BOOKS BY THE BANKS A BIG SUCCESS

"I'm really glad I was here. It was so rewarding." That was the parting comment of a first time Books by the Banks (BBTB) volunteer at the CBAS table, and it perfectly sums up the experience. Watching the changing expressions on a child's face as she learned to make her own book was indeed a rewarding and fun experience for a dozen CBAS volunteers at this year's event on Saturday, October 12.

Books by the Banks, a free event in its 7th year, is always a busy day for CBAS and our main community event for children. This year we broke all previous participation records, helping more than 200 children and a handful of interested adults learn to make simple side bound books. "Controlled chaos" might describe the day, with thousands of book lovers of all ages and descriptions crowding into the Duke Energy Convention Center. More than a dozen book-related organizations (libraries, literacy groups, reading advocacy agencies) had tables with representatives to explain their missions, while in the central area a hundred plus local, regional and nationally known authors and illustrators signed books and spoke about their work. What could be more inspiring than a huge community turn out in support of books and reading? Recognizing children who'd come to BBTB as toddlers and were now in junior high and still in love with making books!

Helping Mom tie the ribbon to secure the new book's spine.

Especially popular at the CBAS booth was the side of the table devoted to decorating and adding content to the newly made books. Because Halloween is coming up in a few weeks, the holiday stamps and cut-outs were big favorites. While most of the younger children were happy to use as many rubber stamps as possible, many of the school age book lovers got so involved they wrote complete stories and carefully illustrated their books.

This young lady got completely engrossed in writing a book she entitled The Haunted House.

Everything CBAS does is fueled by volunteers, this event more than others. We're grateful for volunteers Beth, Dee, Janice, Jack, Jeanne, Judith, Lou, Mark, Nancy, Paula, Peg and Trish who gave up time on a beautiful Saturday to help, and to Cecie, Dee, Dianne, Janice, Jo, Judith and Judy who assembled the kits. Thanks also to the BBTB planning committee for providing funding for all of our supplies. And we were delighted that members of the Greater Cincinnati Calligraphers' Guild joined us again this year to create elegant personalized bookmarks for visitors to our booth.

A future illustrator in the making?

So what's on your calendar for mid-October next year? CBAS is already planning for BBTB 2014!

Thanks, Janice K., for this great report on a special day.