Show the World
What inspires you? Is it exploring the sights, sounds, and smells of your neighborhood? Fighting to protect that neighborhood? Or maybe hearing a great story? In this inspiring picture book, Oakland-based author Angela Dalton introduces readers…
Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle
The little girl at the center of Nina LaCour’s picture book debut loves nothing more than to have her Mama on one side and her Mommy on the other. When Mommy goes away on a work trip, everything feels off-kilter, until she finds a creative…
Alphabet Rockers: You Are Not Alone
Oakland's Alphabet Rockers, two-time Grammy nominees for Best Children's album, will bring the community together in true Rockers fashion at the Festival’s official kick-off event on Saturday. Centered on togetherness, the group will present…
A Brief History of Underpants
From loincloths to bloomers to superhero-themed Underoos, the story of human history can be summed up by what we choose to wear on our behinds. In her brief but hilarious overview, Christine Van Zandt reveals how our choices of unmentionables…
Courage Hats
Where do you find courage when you feel anything but brave? That’s the challenge tackled by a bear and a young child, both of whom are a bit nervous about new surroundings but find a creative solution to face their fears. Illustrator Jessixa…
Love in the Library
How do you find joy even when times are tough? Maggie Tokuda-Hall explores that question in Love in the Library, inspired by the true story of how her grandparents met when both were incarcerated in Minidoka during World War II. One was a library…
Juna and Appa
Juna loves helping her father at their family’s dry-cleaning shop, but when a customer is mean to her Appa, Juna sets off on a magical journey to help her dad, along the way learning about the many ways fathers care for their young. Jane Park…
I Am Smoke
In these parts we know about smoke, right? You might be surprised by how much more there is to learn! In his new book I Am Smoke, Henry Herz invites readers to discover smoke’s history and power throughout civilization, from its role in communications…
Let It Grow
Spring has sprung, and what better way to celebrate than by planting a garden? In this session, we’ll hear Sacramento author JaNay Brown-Wood read her new picture book Miguel’s Community Garden. Then horticulturist and educator Riz Reyes…
I Am Able to Shine
If you've ever felt invisible or overlooked, you'll relate to Keiko’s story in this picture book by husband-and-wife team Korey Watari and PIXAR artist Mike Wu. Keiko learns to embrace her Japanese American identity and shine bright; so will…