KTKA

Opportunities to meet a favorite author don't happen every day. But, for a group of Kansas third- through eighth-graders, that opportunity will happen Oct. 4 in Emporia.

Authors of this year's two William Allen White Children's Book Award winners will be spending the day in Emporia, attending the celebration and ceremony that accompanies the long-running recognition program for literature aimed at young readers.

The winners of this year's awards are Ann M. Martin, author of "A Dog's Life," and Tonganoxie resident Lisa D. Harkrader, who wrote "Airball: My Life in Briefs." They will sign books.

Harkrader is only the second Kansas author to win this award.

Martin is from upstate New York.

Activities for the 56th annual celebration begin Oct. 3, with read-ins and sleepovers for third- through eighth-grade students. Space is limited to 100 students.

Activities pick back up Oct. 4, with a book sale and autograph sessions from 8 to 11 a.m. The David Traylor Zoo of Emporia and Emporia Art Council will also host children's activities.

"We'll have our own version of Bill Nye The Science Guy. Matt Seimears is one of our science professors who is doing fun science experiments," Emporia State University spokeswoman Joyce Davis said.

A parade will begin at 12:15 from campus to the William Lindsay White Auditorium, preceding the awards ceremony at the auditorium at 1 p.m.

The ceremony costs $5 per person.

For more information, call (620) 341-5208.