Author Candace Fleming answers questions from elementary students during a past festival. Photo by Greg Schneider.

“Paddington” illustrator and actor/author Eric Pierpoint highlight the annual event

Marking the 60^th anniversary of Paddington Bear’s story, which he has drawn for more than 20 years, award-winning illustrator/author R.W. Alley will headline this year’s Charlotte S. Huck Children’s Literature Festival, March 2 and 3 in the Orton Center at the University of Redlands.

The festival, which aims to gather teachers, librarians, authors, illustrators and all who love children’s literature, will also highlight the work of University of Redlands alumnus and actor/author Eric Pierpoint and feature acclaimed children’s authors Kathi Appelt, Georgia Heard, Sy Montgomery, Marc Tyler Nobleman, James E. Ransome, and Lesa Cline-Ransome. In addition to hearing from keynote speakers, attendees can participate in 28 breakout sessions. Participants will also have an opportunity to purchase books.

The annual event was inspired by the work of internationally recognized educator Charlotte S. Huck, whose classic textbook, “Children’s Literature in the Elementary School” is now in its 10^th edition. Huck is the aunt of Char Burgess, vice president for external affairs and dean emeritus at the University of Redlands. She started the festival at Redlands and the annual Family Day at the A.K. Smiley Public Library.