Take 750 books for children and young adults, add 7,000 eager readers, and sprinkle in reading sessions and workshops with acclaimed writers from an exciting spectrum of cultures, and you have the makings of the Kennedy Center's Multicultural Children's Book Festival.

Cultures that will be represented in presentations and performances at the annual event, to be held this Saturday, include African, African-American, Asian, Caribbean, Indian, Arabian and Hispanic.

"We hope that, through this festival, children and their families can discover a general love of books. Reading can give them a vital sense of their own cultural identity and help them to explore other cultures as well," said Marlene Cooper, the Kennedy Center's assistant director of distance-learning initiatives. "We also want the children to be able to talk with the authors and get to know the people behind these books."

Among the many authors who will be available to sign books and answer visitors' questions throughout the day is Jabari Asim, an accomplished writer and literature critic and a father of five. Many of Asim's writings for youngsters emerged from family experiences and from suggestions from his own children. For example, he will read from his most recent book, "Daddy Goes to Work"--a topic requested by his daughter.

"I hope that children will learn something about the world of work through this book, but also that they will appreciate the idea that a father and daughter can celebrate being together, and that any day can be turned into a special day," Asim said.

His board books for toddlers include "Whose Knees Are These?" and "Whose Toes Are Those?" both of which were inspired by "nonsense rhymes" he made up to entertain his own children.

Other authors who will read from their works include Walter Dean Myers, author of "Blues Journey" and "Harlem"; Indian author Pooja Makhijani, who wrote "Mama's Saris"; African storyteller Dr. Raouf Mama; and Hispanic writer Lulu Delacre, author of "Rafi y Rosi."

Interspersed with the readings will be performances by the dynamic Step Afrika! dance troupe and Latin music by the percussion-based band Cantare.

The festival also will feature interactive demonstrations by noted illustrators of children's books.

For example, Edwin Fontanez, author of "On This Beautiful Island," will conduct a "Draw to Music" demonstration in which children will let their imaginations flow while listening to Puerto Rican bomba music.

In addition, American Indian author and illustrator Anthony Chee Emerson will reveal how he chooses his subjects and how he created the characters for "How the Rattlesnake Got Its Rattle."

Ongoing activities also will include hands-on arts and crafts creations and an opportunity to take photos with Dora the Explorer.

Celebrating its 11th year at the Kennedy Center, the festival is designed to spark the imaginations of young visitors and authors alike.

"There's a continuous stream of people who are only there to engage with children's-book authors and to celebrate children's books," Asim said. " It's a unique audience--possibly the best audience for a children's-book author. It's a mutually inspiring event. I think that authors come away from it recharged and ready to go back to work."

Collette Caprara is a free-lance writer who lives with her family in Spotsylvania.