Author to see future writers at kid’s book fair

Children’s book writer Michael Buckley wants some competition.

Well, eventually.

Buckley, author of the “Sisters Grimm” series, when he appears at Orange Coast College’s annual Children’s Book Festival on Saturday plans to get the kids there to brainstorm story ideas.

“I’m going to try to get kids to think outside the box,” Buckley said. “I’m finding out if Southern California has a bunch of future writers.”

This weekend marks the fourth annual book festival on the OCC campus. The festival will feature more than 80 exhibits from book vendors, educational supply stores and presentations by writers and illustrators.

Buckley has earned acclaim from the Washington Post and the Dallas Morning News for his young-adult mysteries. He has also been on the New York Times bestseller list.

“I’m just trying to get kids excited about reading and hopefully showing them that reading is fun,” Buckley said. “I hope I’m inspiring kids out there to do things that many of them think is impossible or that a normal person can’t do. You don’t need to be perfect at something to be very good at it.”

The festival is on the OCC campus green in front of the Art Center on Merrimac Way. Admission and parking are free.

Face painting, storytelling, clowns, musicians and drawings will be available for children.

“The Simpsons” five-time Emmy Award-winning TV show animator Phil Ortiz and comic-book illustrator Phil Yeh will also appear at the festival.

Ortiz has created more than 200 characters for the popular “Simpsons” cartoon, and Yeh has written a best-selling comic-book series, “Dinosaurs Across America.”

Mat Lorentz, designer for Tony Hawk and No Fear will also be at the festival.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: The Orange County Children’s Book Festival

WHERE: Orange Coast College, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa

WHEN: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

COST: No charge.

INFO: Call (714) 838-4528 or visit www.kidsbookfestival.com.

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at joseph.serna@latimes.com.