Junior Lit Chat

Junior Lit Chat with Children's Author and Illustrator Zoe Persico

Junior Lit Chat logo

Join us Saturday, February 22, at 1 p.m. at Beaches Branch Library. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Beaches Branch Library. After the program, there will be 30 minutes for a book signing with the author. A limited number of copies of Georgia's Terrific, Colorific Experiment will be given away to registered attendees, (first-come, first-served).

Celebrate Reading Week 2025: Jacksonville Is Bananas About Books!

Celebrate Reading Week Presents: Bananas About Books March 2-8

Jacksonville's annual "Celebrate Reading Week" returns March 2-8, 2025, with appearances by local and nationally known authors, live children's entertainers, your favorite book characters, and much more! Don't miss the un-peel-ievably cool party for the whole family at the Main Library in downtown Jacksonville on Saturday, March 8. You're sure to have a bunch of fun! You'll also get to check out Mayor Deegan's new River City Readers Bookmobile, pick up a free book (and free lunch) and learn more about all of ways Jacksonville supports literacy and families.

Junior Lit Chat Author Talk & FREE Book Giveaway with Mr. Joe

Photo of Mr. Joe Gaskin riding a bike around town

Ever wonder what it takes to become a published author? As the author of Teemu the Emu and other upcoming releases, our friend Mr. Joe offers a unique behind-the-scenes glimpse. This is a chance for your budding artists and authors to discover the magic of storytelling within themselves. Don't miss this Junior Lit Chat with Mr. Joe, Saturday, September 7, from 2-3 p.m. at Mandarin Branch Library!

Meet New York Times Bestselling Author/Illustrator Vashti Harrison

Junior Lit Chat Author Talk with Vashti Harrison

Jax Book Fest returns September 20-21 to the Main Library in downtown Jacksonville with 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. She 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.

Junior Lit Chat Author Talk & Book Giveaway with Jewell Parker Rhodes

Junior Lit Chat with Jewell Parker Rhodes. Image features a photo of the author with her dogs.

Junior Lit Chat with Jewell Parker Rhodes, Friday, June 7, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. This event will take place live at the Brentwood Library and is intended for kids ages 5-12. The first half hour will be a presentation by the author; the second half hour is time for book signing. A limited number of copies of Bayou Magic will be given away to participants, first come, first served.

Junior Lit Chat with Author Angela Dominguez + Book Giveaway

Junior Lit Chat with Angela Dominguez

Moving into your middle school years can be challenging. Not only are kids hard at work figuring out who they are and their place in the world... They are also starting to read independently and select their own books. It can sometimes be hard to find reading material that's both interesting and relatable (not to mention developmentally appropriate). That's where middle-grade fiction and characters like Stella Diaz come in!

Junior Lit Chat with Author Brittany Jones + Book Giveaway

Junior Lit Chat with Brittany Jones

Step into a world where bravery, teamwork, and a pair of magic shoes unite for thrilling adventures that are sure to ignite readers' imaginations! Mike the Friendly Firefighter: The Wild Car Fire by Brittany D. Jones follows the extraordinary journey of a Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Engineer, who discovers that his job goes far beyond extinguishing flames. The first 50 children in attendance will receive a FREE copy of Mike the Friendly Firefighter: The Wild Car Fire, along with some other goodies!

Celebrate Reading Week March 3-9, 2024: Where the Wild Books Are

Celebrate Reading Week: Where the Wild Books Are March 3-9

Get lost in a world of reading and adventure this March 3-9 during Jacksonville's annual Celebrate Reading Week! Jacksonville Public Library and our partners at Kids Hope Alliance, Jacksonville Public Education Fund, Early Learning Coalition Duval, Read USA, Duval County Public Schools, Read Jax, and WJCT have put together a fantastic series of programs and events at libraries and locations across Jacksonville! There will be book giveaways, a chance to learn more about Beanstack and Mayor Deegan's River City Readers challenge, and more!

Pages

Get a Library Card

Jacksonville Public Library card

Read Jax logo