The National Book Festival

Presented by the library of congress, Hosted by First Lady Laura Bush, Free Admission -- Saturday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Every year, The Washington Post and Book World proudly support the National Book Festival, the largest of its kind in the capital. On Saturday, Sept. 29, the Festival will bring more than 75 writers and illustrators to the Mall to share their experiences and autograph their books. Washington Post editors and writers will introduce many of authors. Book World staff members will be especially active in the presentations. So put on your comfortable shoes, bring the children and come see us at the fair! Pull out this guide and take it with you!

Program Participants | Authors and Artists

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Names are followed by the pavilion and time of each person's appearance. Book signings will be held in the special area designated on the map on page 9.

Diane Ackerman is an author, poet and naturalist. She is best known for An Alchemy of Mind and the recently published history The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story. She has the rare distinction of having a molecule -- dianeackerone -- named after her. History & Biography 2:40 p.m. Signing 4 p.m.

Ann Amernick, a five-time nominee for the James Beard Pastry Chef of the Year Award, was an assistant pastry chef at the White House under two presidents. Her latest cookbook is The Art of the Dessert. Home & Family 2:40 p.m. Signing 4 p.m.

M.T. Anderson is an award-winning children's author. His book Feed was a finalist for the National Book Award and winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. His latest book, The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, won the 2006 National Book Award for Young People's Literature. Teens & Children 4:15 p.m. Signing 2 p.m.

Maria Celeste Arraras is an Emmy award-winning investigative reporter and author of Selena's Secret. Her newest book, The Magic Cane, is a bilingual publication for young readers. She is host and managing editor of Telemundo/NBC's "Al Rojo Vivo con Maria Celeste." Children 11:20 a.m. Signing 12 p.m.

David Baldacci, attorney turned author, has written 13 consecutive bestsellers, including The Collectors and Simple Genius. With his wife, he is co-founder of the Wish You Well Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting literacy. Mysteries & Thrillers 4 p.m. Signing 2 p.m.

Michael Beschloss is the author of seven presidential histories. His most recent is Presidential Courage. As NBC News presidential historian, he appears regularly on "Today," "NBC Nightly News" and "Meet the Press." He is also a regular news analyst on PBS's "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer." History & Biography 1:30 p.m. Signing 3 p.m.

Holly Black is the author of award-winning fantasy novels for children and teens, among them

Tithe and The Spiderwick Chronicles. Her latest book, Ironside, is the sequel to Tithe. Teens & Children 2:15 p.m. Signing 3 p.m.

Ashley Bryan has won the Coretta Scott King Award for illustration and six Coretta Scott King Honor awards. He is the author and illustrator of numerous books, many based on African folk tales. His latest is My America, co-illustrated with author Jan Spivey Gilchrist. Children 1:25 p.m. Signing 3 p.m.

Ken Burns is director, producer and co-writer of more than 10 historical documentaries, among them "Brooklyn Bridge," "Baseball," "Jazz" and "The Civil War," which have been nominated for Academy Awards. He is co-author, with Geoffrey Ward, of The War: An Intimate History, 1941-1945, which will air as a seven-part documentary this year. History & Biography 4 p.m. Signing 2 p.m.