A Celebration of Stories, Imagination, and Community
For nearly a century, Orlando Family Stage has been creating theatre that brings people together. While our focus today is on empowering young people through the arts, our history includes productions for all ages. In 2026, as we celebrate our Centennial, and in partnership with Writer’s Block Bookstore, we’re proud to launch the very first Florida Children’s Book Festival: a statewide gathering of families, authors, educators, and artists who believe in the magic of children’s literature.
What to Expect
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Meet the Authors
Connect with award-winning and emerging children’s book authors. Hear them read from their work, learn about their writing journeys, and get your favorite books signed. -
Interactive Experiences
Dive into hands-on activities, story strolls, and live readings designed to spark creativity and curiosity in young readers. -
Performances on Stage
See beloved stories leap from the page to the stage through dynamic performances by Orlando Family Stage. -
In collaboration with UCF’s MFA in Theatre for Young Audiences, Writer’s Block Bookstore, and WUCF, the festival becomes a movement to make books and theatre accessible for all.
Ticketed Events
Tiara's Hat Parade
Lilly and the Pirates
Puppet Play Day: Peter Rabbit
Yo, Ho, Ho! Let’s Go!
Panels
Celebration of You: Black Voices and Stories
Heart, Humor & Big Feelings
In Conversation: The Friendship Factor
Panel: Graphic Novels - Art & Story
In Conversation: It's Magical
Developmental Reading: The Best Halloween Ever
Panel: It's a Mystery
Let’s Dance: Music, Words, and Movement
Celebración de Ti
Panel: History, Brought to Life
Fun with Words - The Silly and Poetic
In Conversation: One Kid, a Challenge, a Story
Hands On: Let’s Draw!
Panel: Favorite Series - Early Readers
In Conversation: Heroes Like Us
Meet the Authors
Meet the storytellers behind the stories! The Florida Children’s Book Festival will feature author panels, engaging talks, book signings, and more—all designed to connect young readers with the people who bring their favorite characters and adventures to life.
📚 Stay tuned for the full listing of participating authors and events.
Jenny Alvarado
Jenny Alvarado writes playful early readers and picture books like Pencil & Eraser: We Have a Dull-Emma! and Fridays Are for Churros, celebrating friendship, curiosity, and everyday joy through her illustrations and stories. Born and raised with a love for laughter and creativity, she brings quirky characters and gentle heart to the page for new and budding readers.
Kerry O’Malley Cerra
Kerry O’Malley Cerra writes award-winning children’s books including Just a Drop of Water and Hear Me, blending heartfelt storytelling with themes of empathy, identity, and connection. Her recent and upcoming releases continue to inspire young readers with stories that encourage courage, curiosity, and making a difference in the world.
Nicole D. Collier
Nicole D. Collier crafts heartfelt middle-grade novels including Just Right Jillian and The Many Fortunes of Maya, where friendship and self-discovery shine. Her stories mix funny moments with real emotions that resonate with young readers.
Jerry Craft
Jerry Craft is the New York Times bestselling creator of New Kid, Class Act, and School Trip, stories that have redefined contemporary graphic novels for young readers. His award-winning work blends humor and honesty, inviting kids to see themselves in stories of friendship, identity, and belonging.
Lily Berlin Dodd
Lily Berlin Dodd is a California-born, Brooklyn-based writer. In 2022, she graduated from Yale University, where she was a recipient of the Theron Rockwell Field Prize. Her previously published work includes Search and Rescue, a novella produced for Audible. When not writing, she works in education, including with the literary nonprofit Writers and Artists Across the Country, which sends children's and YA authors and illustrators to under-resourced schools. The Last Ember is her debut novel.
Michael Grover
Michael Grover writes engaging books for young readers that mix adventure, humor, and everyday challenges, offering accessible and exciting stories for middle-grade fans. His newest releases continue to capture the joy of discovery and youthful resilience.
José Pablo Iriarte
José Pablo Iriarte is a Cuban American author of imaginative stories for young readers and middle-grade fiction, including Benny Ramírez and the Nearly Departed and upcoming adventures like AJ Torres and the Treasure of Captain Grayshark. Their storytelling blends quirky humor with thoughtful questions about identity and belonging.
Alan Katz
Alan Katz has written 50+ highly acclaimed books for kids, including Take Me Out of the Bathtub and Other Silly Dilly Songs (now in its 25th year!), Got Your Nose!, Really Stupid Stories for Really Smart Kids, The Mysterious Missing Matzoh, Oops!, Zooloween, the Lieographies series, The Funniest Joke Book Ever for Kids, and the brand new Alan Katz Presents the Funniest Animal Joke Book Ever for Kids.
Michelle Knudsen
Michelle Knudsen is a New York Times bestselling author of more than fifty children’s books, including the classic Library Lion and imaginative series like The Trelian Trilogy. Her work, playful and profound, continues to reach new generations of readers.
Kate Messner
Kate Messner is a New York Times bestselling writer whose books encourage kids to wonder, explore, and delight in the world around them. Her wide-ranging catalog includes picture books, easy readers, chapter books, novels, and nonfiction that have inspired readers of all ages.
