This Sunday…Burlington Book Festival Kids’ Day!

Confession: I am slightly addicted to book festivals. There is something about all those authors and illustrators, all those readers and all those pages in one place that gets my book-loving-heart beating. If you’re a kindred spirit, you’ll want to know about this weekend in Burlington, VT.  The annual Burlington Book Festival runs all weekend, with a special kids’ day called Youthapalooza on Sunday.

More than a dozen authors are coming from all over the Northeast and beyond, and we’ll be sharing stories, speaking on panels,  answering questions, and talking books and writing with readers of all ages.  It all takes place at Main St. Landing Performing Arts Center and there are events for all ages – toddlers through adults who love kids’ books!

I’m speaking on the “Reading in the Middle” panel with other authors who write for kids in grades 3-8.  Two of us have titles on this year’s DCF list!

The “Reading in the Middle” panel happens from 12-1 in the Great Room at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center.

A little later, I’ll be reading OVER AND UNDER THE SNOW at 2:15 at the Main Street Landing Black Box, in a special story time with friends Linda Urban (MOUSE WAS MAD) and Ammi-Joan Paquette (THE TIPTOE GUIDE TO TRACKING FAIRIES)

Truly, I think the whole day is going to be wonderful…an event you won’t want to miss if you’re a parent, teacher, librarian, or writer.

Here’s what to expect if you come:

Picture Book Readings & Author Chats all day in the Black Box (Great for kids of all ages, families, K-5 teachers and librarians, & writers)

11-11:30         Cynthia Lord & Erica Perl

11:45-12:15    Jeannine Atkins & Tanya Lee Stone

12:30-1:00    Elizabeth Bluemle & Kara Lareau

1:15-2:00      David Macauley

2:15-2:45      Kate Messner, Ammi-Joan Paquette, & Linda Urban

Authors will be signing their books at the festival bookstore immediately after each presentation.

Author Panels All Day in the Great Room (Great for kids aged 7 and older, families, teachers, librarians, & writers)

12:00-1:00   Reading in the Middle: A panel discussion featuring  Sarah AlbeeSarah AronsonCynthia LordKate MessnerAmmi-Joan PaquetteErica S. PerlLinda Urban

1:15-2:15       Teen Time: A panel discussion featuring Jeannine Atkins, Jo Knowles, and Tanya Lee Stone

3:00-4:00    Writing for Kids & Teens “SuperPanel” – A panel discussion featuring Sarah Albee, Sarah Aronson, Jeannine Atkins, Elizabeth Bluemle, Jo Knowles, Kara LaReau, Cynthia Lord, Kate Messner, Ammi-Joan Paquette, Tanya Lee Stone, and Linda Urban. A great opportunity for teachers, librarians, writers, and readers of all ages to talk with the authors and ask questions!

Authors will be signing their books at the festival bookstore immediately after each presentation.

Remember, it all happens at the Main St. Landing Performing Arts Center in Burlington.  Ironically, this is not actually on Main St. It’s on Lake St. between College and Cherry. See?


Hope to see you in Burlington on Sunday!