Festival Staff / September 8, 2020
FRIDAYS FROM 1:00-1:40 P.M. ON ZOOM
Meeting an author/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 weekly talk with authors. These presentations, occurring every Friday at 1:00 pm, will be available virtually for both classrooms and children at home and will run weekly from September to December 2020 as our local schools meet on-line. This program can also be livestreamed to a classroom if students go back to school.
Parents and teachers can pre-register students and the webinar will include the author’s discussion of the book, a writing or illustration experience and a Q&A session.
Worlds of Words and Tucson Festival of Books are excited to provide this program and add some excitement to Fridays with world-renowned children’s authors and illustrators to promote new books and to encourage children as readers, writers and illustrators.
Signed copies of the books featured on Imagination Fridays can be ordered here.
Catch a replay of past events:
September 18 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
