Mention going to a historical home for a Saturday tour and you may get a few groans from your kids.

Now tell them they’ll meet some of their favorite writers and illustrators and even characters from books, and see what happens.

The 14th annual Children’s Book Day will be held at Washington Irving’s estate, called Sunnyside, in Tarrytown. The historic home is part of the network of historic sites in the Hudson Valley and hosts special events in addition to tours.

The day includes book signings and a “meet the characters” activity, where Bunnicula, Franklin the Turtle, Clifford, the Big Red Dog and Biscuit will greet visitors and pose for photos.

Young readers who want to shake hands with their favorite authors can look up on a schedule, posted with this story, to find out when they can meet a particular writer. 

For kids who want to meet an author from their town, these local writers will be available:

• Katie and Jerry Davis, Bedford Hills authors and collaborators on “Little Chicken’s Big Day,” a picture book released this year. They’re scheduled to appear between noon and 2:30 p.m.
• Judy Blundell, the Katonah author also known as Jude Watson, and author of the popular Star Wars fiction series, among other novels. She’ll be signing books from 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Lena Roy, Bedford Hills resident and author of Edges, a story for older teens, also free 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Other authors appearing and making their first appearance at the fair include Peter Brown, author/illustrator of You Will Be My Friend, Daniel Kirk, author/illustrator of the Library Mouse series, and Helen Perelman, the author of the Candy Fairies series. Victoria Kann, author of the popular “Pinkalicious” series, appears from 12 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Entertainment at the fair will be provided by Carole Demas of Irvington and Paula Janis, the creators and hosts of the legendary children’s television show: The Magic Garden. Celebrating 40 years in show business, Demas and Janis will appear from 4:30-5:30 p.m.  

The non-profit Historic Hudson Valley (HHV) owns and operates Sunnyside, the homestead of Washington Irving, the author best known for writing The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle.

Picnic food from Irvington-based Geordane’s will be available for purchase. The fair is sponsored by Sunnyside Federal Savings and Loan of Irvington and produced by Beth Vetare-Civitello and Susan Brandes. 

The hours are noon to 6 p.m. The admission cost is $12 for adults; $10 for seniors; $6 for children 5-17; and free for children under 5 and HHV members. Tours of Irving’s house are included in the price of admission. Tickets can be purchased online at www.hudsonvalley.org. Washington Irving’s Sunnyside is at 89 West Sunnyside Lane in Tarrytown, one mile south of the Tappan Zee Bridge, off Route 9.