Tucson Festival of Books

Dream Big: Stories that Inspire Action


It's hard to dream big in an uncertain world but dreams bring hope and the possibility of change. Dreams can involve Captain America and realizing a superhero can look like you, communicating with orcas through music, and helping others better their lives. Even small actions can create big changes.


Panelists
Monica Brown

Monica Brown is an award-winning author of more than 30 multicultural picturebooks, including "Waiting for the Biblioburro," "Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match" and "Frida and her Animalitos." Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post and NPR, and she has received two Américas Awards and a Christopher Award....

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Kwame Mbalia

Kwame Mbalia is a No. 1 New York Times best-selling author of the Tristan Strong series and the publisher of "Freedom Fire," an imprint of Disney Hyperion devoted to stories about the Black diaspora by Black creators that includes his Jax Freeman series....

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Zachariah OHora

Zachariah O'Hora is a New York Times bestselling illustrator and author best known for his bold, vibrant style and heartwarming stories about friendship and individuality. His recent books include "Whalesong: The True Story of the Musician Who Talked to Orcas," "Copydog," and "Who Wet My Pants?" He is the show creator of PBS KIDS Carl the Collector, an animated show about a racoon on the spectrum, and the creator of the Gear Guard Yeti for Rivian electric vehicles....

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Nikkolas Smith

Nikkolas Smith is an Artivist, picturebook author and Hollywood film illustrator. He is the author-illustrator of "The Artivist," "The Golden Girls of Rio" and "My Hair Is Poofy & That’s Okay....

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Books:
Doña Fela's Dream
The Story of Puerto Rico's First Female Mayor
Monica Brown
Children
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
September 2024
ISBN 9780316178358
48 pages

Captain America: Brave New World: A Hero Looks Like You
Kwame Mbalia, Nikkolas Smith
Children
Disney Publishing Group
January 2025
ISBN 9781368098083
32 pages

Whalesong: The True Story of the Musician Who Talked to Orcas
Zachariah OHora
Children
Tundra Book Group
September 2024
ISBN 9781774883945
48 pages