The Bay Area's best children's authors, illustrators and storytellers visit UC Berkeley for the 14th Celebration of Children's Literature on Saturday, April 12 from 11:30am to 2:30pm. The free community event takes place at UC Berkeley's Tolman Hall as part of Cal Day, the annual campus-wide open house, and includes fun, educational activities: a book fair with author signings, storytelling, music, bookmaking and roving guest Curious George. Food and refreshments and free parking will be available.

Among the nine award-winning Bay Area authors and illustrators on hand will be: Gennifer Choldenko, the Newberry award- winning author of Al Capone Does My Shirts (set in Alcatraz) and other highly acclaimed books for young readers; Thacher Hurd, creator of more than 20 picture books including Mama Don't Allow, Art Dog, Mystery on the Docks and the recently published Sleepy Cadillac; and Marissa Moss, the author/illustrator of the popular "Amelia's Notebook" series. Award-winning illustrators on hand include Elisa Kleven, whose brightly-colored artwork include The Paper Princess series; Abuela; The Wishing Ball and Sun Bread, which earned a New York Times Best Illustrated Book award; and LeUyen Pham who has illustrated nearly 30 children's picture books, most recently Freckleface Strawberry written by actress Julianne Moore and God's Dream penned by Archbishop Desmond Tutu (to be released September 2008); and Sarah Klise, who, with her sister Kate, creates delightful, sometimes wacky, graphic novels for middle readers as well as a number of picture books. San Francisco

Bay Area storytelling sensation Joel ben Izzy and up- and-coming storytellers Kirk Waller and Tim Ereneta will spin memorable tales; acclaimed children's musician and recording artist Gary Lapow will perform a midday concert and sing-along; and the Bay Area Writing Project will offer a drop-in bookmaking art activity. Curious George will be there to welcome children of all ages.

The Celebration of Children's Literature is presented by UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Education and the Cal Student Store with support from the Penguin Young Readers Group, Academic Talent Development Program, the Graduate School of Education Alumni Association and the Bay Area Writing Project.

For a schedule and program details, visit the Celebration of Children's Literature website at http://gse.berkeley.edu/childlit.html (510) 642-0137. authors/illustrators Jane Wattenberg and Oliver Chin round out the program. or call