NEW IBERIA, La. --- The Books Along the Teche Literary Festival would like to welcome all up-and-coming literary stars to participate in their Children’s Word and Picture Workshops at the Sliman Theatre and George Rodrigue Park on Saturday, April 10 with events lasting from 9-11:50 a.m.

Three different workshops will be offered ranging from musical programs to writing and illustrating activities.

Boogie on the Bayou - 9-9:45 a.m.

Be a Word Detective - 10-10:45 a.m.

Steps to Illustrating A Picture Book Workshop - 11-11:50 a.m.

These activities are free to attend and open to the public, but participants are asked to register in advance by emailing techefest@gmail.com a name, email address and the events they plan on attending. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Johnette Downing's virtual program for toddlers to third graders will be held at 9 a.m. at the Sliman Theatre (129 E. Main St.).

Children will enjoy singing along with Downing and her guitar to her popular books made-into-songs like “Today is Monday” and “Who Got the Baby in the King Cake.”

Downing’s most recent release, Swamp Romp, won the 2019 Parents’ Choice Silver Award winner, National Parenting Product Award (NAPPA), 2019 Fids and Kamily Award, and School Library Journal’s Top 10 Music of 2019. For more information on the author, visit her website.

This event has been made possible by the Stuller Family Foundation.

Margaret Simon, the author of Bayou Song, will lead a poetry workshop for children ages 8-12 at 10 a.m. at the George Rodrigue Park (201 E. Main St.).

Notebooks and pencils will be provided for planting word seeds and finding poetry along the bayou.

The workshop will be in three parts: introduction to word finding, word scavenger hunt, and writing small poems. Children can stay if they would like to make a final draft of a poem on decorative paper. The children will need to remain with a parent or guardian during the workshop.

Participants will learn about the process of illustrating an original short story.

Author-illustrator Paul Schexnayder, will teach at 11 a.m. at the Sliman Theatre (129 E. Main St.) about character development, setting and making a dummy copy. Kids will be brainstorming, sketching and drawing during this free and fun workshop.

With a focus on Great Southern Writers, the Books Along the Teche Literary Festival highlights Iberia Parish authors and others who write about the unique culture of Louisiana. Patrons will have the opportunity to explore the sights and sounds of Dave Robicheaux’s hometown as they stroll through New Iberia’s Historic District and attend one of several events celebrating our unique literary history, culture, and cuisine. Events include cooking demonstrations, a book fair, academic symposiums, receptions, music, live oak walk, children's activities, a reader’s theater and more.

The festival is an event of the Iberia Preservation Alliance, formed by Iberia Cultural Resources Association, Bayou Teche Museum, Shadows-on-the-Teche and the New Iberia Main Street Program.

A detailed schedule of events can be obtained on the festival's website and Facebook page.

All events and details are subject to change pending new Covid-19 restrictions. Necessary precautions will be taken to safeguard attendees and volunteers in line with federal and state guidelines.

For more information, contact Shadows-on-the-Teche at (337) 369-6446 or techefest@gmail.com. Sign up for festival updates on IberiaTravel.com (select Dave Robicheaux news). For travel information, visit Iberia Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau.

For more information on parish events and tourism assets, call the bureau at 337-365-1540 or visit IberiaTravel.com