Papilio Books Announces Third Annual Children's Italian Book Fair “Festa del Libro”

Papilio Books in cooperation with Book Passage announces the third annual “Festa del Libro”, a childen's Italian book fair extravaganza. The anticipated annual event will be held on August 28 and 29, 10am- 6pm at Book Passage Corte Madera, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd. The fair will also be held at the San Francisco Book Passage at 1 Ferry Building #42 on September 5 and 6, 10am-6pm.

Papilio is pleased to announce that for the first time the fair will extend to San Jose, hosted at the Italian/American Heritage Festa by Little Italy Kids Italian Preschool. Story time, in Italian, takes place at the Corte Madera location only on August 28 and 29 at 11 am and 4 pm Over 400 books will represent many distinguished Italian publishers including Arka, Einaudi, Mondadori, Gallucci, Emme Edizioni, Topittori and more.

The event promises to be a feast for the eyes and young imaginations as books are selected for vivid illustrations, and trademark Italian literary creativity. Selections will also include beloved contemporary characters, engaging educational topics, and consummate traditional favorites. Appropriate age levels range from infant to approximately ten years of age, as well as adult students of Italian.

The first “Festa Del Libro” in 2008 was the hard won realization of the dream of Elisabetta Ponti. Originally from Monza Italy, the mother and Marin resident yearned for the high caliber of children's books she found at home in her native Italian language. “I carried 200 books in my suitcases back from Italy.” reports Ponti, referring to her means of importing the first precious little library.

Initially concerned about ending up with left over books, she needn't worry. Her inventory sold out the first day leaving her to reorder as many more books to satisfy demand. The second year she partnered with long time friend Valerie Auberger of Rome to form Papilio Books and together they sold over 600 volumes of hand-selected merchandise. Papilio had decisively answered a niche need and the niche responded enthusiastically. “This year we have included more multimedia materials based on survey results.” said partner Auberger. ”We have also included some interesting smaller specialty publishers that are not as widely available even it Italy.”

Festa del Libro is organized by PapilioBooks in partnership with Spazio Italiano, Emporio Rulli and Cafe' Arrivederci. PapilioBooks is a Marin-based partnership started in 2008 by two local moms: Elisabetta Ponti and Valerie Auberger who share an Italian cultural background and a vivid passion for children books.

After years of exchanging Italian books with other moms eager to pass-on their language, as well as instill their traditions and cultural heritage, the idea emerged to establish an annual event celebrating the rich creativity and imagination demonstrated by Italian childrens' authors.

With the encouragement of Book Passage, host to the fair since its inception, Elisabetta and Valerie have enjoyed the continued and increasing support of Italian preschools, parents and Italian culture lovers making the book fair one of the most recognized and anticipated Italian cultural events of the Bay Area.