The UC Davis School of Education is preparing once again to host Words Take Wing, a celebration of diversity in children's literature.

The fourth annual event, sponsored by the School of Education and the UC Davis Children's Hospital, is scheduled for Feb. 27 at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts. This year's speaker is Robert D. San Souci, author of such books as The Talking Eggs, adapted from a Louisiana Creole folktale, and The Faithful Friend: A Story from the Caribbean, both Caldecott and Coretta Scott King honor books; and Sukey and the Mermaid, another Coretta Scott King Honor Book.

Joanne Galli-Banducci, a lecturer and teacher education supervisor in the School of Education, founded Words Take Wing to emphasize literacy, the joy of reading, and the scholarship, perspectives and viewpoints presented by a children's author or illustrator. Further, the event focuses on authors and illustrators who explore and create settings representative of diverse cultures and worldviews.

Words Take Wing comprises two programs, one at 10:30 a.m. and the other at 7 p.m., both open to the public, and for children and adults. However, children may prefer the morning program (with an emphasis on readings from the author's books) and adults may prefer the evening program (a more "intellectual" lecture, with the author talking more about historical and personal influences on his or her work).

Busloads of children and their teachers are expected to stream in for the morning program, said Donna Justice, director of communications for the School of Education. She said the age range is approximately third grade through eighth grade.

Justice said many of the classes will attend via sponsorship by a School of Education "community fund," which takes contributions from faculty and staff.

The morning program is set to take place in the Mondavi center's Jackson Hall, and the evening program in the smaller Studio Theatre.

This year, after the author's evening lecture, the program will continue with a panel discussion, with student teachers joining the author in a conversation about the importance of multicultural literature for children and its impact on learning in the classroom and beyond. Justice said a question-and-answer session with the audience will follow.

Book sales are planned at the morning and evening programs, and San Souci is scheduled to sign books after the evening program.

The author also is scheduled to visit Children's Hospital, to meet with patients who of course are unable to come to Words Take Wing.

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Fourth annual Words Take Wing: Honoring Diversity in Children’s Literature, sponsored by the UC Davis School of Education and the UC Davis Children’s Hospital

WHEN AND WHERE: Feb. 27, Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts -- 10:30 a.m. -- Jackson Hall (this program is described as more children-oriented)

-- 7 p.m. -- Studio Theatre (more “intellectual” in nature)

ON THE RADIO: San Souci and Galli-Banducci are scheduled to be interviewed at 2 p.m. Feb. 26, the day before Words Take Wing, on the Insight program on Capital Public Radio’s KXJZ 90.9 FM out of Sacramento.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: www.rsansouci.com

TICKETS: If you are a teacher and are interested in bringing your class, contact Donna Justice at dljustice@ucdavis.edu for a special order form and to get on the Words Take Wing mailing list. Otherwise, people may order tickets through the Mondavi Center box office, (530) 754-2787 or (866) 754-2787, or www.mondaviarts.org.