New: the bookstore hosts the children’s authors festival

BUFFALO, NY — Alice, Ever After Books hosted its first children’s author festival this weekend.

The festival, which ran from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Parkside Avenue in Buffalo, celebrated young entrepreneurs on Saturday.

Meg Howe, owner of Alice, Ever After Books, spoke with 2 On Your Side and shared what inspired the festival.

The store has been open for three years and since the beginning, young people who come there have always asked when they will be able to sell their own books there.

“This is a kid-led, kid-driven activity,” Howe said. “They were just looking for a place to share their stories with other people.”

On Instagram, the kids shared their bios and the motivations behind creating their book. Christina, 9, said, “I wrote my story because I was sharing my feelings about my natural hair.”

There were so many children interested that a waiting list had to be established, and participants have already asked when the next festival would be.

The festival was set up like a lemonade stand, with children promoting their books outside on the sidewalk. Young children were seen asking passersby, “Who wants a book?” and “Would you like to buy a book?”

When their books were purchased, some for a dollar, others for five dollars, many buyers asked the author to sign their copy.

Each child was able to decide how much they wanted to sell their book for and received 100% of what they earned. The bookstore didn’t take any money, the real benefit was inspiring the children.

Howe said they definitely plan to do the festival again next summer.

The bookstore’s goal is to focus on children, helping them in any way possible, which includes a step stool at the counter to help them pay for their own books.

“Our mission is to make sure that every child in Buffalo can see themselves in a book. When they come in, they can see themselves in the illustrations of a story. We also want kids to see other people’s experiences in books,” Howe said.

Alice, Ever After Books is located at 295 Parkside Avenue in North Buffalo.