BENTONVILLE -- Numerous mini masked superheroes were in action Saturday at the Bentonville Public Library.
Masked and costumed children attended Saturday's Youth Literature Festival.
Sue Pekel, children's librarian, said the day featured a variety events from free comic book giveaway to superhero training camp along with superhero crafts and costume contest.
Pekel said the purpose of the event was to spur the creativity and imagination of children while at the same time getting them involved in reading and books.
Jeff Parker of Bentonville brought his five children and a neighbor's child to the event. Parker said he thought the festival was an interesting event and he was impressed it held the children's attention.
"I thought the superhero thing was a pretty good idea," Parker said. "They are having a blast."
Seven-year-old Ava Thomas said she was having fun and her favorite superhero is Batgirl. Ava said her favorite part of the event was being able to participate in the superhero training.
Nathan Highfill of Bentonville said he thought the festival was a good event for children.
Joanna Highfill, 8, said she was having fun and she especially liked the part about superheroes. Her favorite superhero is Wonder Woman.
Mylon Ash of Bentonville believes the festival was a great way to get children involved with the library. "It's a nice way for the kids to get use to the library without having to be quiet," Ash said.
Ash brought his two daughter: Neena, 7 and Veda, 5. The girls said they had fun at the festival.
The festival also included presentations by children's authors and illustrators.
Mary Casanova is one of the authors and Ard Hoyt is one of the illustrators. The pair have worked on seven books together.
Casanova was excited that she able to be one of presenters at the festival. It gave her a chance to meet some of her young readers, but she also feels it is important to promote reading to not only children but the community.
Hoyt, who lives in Bentonville and works for Wal-Mart, said he never had the chance to meet authors and illustrators when he was a child. Hoyt believes it's important for authors and illustrators to meet their young readers to show them they (authors and illustrators) are regular people.
Both Casanova and Hoyt said the event also gave authors and illustrators a chance to meet. "It's great to get together and talk shop and hang out," Casanova said.
Casanova said she hopes the festival becomes a yearly event and believes more authors and illustrators will attend each year making the festival "a feather in Bentonville's cap."
Pekel said they are planning for the festival to be an annual event.
NW News on 05/03/2015