2024 Book Festival: Oliver Lapin Family Day

OLIVER LAPIN FAMILY DAY
Endowed in loving memory of Oliver Lapin by his family
Sunday, November 3 | 10:00 AM & 2:00 PM
RYAN LAVARNWAY, LORI DUBBIN & SARA ACKERMAN

This Oliver Lapin Family Day, join our featured authors at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM as we explore a collection of stories that teaches children how determination, kindness and teamwork can change the world. Through these stories, kids are inspired to embrace who they are and always help others along the way.

RYAN LAVARNWAY
Baseball and Belonging

Growing up in an interfaith family, Ryan Lavarnway never felt a connection to Judaism or any other religion. Even older, as a Major League Baseball player, he searched for a sense of belonging. Ultimately, one call changed his life. Children will delight in hearing Lavarnway’s story about his life in the Major Leagues and his time playing for Israel in the World Baseball Classic, as well as for Team Israel in the Olympics. Through his story, children will find that baseball has a lot more depth than just the equipment used to play the game.

Wear your favorite little league or baseball jersey and don’t forget your mitt… because after we hear Ryan’s book, join him in a group game of wiffle ball!

DONNA FRANKOFF MEMORIAL LECTURE
LORI DUBBIN
Perfect Match: The Story of Althea Gibson and Angela Buxton  

How do you rewrite the rules of the game and simultaneously inspire others? By grit, determination and friendship. Althea Gibson and Angela Buxton found themselves barred from tennis courts, not for lack of skill, but for the color of one’s skin and the other’s Jewish heritage. They knew that the only one way to fight this was together. Although written for children, this book speaks to all ages. Witness first-hand how these women fought prejudice and forged a friendship that has forever changed tennis and inspired generations.

Join us to hear this unique story, test your skills with a digital matching game, and make your own perfect match bracelet!

SARA HOLLY ACKERMAN
Challah for Shabbat Tonight  

Join in on a Shabbat adventure as a little girl and her grandmother spend Friday afternoon preparing for the week’s end. Children will delight in little wonders like celebrating Jewish joy, family love and the magic of Shabbat. Sarah Holly Ackerman’s lovely rhyming text along with Alona Millgram’s whimsical art draw readers into the action as they make challah for Shabbat. Don’t forget to let the dough rise twice!

Upgrade your Shabbat table by tie dying and decorating your very own challah cover. Plus, every child will have the chance to braid their own dough and bake at home.