A Champion of Children's Literature: Bob Bennett at Homewood Suites

Over a decade ago, when former RCBF Co-Director Kathy Blasi sought out an affordable hotel for authors and illustrators to stay at festival weekend, she had the good fortune to meet Bob Bennett, Manager of the Holiday Inn Express in Victor. An avid reader himself, he recognized the importance of children’s literature and how it can lead to a lifelong love of reading. Since that day, he has offered the RCBF an incredibly generous rate so we can afford to bring out-of-town authors and illustrators to Rochester. Bob is now at Homewood Suites in Victor and has offered the same generous rate this year, making the hotel a sponsor at the $1,000+ level.

Homewood Suites is a huge promoter of children’s literacy, helping open many new libraries through its partnership with the Books for Kids Foundation. The hotel even publishes its own book series based on the adventures of mascot Lewis the Duck.

We can’t thank Bob Bennett and Homewood Suites enough for giving our authors and illustrators a home away from home for festival weekend.