Beverly Cleary, author and creator of the incredible Ramona Quimby, started Drop Everything and Read Day (DEAR) so that folks of all ages could be reminded to make reading a priority in their lives. Cheekwood celebrates DEAR by featuring local authors and storytellers bringing fanciful tales to life. Bring a book, find a new one, and remember why reading is fun(damental)!
Author and Illustrator readings on the First Horizon Performance Stage | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
10 AM | Shauna LaVoy Reynolds, Author
Poetree by Shauna LaVoy Reynolds and illustrated by Shahrzad Maydani
10:30 AM | Jessica Young, Author
I’ll Meet You in Your Dreams by Jessica Young and illustrated by Rafael López
Play This Book by Jessica Young and illustrated by Daniel Wiseman
11 AM | Jeff Crossan, Author and Illustrator
I Ate a Cicada Today by Jeff Crossan
11:30 AM | Rachel Tawil Kenyon, Author
Alphabet Love by Rachel Tawil Kenyon and illustrated by Anna Süßbauer
You Know How to Love by Rachel Tawil Kenyon and illustrated by Mary Lundquist
12 PM | Susan Eaddy, Author and Illustrator
Poppy’s Best Paper by Susan Eaddy and illustrated by Rosalinde Bonnet
12:30 | Dawn Burns, Author
This is Nashville by Dawn Burns and Illustrated by Candler Reynolds
Additional Programming:
Parnassus Book Selling on the First Horizon Performance Stage | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
In Celebration of Drop Everything and Read, Parnassus Books will be on site in the Children’s Garden selling Beverly Cleary’s Ramona books in addition to the books being read by the local authors and illustrators.
Create Your Own Story on the Picnic Lawn in the Children’s Garden | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Taking inspiration from the stories being read this day, you can create your own short story complete with original illustrations and a title.
Reading Station in the Herb Garden| 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
D.E.A.R. is a nationally celebrated holiday where kids and their families are encouraged to take time out of their day to read. Find Cheekwood’s mobile book cart in the Herb Garden where you can sit down and read a book.
