Virginia Children’s Book Festival presents this year’s authors

Bad Kitty. The girl who drank the moon. Judy Moody. Klawde, the evil alien warlord cat. These and many other characters will be on display in Farmville this October as part of the 11th Virginia Children’s Book Festival, held each year on the campus of Longwood University.

The Virginia Children’s Book Festival has announced its author and illustrator program for 2024. It includes award winners, bestsellers and festival favorites from the past eleven years.

The festival will take place October 16-18 at Longwood University in Farmville. Each festival day is divided into three sessions, two in the morning and one in the early afternoon. Authors and illustrators will speak to children and young adults of all ages in highly interactive sessions designed to introduce visitors to reading. Each session is free and open to all, but school trips must be registered in advance.

“We have a fantastic programme this year,” said Juanita Giles, Festival Director. “There will be many new faces joining some of our regulars who have written or illustrated books that have captured the imagination of so many children, including my own. From the early readers who love Todd Parr’s colourful illustrations to the early readers who are looking at Max Brallier’s The last children on earth Graphic novels from the shelves, to tweens who recognize themselves in Megan McDonalds Judy Moodyto the young adults who have discovered the edges of Daniel Nayeris Everything sad is untrueThere’s something for everyone at the Virginia Children’s Book Festival. We hope you’ll join us in October!”

This year’s list of authors and illustrators

Daniel Nayeri (middle school and young adult), author of the Newbery Honor-winning book Everything sad is untrue and many others.

Lillian Rivera (middle grade and young adult), award-winning author of four young adult novels, three middle grade books, and a graphic novel for DC Comics. Her novel never look back is intended for an Amazon film adaptation.

Lamar Giles (middle school and young adult), VCBF graduate and award-winning author of acclaimed novels Tthe short holiday, The last day of summer, Not so pure and simple, And Fake ID.

Pablo Cartaya (middle school), VCBF graduate and award-winning author, screenwriter and educator who has inspired thousands of children in Virginia with his entertaining and high-energy presentations.

Kelly Barnhill (middle school), the Newbery Medal-winning author of the bestselling novel The girl who drank the moon.

Karyn Parsons (middle school), best known for her role as Hilary Banks in The Fresh Prince of Bel-AirParsons, who began a second career as an author with the novel How high is the moonand picture books that feature unsung black heroes from history.

Kyla Zhao (middle school and young adult), author of the acclaimed novels The Fraud Department And May the best player win.

MT Anderson (middle school and young adult), award-winning author whose books The Smallpox Party And Elf dog and owl head have earned him a National Book Award for Young Adult Literature and a Newbery Honor.

Donna Barba Higuera (elementary and middle school), award-winning author of Lupe Wong will not dance And The last CuentistaShe won the Sid Fleischman Award for best humorous children’s book of the year.

Megan McDonald (Senior), creator of the beloved character Judy Moody, a headstrong, outspoken third-grader who, along with her younger brother “Stink,” is the subject of more than a dozen best-selling books.

Jason Platt (high school), author and illustrator of the acclaimed graphic novel series Mishaps in middle school.

Cece Bell (high school), VCBF graduate and author/illustrator of the Newbery Medal-winning book El Deafoas well as other picture books and graphic novels.

Barbara McClintock (primary and secondary school), VCBF graduate and author and illustrator of over 40 children’s books, including Adele & Simon, The mittenAnd Where’s Mama?

Mike Curato (primary and secondary school), award-winning author of everything from pictures to groundbreaking graphic novels flamethrower.

Max Brallier (high school and middle school), VCBF graduate and creator of the The last children on earth Series that was adapted as a graphic novel and an Emmy-winning Netflix series.

Jay Cooper (high school and middle school), VCBF graduate and author/illustrator of more than 25 books for children and adults, including the New York Times bestselling series with fellow VCBF author Max Brallier, The last comics on earth.

Todd Parr (primary school), VCBF graduate and author of over 60 children’s books, including bestsellers The “I love you” book, The Earth BookAnd The grateful book. Parr has been part of the Virginia Children’s Book Festival since its first year.

Tim Ering (Elementary School), VCBF graduate and celebrated illustrator/author whose joie de vivre has made his sessions extraordinarily popular with children throughout the 11 years of the VCBF. He is best known as the illustrator of Kate DiCamillo’s Newbery Medal-winning book The story of Despereaux.

Johnny Marciano (high school and middle school), VCBF graduate and New York Times bestselling author of Claudde series of illustrated chapter books. He is about to launch the first book in a new middle grade series.

Darcie Little Badger (high school and middle school), Lipan Apache author whose critically acclaimed debut novel, Elatsowas featured in Time Magazine as one of the 100 best fantasy books of all time.

Jonathan Roth (primary and secondary school), author and illustrator of the Rover and bacon, And Beep and Bob Graphic novel series set in space.

Nick Bruel (primary and secondary school), author and illustrator of the extremely popular Bad cat Books that have a permanent place on the New York Times bestseller lists.

Russell Ginns (primary and secondary), VCBF graduate and author specializing in puzzles, songs and intelligent fun, which led to the creation of the Samantha Spinner Series and 1-2-3- scream.

Malik 16 (Hip Hop Program), VCBF alumnus and rapper-in-residence who has worked with the festival’s hip hop program in children’s literature since its inception. He is the author of graphic novels, poetry and picture books.

The full schedule for the 11th annual Virginia Children’s Book Festival will be released later this summer.

What is the Virginia Children’s Book Festival?

The Virginia Children’s Book Festival is one of the East Coast’s premier literary events for young people. In 2023, it received a Library of Congress Literacy Award for its work in implementing successful practices to promote literacy. Each year, more than 10,000 children attend the three-day event, held in October at Longwood University in Farmville, where they participate in interactive sessions with bestselling and award-winning authors and illustrators of young adult books. Admission to the Virginia Children’s Book Festival is free.