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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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](/sites/default/files/2024-02/CBF_Logo.png)
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
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A Little Ferry Tale
In the spirit of The Little Engine That Could, this sweet picture book introduces Little Ferry, who yearns to be more like the faster or stronger boats in the harbor only to find out her uniqueness can be her strength.
Little Ferry feels like no one notices her. She isn’t strong like Tugboat or fast like Speedboat or graceful like Sailboat, the boats everyone loves to watch. But Little Ferry is special, too! She’s patient and careful and always on time. And when disaster flares on Wildlife Island, Little Ferry finds that her quiet traits are the very ones that will help her finally stand out and save the day. -
Huggy Kissy
Oh, baby! Leslie Patricelli’s one-haired wonder returns to share the love.
When you’re an adorable bald baby, your family finds lots of ways to show you how much they love you: Mommy lifts you uppy, Daddy kisses you on the tummy, and everyone wants to snuggle. What’s not to love? With comedy and warmth, Leslie Patricelli offers a universal tribute to love and affection in a board book full of instant appeal for little valentines everywhere. -
Hello, Neighbor!
Kindness, caring, and reliance on our neighbors are more important now than ever before. We all need more Mister Rogers in our lives.
In difficult times, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood provided a refuge for children and their families alike; a way to understand and talk about what was happening, and find hope for a brighter tomorrow.
Groundbreaking in a quiet, generous way, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood introduced a generation of children to the wonders of the world in the comfort of their own living rooms. Fred Rogers took young viewers to art museums, introduced them to different professions, and talked through difficult subjects like losing a loved one, or experiencing parents' divorce, with compassion and reassurance.
Share that deep respect, care, and quiet joy in the day-to-day with the only authorized picture book biography of Fred Rogers--lovingly created by Caldecott Medalist Matt Cordell.
Lively, colorful illustrations explore Fred Rogers' early life and the events that led him to create his enduring show. Exclusively published archival photographs, provided by Fred Rogers Productions, offer a behind-the-scenes look at this historic show and the people whose hard work made it possible. A brief biography of Mister Rogers and a history of the show is included, as well as a note from author-illustrator Matt Cordell about his inspiration and longtime admiration for Fred Rogers and Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.
Perfect for fans of the film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, starring Tom Hanks, or anyone who wants to bring home the ideals of compassion, kindness, and patience that make us all good neighbors, this captivating picture book should not be missed.
A Junior Library Guild Selection
A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year! -
Stella Díaz Has Something to Say
In her first middle-grade novel, award-winning picture book author and illustrator Angela Dominguez tells a heartwarming story based on her own experiences growing up Mexican-American.
Stella Díaz loves marine animals, especially her betta fish, Pancho. But Stella Díaz is not a betta fish. Betta fish like to be alone, while Stella loves spending time with her mom and brother and her best friend Jenny. Trouble is, Jenny is in another class this year, and Stella feels very lonely.
When a new boy arrives in Stella's class, she really wants to be his friend, but sometimes Stella accidentally speaks Spanish instead of English and pronounces words wrong, which makes her turn roja. Plus, she has to speak in front of her whole class for a big presentation at school! But she better get over her fears soon, because Stella Díaz has something to say!
Stella Díaz Has Something to Say introduces an infectiously charming new character with relatable writing and adorable black-and-white art throughout. Simple Spanish vocabulary is also integrated within the text, providing a bilingual element.
2019 Sid Fleischman Award winner
A 2019 Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) Notable Children's Book
A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids 2018
Top 10 Showstopper Favorite
One of Chicago Public Library's "Best of the Best Books 2018" -
Flora and the Flamingo (Flora and Her Feathered Friends Books, Baby Books for Girls, Baby Girl Book, Picture Book for Toddlers)
In this magical Caldecott Honor-winning picture book, Flora and her graceful flamingo friend wordlessly explore the trials and joys of friendship through an elaborate synchronized dance.
Every little ballerina dreams of her turn as a dancing diva. Endearing Flora in swimsuit, bathing cap, and flippers admires a pink flamingo . . . and with a twist, a turn, and even a flop, these unlikely friends learn at last how to dance together in perfect harmony.
An innovative wordless picture book with interactive flaps, Flora and the Flamingo is full of humor and heart. This stunning performance (and splashy ending!) will have readers clapping for more!
