By our Smarty friends at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
TWELVE award-winning, nationally-recognized children’s and young adult authors and illustrators are coming to Charlotte this November – and you can meet them!
Bringing together kids, books and the people who write them is what the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation’s EpicFest is all about. Now in its third year, EpicFest is quickly becoming a family tradition.
Nationally-recognized children’s and young adult authors and illustrators will spend two days in Charlotte to share their latest books, their experiences and their passion for libraries with kids of all ages. On Friday, November 3 the authors will visit Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to speak with students, and Saturday, November 4 they’ll headline a daylong, FREE literary festival at ImaginOn. Thousands of families will gather for literacy-themed activities including early learning stations, family cooking, yoga, building, music, a free book for each child attending, author talks and book signings. At noon, Eric Litwin (of Pete the Cat fame!) will bring stories to life through an interactive musical performance. Books by the featured authors will be available for purchase onsite through Black Forest Books.
Think your kids are too old for EpicFest? On Saturday night, two young adult authors will host EpicFest Teen Night, just for high school students. Tickets are free, but must be reserved in advance.
So who’s coming?
At EpicFest Family Festival:
– John David Anderson is the author of Ms. Bixby’s Last Day, Sidekicked, Minion and The Dungeoneers. His latest book, Posted, was released in May.
– Margery Cuyler has written more than 50 children’s books, including Skeleton Hiccups, Bullies NeverWin, 100th Day Worries, Kindness Is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler, That’s Good! That’s Bad! and most recently, Skeleton for Dinner and Purim Chicken. In the fall of 2017, Bonaparte Falls Apart, The Little Fire Truck and Best Friends will be released.
– Alan Gratz is the author of many critically-acclaimed books for children and teens, including Samurai Shortstop, Prisoner B-3087, The Brooklyn Nine and the League of Seven trilogy (The League of Seven, The Dragon Lantern, The Monster War). His most recent books include Refugee and Ban This Book.
– Fred Koehler is an artist, entrepreneur, and adventurer. His books have garnered numerous national recognitions including a Boston Globe Horn Book Honor, multiple Kirkus Stars, Bank Street College’s Best Books of the Year and inclusion in the Society of Illustrators Original Art Show. His newest book is Flashlight Night.
– David Lubar created a sensation with his debut novel, Hidden Talents, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. He is also the author of the Nathan Abercrombie series, the Weenies series, True Talents, Flip and many short story collections.
– Kelly Starling Lyons is a children’s book author whose mission is to transform moments, memories and history into stories of discovery. Two new Jada Jones chapter books debut this fall.
– Kathryn Otoshi is best known for her character-building series, Zero, One, Two and Beautiful Hands. Her newest book, Draw the Line is about friendship, boundaries, and healing.
Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich is the author of 8th Grade Superzero. She is a member of The Brown Bookshelf, We Need Diverse Books and Smack Dab in the Middle. Her newest release is Two Naomis, for middle-grade readers.
– Janet Tashjian is the author of the popular My Life series. Her newest series are Sticker Girl, a magical middle grade adventure series, and Marty Frye: Private Eye, charming short stories of rhymes and petty crimes.
Special Performance at EpicFest Family Festival:
– Eric Litwin is a song-singing, guitar-strumming, #1 New York Times bestselling author who brings early literacy and music together. He is the original author of the Pete the Cat series as well as the author of The Nuts and Groovy Joe.
At EpicFest Teen Night:
Robin Benway is the acclaimed author of Far From the Tree, recently longlisted for the National Book Award. Her other novels include Emmy & Oliver; the Also Known As series; Audrey, Wait! and The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May & June.
Amber Smith is the author of The Way I Used to Be and The Last to Let Go. When she’s not writing, she is working as a curator and art consultant. She has also written on art history and modern and contemporary art.
The Details:
What: EpicFest
When: Saturday, November 4, 2017
Where: ImaginOn, 300 East Seventh St
Want more? Check out Verse & Vino too, the Library Foundation’s signature fundraising event on November 2.
EpicFest is presented to the community by Wells Fargo, with community partner Read Charlotte. It is made possible through the generous support of many more corporate citizens, foundations and individual sponsors. EpicFest remembers and honors Jim and Elizabeth (Libby) Preston’s passion for reading, and to encourage and instill a love of reading in children.
