Attention book lovers: McIntyre's Books lines up picture book, middle grade authors for first Whirlikids Book Festival

The free event is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Feb. 3, inside The Barn at Fearrington Village in Pittsboro, not far from Chapel Hill.

During the event, visitors will get the chance to meet the authors behind some recently acclaimed picture books to middle grade novels, which traditionally are for older elementary students and tweens. Authors will read from their books and take questions. Visitors who purchase a book from McIntyre's Books by one of the featured authors can get a ticket to get their book signed by the author.

"It sort of all came out of a suggestion from one of the authors that we've had recently," Sarah Carr, the shop's children's book buyer, tells me. "She said, 'You know you have a great facility. You have the opportunity to have a great festival.' And it seems to be a big trend now happening in the children's bookselling world that publishers just seem to be tending to like to send authors to festivals."

So, Carr said, they thought they'd give it a try.

Many book festivals seem to highlight young adult novels, but, Carr said, McIntyre's customers gravitate toward picture books and middle grade books. So Carr opted to focus on books for younger children - ages 12 or so and younger.

"People love those books at all ages," Carr said. "I'm in my fifties and I can't get enough picture books. They inspire me every day. It's just a great opportunity to bring in some really cool authors."

Featured authors include lots of people who Go Ask Mom readers may recognized from earlier posts.

If you can't make it to the event, but would like a book signed, you can call to pre-order books. Call the shop at 919-542-3030.

After families attend the festival, they can check out the Belted Galloway cows, goats and chickens on the property and the large whirligigs, which inspired the festival's name.

"It's a special thing to be able to share really terrific books," Carr said. "Whirlikids is a great chance to showcase these wonderful people who live and work and produce and create right here in North Carolina ... and then add some names from elsewhere too."

The shop is at 2000 Fearrington Village Center, Pittsboro.