Purpose

The Connecticut Children's Book Fair brings together prominent children's authors and illustrators and the general public in an annual event designed to foster the enjoyment of children's literature. The Connecticut Book Fair is available to the public without an entrance fee. Children, parents, grandparents, book collectors, and interested members of the public are welcome to attend.

The Connecticut Children's Book Fair is a project of the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center and the UConn Co-op. Proceeds from sales at the event are used for the growth of the Northeast Children's Literature Collection in the Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, University of Connecticut Libraries.

The UConn Co-op is the official bookstore for the University of Connecticut. In addition to textbooks and course materials for University students, the Co-op sells general books, computers and software, school supplies, art & engineering supplies, UConn apparel & memorabilia, greeting cards, gifts, snacks, health & beauty aids, and much more.

The Thomas J. Dodd Research Center houses the University Libraries' Archives & Special Collections as well as the Human Rights Institute and the Center for Judaic Studies & Contemporary Jewish Life. The Dodd Center preserves the University's unique manuscripts, archives, and rare books and supports the University of Connecticut’s mission of teaching, research and service.

If you are interested in participating as an author or and illustrator, please see our guidelines.

 

Sponsors

The Connecticut Children's Book Fair gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the following sponsors:

 

About the Northeast Children's Literature Collection

The Northeast Children's Literature Collection (NCLC) in the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center at the University of Connecticut acquires, preserves, and makes accessible works of historical and artistic significance in the field of children's literature. The collection includes books, manuscripts, illustrations, correspondence, artifacts, and other related materials. Currently consisting of over 14,000 catalogued children's books and serials, and the manuscript archives of 40 authors and illustrators, the collection is supported by reference works in Archives & Special Collections and the Homer Babbidge Library.

Beginning in the mid-1980's, the holdings of the library have been augmented by donations by Mrs. Billie M. Levy, a co-founder of the collection. A tireless and perspicacious collector, Ms. Levy was the first to convince such notables in the field as James Marshall to leave his materials to the University of Connecticut for research use. Ms. Levy continues to be a staunch advocate for the collection and has donated over 8,000 books.

Collection Guidelines: The Northeast Children's Literature Collection's guidelines for book acquisition include the following:

• Late 19th century to early 20th century books representing notable illustrations or representing publishing or artistic phenomena;
• Contemporary and retrospective books written or illustrated by individuals with manuscript collections in Archives & Special Collections;
• Other works that complement existing holdings;
• Contemporary books that have won major national or international awards;
• Contemporary books that were authored or illustrated by individuals associated with the Northeast or the Eastern Seaboard.

For more detailed information about the Northeast Children's Literature Collection, consult the NCLC website, online list of processed collections, or contact Terri J. Goldich, Curator of the Northeast Children's Literature Collections, Archives & Special Collections, Thomas J. Dodd Research Center.

 

About the Raab Associates Prizes

The Raab Associates Prizes are intended to promote the field of children's book writing and illustration. The illustration competition was created in 1999 by Susan Salzman Raab, founder and co-owner of Raab Associates, a children's book marketing agency based in Chappaqua, New York. Ms. Raab, who is also a 1980 UConn alumna with a degree in English, especially wants to encourage and support people who have interests in the arts and the world of publishing. The competition is held annually and the prize is awarded to students enrolled in the University of Connecticut's School of Fine Arts' illustration courses or in the English Department's creative writing courses offered during the fall semester. In 2009, Susan Raab established the Raab Associates Prize for Writing in conjunction with faculty in the English Department, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

For more information about the Raab Prize and the winners, please follow this link.