FOR THE LOVE OF THE DANCE: For children and adults who share a passion for ballet, jazz, tap, Irish Step, or any form of dance, the joyful Flora books offer an engaging, hands-on reading experience that celebrates the magic of movement.
FINE-FEATHERED FRIENDS: Friendships in children's books come in many wonderful forms. The connection made in this gentle story as a girl and a bird dance in tandem is a lovely reminder that friendship is truly the wind beneath our wings.
For more feathery fun with the flamingo girls, pick up more preschool wordless books from award-winning author-illustrator Molly Idle, including Flora and the Penguin, Flora and the Peacocks, Flora and the Chicks, and Flora and the Ostrich.
Perfect for:
- Parents and caregivers seeking unique picture books with lift-the-flap interaction and beautifully flowing illustrations
- Gift giving for baby shower, birthday, holiday, dance recital, moving up, or graduation celebrations
- For fans of Angelina Ballerina, Pinkalicious, Lola Dutch, and Ella Bella Ballerina books
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Oliver the Curious Owl
Oliver the owl questions anything and everything in this charmingly funny story that asks who, what, when, where, and why!
The only question Oliver's family ever asks is Who? Who? Who? But he wants to know more:
Who lives in those faraway woods?Where does the river go?Why can't I leave our tree?
When his curiosity gets the better of him, Oliver -- and his best buddy, Bug -- travel far from the safety of home to get answers about the wonderful world they live in. But after a day of exploration, how will the friends find their way back?
In this delightful story of discovery, an inquisitive owl inspires those around him to let their curiosity take flight! -
I'm Hungry! / ¡Tengo Hambre! (Spanish Bilingual)
A bilingual picture book that’s sweet enough to eat about a chatty bluebird and an indecisive T. Rex who can’t decide what his next meal should be, introducing readers to basic Spanish and English food vocabulary.
When a bluebird comes upon a dinosaur who’s down in the dumps, he asks what’s wrong.
“¡Tengo hambre!” says the dinosaur. I’m hungry!
Does the dinosaur want a banana?
“¿Plátano? No.”
Fish?
“¿Pescado? No, gracias.”
Nothing seems to do the trick! What does dinosaur want to eat? This delightful bilingual picture book is about finding just the right food—and just the right friend. Perfect for fans of We Don't Eat Our Classmates and Stegothesaurus. -
Camp Rex
What could be more fun than a camping trip with a good friend?
When that friend is T. Rex!
It's important to set a few wilderness safety guidelines first. . . like making sure he stays on the trail. And does not disturb the local wildlife. And knows how to build a safe campfire. But sometimes dinosaurs have a different way of doing things, and that's why it's best to be prepared . . . for anything!
Following in the extremely large and funny footsteps of Tea Rex, Camp Rex is for anyone who loves to roast a marshmallow or two around the campfire . . . or the whole bag at once! -
Marta! Big & Small
With simple Spanish and a glossary at the end, this fun read-aloud picture book, Marta! Big and Small, teaches little ones to identify opposites and animals and learn new words.
Marta is una niña, an ordinary girl . . . with some extraordinary animal friends!
As Marta explores the jungle, she knows she's bigger than a bug, smaller than an elephant, and faster than a turtle. But then she meets the snake, who thinks Marta is sabrosa—tasty, very tasty! But Marta is ingeniosa, a very clever girl, and she outsmarts the snake with hilarious results.
A School Library Journal Top 10 Latinx Book 2016 -
Cornbread and Poppy
Caldecott medalist Matthew Cordell debuts his first early reader series about two best friends who are as different from each other as can be.
Cornbread LOVES planning. Poppy does not. Cornbread ADORES preparing. Poppy does not. Cornbread IS ready for winter. Poppy...is not. But Cornbread and Poppy are the best of friends, so when Poppy is left without any food for the long winter, Cornbread volunteers to help her out. Their search leads them up, up, up Holler Mountain, where these mice might find a new friend...and an old one. Celebrating both partnership and the value of what makes us individuals, young readers will find this classic odd-couple irresistible as they encounter relatable issues with humor and heart.
Publishing simultaneously in hardcover and paperback. -
Sea Rex
What could that be
down in the sea?
Is it a fish?
A snail?
A mermaid’s tail?
No, it’s bigger than that . . .
a LOT bigger . . .
it’s Sea Rex!
Join Cordelia and her cretacious companions as they spend a memorable day at the beach, as only dinosaurs can do! -
Be Quiet, Mike!
