Children’s Day will be held in Brooklyn Borough Hall and Plaza on September 26, 2026 where families will enjoy a full day of readings, workshops, performances, book signings, and art projects with favorite authors and illustrators including R.J. Palacio of Wonder fame, #1 New York Times bestselling Bess Kalb of the Buffalo Fluffalo children’s book series; poet, organizer, and educator Mahogany L. Browne; two-time Emmy-nominated writer and author Jorge Aguirre, and bestselling children’s book author Adam Gidwitz, and dozens more. See you in September!
Do you enjoy wearing hats? Well Mac surely does! She has one for every occasion and mood. Hats offer Mac a sense of security and confidence and totally uplift her outfits. Author Vicki Johnson empowers young readers by celebrating their individuality and creativity in this absolutely delightful story.
Join author, illustrator, and origami master Sam Ita in a workshop based on his new graphic novel Aya and Her Magic Cat. Aya and her magical cat Neko use the ancient art of origami to solve – or, at times, cause – everyday problems. Learn how to turn paper into tiny animals in a few simple steps, and wait to see what magic unfolds!
Fluffalo is back in this sweet and funny sequel. This time he’s joined by his new baby sibling, Puffalo. Fluffalo quickly learns that having a sibling by your side is tons of fun. Enter the world of Buffalo Fluffalo with national best-seller and Emmy-nominated comedy writer Bess Kalb.
Ghosts like to have fun too. On Halloween Night long after trick-or-treaters have gone to bed, the ghosts are free to relax and play in The Haunted Playground. In this spooky tale by R.J. Palacio and illustrated by Brett Helquist, learn what happens when two human kids dare to enter The Haunted Playground.
Join Adam Gidwitz, author of A Tale Dark & Grimm, the Newbery Honor book The Inquisitor’s Tale, and the host of Grimm Grimmer Grimmest, one of America’s most popular kids’ podcasts, for a live taping! He’ll tell a funny, creepy fairy tale perfect for ages 5-10, with opportunities for the kids to contribute to the story and appear in the published episode.
Join authors and illustrators Pooja Makhijani (Bread Is Love), Steph Stilwell (Slice of Nice), and Tina Cho and Cindy Kang (Kimchi Fridge) in creating a hanging sculpture based on your favorite foods! Unleash your creativity to make mobiles using your favorite treats as inspiration.
Draw, rhyme, and match words that go OOO, EEE, and AHH! This activity is perfect for kids 3-8 years old with acclaimed author-illustrator Jess Hannigan (Spider in the Well, The Bear Out There, Words that Go).
Enter a mustache reality where everything and everyone has a stache in this fantastical story about Mousestache and Moosestache. Mustaches vary in size, color, and placement depicting how everyone is different yet still amazing in this absolutely hilarious book by author and illustrator Rowboat Watkins.
It can be nerve-wracking having to wait to be found during a game of hide and seek. That feeling gets worse when a thunderstorm rolls in as you are waiting. How long will it take this dad to find his son during a game of hide and seek? Join authors Stephen Barr and Steve Teare in a grand hide and seek adventure.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot (Detective Baby: Dance Team Drama and The Princess Diaries: The Graphic Novel) and acclaimed author Corey Ann Haydu (The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Greene) will be in conversation to discuss their new releases, writing about princesses, 25 years of The Princess Diaries, and more!
Join I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy illustrator Lorraine Nam to learn how to make a simple envelope book. Using paper, envelopes, and glue, you’ll create a one-of-a-kind book to take home. Fill it with special treasures like your library card, bookmarks, notes, or other keepsakes. We’ll flex our creative muscles and explore a fun, easy bookmaking technique.
Join bestselling author and illustrator Vashti Harrison for a reading of That You Are Here Is No Small Thing, followed by a live drawing demonstration and interactive draw-along. Learn about her creative process, and celebrate the joy of storytelling, art, and discovering that your presence in the world is something extraordinary.
Let the game(show) begin! Test your trivia knowledge against middle-grade novelists Zach Weinersmith (Sawyer Lee and the Quest to Just Stay Home), Garen Thomas (The Dream & The Hope) and Kon Tan (We’re All Gonna Die-nosaur! series), with our host Sean Qualls (Fros, Fades, and Braids). An interactive quiz game show perfect for the whole family!
Learning a new language can be daunting, but author Yevgenia Nayberg teaches young readers to never give up. While new words might be scary and sentences sound strange, that feeling won’t last forever. Be brave and leap into this magical world of language.
Not everyone is a morning person. Mr. Chow definitely isn’t and neither is his supermarket. The grumpy old man’s life changes once he learns that his morning market can be a night market. Taiwan’s first night market comes to life in this stunning picture book by author Emily Sun Li.
