The Brooklyn Book Festival hosted its 10th annual Children’s Day on September 20, taking over Borough Hall Plaza in Brooklyn, N.Y. An estimated 4,500 guests enjoyed a day of workshops, performances, book signings, and activities with authors and illustrators. “Children’s Day introduces books and authors in a way that opens a world for children to imagine that they too can be authors and illustrators in addition to being lifelong readers,” BBF co-producer Liz Koch told PW. “Bringing these experiences to children over the past 20 years means there are a huge number of people who are now adults and had early and memorable experiences at Children’s Day. We hope they are still celebrating books—reading, writing, and creating.” We’ve selected some of the highlights from the event. All photos ©Angela Tsamisirou.


Guests thronged the Children’s Marketplace, where publishers and vendors showcased numerous titles available for purchase.


Authors and collaborators Ruta Sepetys (l.) and Steve Sheinkin preparing to sign copies of their book following their panel discussion of their middle grade novel, The Bletchley Riddle.


David Ezra Stein hit the Picture Book Stage for a puppet show performance.


James Yang giving readers a storytime during the Drawing Through the Cosmos session.


Steph Stilwell (l.) and Debbie Fong showing off their latest picture books at a signing table.


Adam Rex on the Picture Book Stage giving a read-aloud of his book Echo.


Niña Mata during a storytime of her debut picture book, New.


Edwidge Danticat (l.) took to the Picture Book Stage to deliver a storytime of Watch Out for Falling Iguanas.


Abby Hanlon greeting readers following her discussion of her latest Dory Fantasmagory book, Can’t Live Without You.


Craig Kofi Farmer onstage with a young guest competing in the trivia game “Are You Smarter Than an Author?”


Illustrators were invited to put their drawing skills to the test at Clash of the Creators: Illustrator Draw-Off. Here, Ruth Chan emcees the competition.


On the Young Readers Stage, the Draw Me a Story session invited readers to participate in crafting a story live with illustrators. Here (from l.), Jerome Pumphrey, Jarrett Pumphrey, and Kay Healy during their drawing demonstration.


Bad Kitty creator Nick Bruel showed off his chops at the Clash of the Creators: Illustrator Draw-Off.


(From l.) Sylvia Chen, Brendan Wenzel, and Christopher Silas Neal greet young fans during their book signing.