Center for Children’s Literature

BookFest @ Bank Street

BookFest is an event devoted to the celebration, discovery, and discussion of books for children and teens. This event, designed for adults, features luminaries from the children’s literature community. Authors, illustrators, editors, reviewers, and scholars will take part in panel discussions and breakout sessions.

BookFest was founded in 1971, by Frances Henne, a faculty member of the School of Library Service at Columbia University. The event was originally known as Let’s Talk About Books for Children and Youth Day, or Velma Varner Day, in honor of Henne’s close friend and colleague, Velma Varner, editor of Viking Press. The event has been hosted by Columbia University, Teachers College, and the New York Public Library. Bank Street College of Education has been a proud producer of this wonderful event since 2010.

BookFest @ Bank Street 2025

Saturday, November 1
Tabas Auditorium
Bank Street College of Education

Registration Information

Both in-person and online registration is $50.00 (includes $5.00 Eventbrite fees), and is available by credit card only.

Register for In-Person Program Register for Online Program

Program

Celebrating the Joy of Books for Children and Adolescents

BookFest @ Bank Street in partnership with KidLit TV and Epic!

9:00 AM – 9:30 AM (EST)
Registration
Coffee and bagels will be served.

9:30 AM – 9:35 AM (EST)
Welcome and introduction by Director of the Center for Children’s Literature, Dr. Cynthia Weill.

9:35 AM – 10:05 AM (EST)
A Conversation with Sonia Manzano, Alma series, and Maria of Sesame Street

  • Sonia Manzano,  Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx
  • Moderator, Carlos Hernandez, Sal and Gabi Break the Universe

10:05 AM – 11:00 AM (EST)
Illuminating the American Experience: Five Brilliant Picture Book Authors and Illustrators

  • C.G. Esperanza, Fish Fry Friday: A Picture Book
  • Winsome Bingham, Soul Food Saturday: A Picture Book
  • Jason Griffin, The Table
  • Traci N. Todd, Make a Pretty Sound: A Story of Ella Jenkins, a Picture Book Biography
  • Eric Velasquez, The Polar Bear and the Ballerina
  • Moderator: Lesa Cline-Ransome, The Story of the Saxophone

11:00 AM – 11:20 AM (EST)
Break

11:20 AM – 12:15PM (EST)
What Do Kids Really Love to Read?: Series Books

  • Adam Gidwitz, The Unicorn Rescue Society
  • Debbi Michiko Florence, Jasmine Toguchi
  • Karina Yan Glaser, The Vanderbeekers of 141 Street
  • Mika Song, Norma and Belly
  • Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Classroom
  • Moderator: Emma Otheguy, Reina Ramos

12:15 PM – 12:45 PM (EST)
Keynote: Laurie Halse Anderson, Rebellion 1776

Laurie Halse Anderson is the New York Times-bestselling author of many award-winning books, including the groundbreaking modern classic Speak, a National Book Award finalist which has sold over 3.5 million copies and been translated into 35 languages. In 2023, Laurie was named the laureate of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, long considered to be the de facto ‘Nobel Prize for Children’s Literature.’  Her latest book, Rebellion 1776, was hailed as a “thoroughly researched, emotionally resonant historical novel” in a Booklist starred review.

A passionate spokesperson for the need to combat censorship, Laurie has been honored for her battles for intellectual freedom by the National Coalition Against Censorship and the National Council of Teachers of English. She splits her time between the Adirondacks and Philadelphia.

12:45 PM – 12:50 PM (EST)
Closing Remarks by Cynthia Weill.

12:50 PM – 1:45 PM (EST)
Tea and Cookies
Book Signing in the Lobby
Books Provided by Books of Wonder