Attention, readers: Little City putting 200,000 books on sale

Little City Foundation will create a tent city packed with rows of books for more than a week in June.

More than 200,000 donated books will be featured under a large tent for Little City's annual sale. What's billed as the largest outdoor used book sale will run from June 6 to 15 in the parking lot of Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center in Skokie.

For the first time, comic books also will be on sale, starting June 10. There will be 8,000 comic books.

Formerly run by the Brandeis Women's Auxiliary, Palatine-based Little City took over the sale last year.

The sale promises to be a book lovers' paradise, said Patty Russart, Little City's director of development. Authors also will stop by the sale's book lounge.

Besides being a major fundraiser for Little City, the sale promotes awareness for the organization that serves children and adults with developmental, emotional and behavioral challenges. Little City said it hopes to raise at least $250,000 from the sale.

As an added benefit, Little City's residents have a hand in preparing for and running the event.

"It provides us an opportunity to use it as a vocational program," Russart said.

Since it takes a full year to prepare for the mammoth book sale, Little City's residents are integral to the project and are trained in many facets, she said.

Never-before-read books will be among those for sale as well as gems that would please any collector.

"It's actually a great deal as far as book hunting," Russart said.

Marlin Keesler of Streamwood, who ran 50 marathons in 50 states, will be signing copies of his book all day on June 11. He focuses on how the mission brought his family together after his son was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome.

"That goes hand in hand with what we do at Little City," Russart said.

Author Rick Kogan of the Chicago Tribune will be at the sale on June 9. On June 13, authors Sharon Shea Bossard, Sheila Glazov, JA Konrath and Gail Lukasik will appear.

The sale opens June 6. For $10, browsers can get first crack at the books from 5 to 10 p.m. that day.

While Little City has its shelves full for this year's sale, donations in preparation for next year can be brought to the sale. Little City also will begin accepting books for next year starting July 1.

Little City book sale

Hours:5 to 10 p.m. June 6, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 7 to 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 15

Cost:Free except for $10 fee June 6.

Location:Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center, Golf Road and Skokie Boulevard, Skokie