One event that I schedule time for every year is the Los Angeles Times Book Festival. It’s the largest book festival in the country and the best part about it the event? It’s FREE! This weekend, April 9-10, vendors, authors and publishers along with thousands of book lovers will be gathering on the USC campus to celebrate books!!
I have fun-filled family memories of attending the festival with my daughter. We usually spend most of our time at the Children’s Stage. My favorite memory was when Yo Gabba Gabba performed (my daughter was a huge fan)! Another year we heard Mo Willems read a few of his books. Who doesn’t love that pigeon! The Children’s Stage is where it’s at for families.
Disney fans will want to make their way to booth #595 near the Children’s Stage. They are legendary storytellers and their booth will feature content tied to Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel brands. In addition, select Disney Publishing Worldwide authors will be present for panels and signings. The following authors will also be available for interviews including award-winning and New York Times bestselling authors Ridley Pearson (Kingdom Keepers: The Return: Legacy of Secrets), Margaret Stohl (Black Widow: Forever Red), and Melissa de la Cruz (The Isle of the Lost: A Descendants Novel) as well as fan favorites like Cecil Castellucci (Star Wars: Journey To The Force Awakens: Moving Target), Ahmet Zappa and Shana Muldoon Zappa (Star Darlings series), Andy Harkness (Bug Zoo), James Burks (Pigs and a Blanket), Mercedes Lackey (Hunter), and debut author Sean McGinty (The End of Fun).
Stay connected #Bookfest
Saturday, April 9
In-Booth Autographing
10:00–11:00 AM:Ridley Pearson (A Kingdom Keepers Novel: The Return Book Two, Legacy of Secrets)
Location: Booth #595
YA Stage Panel
10:30–11:30 AM:Young Adult Fiction: Magical Realism on the Page Moderator: Brandy Colbert
Panelists: Shaun David Hutchinson, Sean McGinty (The End of Fun), Peter Rock
Location: YA Stage
Children’s Stage Performance
12:00–12:20 PM:Disney’s Lion Guard Rock & Roar Experience
Presented by Disney and Kindermusik
Location: Children’s Stage
In-Booth Story Time
12:30 PM:The Jungle Book: Mowgli’s Rainy Day
Location: Booth #595
In-Booth Autographing
2:00–3:00 PM:Margaret Stohl (Black Widow: Forever Red)
Location: Booth #595
In-Booth Autographing
4:00–4:30 PM: Cecil Castellucci (Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens: Moving Target: A Princess Leia Adventure)
Location: Booth #595
Children’s Stage Presentation
5:00–5:25 PM: Join Andy Harkness for a special presentation and reading of Bug Zoo
Location: Children’s Stage
Sunday, April 10
In-Booth Story Time
10:00 AM:Zootopia: Judy Hopps and the Missing Jumbo-Pop
Location: Booth #595
Middle Grade Panel
10:00–11:00 AM:Middle Grade Fiction: Epic Adventures
Moderator: Sarah Enni
Panelists: Ridley Pearson (A Kingdom Keepers Novel: The Return Book Two, Legacy of Secrets), Soman Chainani, M. A. Larson, Tahereh Ma
Location: Seeley G. Mudd 123
In-Booth Autographing
11:00 AM–12:00 PM:Melissa de la Cruz (The Isle of the Lost: A Descendants Novel)
Location: Booth #595
Children’s Stage Presentation
11:30–11:55 AM: Join James Burks for a special presentation and reading of Pigs and a Blanket
Location: Children’s Stage
Young Adult Panel
12:00–1:00 PM:Young Adult Fantasy: Beyond This Realm
Moderator: Tobie Easton
Panelists: Michael Buckley, Mercedes Lackey (Hunter), Romina Russell, Sabaa Tahir
Location: Norris Theater
In-Booth Reading/Autographing
1:00–1:30 PM:Andy Harkness (Bug Zoo)
Location: Booth #595
YA Stage Panel
1:30–2:30 PM:Young Adult Fiction: The Rest of the Story
Moderator: Gretchen McNeil
Panelists: Cecil Castellucci (Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens: Moving Target: A Princess Leia Adventure), Melissa de la Cruz (The Isle of the Lost: A Descendants Novel), Danielle Paige, Margaret Stohl (Black Widow: Forever Red)
Location: YA Stage
In-Booth Story Time
2:30 PM:Alice in Wonderland
Location: Booth #595
In-Booth Autographing
3:30–4:30 PM:Shana Muldoon Zappa & Ahmet Zappa (Star Darlings series)
Location: Booth #595
My daughter loves finding a spot to read! Sit with your kids and read together.
