"Books are the best of things," Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, and thousands of Southern Arizonans seem to agree.
On a warm, sunny Saturday, they descended in droves on Tucson's second annual Festival of Books, turning the University of Arizona Mall into one of the happiest places in town.
"What a perfect day!" gushed Sky Fisher, 25, as son Frankie, 7, skipped to a storytelling stage.
"Great people, great books, and beautiful weather. It doesn't get any better."
About 450 authors, poets, panelists and performers are scheduled to appear during the two-day event, which continues today from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Arizona Daily Star is a major sponsor of the event, along with the University of Arizona and Diamond Children's at University Medical Center.
The opening day of the festival included everything from best-selling writers to first-timers.
People are also reading…
Famed crime and mystery novelist Elmore Leonard held court before a standing-room-only audience in the university's 340-seat Gallagher Theater. His venue this year was bigger than last year - but still not big enough for the fans who crowded into the theater and stood in a line at least a block long to get one of his books signed.
Leonard, 84, whose books have inspired popular movies ranging from "Get Shorty" to "3:10 to Yuma," had the crowd chuckling as he was interviewed onstage by Bill Buckmaster, host of "Arizona Illustrated" on KUAT-TV.
Buckmaster asked Leonard what he considered the most important rule of writing.
"Leave out the things that readers tend to skip," the author replied.
Asked what inspires the memorable dialogue for which his books are known, Leonard said. "I hear people talking in my head - don't you?"
Outside, in another venue,, first-time author Ann Wills, a Texas veterinarian, was promoting a book she wrote about her mother, Mary Allison of Green Valley, who died of brain cancer several years ago.
"The Spirit Doll Hat: A Story of Cancer, Resilience and Enlightenment," chronicles her mother's treatment at the Arizona Cancer Center and the family's interaction with a Native American healer.
Wills, 54, said she wrote the book hoping it might bring comfort to others. Half the proceeds will be donated to the cancer center, she said.
Amid the literary goings-on, the festival was a people-watching paradise.
Little boys bopped to the sound of African drummers at one of several music stages. Little girls twirled in pink and purple tutus.
Toddlers swooned over appearances by popular book characters, including The Hungry Caterpillar, Curious George and Skippyjon Jones, a rambunctious Siamese kitten with oversized ears.
A golden retriever named Champ curled up on a quilt as Jessica Witchey, 4, and her mom, Deborah Witchey, 42, read to the dog from a Dr. Seuss book. The Read-to-a-Dog program is run by the Pima County Public Library.
"He loves people, and people seem to love him," said Champ's owner, Mary Zalokar, 64.
Lyssa Holmes, 49, and daughter Libby, 7, had so much fun they're already planning a visit to next year's festival.
"It's such a nice atmosphere," said Lyssa Holmes. "We'll definitely come again."
At the Daily Star Pavilion
The Arizona Daily Star's Pavilion focuses today on "Behind the Byline," about the personalities behind the stories.
Today
• 10 a.m. Merl Reagle, crossword puzzle creator who sold his first crossword to the New York Times when he was a 16-year-old Tucsonan.
• 11:30 a.m. Mark Frost, best-selling author, television/film writer, director and producer whose latest book, "Game Six," gives an in-depth look of the 1975 World Series game. Tucsonan Pat Darcy, a Cincinnati Reds pitcher in that game, will appear with Frost.
• 1 p.m. Janice Kaplan, former editor of Parade magazine and author and co-author of 11 books, will conduct an interview with Christopher Reich, bestselling author of five acclaimed novels, including "Rules of Deception."
• 2:30 p.m. Star columnist Greg Hansen, who has written about sports in Southern Arizona since 1982. His book, "Hustling to Beat Deadline," was published in December.
• 4 p.m. Jack Cox, president of The Communications Institute, will moderate a panel of national experts and authors who will discuss approaching the future with reason, not fear. The Communications Institute (TCI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising the level of communication and discussion of critical issues in society.
Contact reporter Carol Ann Alaimo at calaimo@azstarnet.com or at 573-4138.
