Photo Flash: Children's Book Day Set for Sunnyside in Tarrytown Today, Sept 15

Kate Feiffer, author of No Go Sleep!, will join Alyssa Capucilli, author of the Biscuit series, and dozens more children's book authors and illustrators at Children's Book Day, a one-day gala today, Sept. 15, devoted to children's literature. In all, more than 60 children's book authors and illustrators will take part in this 12-6 p.m. event which is filled with readings, demonstrations, magic, music, and book signings at Washington Irving's Sunnyside. Preview the event with the photos below!

In addition to author appearances, costumed characters Clifford, the Big Red Dog, Bunnicula, Biscuit, and Franklin the Turtle, will be roaming the grounds. The creators and stars of the legendary children's television show The Magic Garden, Carole Demas of Irvington and Paula Janis, will be performing from 4:30-5:20.

Among the 10 new faces to Children's Book Day this year are Sudipta Bardham-Quallen, illustrator of Half-Pint Pete the Pirate, Artie Bennett, author of Poopendous!, and Kristi Cook, author of Mirage.

Returning favorites include many from Westchester County:

From Bedford Hills: Katie Davis, author of The Curse of Addy McMahon; Jerry Davis, author of Little Chicken's Big Day.

From Chappaqua: Matt Van Fleet, author/illustrator of Sniff!; Jean Van Leeuwen, author of the Amanda and Oliver Pig series; Barbara Dee, author of Trauma Queen. Mara Van Fleet, author/illustrator of Little Color Fairies.

From Cortlandt Manor: Mayma Raphael, author of I Love the Skin I'm In!, Helen Pashley, author of Little Science Books.

From Croton: Gloria Pinkney, author of Back Home; Jerry Pinkney, illustrator of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

From Goldens Bridge: Nora Raleigh Baskin, author of Anything But Typical.

From Hartsdale: Eric Velasquez, illustrator of Touch the Sky.

From Hastings: Alyssa Capucilli, author of the Biscuit series; Ed Young, illustrator of Nighttime Ninja; Roni Schotter, author of All About Grandmas; Dan Greenburg, author of The Secrets of Dripping Fang series; and J.C. Greenburg, author of Andrew Lost series.

From Irvington: Peter Sis, author/illustrator of The Wall, Alan Richardson, author of Cupcakes, Cookies and Pie, Oh My!

From Katonah: Judy Blundell, author of 39 Clues, and Léna Roy, authorof Edges.

From Mamaroneck: Charise Mericle Harper, author/illustrator of Just Grace series.

From Ossining: Susanna Reich, author of Minette's Feast; Gary Golio, author of When Bob Met Woody.

From Scarsdale: Bernard Most, author/illustrator of Dinosaur Cousins.

From Tarrytown: Nick Bruel, author/illustrator of Bad Kitty.

From White Plains: Howard Fine, illustrator of Dinosauring.

From Yonkers­: James Howe; author of Otter and Odder.

From Yorktown: Marisabina Russo, author of The Bunnies Are Not in Their Beds.

Author and illustrator appearances, including readings and demonstrations, will be broken into segments beginning at 12, 2, and 2:30. The full schedule of authors appears on www.hudsonvalley.org. Books by all of the attending writers and illustrators will be available for purchase and signing. Food from Irvington-based Geordane's will be available for picnickers.

The event is produced by Beth Vetare-Civitello and Susan Brandes. The non-profit Historic Hudson Valley owns and operates Sunnyside, which is the romantic, picturesque homestead of Washington Irving, the author best known for The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle.

Admission is $14 for adults; $12 for seniors; $8 for children 3-17; and free for children under 3 and HHV members. Tours of Irving's house are included in the price of admission. Tickets can be purchased online: www.hudsonvalley.org. Washington Irving's Sunnyside is on West Sunnyside Lane in Tarrytown, one mile south of the Tappan Zee Bridge, off Route 9.

Photo credit: Bryan Haeffele

Carole and Paula from The Magic Garden

Kate Feiffer reads to the crowd

Clifford says hello to a fan

Arthur Howard sketches for a fan