Battling Markers: Illustrator Draw-Off :
Join the fun! Cheer, watch, and laugh as four illustrators compete in the year’s most dynamic, dramatic and thoroughly diverting live action drawing competition featuring Abhi Alwar, illustrator of the action-packed graphic novel, Super Pancake, illustrator and muralist Josh Cochran (Sylvester’s Letter) , debut author illustrator Lian Cho (Oh Olive) and Juana Martinez-Neal. Bringing out […]
Astro-Nuts Mission 3: The Perfect Planet with Jon Scieszka & Steven Weinberg
They’re back! The four wacky super-powered Animal Astronauts–AlphaWolf, SmartHawk, LaserShark, and StinkBug–return for their final daring adventure. Join Jon Scieszka & Steven Weinberg for a truly out-of-this-world, and a mostly scientifically-accurate-and-true expose of the secret NNASA (NOT-NASA) program to find a Goldilocks Planet for every human on Earth!
Scenes from Flight School the Musical
Vital Theatre Company Inc. presents selections from “Flight School the Musical“. It’s the first day of Flight School, where they teach birds to fly. Penguin has the soul of an eagle and is ready to live on the wind. But he wasn’t built to soar, as the other birds constantly remind him. Penguin’s spirit won’t […]
Understanding Computer Security Principles With Legos and Chocolate
Computer security is one of the most misunderstood technologies. Bring the kids and learn the principles that are used to design secure systems by examining structures built with Legos that were designed to protect chocolate pieces. By seeing physical designs with different flaws, participants will be able to understand how design problems lead to weaknesses […]
Create a Magnetic Ice Skating Diorama with Lorraine Nam
Join Lorraine Nam, illustrator of Wei Skates On, for a magical and wintry project. Participants will create their own ice skating rink diorama and figure skating Wei. This inspirational picture book about facing your fears and finding the joy in sports, no matter the outcome. Space limited.
Storytime and Drawing with Nikki Grimes and Brian Pinkney
Join Nikki Grimes and Brian Pinkney for A Walk in the Woods. Author Nikki Grimes will lead a storytime and share how the picture book came to be. Co-illustrator Brian Pinkney will then lead attendees in a map-drawing activity, encouraging them to find treasure in their own backyard.
Poetry and Banner-Making with Josh and Matt!
Some letters can’t be delivered in the usual way… What extraordinary journey will you imagine the letter taking? Join poet Matthew Burgess and artist Josh Cochran for a collaborative poetry & banner-making workshop, inspired by their picture book Sylvester’s Letter.
Wordless storytelling with Balint Zsako!
How do you tell a story without using a single word? This was artist Balint Zsako’s challenge when creating Bunny & Tree, a 184-page wonder of purely visual storytelling. Act and draw to communicate wordlessly in this fun workshop with Balint!
Print with Antique Wood Type
The beloved Kelsey letterpress returns! Come print real antique wood type on a vintage Kelsey letterpress with Dikko Faust of Purgatory Pie Press. Travel back in time and make your own BKBF Children’s Day keepsake.
Ready, Spin & Win Wheel
Come over and take a spin on the Festival’s kid lit wheel. Every reader is a winner. Everyone wins a prize.
Crayons! Oil Pastels! Create with Illustrator Marika Maijala
Finnish children’s book illustrator Marika Maijala will share Rosie Runs, her “triumphant escape story” of a racing dog who dreams of forests, meadows, hares, and freedom. She will guide an interactive drawing workshop in which kids can use crayons and oil pastels to create their own beautiful works of art.
Create Animals with Christopher Silas Neal
Join award-winning illustrator Christopher Silas Neal, co-creator of the Over and Under picture book series, this time exploring the rich, interconnected ecosystem of the ocean in Over and Under the Waves! Create pictures of your favorite animals using cut paper, glue, and markers and colored pencils. Learn how simple shapes, a few wiggly lines and […]
What’s in Your Head?
Join Brazilian author Ana Matsusaki for a captivating reading of The Collector of Heads. After the storytime, kids are invited to an introspective exploration of their own heads through an imaginative art activity inspired by the artwork of the book, combining drawing and collage.
Fold, Cut & Pop! Make a Book!
How to Make Books and Making Books with Kids author Esther K. Smith and Jane Sanders who illustrated Making Books with Kids will show you how to fold, cut and pop your own book. Then YOU can draw + write your story!
Artist in Action: Award-winning illustrator Elisha Cooper
Watch a children’s book artist at work! Or, attempting to work. Elisha Cooper will try to create an ink & watercolor illustration before your eyes (a painting of a large dog, sitting under a tree, from his new book Emma Full of Wonders). Will he mess up? Possibly, yes! He will discuss how he makes […]
Fantastical Wonders & Magical Stories
Join authors Isi Hendrix (Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans), P. Djèlí Clark (Abeni’s Song), and Corey Ann Haydu (The Widely Unknown Myth of Apple & Dorothy) as they discuss their world building and epic quests that each of their characters take in their middle grade stories, in conversation with Brigid Martin (Totally Psychic!)
