Bev Craig is a long-time Festival attendee and supporter and was a teacher and a literacy and curriculum coordinator with School District 46 for many years. It wasn’t a big leap for her to connect her love of the Festival and literacy with her work in Coast classrooms. Through the Celebration of Authors, Books and Community program, she saw firsthand the impact working directly with authors had on her students. “The kids get inspired,” says Bev. “The writers take them on a whole journey, connecting reading and writing in a range of genres and voices. They’re thinking creatively, there’s curiosity, and learning the story behind the story.” Bev knew exactly how her students felt having experienced something similar while attending the Festival. “There’s a richness of ideas and genres,” she says. “A range of cultures and backgrounds is represented that has opened up a whole bunch of doors for me.” She’s also a Festival donor and became a member of the Board in 2019 to give something back to an organization that has given so much. “It’s been a growing experience for me and it’s been a chance to contribute to making the Festival sustainable.”