On September 7, authors, illustrators, young readers and their families gathered at New York City’s Inwood Hill Park for the fifth annual Uptown Kid Lit festival. The children’s book festival was organized by Word Up Community Bookshop/Librería Comunitaria and welcomed more than 700 attendees for a day of readings and discussions, workshops, games, and more. See some of the photo highlights below.
On the main stage, authors Jamia Wilson (l.) and Alyssa Reynoso-Morris discussed how all children deserve to see themselves positively represented in the books they read and how they brought trailblazers to life in their new books.
Professor Wesley Jacques from Wheaton College led an interactive workshop, hosted in collaboration with the New York Black and African Literature Festival, on banned books.
A Word Up collective member enjoying the marketplace.
The Dominican Writers Association tabling at Uptown Kid Lit, offering books and activities for children.
Emmy-nominated comedy writer and children’s book author Ethan T. Berlin taught kids how to write their own jokes during a workshop.
(From l.) author Ibi Zoboi, activist and educator tasha dougé, and author Edwidge Danticat sharing their new picture books.
Illustrator and animator James Kwan presented an interactive drawing session.
Debut author and activist Jenan A. Matari shared Everything Grows in Jiddo’s Garden, followed by a gardening activity.
A mother and child took a picture in the Uptown Kid Lit picture frame.
Drag king Oliver ThePlace, in collaboration with Drag Artists for Expression NYC, shared a bilingual story time featuring Bodega Cats by Hilda Eunice Burgos.
Author and illustrator Selina Alko helped young guests make their own alphabet art books.
Author Jasminne Paulino (l.) and NASA climate scientist Allegra N. LeGrande (fourth from l.) led an exploration of the park with attendees.
SAG Award-winning actor and author Tanya Wright (back l.), shared a story with the help of Hairiette the puppet, while kids made their own puppets.
Uptown Kid Lit volunteers celebrating a successful event.
