Asner event draws lots of kids, pillowcases

Children’s author and illustrator Anne-Marie Asner had a “nice sized event,” according to 13th Annual Jewish Book Festival organizer Debbie Pesses. Even though most of the audience was pint-sized, Asner was warmly received as she read portions of her book “Shluffy Girl,” part of her Matzah Ball Books series of Yiddish-inspired characters.

Children show their decorated pillowcases at the JCC's Book Festival event with Anne-Marie Asner. (Photo by Alan Smason)

As part of the event on Sunday, November 4 at the Uptown JCC, children were encouraged to participate in an crafts project whereby they decorated a pillow case in honor of “Shluffy Girl,” the character who was always sleepy. The children were able to take the pillowcases home as part of the festival. Copies of all of the other Matzah Ball Books selections – “Hanukkah with Noshy Boy and Friends,” “Shmutzy Girl,” “Noshy Boy,” “Shluffy Girl,” “Kvetchy Boy,”  and “Klutzy Boy” – were also available for sale.

Asner was also the judge for the annual contest whereby four groups of area school children colored and decorated bookmarks with their own designs. Winners in each group were selected by Asner as Pesses watched her deliberate.

Author and illustrator Anne-Marie Asner, right, picks winners in the bookmark contest as Debbie Pesses helps her sort entries. (Photo by Alan Smason)

The winning bookmarks have been laminated and labeled and will be posted on the walls of the JCC auditorium with all the other entries for attendees to view at the remainder of the Book Festival events, the Booklover’s Luncheon on Thursday, November 8 with author and screenwriter Amy Ephron and Comic Relief! on Saturday, November 10, with author and NPR celebrity Dan Zevin.

The Booklover’s Luncheon will be catered by Chef Rommel. Tickets for the luncheon and presentation by Ephron are $30.00, while tickets for the presentation alone are $10.00 and are available by calling 504-897-0143.