Rhode Island may be the smallest state, but it boasts one of the best book festivals in the nation. Thousands of people come to the Book Festival each year to meet acclaimed authors and illustrators from all corners of the country. These authors and illustrators will travel to Providence this October for the opportunity to be featured in The Rhode Island Festival of Children’s Books and Authors, hosted by Lincoln School in Providence.

Through a new collaboration with the Central Falls Library, a Book Festival author will host a children’s event at the Central Falls Library. In addition, Lincoln School students will organize a used book drive for the library. The goals are to introduce children to the library who have never been there before, and to collect as many books as possible for the Central Falls community.

This year’s roster of writers includes author of more than 120 books, Joseph Bruchac, Rhode Island’s own Jen Corace, Carmen Agra Deedy, Jeff Kinney, author of the widely popular “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series, Herman Parish, author of the “Amelia Bedelia” series, “Math Curse” author Jon Scieszka, Bob Shea, Margaret Stohl, Laurie Keller, Chris Van Allsburg, world-renowned author and illustrator of “The Polar Express,” Padma Venkatraman and three-time Caldecott Award winner David Wiesner.

Authors give talks throughout the day, sign their books and enjoy spending time with their fans, old and new.

Young readers and their parents will have the chance to meet and talk with the authors, have their books personally signed, participate in bookmaking and other crafts, and view a special performance. The Festival – to be held on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Lincoln School, located at 301 Butler Ave. in Providence – celebrates the unique joy that can only be found by opening the pages of a book.

“This event brings literature to life not only for our students, but for students across Rhode Island and neighboring Massachusetts – we’ve even had people come from as far as New Jersey to take part in the day,” says Meagan Lenihan, lower school librarian at Lincoln School. “Our goal is to inspire a love of reading and books that will last a lifetime.”

Admission is $5. For a full listing of performances and activities, visit www.lincolnschool.org or call the school at 401-331-9696, ext. 3135.