Kids book festival lands downtown

The Vegas Valley Children's Book Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday downtown at Centennial Plaza on the campus of the Historic Fifth Street School, 401 S. Fourth St. The free festival will offer book giveaways, hands-on children's activities, theatrical performances, costumed characters, access to children's authors and their books, informational booths and music by DJ Tony .

Writer, illustrator, television creator and producer Dan Yaccarino will be on hand to interact with children and adults. Yaccarino is the author and illustrator of many children's books and creator of two hit television shows, "Willa's Wild Life" and "Oswald."

Storyteller Randel McGee's portrayal of Hans Christian Andersen also will be presented. Mayor Oscar Goodman will read a story from the stage, and hot dogs and shaved ice will be offered while supplies last.

For more information, call 229-3515.