BAR HARBOR — A Bass Harbor woman will join two other local authors at Sherman’s Bookstore on Saturday, Feb. 14, from 10 a.m. to noon for “Kids Love Authors Day,” a regionwide celebration of writers, readers and independent bookstores.

At least 40 independent bookstores across New England and 120 authors and illustrators will participate in the event.

“Mostly I’m really excited about supporting the local independent bookstores, which is what this is about,” said Nan Lincoln of Bass Harbor who wrote “The Summer of Cecily” and “Cecily’s Summer,” about her family’s experience with an orphaned seal pup.

“We’ve lost two local bookstores here in the last two years (Port in Storm Bookstore in Somesville and Rue Cottage Books in Southwest Harbor),” she said. “I think the community really loses something when it loses its local bookstores.”

She’s also looking forward to meeting the other authors – Ellen Booraem of Brooklin whose first children’s book, “The Unnameables,” was published last year and illustrator Rebecca Raye of Blue Hill, a well known artist who also creates picture books.

“I’m so excited to be a part of it – especially on Valentine’s Day,” said Ms. Raye, who will be making her first ever appearance at Sherman’s that day. “It’s just the idea that kids love authors and the idea that books can be read on special days!”

She plans to arrive with some of her early works to show people how a book is made – from beginning sketches and original finished pieces of art, to the reproduction of the piece in the book.

All three will be available to sign their books and to answer questions member of the public.

Ms. Booream stressed how important it is for readers and writers to support local bookstores.

“As readers we are totally dedicated to small independent bookstores, but as writers we need them,” she said, referring to “hand selling,” a fancy term for the technique of a bookseller recommending books to readers.

“Most of that that does us any good happens in an independent bookstore. As a buyer, as a reader, the sales clerk knows the store, knows the stock, possibly even knows you and knows how to match you up.”

Kids Love Authors Day is the brainchild of Massachusetts author Mitali Perkins.

“It’s like each bookstore is inviting their community to gather around a hearth with a loved one or two to meet some of our region’s storytellers,” she said.

Kenny Brechner, co-chairman of the New England Children’s Booksellers Advisory Council, supports the event, too.

“One nice thing about hard economic times is that it makes people reflect upon the importance of community, and this event is an appropriate and meaningful vehicle for strengthening our community of New England authors and independent booksellers,” he said.

For more information, call Sherman’s at 288-3161 or visit kidsheartauthors.com.