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#Jax Book Fest 2024
Featured Children's Author/Illustrator
The Library's biggest celebration of authors, books, and writing is back! Jax Book Fest returns September 20-21 to the Main Library in downtown Jacksonville with three #1 New York Times bestselling authors, dozens of local authors, and activities for readers of all ages.
The "Main Event" for children and families is a Junior Lit Chat Author Talk with Vashti Harrison, the #1 New York Times bestselling creator of Big, Little Leaders, Little Dreamers, and Little Legends and the illustrator of Andrea Beaty's I Love You Like Yellow, Matthew Cherry’s Hair Love, and Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic’s Hello, Star, among others.
Writer's Lab Workshop (Friday)
Want to learn how to write and illustrate children's books? Vashti Harrison leads a Writer's Lab: Visual Storytelling Workshop on Friday, September 20 from 2:30 - 4 p.m. Vashti will give an overview of her creative process and demonstrate how she uses film and animation visual development techniques to make stories and characters leap off the page. She will also walk participants through story and character development exercises.
Register for the FREE workshop!
Junior Lit Chat Author Talk (Saturday)
Kids, ages 5-12, and their families are invited to a Junior Lit Chat Author Talk with Vashti Harrison on Saturday, September 21 from 10 - 10:30 a.m. Vashti will read her book, Big, and do a drawing demonstration, followed by an audience Q&A. Note: Seating for the program will begin at 9 a.m. Standing room will be available when seats are taken.
Register for the FREE author talk!
A limited number of copies of Big will be given away to school-age kids in attendance (first-come, first-served). Other titles will be available for purchase on-site from The BookMark.
Books Written and/or Illustrated by Vashti Harrison
Book Recommendations (ages 0-5)
Book Recommendations (ages 6-10)
Book Recommendations (ages 11-14)
More About Vashti Harrison
She also received a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor for Lupita Nyong’o’s Sulwe and is also a two-time recipient of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work for Children.
Vashti earned her BA from the University of Virginia and her MFA in Film and Video from Calarts. Her experimental films and videos focus on her Caribbean Heritage and folklore. They have shown around the world at film festivals and venues including the New York Film Festival, Rotterdam International Film Festival and Edinburgh International Film Festival.
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Junior Lit Chat Author Talk with Mr. Joe
Our friend, Mr. Joe, returns for a special Junior Lit Chat Author Talk (for children ages 5-12) on Saturday, September 7, at 2 p.m. at the Mandarin Library to celebrate his new book, Teemu the Emu, and to help your children explore their own storytelling abilities. Note: This is not a Hello Mr. Joe Storytime but rather an interactive discussion about the writing process, character development, and the journey from idea to publication.
A limited number of copies of the book will be given away to registered attendees on a first-come, first-served basis. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Mandarin Library.
Read More about Jax Book Fest
Hey, book fans! Are you ready for the return of Jax Book Fest? This year, not only will we be joined by three #1 New York Times bestselling authors, this is also your opportunity to meet and support dozens of local authors! Join us on day one for free writing and publishing workshops and networking opportunities for aspiring and up-and-coming authors. Then, come back on day two for the main event - including special activities just for kids.
Writer's Day: Friday, September 20 from 12-5 p.m.
Reader's Day: Saturday, September 21 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The event is free and open to all with something fun for readers of all ages.
Our friends at the Early Learning Coalition of Duval and Kids Hope Alliance are working closely with your favorite children's librarians to make this year's event one to remember! They're taking over the entire second floor of the Main Library with children's local book authors and illustrators set up in the atrium, a Storytime with Ms. Owl in the children's theatre, balloon artists, face painters, and more!
Be the first to know about upcoming Lit Chat author talks and more!