Audrey Perrott
Audrey Perrott is an award-winning children's author known for warm, inclusive stories that spotlight empathy, courage, and connection. Her work resonates with young readers and families who see their experiences honored on the page.
James Ponti
James Ponti is the New York Times bestselling author of City Spies, Framed!, The Sherlock Society, and Dead City, weaving together twisty mysteries, humor, and globe-spanning adventure. A proud Orlando resident, he brings a hometown spark to this year’s festival.
Rekha S. Rajan
Rekha S. Rajan is a USA Today bestselling author whose more than thirty books inspire creativity, curiosity, and a love of the arts. Her work as an educator and musician infuses her stories with rhythm, imagination, and heart.
Tammi Sauer
Tammi Sauer is a master of funny, endearing picture books like The Fair-Sitter and Chicken Dance! that bounce with personality and charm. Her latest releases are sure to get kids laughing and imagining along.
John Schu
John Schu is an educator and children’s author whose books like READ! inspire young readers to see stories as tools for joy, courage, and community. His vibrant voice encourages a lifelong love of reading.
Amar Shah
Amar Shah is a multiple Emmy-winning writer and producer, and the author of the Play the Game basketball trilogy and the graphic memoir Wish I Was a Baller. Living in Orlando, he brings sharp storytelling and deep love of the game to every page he writes.
Laurel Snyder
Laurel Snyder is an award-winning American children’s author and poet best known for her novels, picture books, and early reader series such as Orphan Island, My Jasper June, and Charlie & Mouse. She was born in Baltimore, Maryland, studied at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and now lives with her family in Atlanta, Georgia.
Taryn Souders
Taryn Souders writes award-winning middle-grade novels including Coop Knows the Scoop and Dead Possums Are Fair Game. Now based in Florida, she crafts heartfelt mysteries and relatable stories full of humor and page-turning surprises.
Natalia Sylvester
Natalia Sylvester is an award-winning author whose books span picture books, young adult novels, and adult fiction, including A Maleta Full of Treasures and Breathe and Count Back from Ten. Born in Lima, Peru, she was raised in Florida and Texas and now lives in South Florida, where she writes stories that celebrate family, identity, and connection.
Kelly Starling Lyons
Kelly Starling Lyons is the beloved author of Tiara’s Hat Parade and the Jada Jones and Miles Lewis series, centering stories of family, heritage, and joy. As a teaching artist and champion for diverse books, she helps young readers see the storyteller they carry inside.
Elly Swartz
Elly Swartz writes poignant and witty middle-grade novels like Finding Perfect, where authentic characters learn about friendship, family, and being true to themselves. Her newest stories continue to blend heart and humor.
Salina Yoon
Salina Yoon has created more than 160 picture and board books, including beloved series like Penguin and Pinecone and Duck, Duck, Porcupine!, weaving warmth and wonder into every page. Her award-honored work invites young readers to connect deeply with story and heart.
Learn about new authors as soon as they're announced.
Follow @FloridaChildrensBookFest on Instagram
Learn MoreGet Involved
The Florida Children’s Book Festival is built for community, and there are so many ways to be part of the story. Whether you’re a family eager to explore, a teacher searching for resources, an author ready to share your work, or a supporter who believes every child deserves access to books and theatre, your involvement helps bring the festival to life.
- Families: Mark your calendars and bring the kids for a weekend of fun and discovery.
- Authors & Publishers: Partner with us to showcase your work to a statewide audience.
- Donors & Sponsors: Help us ensure no child misses the chance to experience the power of story. Learn More.
Author & Vendor Application
Vendor registration for the 2026 Florida Children’s Book Festival is now closed. We hope to see you at the Festival this year, and please keep an eye on our Social channels for information about the 2027 Festival!
Spotlight on Loch Haven Park
The Florida Children’s Book Festival takes place in the heart of Loch Haven Park, Orlando’s cultural hub. With events happening indoors at Orlando Family Stage’s three-theatre complex and outdoors in the park, families can enjoy a full day of discovery.
Extend your visit by exploring the many organizations that call Loch Haven home, including world-class art museums, science museums, and cultural institutions that make the park a destination for creativity, learning, and fun.
Festival Partners
The Florida Children’s Book Festival is made possible through the support of our partners who share a passion for stories and their power to shape young lives.
Orlando Family Stage
For nearly a century, Orlando Family Stage has created theatre that brings people together. Today, as Florida’s home for family theatre, we empower young people to be brave and empathetic by creating quality theatrical experiences.
Writers Block Bookstore
As Central Florida’s premier independent bookstore, Writer’s Block Bookstore connects readers of all ages with the authors and stories they love. Their curation and on-site presence ensure festival families can take home the books that inspire them.
WUCF and PBS Kids
WUCF is Central Florida’s PBS station and the region’s top-rated PBS Kids provider. With trusted educational programming, WUCF extends the joy of storytelling from the festival into homes across the community.