Children's Book Festival

Celebrating Children's Literature

Meridian Library District is proud to present Meridian Children's Book Festival. This event is a unique opportunity to celebrate children, visual and written literacy, and the love of books…there is nothing quite like it in the Treasure Valley or even in the state of Idaho. Meridian Library District staff have been working tirelessly to bring something really special to the table. Finally, in Meridian Library District’s 100th year, we are hosting the first Meridian Children’s Book Festival.

This free family friendly event will celebrate families and children in a variety of different ways. From the vendors we bring in to the authors and illustrators we are highlighting, the Meridian Children’s Book Festival has something for everyone.

Featured Authors and Illustrators

Matthew Cordell

 
Image of author Matthew Cordell

Matthew Cordell is the Caldecott Medal-winning author and illustrator of Wolf and the Snow, Evergreen, Cornbread and Poppy, Wish, Bear Island, and Hello Neighbor: The Kind and Caring World of Mister Rogers.

He is also the illustrator of highly acclaimed children’s books such as Every Dog in the Neighborhood (by Philip C. Stead), Bob, Not Bob! (by Audrey Vernick and Liz Garton Scanlon), and Leeva at Last (by Sara Pennypacker). His books have been best-of-the-year selections by The New York Times, The Boston Globe, NPR, and Amazon.com, and have been translated into many languages.

Molly Idle

 
Image of author Molly Idle

Molly Idle is the author and illustrator of the Caldecott Honor-winning picture book Flora and the Flamingo and all of the books featuring Flora and her feathered friends. She is also the creator of the Tea Rex series, the mermaid tales, Pearl and Coral, and Witch Hazel. Most recently she co-illustrated Julie Fogliano’s I Don’t Care, with her fellow Caldecott Honoree and best friend Juana Martinez-Neal.

Angela Dominguez

 
Image of author Angela Dominguez

Angela Dominguez is the author and illustrator of several books for children and a two-time Pura Belpré Illustration Honoree. Her debut middle grade novel, Stella Díaz Has Something to Say, was a New York Public Library and a Chicago Public Library pick for Best Books for Kids, Sid Fleischman Award winner, Global Read Aloud selection, and an ALA Notable. She recently illustrated the New York Times bestseller Just Help! How to Build a Better World written by Sonia Sotomayor. As a child, she loved reading books and making a mess creating pictures. She’s delighted to still be doing both.

Chad Otis

 
Image of author Chad Otis

Chad Otis is the author and illustrator of four children’s books; including The Bright Side (Rocky Pond Books, 2023), which has received several starred reviews, and was chosen for the 2023 National Book Festival of the Library of Congress. He is also the author and illustrator of A Little Ferry Tale (Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books 2022), which is an Amazon Editor’s Pick and Barnes & Noble Bestseller. Chad lives on the edge of the Rocky Mountains in Idaho.

Leslie Patricelli

 
Image of author Leslie Patricelli

Leslie Patricelli is the writer and illustrator of many bestselling books for babies, elementary school children, and tweens. Her books include the internationally recognized titles Potty and Toot!. She is also the writer and illustrator of the much-loved Rizzlerunk Club Series, including Best Buds Under Frogs and The Big Bad Lies. Her picture books include the Boston Horn Honor book, Higher! Higher!, Faster! Faster!, Bigger! Bigger!, Be Quiet, Mike! and The Patterson Puppies series. She illustrated the acclaimed Mini Myth series, as well.

 

Meridian Children's Book Festival Logo

Dine and Discuss Evening

Friday, April 12, 2024
6:30 p.m.

This is a closed event for public librarians and educators to hear featured authors talk about, "Why Literature is Important No Matter the Age"

Hosted by Meridian Library District
RSVP to Gabby Stoller at gstoller@mld.org

 

Children's Book Festival

Saturday, April 13, 2024
10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Galaxy Event Center - 1385 W. Blue Marlin Ln, Meridian, ID 83642

Hosted by Meridian Library District
Free to the Public

 

A Night with the Artists

Saturday, April 13, 2024
6-9 p.m.

Galaxy Event Center - 1385 W. Blue Marlin Ln, Meridian, ID 83642

Presented by the Meridian Optimist Club.

Hosted by Meridian Library Foundation
Ticketed Fundraiser Dinner
Tickets available at supportmld.org/bookfest