As the pages of history turn, we find ourselves reflecting on a remarkable milestone—the 30th Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, the largest book festival in the United States, held on April 26-27, 2025. Set against the stunning backdrop of the University of Southern California campus, this annual celebration of literature brought together thousands of book lovers, authors, and industry professionals for a weekend brimming with literary magic.
Attracting around 150,000 attendees from Southern California and beyond, the festival was a testament to the enduring appeal of literature and the community it fosters. Each event, each conversation, and each shared moment contributed to a rich tapestry of experiences that celebrated the diverse voices and stories that shape our world.
This year, Citi of Books was thrilled to be part of this vibrant gathering, where the love for literature was palpable in the air. Whether you were a lifelong bibliophile or a curious newcomer exploring the world of books, the festival provided a unique opportunity to connect with fellow enthusiasts and share our passion for the written word.
As we look back on this unforgettable weekend, we invite you to join us in reliving the highlights of Citi of Books’ gallery during the 30th Los Angeles Times Festival of Books—a true celebration of the literary arts! A book included in the gallery was “The Song: A Lesson To Live By” by Ilene C. Herman.
Ilene Weinberger grew up in Cleveland, Ohio where she won her first writing award in the fourth grade for an essay about America. She graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Speech and Hearing Therapy from Western Reserve University in Cleveland.
She is a successful speech therapy program specialist, married her high school sweetheart, Irwin Herman, and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. She became interested in California and Native American history, studying and writing about these topics. She obtained a master’s degree in applied history and published numerous papers.
Ilene’s writing style evolved, incorporating verses, short stories, plays, essays, and travel articles. She was a strong supporter of children’s issues and policies, and her theme in this book is that early education can help solve global divisiveness and hate. After a sudden illness, Ilene died after sixty-five years of marriage at the age of eighty-seven.
The book is being published by her family as a memorial to her efforts and her beliefs. She hoped you and your little ones enjoy the story.
“The Song: A Lesson To Live By” is a poetic children’s book about a baboon and its bassoon making a tune. As the baboon was playing, the goat and a deer started singing. They sing loudly so that the other animals can hear and all of them can sing together.
Every page of this book is filled with engaging illustrations of animals, which can captivate the interest of children. Many of the characters, as well as the plots and locations, evolved as the author’s little ones would suggest specific items they wanted to hear.
This book is not only for entertainment but also for a lesson: that while everything in the world is different, there is something in common that will help everyone get along.
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