Sacramento -- Crayons, watercolors and glitter -- lots of glitter! -- adorn artwork created by young artists participating in Saturday's contest to win cash prizes, sponsored by the Friends of Southgate Library.

Thanks to Comics & Collectibles on Fruitridge Road, every artist received two free comic books to take home on the final day of Dia! Many Children...Many Cultures...Many Books program at Sacramento County libraries.

Nicole Powel, children's librarian, says this program celebrating Sacramento's multi-cultural diversity highlights 2012's schedule of events emphasizing in-home reading for all children and their parents. "By coming to these library events," she explains, "children are provided with free books to take home and keep.

Sacramento writer Valerie Fioravanti believes there are fiction and creative nonfiction writers in the greater Sacramento area hungry for learning experiences from what she refers to as Master Teachers.  These are writers with rich publication and teaching histories, the kind of writers who teach in the best MFA programs and writers conferences across the country, teachers who write craft texts or edit prominent magazines, such as the Atlantic Monthly.

Upcoming Workshop - May 12 & 13 (location Midtown)

Peter Ho Davies is the author of the story collections Equal Love & The Ugliest House in the World and the historical novel The Welsh Girl. His work has appeared in Harpers, Atlantic Monthly, Paris Review, Prize Stories: The O. Henry Awards and Best American Short Stories. Granta named him a “Best Young British Novelist” in 1993.

Sacramento -- Wire Elementary students in South Sacramento enjoy a "Healthy Breakfast" treat while celebrating a victory with Principal Bao Moua, who dyed her hair green because students read 51,717 book pages during the school's Read-A-Thon. Principal Bao promised to dye her hair green if students read 40,000 book pages by the end of March. Apparently, students eagerly read 25% more than required to see their principal with green hair. In this case, reading connects Wire's 460 students to fun and knowledge!