Great day for book lovers

Sometimes parents will thank author Megan McDonald with tears in their eyes because their child finally found a book they enjoy reading.

Saturday, parents and children came with bright smiles as they eagerly waited for an autograph from McDonald at the 9th Annual Sonoma County Book Festival.

McDonald of Sebastopol is best known in the world of children’s books for writing the tales of a precocious girl named “Judy Moody” and her annoying little brother, “Stink.”

“For me it’s about creating books to inspire kids to read more,” McDonald said. “I think it’s good for kids to have characters like Judy and Stink.” McDonald was one of about 60 authors who participated in the daylong book fair Saturday in downtown Santa Rosa’s Old Courthouse Square.

About 5,000 literary lovers browsed books, listened to lectures and attended book signings with authors brought to the festival by the Literary Arts Guild and sponsored by local businesses and supporters.

The festival, which transformed the square into a mass of books and white tents, included various independent booksellers, publishers, promoters of literacy and the local arts community, said Justin Higgs, the festival’s executive director.

“Basically, it’s a fun-filled day surrounded by books and the written word,” he said. “This is our gift to the community.”

Luke Mott, 8, of Santa Rosa, said he enjoys reading literary greats such as “Captain Underpants” and said he prefers books to TV any day.

“I think it’s fun and stuff because there is no commercials," he said. “That’s one of the reasons I like to read.”

Vallena Harris, a librarian for 16 years at Sonoma Country Day School, said the brighteyed look kids give her when they find a book they enjoy is priceless.

“If you have that basic excitement as a child, it’s something you can come back to as an adult.”

Authors from throughout California participated, including some of Sonoma County’s most established writers, including Meredith Norton, Ianthe Brautigan, Terry Ehret, Gil Mansergh and Linda Morganstein.

“We love to read,” said Devorah Oushani of San Mateo, who came with her husband and two children. “We’re trying to introduce the kids to books at an early age.”

Eric Oushani quipped that their 5-month-old, Rayna, loves “Fancy Nancy” books while their 2-year-old, Abraham, goes nuts for Noam Chomsky, Deepak Chopra and Barack Obama.

“That’s what my kids get,” he said.