The October festival brings together authors and readers for a celebration of books and reading. In addition to a spectacular two-week lineup of nationally known authors, families will surely enjoy the annual children’s street fair, WordPlay Saturday, on October 20 at ImaginOn…with special guest, Kevin Clash (the voice of Elmo)! On the same day, mix and mingle with award-winning authors and illustrators for young people at Novello’s Book Brunch. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.novellofestival.org.

He came, he read…and a packed audience in the Wachovia Playhouse was enthralled. ImaginOn was thrilled to host Jim Dale, the voice behind the Harry Potter audio books, as he read from the series for the very last time in public. ImaginOn entered a national competition, and was selected as Mr. Dale’s host based on the originality of our programming ideas and the circulation of audio books in our collection. The appearance was the centerpiece of “Listen Up!” a day-long audio celebration.

September 19 is International Talk Like A Pirate Day, and we’ll be celebrating pirate-style all day! There will be a pirate storytime, balloon animals, crafts, pirate costumes and more – so bring your parrot, your peg leg, and a sense of humor!

Spangler Library has books for everyone – even boys! Check out our hot new blog just for boys and find out the best books to read. Send us your favorites too!

Children’s Theatre of Charlotte turns 60 this year, and we’re celebrating with an exciting new lineup of MainStage Productions and Special Events. The party kicks off at the end of September, as we open our season by taking audiences over the rainbow with the magic and wonder of The Wizard of Oz!

Check out our entire season and purchase your tickets in advance. You can also call the Box Office at 704.973.2828, or visit the Box Office at ImaginOn (hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday).

For the second year, First Ward Elementary School fourth graders and teachers will again join with ImaginOn to explore theatre, poetry and jazz as inspirations and tools for writing. This academic year kicked off with a professional development session featuring Glenis Redmond, performance poet and author. Each of the fourth-grade classes visits ImaginOn once a month for a session led by a Children’s Theatre and Library staff team over the course of the school year.

The students attend two Children’s Theatre productions, meet as many authors as possible and have several classroom tutor visits from a member of the ImaginOn team. Ms. Redmond returns for classroom visits in December and will perform for teachers, librarians and artists in the Wachovia Playhouse at 3:30 on Wednesday, December 12. (All are welcome to attend.) The year will culminate with a student-written, student-illustrated, student-recorded picture poetry book and accompanying CD.

Come join the fun going on in classroom spaces at ImaginOn and convenient satellite locations in Ballantyne, South Charlotte, University, Davidson, and Pineville. Visit us online for complete information and registration.

This fall, technology education classes for homeschoolers return! Starting in September, Tech Central will offer tweens an opportunity to be news reporters from the virtual environment of Whyville. Tweens can learn, hang out, start a business, go to events at the Greek Theatre and more. Parents are welcome to sign up for an account on Whyville and explore along with their son/daughter. Classes will be in ImaginOn's computer lab on the second floor, Tuesdays, September 4-September 25, 10am-11am. For more information, email TECH CENTRAL or call 704-973-2727.