R.L. Stine

SLIPPERY ROCK — Well-known children's book author R.L. Stine was scheduled to be in the Slippery Rock area this past year to film an opening introduction to his film, "The Haunting Hour." But a fall left one of his legs in shambles, and he did not come.

That's why he gladly accepted the offer to come and speak this year during Slippery Rock University's Kalediscope festival of arts running April 18 to 29.

Stine will speak, read and sign books at 3 p.m. April 21 in the SRU multi-purpose room as a part of Kaleidoscope's annual Children's Day.

"My wife and I were thrilled when the invitation came to your festival," Stine said. "It meant we'd have a chance to come there after all. I love meeting my readers, telling them about my new 'Rotten School' book series. I like telling kids how much fun it is to read."

Stine appeared at book festivals and schools in more than 25 cities last year.

"I try to do as many of them as I can ¿ mainly because I love getting out and meeting my readers," he said.

Children in Slippery Rock are just as excited to have the opportunity to meet the world-renowned author of the "Goosebumps" book series.

"We had a small group of students who signed a petition at Slippery Rock Elementary to have him come," said Rachela Permenter, who spearheaded the effort to get Stine to Slippery Rock.

"So we called and asked his agent. We mentioned that the students signed the petition and were told he was willing to come based on the region.

"He knows someone in Pittsburgh, apparently, and he was in Pittsburgh filming a movie last year so that may have been the reason why he decided to come," Permenter said.

Children's Day is an event that gives youths the opportunity to gauge the importance of reading, Permenter said.

"It's the promotion of literacy as an art," she said. "Any time an artist can get young people excited about reading, we're really happy. And he is able to do that. He is very well known. His name is definitely a draw to that."

Penning the popular "Goosebumps" series, as well as the "Fear Street," "Mostly Ghostly" and "Rotten School" series, Stine has sold more than 300 million books worldwide. He will sign books only from his "Rotten School" series.

To ensure entrance to the event, SRU is distributing free tickets on a first-come, first-served basis. The multi-purpose room where the event will be held seats 1,100 people. If room is available, more tickets will be released at the door.

Children's Day lasts from 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. For free tickets to Stine's appaerance, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to CHFPA — Stine Tickets, 104 Strain Behavior Science Building, Slippery Rock, PA 16057. Tickets are limited to four per family.

The Kaleidoscope Arts Festival, in its sixth year, is sponsored by SRU's College of Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts. It seeks to bring diverse arts events to the area.