Lurnsters Bring Emotional Learning to Life at Livingstone's Annual Children's Book Festival

SALISBURY — Music and joyful chatter filled the halls of New Trent Gym on Livingstone College’s campus Saturday, not for a pep rally, but for an equally cheerful cause: the annual Children’s Book Festival. Moved indoors due to potential inclement weather, the event created a warm, fostering environment for area children aged three to 12 to explore the magic of reading and emotional discovery.

A key highlight this year was the interactive presence of the Lurnsters, the flagship characters from Salisbury-based Emoti Labs. These friendly "Big Feeling Monsters," who teach children Emotional Intelligence and Emotional Digital Literacy, captivated young attendees, seamlessly blending the festival's focus on literacy with essential social-emotional learning.

Deborah Johnson, Livingstone College’s UNCF director and the program's steward for nearly two decades, emphasized the event's core mission. “The book festival was designed to instill a love and appreciation for reading,” Johnson said. This vision, kept alive yearly alongside Communities in Schools Rowan, aims to provide children with tangible connections to literature. “I think there is something about children and having a book of their own,” Johnson added, noting the lasting impact of receiving free books, with children taking home three each this year due to a generous supply.

James Davis, Communities in Schools Director, described the collaboration with Livingstone as a natural fit. “We put a big focus on literacy at our schools... When we started partnering, we began thinking about how to re-engage our students.” Davis highlighted how unique entertainment makes the festival memorable and engaging. “We bring in other partners, who want to help promote these things for us and foster our literacy... This year, it’s the clown and the Lurnsters, but it is always something different so that when the kids come it is unique and interactive for them and their family.”

The inclusion of the Lurnsters offered a unique dimension, introducing children to characters designed to help them understand and manage their "Big Feelings." As children received books to expand their minds, the Lurnsters were on hand to engage their hearts, demonstrating how stories and characters can also be powerful tools for emotional growth. This aligns perfectly with Emoti Labs' mission to make learning about emotions engaging and accessible.

Alongside the Lurnsters, long-time favorite Tyca the Clown, praised by Johnson for being "great at what he does," and DJ Neak added to the day's excitement. Johnson also pointed out the value of the campus setting itself: “Livingstone, being a college in the community, gives them that experience to say that they have been on a college campus at a young age.”

Ultimately, as Davis put it, "A lot of kids like reading when they realize it can be fun and not just a task." By integrating engaging partners like the Lurnsters, the Children’s Book Festival not only celebrated literacy but also offered a glimpse into the importance of understanding our inner worlds, making for a truly enriching experience for Rowan County families.