Thank you to everyone who came out for the 2023 Children’s Day.
With a Picture Book Stage, Young Reader’s Stage, Performance Stage, Workshop Room and a dedicated Makers & Creators corner, families enjoyed a full day of readings, workshops, performances, book signings, and art projects with favorite authors and illustrators.
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!
Come over and take a spin on the Festival’s kid lit wheel. Every reader is a winner. Everyone wins a prize.
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 whole new perspective.
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 being different can actually be wonderful. This picture book by activist and actress Sheetal Sheth is a touching story of embracing what makes you you.
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 art, and help children create art of their own. Things could get interesting…
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!
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 into a fantastical world full of food, family, and culture.
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.
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 (Will on the Inside) where they discuss the inspirations for their relatable stories, how they tackle the tough stuff and the importance of community. Moderated by APALA-award-winning author Susan Tan (Ghosts, Toasts and Other Hazards).
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!
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.
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.
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 be grounded. With some friends of a feather, and a little help on the technical parts, Penguin follows his dreams to flip, flap, fly!
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 hectic world.
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 Hop movement that permanently shifted the world of music and dance.
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 Great Big Universe), beloved author Gordon Korman (Mixed-Up), and stellar newcomer Esme Symes-Smith (Sir Callie and The Champions of Helston) as they discuss how their characters embark on some of the most exciting and emotionally gripping adventures a kid could ever face. Moderated by award-winning author Brian Young (Healer of the Water Monster).
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.
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.
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!
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 Higgins in reading this spooky addition to the Mother Bruce series.
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 very eyes! Anything can happen!
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 a little imagination can transform into a beautiful piece of art.
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.
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 the power of growth and love through change.
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 their silliest and most humor filled illustrations are Jon Scieszka & Steven Weinberg emcees extraordinaire of this popular annual event.
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!)
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.
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 that attackers can exploit. The presentation will include opportunities for audience participation (and chocolate consumption).
This year’s Brooklyn Book Festival launches on September 24th with our Virtual Festival Day – 12pm – 5pm and citywide Bookend Events. Join us on September 30th at Brooklyn Commons in MetroTech Center for our Children’s Day and on October 1st at Brooklyn Borough Hall, Columbus Park and other nearby venues for our Festival Day & Literary Marketplace.
