The Los Angeles Times Book Festival took place the weekend of April 20–21, gathering more than 550 writers, celebrities, and storytellers to discuss their books with eager readers. A number of children’s authors were invited to share their books via panels and signings for picture book titles, young adult novels, and more. We’ve rounded up highlights from the festivities.


Author Julie Abe snaps a selfie with a signed wall featuring attendees’ current reads.


Actor and debut author Phillipa Soo (c.) with her sister-in-law and co-author Maris Pasquale Doran (l.) on a panel for their picture book, Piper Chen Sings.


Mother-daughter author and illustrator duo Nikki Russell (l.) and Rachel Renée Russell, creators of the Dork Diaries series, giving a reading onstage.


(From l.): Aida Salazar, Lois Lowry, Donna Barba Higuera, and moderator Robin Benway at the “Middle Grade Superstars” panel.


John Green (l.) and the cast of Turtles All The Way Down made an appearance at the festival. The film, which releases next month, is an adaptation of Green’s 2017 novel of the same name.


Author Abigail Hing Wen with a life-size standee of LeBron James, highlighting his new picture book I Am More Than, illustrated by Niña Mata.


(From l.): authors Greg van Eekhout, Anne Ursu, Agnes Lee, and moderator Jonathan Hunt discuss graphic novels on a panel called “Middle Grade Fiction: Ghosts, Spirits, and Other Realms.”


(From l.): authors Darcie Little Badger, Emily Barth Isler, and Ana Ellickson following their “Magical Realms and Family Sagas in Young Adult Fiction” panel.


David Shannon, author of No, David!, gives a presentation.


(From l.) Renée Watson, Sarah Myer, Julia Torres, Olivia A. Cole, and Samira Ahmed ahead of their “Discovering Your Voice: Race & Gender in Young Adult Fiction” panel.


ESPN sports anchor Elle Duncan gave a reading of her debut picture book and ode to her daughter, For You I Will, illustrated by Laura Freeman.


(From l.) Speakers for the “Making Your Debut: First-Time Romance” panel Page Powars, Myah Ariel, Etta Easton, and Yulin Kuang, enjoying the festivities.


Raj Haldar, author of P Is for Pterodactyl and This Book Is Banned, gives a performance on the children’s stage.


(From l.): Kim Johnson, moderator Sharon Levin, Jennifer Baker, and Paula Yoo ahead of their panel “Do the Right Thing: Social Justice and Dystopias in Young Adult Fiction.”


Characters from John Patrick Green’s InvestiGators series greet a guest carrying copies of the books.


Actor and author Max Greenfield (l.) and Los Angeles Times editor Samantha Melbourneweaver (r.) in conversation at the festival.


“In the Age of Book Bans: The Freedom to Write and Read Young Adult Literature” panelists (from l.) Jonah Newman, George M. Johnson, Hayley Kiyoko, and Lee Wind after their discussion.


A reader holds a copy of Phuc Tran and Pete Oswald’s recent picture book, Cranky.


(From l.): Dawn Burkes, Sarah Mlynowski, Nedda Lewers, and Callie C. Miller on stage for the “Middle Grade Fiction: Legends and Fairy Tales Retold” panel.


Blippi (l.), star of educational programming for children, meets a young attendee with a matching outfit.


Agnes Lee signing copies of her debut graphic novel 49 Days.


Allison Holker Boss (c.), author of Keep Dancing Through: A Boss Family Groove, with daughter Weslie (r.), son Maddox (l.), and festival volunteers.


Author and comedy writer Bess Kalb at a signing for her picture book Buffalo Fluffalo, illustrated by Erin Kraan.


(From l.): Chanel Miller, Claudette S. McLinn, Booki Vivat, Nikki Russell, and Rachel Renée Russell on stage for their panel “World: Kids Exploring the World Around Them in Middle Grade Fiction.”


(From l.): Kekla Magoon, Paula Yoo, and Cynthia Leitich Smith show off their new books.