The National Book Festival, now in its 15th year, was held Saturday, September 5, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in downtown Washington, D.C. The event featured plenty of panels featuring favorite authors for children and teens, including Kwame Alexander, Mac Barnett, Cece Bell, Jarrett Krosoczka, Rachel Renée Russell, Dan Santat, Jon Scieszka, Libba Bray, and more. See our selection of photos from the day’s festivities.
Scholastic authors Peter Sís (Ice Cream Summer), Tom Lichtenheld (Friendshape), Jennifer L. Holm (Sunny Side Up), Sonia Manzano (Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx) and Stephen Savage (Where’s Walrus? And Penguin?) pose together before the festival.
PBS interviewing National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Kate DiCamillo.
Youth performers from Circus Harmony and Galilee Circus (the subjects of Cynthia Levinson’s Watch Out for Flying Kids!) perform acrobatics during Levinson’s presentation.
Authors (from l.) Tad Hills, Libba Bray, and Jarrett Krososzka pause for a photo.
Diane Muldrow, author of the Everything I Need To Know I Learned from a Little Golden Book series, presents at the Children’s Picture Book stage.
Nikki Russell (r.), illustrator of Dork Diaries 9: Tales of a Not-So-Dorky Drama Queen, draws “dorkified” portraits of audience members, which were taken home as souvenirs.
Kwame Alexander (l.), Newbery-winning author of The Crossover, interviews Mac Barnett and Christian Robinson, creators of Leo: A Ghost Story. Book View host Rich Fahle joins on the right. (That’s Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat photo bombing in the background.)
David Baldacci (The Keeper) poses with a young reader during his signing.
Author-illustrator Susan Stockdale read from her picture book Stripes of All Types.
Author-illustrator Jarrett Krososzka is impressed by Dan Santat’s Beekle tie.
Sonia Manzano (l.), author of Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx, in conversation with NPR host Michel Martin.
Former astronaut Buzz Aldrin (r.), and author of Welcome to Mars: Making a Home on the Red Planet, with author-illustrator Tad Hills.
Author and We Need Diverse Books co-founder Ellen Oh addresses the festival audience.
Author David Lubar (r.) and Origami Yoda creator Tom Angleberger enjoy an author-to-author moment near the state library booths. Photo: Janet Goodman.
