“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 his way to a storytelling stage.
“Great people, great books, and beautiful weather. It doesn’t get any better.”
People are also reading…
About 450 authors, poets, panelists and performers are scheduled to appear during the two-day event, which continues Sunday. The Arizona Daily Star is a major sponsor of the event.
Opening day included everything from best-selling writers to first-timers.
Famed crime and mystery novelist Elmore Leonard heldcourt 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 his books are known for, 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 repeat visit to next year’s festival.
“It’s such a nice atmosphere,” said Lyssa Holmes. “We’ll definitely come again.”
