched her first book fair in John Wanamaker's Center City store. About 250 people showed up.
On Saturday afternoon, when the doors open at the 17th Annual African-American Children's Book Fair, that number will likely reach 4,000, if last year's event is any indication. And in this year of threatened library cutbacks and gloomy economy, it might draw even more.
Not only is the event at the Community College of Philadelphia free, but every child who attends will walk out with a book, provided by the fair's sponsors.
"With the poor economy and libraries closing both in the community and schools," said Lloyd-Sgambati, "I'm trying to do everything I can to get good books into the hands of the community.
"Many people who are participating are people who have written and illustrated the best books in our country," said Lloyd-Sgambati. "Their works are a living testament to the perfection that has happened and occurred in children's literacy.
"When a child meets someone who wrote or illustrated a book, it becomes more than just a book," said Lloyd-Sgambati, founder of the African American Children's Book Project. "It opens up a world of possibilities. You get to talk to them about their work and why they did it, meet that person and make a connection with them."
On Saturday, publishers will gather on Literary Row, distributing books and promotional material, like bookmarks and posters. In The Reading Room, sponsored by NBC 10, 600 children will not only get a new book, but they'll be able to have it personalized by the author or illustrator.
The book fair's sponsors, Lloyd-Sgambati said, are demonstrating their commitment to literacy by their willingness to contribute books. Besides title sponsor NBC10, the book fair is being underwritten by Urban Genesis, Peco, the Daily News and The Literary. Peco is contributing 200 new books to schools and libraries, which means one book will reach thousands of children.
Of course, there will be books for sale at the fair, too. Lloyd-Sgambati's mantra is "conserve a legacy, buy a book." She encourages parents to create their own home library for their children. "Every time you give a child a gift, give a book."
For some children, the book fair is the first opportunity to own a book, said Lloyd-Sgambati, and ownership gives them a new perspective on reading.
And while the book fair's focus is African-American authors, illustrators and books, the event is for all children, no matter what their race or nationality.
"I want everyone to know they are invited, because we live in a multicultural society and parents should incorporate other countries and cultures into their own library." *
Community College of Philadelphia Gymnasium, 17th and Spring Garden streets, 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. Free.