Children’s Day Lineup Announced for BKBF 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Thursday, August 31, 2017

Publicity Contacts:
Saraciea Fennell / Jarobia.sf@gmail.com
Katie Kurtzman / ktkurtzman@gmail.com

Brooklyn Book Festival “Children’s Day”
Saturday, September 16, 2017 from 10a.m. – 4p.m.

Award-winning children’s book authors and illustrators are set to wow young fans with readings, workshops and performances on Saturday 9/16

Young Adult authors will appear at Brooklyn Book Festival Sunday 9/17 in Downtown Brooklyn

BROOKYLN, NY — August 31, 2017 — Brooklyn Book Festival’s Children’s Day promises a full day of literary fun for young readers. Taking place Saturday, September 16, 2017 from 10a.m. — 4p.m. at MetroTech Commons in Downtown Brooklyn, this event devoted to kid lit boasts authors of works ranging from picture books to chapter books to graphic novels. Writers at Children’s Day will include singer and author Laurie Berkner (We Are the Dinosaurs), #1 New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Bracken (The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding), Angela Dominguez (Sing, Don’t Cry), Sharon Draper (Stella by Starlight), Maira Kalman (Ooh-la-la-Max in Love), George O’Connor (Kapow!), 2017 Caldecott Medalist Javaka Steptoe (Radiant Child), National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Gene Luen Yang (Secret Coders), and many more.

Authors will read, perform, sing, and play music to bring beloved books to life at the Picture Book stage. Appearing will be: Duo Sean Qualls and Selina Alko (The Case for Loving), Angela Dominguez (Sing, Don’t Cry), debut author Emma Otheguy (Martí’s Song for Freedom), and many others! All authors/illustrators will be signing books after each presentation with books sold by Bank Street.

This year’s middle grade authors line-up is out of this world! Bestselling authors and illustrators featured at the Young Readers Stage include: Gregg Schigiel (PIX: Too Super for School), Mark Siegel (5 Worlds: The Sand Warrior), Amy Chu (Ana and the Cosmic Race) New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Bracken (The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding), Newbery Honor winner Grace Lin (When the Sea Turned to Silver), debut author Karuna Riazi (The Gauntlet), Nick Eliopulos (co-author of the upcoming The Adventurers Guild), Newbery Honor winner Victoria Jamieson (All’s Faire in Middle School), New York Times bestseller Sharon Draper (Stella by Starlight), debut novelist Holly McGhee (Matylda, Bright and Tender), and National Book Award finalist Lisa Graff (The Great Treehouse War).

“The Brooklyn Book Festival Children’s Day celebrates the childhood reading experience at every age—the comfort of being read to, reading your first book on your own, devouring a thrilling series in grade school, being captivated by a classic. A book well-loved is never forgotten,” said Liz Koch, Co-Producer of the festival and Children’s Day committee member. “Saturday’s many activities offer a lively, interactive opportunity for children to be not only readers, but creators.”

Exciting panels at the Young Readers Stage include:

• Unforgettable Characters: New York Times bestselling authors Tom Angleberger (Origami Yoda), Booki Vivat (Frazzled #2), and debut novelist Celia C. Pérez (The First Rule of Punk) talk about what makes their middle school aged characters unflinchingly funny, achingly honest, and incredibly memorable, moderated by Marcie Colleen, author of The Super Happy Party Bears series.
• The National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Gene Luen Yang (Secret Coders), will join a star-studded lineup for the Reading Without Walls panels, which also includes National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson (Brown Girl Dreaming), Newbery Honor author Rita Williams Garcia (Clayton Byrd Goes Underground), and We Need Diverse Books founder Ellen Oh (Spirit Hunters), in a discussion about opening readers’ eyes to new ideas and experiences.

The Brooklyn Book Festival is an international affair — and Children’s Day is no exception. Five international authors will share the stage on Saturday, September 16, to show how different and engaging stories from other countries can be — from as far away as Argentina and Norway — at the International Showcase panel! Brooklyn Book Festival is proud to welcome Jostein Gaarder from Norway, Liniers from Argentina, Majel van der Meulen from the Netherlands, Carme Lemniscates from Spain, and Jacques Goldstyn from Canada.

ILLUSTRATOR SMACKDOWN: Come watch, laugh, and cheer as inimitable illustrators Katy Wu, Liniers, Gregg Schigiel, Chris Raschka, George O’Connor, Misa Saburi, Alix Delinois and Ruth Chan engage in the year’s most dramatic and hilarious live action drawing competition.

WORKSHOPS: Especially for readers ages 4-9: Raise Your Voice will feature Leila Sales (The Little Book of Little Activists), and May the Folds Be with You where kids will learn to make origami Yoda with Tom Angleberger, New York Times bestselling author of the Origami Yoda series!

ART SPOT: More fun awaits outdoors with creative authors and illustrators like Esther K. Smith and Jane Sanders, and Majel van der Meulen (My New York).

Blockbuster Young Adult programming on Festival Day, Sunday, September 17:

• Head over Heels: Love is in the air when New York Times bestselling superstar Sarah Dessen (Once and for All), and newcomers Lilliam Rivera (The Education of Margot Sanchez), and Gabby Rivera (Juliet Takes a Breath) sit down to talk romance, relationships, and the riskiness of opening up your heart. Moderated by bestselling author Adam Silvera (They Both Die at the End).
• Fitting in & Standing Out: Featuring #1 New York Times and international bestselling author of 13 Reasons Why, Jay Asher (What Light), and bestselling author Veronica Chambers (The Go-Between) who sit down with Pushcart-nominated debut author Ibi Zoboi (American Street) to discuss what it means to find yourself beyond the stereotype of how others see you. Moderated by award-winning author Mitali Perkins (You Bring the Distant Near).

The Brooklyn Book Festival is the largest free literary event in New York City, presenting an array of national and international literary stars and emerging authors. The Festival includes a week of Bookend Events (9/11-9/17) taking place throughout New York City, a lively Children’s Day (Saturday 9/16) and a celebratory Festival Day (Sunday 9/17) with more than 300 authors and 200 booksellers.