Sunday’s Orange County Children’s Book Festival offers free admission, free parking, live readings and activities for young readers.
Families can spend Sunday discovering new books, meeting authors and celebrating the joy of reading at the Orange County Children’s Book Festival.
The free festival returns to Orange Coast College on September 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission and campus parking are free.
More than 100 authors, illustrators, exhibitors, bookstores and literacy organizations are expected to participate across the campus.
Authors, stories and hands-on activities
Featured guests include bestselling author and illustrator Rachel Ignotofsky, whose books include “Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World.” Ignotofsky is scheduled to give a special presentation inside the OCC Planetarium Dome at 11 a.m.
Comedian and author Melissa Villaseñor will introduce families to “Cat and Lola: School Picture Day,” while comedian and children’s author Jesus Trejo will share stories inspired by family life and Mexican American culture.
KidTime StoryTime, the popular digital read-aloud creator, is also scheduled to appear.
Beyond books and author signings, families can enjoy live entertainment, interactive exhibitor booths, inflatable attractions, a train ride and activities designed for different ages. Food trucks will have meals and snacks available for purchase.
Making reading a family experience
A festival offers something a bookstore or online order cannot: children can meet the people behind the stories, ask questions and see reading as an experience shared with an entire community.
Parents can help children choose one new author to meet, one unfamiliar subject to explore and one book to read together after returning home.
The festival takes place at Orange Coast College, 2701 Fairview Road in Costa Mesa. Families can review the latest schedule and guest information through Orange Coast College’s official announcement and the festival website.