Digga-digga-digga-digga, zat, zoom, crash! Leslie Patricelli's lovable (but noisy!) new character finds an ingenious way to create a sound all his own.
Even before he was born, Mike started drumming. Kick! Thump! Pow! Wherever he goes, his rhythms sing: swis, thak, go his books; bang, clank, goes the trash can; tap, tap, go his pencils; and "BE QUIET, MIKE!" yells everyone around him. But one day Mike sees a drum set in a store window-- and puts his hands-on talents to work in a most impressive way. W ith the bold graphic style and clever details her readers love, Leslie Patricelli strikes a cymbal for active, high-energy little monkeys everywhere. -
Witch Hazel
Transform dust into magical memories in this moving intergenerational tale that celebrates stories and the time we have together.
Something magical happens when Hazel and Hilda are together. As the seasons pass, Hazel's broom whisks the dust off many years of joyful memories, and young Hilda watches them come to life. But is it magic making memories...or are memories making magic?
This poignant tale and artistic tour de force from Caldecott Honoree Molly Idle gently explores the passage of time and the transcendent power of sharing our stories.
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Higher! Higher!
One child. One swing. An obliging dad. This is the story of a young child's giddy glee of being pushed in a swing.
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Santiago Stays
Santiago stays. He does not budge when offered a walk. He does not budge when offered a treat. Not even a turkey leg can lure this stubborn French bulldog away from his post, despite the growing disappointment of the little boy who is trying to engage him. After several futile attempts, the boy's frustration bubbles over into a yell, which wakes the baby, and the reader realizes whom Santiago has been resolutely guarding all along. This familiar theme of an attention-seeking older sibling, paired with the comically and characteristically stubborn French bulldog, makes for a humorous and cathartic tale for dog lovers of all ages!Praise for Santiago Stays:STARRED REVIEW"The illustrations, in pencil, marker, ink, tissue paper, and digital color, capture the boy's persistence and the bulldog's dug-in resistance; the warm palette is perfect for this affection-filled family story."--The Horn Book, starred review"Dog lovers and older siblings alike will bask in the quiet humor as they try to solve this gentle canine mystery."--Kirkus Reviews"The idea that there's a dog who cares more about a crying baby than a hamburger is a heartwarming one; Santiago isn't just cute but, in his own small way, noble, too."--Publishers Weekly"The large, mixed-media illustrations set against white backgrounds pack much nuance and personality into the canine and human characters."--School Library Journal
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The Bright Side
This endearing picture book about making the most of any situation is also a heartfelt and meaningful portrait of houselessness that’s just right for young children.
Sometimes it’s hard to stay positive: when you live in an old school bus instead of a normal house; when you have mostly just bread and ketchup to eat; and especially when you have to go to a new school where all the other kids already have friends. But the sweet and creative boy in this story discovers that he can do things he never thought possible, by using the skills his parents have taught him: imagining . . . and trying . . . and finding a way to look on the bright side.
This honest, accessible, and compassionate story is based on the author’s own childhood. Its message about resourcefulness and courage will resonate with every reader. -
Wolf in the Snow
Winner of the 2018 Caldecott Medal
A girl is lost in a snowstorm. A wolf cub is lost, too. How will they find their way home?
Paintings rich with feeling tell this satisfying story of friendship and trust. Wolf in the Snow is a book set on a wintry night that will spark imaginations and warm hearts, from Matthew Cordell, author of Trouble Gum and Another Brother. -
Just Help!
From the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Just Ask! comes a fun and meaningful story about making the world--and your community--better, one action at a time, that asks the question: Who will you help today?
Every night when Sonia goes to bed, Mami asks her the same question: How did you help today? And since Sonia wants to help her community, just like her Mami does, she always makes sure she has a good answer to Mami's question.
In a story inspired by her own family's desire to help others, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor takes young readers on a journey through a neighborhood where kids and adults, activists and bus drivers, friends and strangers all help one another to build a better world for themselves and their community.
With art by award-winning illustrator Angela Dominguez, this book shows how we can all help make the world a better place each and every day.
Praise for Just Help!:
"Generosity proves contagious in this personal portrait of community service by Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor." --Publishers Weekly
"For use in civics units or in lessons on being a good neighbor, this provides wonderful encouragement to show that children can help in big and small ways." --School Library Journal