Children’s Literature Festival Fund

The annual Children’s Literature Festival celebrates the value of literature which lets young readers discover the fabulous world of imagination. The Children’s Literature Fund was created in 2007 through the leadership and generosity of Travis W. Freeman through a gift he made to Truman State University. The fund allowed the University to resume programming of the Children’s Literature Festival, which had been a featured special event in the University’s former Language and Literature Division for 21 consecutive years until 2004 when it was discontinued due to severe budget restraints.

The Children’s Literature Festival brings authors from the region and throughout the country together with area children, teachers, librarians, educators and interested citizens to celebrate children’s literature and to share insights and experiences in writing, illustrating, reading and appreciating this genre.

During the Children’s Literature Festival, authors are showcased providing an opportunity to connect children with books and their authors. An estimated 1,200 to 1,500 children from grades three through six in approximately 20 area schools are invited to participate in the sessions which are held on campus.