ONE FRIDAY A MONTH FROM 1:00-1:40 P.M. ON ZOOM
Meeting an author or illustrator is transformational for children as readers. Watching children’s excitement in meeting the creator of a well-loved book or finding a new favorite has always been one of the most rewarding aspects of the Tucson Festival of Books. Worlds of Words at the University of Arizona is partnering with the festival to present a monthly experience with authors and illustrators. These presentations, occurring one Friday a month at 1:00 pm, will be available virtually for both classrooms and children at home from September to December 2021.
September 17 Drew Daywalt and Molly Idle share their new picturebook "Twinkle Twinkle Little Kid," a hilarious story about wishes and friendship. Everybody knows that kids wish upon stars, but did you know that stars also wish upon kids? Watch a replay of the event here.
October 29 Raúl the Third has a new adventure with Little Lobo and Bernabé in "¡Vamos! Let’s Cross the Bridge," a joyful story about coming together and celebrating community. Traffic has come to a stop on a bridge, and everyone finally decides to have an epic party! Watch a replay of the event here.
November 12 Kate DiCamillo and Sophie Blackall share their highly anticipated new graphic novel, "The Beatryce Prophecy," a fantasy about fate, love, and the power of words. Set in a time of war, Beatryce lives in a world where reading and writing are against the law, leading her on a dangerous quest to unseat the king and change that world. Watch a replay of the event here.
December 10 Philip and Erin Stead are back with a new story about Amos McGee, the zookeeper, in "Amos McGee Misses the Bus." Amos has planned an outing for his zoo animal friends, but everything goes wrong, and they miss the bus for the outing. Watch a replay of this event.
Catch a replay of past 2020 events:
September 18, 2020 Jon Sciezka and Steven Weinberg share their new zany series about AstroNuts on a mission to find a planet fit for human life after Earth becomes unlivable. Watch a replay of this event.
September 25, 2020 Rashin Kheiriyeh features her new picturebook, "Bahar the Lucky," a funny tale full of surprises about a rug weaver from Iran who decides to try her hand at fortune telling. Watch a replay of this event.
October 2, 2020 David Bowles and Charlene Bowles tell about their new graphic novel, "Rise of the Halfling King," that follows the adventures of a magical boy from Mayan mythology. Watch a replay of this event.
October 9, 2020 Adam Rex features his new picturebook, "On Account of the Gum," about the hilarious misadventures of a child trying to solve the problem of gum in the hair. Watch a replay of this event.
October 16, 2020 Christina Soontornvat shares "All Thirteen, The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team," the thrilling story of their 18 days trapped in a flooding cavern. Watch a replay of this event.
October 23, 2020 Sherri Duskey Rinker features "Construction Site Mission: Demolition!" as the construction team has an exciting job of smashing, crushing, sorting and hauling. Watch a replay of this event. Download Construction Site Activity Kit.
October 30, 2020 Michael Rex invites readers in "We’re Going on a Goon Hunt," as a family treks through spooky landscapes looking for a monster. Perfect for Halloween and a good scare. Watch a replay of this event.
November 6, 2020 Andy Griffiths all the way from Australia shares his newest book, "The Treehouse Joke Book," and his upcoming 10th book in the series, "The 130-Story Treehouse." "The Treehouse Joke Book" is chock-full of gags, quips, puns and cartoons. Watch a replay of this event.
November 13, 2020 Illustrator Gordon C. James shares his new book, "I Am Every Good Thing," written by Derrick Barnes. This book challenges the negative images and feelings that surround Black boys by saying they are “worthy of success, respect, safety, kindness, happiness—they are every good thing.” Watch a replay of this event.
November 20, 2020 Max Brallier, author of the Last Kids on Earth series will share the highly anticipated sixth book in this bestselling series, "The Last Kids on Earth and the Skeleton Road." In their latest adventure, Jack, June, Quint and Dirk go on a road trip to search for the villain Thrull and his skeleton army. "The Last Kids on Earth" is now available as a Netflix series. Watch a replay of this event.
December 4, 2020 Molly Idle and Beth Ferry feature their new picturebook, "We Believe in You." Animals inspire their little ones to chase their dreams and reach for the stars. This stunning picturebook is about the joy of believing in yourself and in one another! Watch a replay of this event.
December 11, 2020 Kevin Noble Maillard and Juana Martinez-Neal tell about their award-winning picturebook, "Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story." Watch a replay of this event.
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