Not Just For Kids!
Friday, April 28 and Saturday April 29, 2023
Game
Dungeons and Dragons
Audience: Ages 10 – 17
Presenter: Ben Riggs
Date: Friday, April 28
Time: 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Location: McIntosh Memorial Library
Experience the Wisconsin-invented and now world-famous tabletop role playing game, Dungeons & Dragons.
Gaming is known for its benefits of teaching focus, fostering cooperation, inspiring problem-solving, and much more. The games will take place throughout the library.
Podcaster/teacher/author Ben Riggs will speak from 4:00 to 4:30 to kick off the event. For those new to the game to experienced players, this activity is for all ages with a special focus on teen leadership.
Game
Family & Friends Board Games
Audience: All Ages
Date: Saturday, April 29
Time: All day
Location: McIntosh Memorial Library
Gather your group to play family board games with your friends and children! Board games are known to build communication skills, promote brain development, encourage problem-solving, and provide many hours of fun. A variety of new and favorite games will be ready for players to select and enjoy at their leisure.
Game
Magic: The Gathering tournament
Audience: Ages 10 – 17
Facilitator: James Kangas
Date: Saturday, April 29
Time: 9:00 am – 12:30 pm
Location: McIntosh Memorial Library Adult Area
Registration: Sign up here
Magic: The Gathering is a role-playing card game in which wizards cast spells, summon creatures, and exploit magical objects to defeat their opponents. Game boards and cards will be provided at no cost.
Presentation
Spies, Sleuths, Scoundrels, and Storytellers
Audience: All Ages
Author: Margi Preus
Date: Saturday, April 29
Time: 9:15 am – 10:00 am
Location: McIntosh Memorial Library Program Room
From picture books to middle grade, from true stories to fantasy, Margi Preus will attempt to cover it all in this interactive presentation for all ages. Along the way we’ll talk about the role of fortune and misfortune in stories (and life), find the extraordinary in the ordinary, ask lots of questions, get plenty of answers, maybe create a thunderstorm, and prove that we are all storytellers. Margi will present and discuss her newly published picture book Lily Leads the Way. Preus is a Newbery award-winning and ALA/ALSC Notable author. Her collection of work ranges from young adult historical fiction to picture books. Book signing to follow.
Storytime
Storytime
Audience: Ages 2 – 5
Presenters: Festival Youth Committee
Date: Saturday, April 29
Time: 10:10 – 10:30 am
Location: McIntosh Memorial Library Youth Play Area
Local teachers and librarians read their favorite picture books.
Activity
Drawing with Jeff
Audience: Ages 7 – 11
Presenter: Jeff Balke
Date: Saturday, April 29
Time: 11:00 – 11:50 am
Location: McIntosh Memorial Library Program Room
Jeff Balke is a Milwaukee-based entrepreneur, animator, voice actor, colorist, and producer/director of his own animation studio, Jeff Balke Studios, specializing in 2D Animation. Balke presents step-by-step instructions to children to develop their coloring skills, enhance their characters to design comics. Materials provided at no cost. Registration not required.
Presentation
How & Why to Read Graphic Novels with Children and Which Ones
Audience: All Ages
Presenter: Festival Youth Committee
Date: Saturday, April 29
Time: 12:00 – 12:30 pm
Location: McIntosh Memorial Library Aviary Seating Area
Local teachers, school, and public librarians give guidance in selecting and reading books of this popular genre to young readers with an emphasis on the value of graphic novels in reading development. The presenters will share their favorite graphic novels for children ages 0-17.
Presentation
Finding Your Inspiration
Audience: All Ages
Author: Kao Kalia Yang
Date: Saturday, April 29
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Location: Historic Temple Theatre
Come discover the stories that have inspired and sustained author Kao Kalia Yang in her journey as a children’s book author. Yang will read from her children’s books and discuss their inspirations.
Kao Kalia Yang’s appearance is funded in part by a grant from Wisconsin Humanities, with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Wisconsin Humanities strengthens our democracy through educational and cultural programs that build connections and understanding among people of all backgrounds and beliefs throughout the state.
Activity
Stop Motion Animation Workshop
Audience: Neurodiverse students Ages 12 – 17
Presenters: Islands of Brilliance
Date: Saturday, April 29
Time: 2:30 – 3:50 pm
Location: McIntosh Memorial Library Program Room
Registration: Here
Milwaukee-based organization, Islands of Brilliance, provides unique learning and social engagement opportunities for neurodiverse students. This hands-on program introduces character-development, storytelling, art, design, and technology by an experienced and supportive staff utilizing a STEAM-based curriculum. Materials provided at no cost.
Presentation
Fan Favorites Panel
Audience: All Ages
Presenters: Local enthusiasts
Date: Saturday, April 29
Time: 2:45 – 3:45 pm
Location: McIntosh Memorial Library Adult Area
Explore and share the global fascination with anime, manga, fan fiction, and Pokemon. A panel of local enthusiasts lead a robust, interactive discussion with plenty of time for group Q & A.
Performance
The Magic of Isaiah
Audience: All Ages
Presenters: Isaiah Foster
Date: Saturday, April 29
Time: 4:00 – 4:50 pm
Location: Eagles Club, downstairs
La Crosse magician, Isaiah Foster, presents an interactive comedy magic show that will have your group engaged, amazed, and rolling with laughter! As an experienced magician, Foster presents innovative tricks during his one-of-a-kind comedic show. Come and experience the magic!
All times, locations, and programs are subject to change.
The Ridges & Rivers Book Festival will follow any current CDC recommendations concerning COVID-19 protocols.
McIntosh Memorial Library
205 South Rock Avenue, Viroqua, Wisconsin
(608) 637-7151 Ext. 8