Join actress, artist, musician, and author Kate Micucci and her puppet, Camille, for a celebration of her debut book, Elephant & Piggie Like Reading: The Monster and Puppet Show! This family event will include ukulele sing-alongs, a storytime, and lots of laughs!
Join prize-winning picture book maker Manuel Marsol in a painting workshop and read-along based on his new book Ahab and the White Whale. He’ll dive into the secrets behind his book and teach you how to bring your own great sea creatures to life. And with any luck, you’ll be able to find the great white whale!
NYT Bestselling author-illustrator Loryn Brantz will read her new laugh-out-loud picture book, I am a Spicy Nugget, followed by an art activity where children will create their own emotion-driven characters based on their favorite foods, including bananas and potatoes.
Bring your ideas and help author Emma Mills (The Greenies) craft a story live with illustrator Sarah Nicole Kennedy (The Greenies), author-illustrator Kara Bodegón-Hikino (Squalo & Mage vs. the Rage of the Bakunawa), and the #1 NYTimes-bestselling writer and artist of the InvestiGATORS series, John Patrick Green.
This collection of poems cover topics relating to social justice and activism tailored to a younger audience. Black Girl, Bloom Bright is a love letter to Black girls. Black Boy, Take Flight reminds Black boys that they are unique and deserving. Celebrate Black joy in these two books by Mahogany L. Browne.
Walk through all 5 boroughs of New York City to visit Mayor Mamdani’s favorite eateries and watering holes. Inspired by Mayor Mamdani’s 13-mile campaign walk, Millie von Platen’s picture book is a love letter to NYC, taking readers from everyday moments to special places that shape NYC and the city he calls home.
Join Xindi Yan, the NYT Bestselling artist behind the beloved Grandpa Grumps series, for a grump-tastic celebration of her newest book, Schooltime Grumps! Get a behind-the-scenes peek at how Xindi turns sketches into storybook magic, then settle in for a read-aloud of this funny, heartwarming story about understanding and navigating relationships at school and in our families. Afterward, grab your pencils and draw along with Xindi as she shares tips for sketching your own grumpy (and lovable!) characters. Fun, laughs, and creativity guaranteed!
What does your shape look like? In The Muéganos, a family that’s literally glued together comes apart when the eldest daughter breaks off to find her own shape. In this hands-on workshop with author-illustrator Jaque Jours, creator of the 2026 Festival poster, kids make a self-portrait unlike any other, starting from a piece of paper torn into a shape only they could fit into.
Fill in the blanks about your favorite graphic novels! Join creator Rebecca Mock to shout your answers in this riotous game of Mad Libs while creators Dave Roman (Unicorn Boy and the Slumber Party of Doom), Debbie Fong (The Faraway Forest: Hester’s Big Dream) and Sofia Warren (Film Nerds) draw your suggestions and scramble their books to make the silliest game ever.
When told he is too little to help the family find a new home, young squirrel Choko Choko is more determined than ever to prove everyone wrong. Caldecott Honoree Jason Douglas Griffin teaches readers to dream big in this inspiring book.
A tiny green otter who wins over the heart of the young boy in a story that speaks to every child with a beloved and unique friend. Author Eduardo Halfon reads and illustrator María José de Tellería draws as they tell the story of a small boy inseparable from his green otter.
Dueling sharpies, speeding markers, live action drawing! Get your hands ready to clap for your favorites as beloved illustrators Vashti Harrison (That You Are Here Is No Small Thing), Gillian Reid (Mac Wears a Hat), Vikki Chu (Wake Up, Poppyville!), and Elisha Cooper (The Rare Bird) battle it out in a lively, audience inspired contest emceed by the fantastic Stephen Savage (Wide Load on the Road) and Laura Sandoval Herrera (A Taxi for Everyone: How Roy Velásquez Fought for Equality).
Fresh off the World Cup, join author Angela Quezada Padron in an interactive read aloud of her soccer-themed book, Lucía’s Goals. Create finger soccer characters and cheer on Lucía as she strives to become the best soccer player in town and achieve her goooooooals!
Join author-illustrator Sam Wedelich as she reads from her hilarious picture book, A Quick Trip to the Store, then guides kids and their grownups in creating their own delicious (or ghastly!) silly cereal or snack design.
Can you help three intrepid Middle Grade authors complete a fantasy roleplaying quest? Play along as Kate Milford (Rialto), Jorge Aguirre (Monster Locker: Nine-Tail Trouble), and Nick Eliopulos (Roll for Danger: The Cursed Catacombs) use their wits and their dice to take on an adventure moderated by Maiia Lysytska, a Game Master from The Dungeon Alliance. Audience participation is enthusiastically encouraged.