Draw Me a Story
Be part of the audience that helps #1 New York Times bestselling author Dan Poblocki (More Tales to Keep You Up at Night) weave a story that beloved author and illustrator Alyssa Bermudez (Big Apple Diaries) and acclaimed illustrator Chris Danger (The Inflatables in Splash of the Titans) will draw right in front of your […]
An Adventure to Remember
Can Navajo stepsiblings take down a dangerous Water Monster? What is causing a mysterious memory swap between two strangers? Will a magical medieval kingdom accept a nonbinary knight? And can a young boy survive the new friends, classes, and experiences that accompany the first year of middle school? Join Emmy Award–nominated creator Jorge Cham (Oliver’s […]
Keeping it Real
First crushes, friendship breakups, big moves, complicated family dynamics and following your dreams : life is full of highs, lows and everything in-between! Come join New York Times bestselling author Janae Marks (On Air With Zoe Washington) critically-acclaimed author and illustrator Stephanie Rodriguez (Doodles from the Boogie Down) and critically-acclaimed and award-winning author Andrew Eliopulos […]
Storytime: Pepita Meets Bebita by Ruth Behar & Gabriel Frye-Behar
When a new baby is introduced to the family, Pepita, the puppy of the house, has a lot to get used to. Not only are Mami and Papi busier than ever, but how will Pepita and the new Bebita get along? Join award-winning author Ruth Behar and her son, Gabriel Frye-Behar, for a story about […]
Storytime: Bruce and the Legend of Soggy Hollow by Ryan Higgins
The return of Bruce! Bruce is a grumpy bear, and he does not like Halloween. His family of mice and geese try to get Bruce in the Halloween spirit, but the day takes a scary turn when they are visited by a ghostly figure! Will Bruce ever learn to like Halloween? Join best-selling author Ryan […]
Storytime: Breaking to the Beat! by Linda J. Acevedo
It’s the Bronx in the 1970s, and new dance rhythms like Toprock, Drop of the Six-step, and Wiggle of the Worm are on the rise. For Manolo, a shy boy, this new dance style called breaking is motivation to overcome his insecurities. Linda J. Acevedo’s energetic debut picture book is an ode to the Hip […]
Storytime: Hot Dog by Doug Salati
This dog is hot and needs an escape from the sizzling city summer! Join this pup and his owner on a trip to the beach, where they find their calm restored by the waves, sand, and fresh air. This Caldecott Medal picture book by Doug Salati is a playful read that breathes calm into a […]
Pineapple Princess by Sabina Hahn
What makes a princess? A crown, of course! The princess of Sabina Hahn’s debut picture commands her not-so-obedient subjects with a… rotting pineapple crown? Join this Pineapple Princess as her reign falls into hilarious and sticky chaos.
Storytime: Dim Sum Palace by X. Fang
Liddy can’t sleep—all she can think about is going to Dim Sum Palace with her family. While lying in bed, Liddy begins to smell something delicious and opens her door to find an actual palace of dim sum—dumplings, baos, and buns everywhere! In this whimsical debut picture book, X. Fang turns memories of childhood feasts […]
Storytime: Always Anjali by Sheetal Sheth
Anjali isn’t too happy with her name. She doesn’t like how it’s “different” from other names, especially when she is being teased by other kids. When Anjali demands that her parents let her change her name and they refuse, she must look closely at her identity, what it really means to be “different,” and how […]
Storytime: Very Good Hats by Emma Straub
What makes a very good hat? Can a raspberry be a good hat? What about pajama pants? In Emma Straub’s debut picture book, anything can be a hat, as long as you believe in it. Very Good Hats is an innovative and joyful read that will inspire you to look at everyday objects through a […]
Storytime: We Share This School by Dan Saks
This rhyming board book celebrates school communities and showcases how to exercise compassion and empathy both in and out of the classroom. Join musician, author, podcast host, and music educator Dan Saks for some singalong fun as he kicks off Children’s Day!
Back-to-School in Bed-Stuy (In-Person)
Join READ 718, Brooklyn Book Bodega, and House of SpeakEasy for a back-to-school event celebrating young readers. United by a shared mission of building community, increasing book access, and fostering a love of reading, we invite families and booklovers to kick off the Bookends series. Featuring readings by Brooklyn authors and art-making workshops throughout the […]
And the Winners of the Literary Awards are . . . LATINXS! (Virtual)
Latinxs may be underrepresented in publishing, but their numbers are slowly and surely growing, and winning major literary awards like the Pulitzer, John Newbery Medal, National Book, PEN/ Jean Stein Award, Joyce Carol Oates Literary Prize, Anthony awards, etc. Join us and meet our Latinx award-winning panelists, including Andrea Beatriz Arango, Juana Martinez-Neal, Alex Segura, […]
Exploring Literary South Street Seaport with the Walt Whitman Initiative! (In-Person)
5pm Seaport Walking Tour CANCELLED 5-6:30pm Enjoy extra Open House Hours at the WWI Tane Poetry Library! Enjoy a visit to WWI’s Tane Poetry Library, where Curator/Librarian Jay Sherry and Assistant Librarian Emerald Sanjuro will introduce the collection and our cozy reading space. WWI Tane Poetry Library at Fulton Stall Market, 91 South Street, New […]
BKBF Presents: Story Time Mini-Marathon at McNally Jackson City Point (In-Person)
McNally Jackson and the Brooklyn Book Festival are thrilled to present story time as you’ve never experienced it before! Please join us on Sunday, September 24th from 11:00AM to 1:00PM as McNally Jackson hosts a free marathon story time event! Multiple best-selling local authors, including Galia Bernstein, Cindy Eagan, Frances Cha, and Monique James-Duncan, will be […]
