Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025 from 11am - 4pm
The Anderson Center at Tower View is pleased to announce that the 26th annual Minnesota Children's Book Festival will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. This beloved event features presentations of new books by award-winning authors and illustrators writing for young readers through middle grade. Taking place at the Anderson Center’s beautiful, historic Tower View campus, the Children's Book Festival is an ideal opportunity for families to connect, learn and play.
Throughout the afternoon, each author or illustrator presents their work, reads from their book, and participates in a meet & greet and book signing booth. Taking place outdoors, the event also features hands-on activities that engage the mind, body, and imagination. With balloons, facepainting, art-making, kid-friendly food trucks, and more, there's something to delight the inner child in all of us. This event is FREE and all ages are welcome!
Red Balloon Bookshop is the official bookseller of the 2025 Minnesota Children's Book Festival.
2025 event Schedules
Presentation
Schedule
11:10 a.m.
Cristina Oxtra
11:45 a.m.
Justice Alan Page and Kamie Page
12:20 p.m.
Chris Monroe
12:55 p.m.
Molly Beth Griffin
1:30 p.m.
Lauren Stringer
2:05 p.m.
Art Coulson
2:40 p.m.
Matt Eicheldinger
3:15 p.m.
Pete Hautman
Book Signing Schedule
11:20 a.m. AND 1:00 p.m.
Chris Monroe
noon
Cristina Oxtra
noon AND 1:30 p.m.
Molly Beth Griffin
12:45 p.m.
Justice Alan Page and Kamie Page
1:05 AND 2:05 p.m.
Lauren Stringer
1:45 AND 2:40 p.m.
Art Coulson
2:15 AND 3:15 p.m.
Matt Eicheldinger
2:15 AND 3:45 p.m.
Pete Hautman
2025 Featured Book Titles
Art Coulson
All the Stars in the Sky (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025) is a sweet, bighearted picture book about a young boy who learns the Cherokee lesson of gadugi—how working together and helping each other makes the whole community stronger. When eager Clay asks his elisi (grandmother) for help to be named star of the week at school, he’s surprised by her answer: No one person is more important than his family and his community. But is Clay still important at all?
This contemplative exploration of community, individualism, and responsibility—accentuated with traditional beadwork in the art—is a moving invitation to consider an indigenous perspective of one’s place in the world and how we all light up our sky, together. Recommended for ages 4 – 8.
- Presentation: 2:05 p.m.
- Signing: 1:45 - 2:00 p.m. AND 2:40 - 3:20 p.m.
All the Stars in the Sky will be released September 16, 2025.
Matt Eicheldinger
Matt Eicheldinger's Holes in My Underwear (Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2025) is a side-splitting, thought-tickling collection packed with 112 poems and doodles that’ll leave readers giggling and thinking long after they've turned the last page. Recommended for ages 8 – 10.
Holes in my Underwear will be released on September 9, 2025.
Matt Sprouts and the Search for the Chompy Wompers (Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2025) is the third installment of the New York Times bestselling series! As Matt navigates the ups and downs of buying into a collectible toy hype, he learns valuable lessons about friendship, responsibility, and the complexities of making tough choices. Educator and social media sensation Matt Eicheldinger weaves a hilarious and funny narrative with charming cartoon illustrations that's perfect for young readers. Recommended for kids ages 9 – 11.
- Presentation: 2:40 p.m.
- Signing: 2:15 - 2:30 p.m. AND 3:15 - 4:00 p.m.
Molly Beth Griffin
In Rings of Heartwood (Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2025), twelve poems about woodland, wetland, and prairie dwellers explore different kinds of growth.
A tadpole grows legs and lungs and transforms into a frog. A fern unfurls from fiddlehead to frond. Molly Beth Griffin’s playful yet meditative lines paired with scientific facts invite readers into the life cycles of plants, amphibians, crustaceans, birds, reptiles, and insects as they grow and change. Recommended for ages 4 - 8.
Far, Far Away (Charlesbridge 2025) celebrates the beauty of nature, new experiences, and gaining perspective. Mom and Mama are taking Rowan on his first camping trip far, far away from the city where they live. Before long, Rowan is tired and hungry, itchy from mosquito bites, and downright grumpy. In fact, he wants to go home.
When night falls, Mom and Mama show him the sky—full of stars like he's never seen before. Rowan realizes that though camping is hard work, it is worth it in the end. Recommended for ages 3-7.
- Presentation: 12:55 p.m.
- Signing: noon - 12:45 p.m. AND 1:30 - 1:45 p.m.
Pete Hautman
In Answers to Dog (Candlewick, 2024) National Book Award winner Pete Hautman explores a friendship like no other—and the universal truth that dogs make life better, especially for underdogs.
Evan doesn’t seem to fit in at school or at home. But a burr-covered border collie—a survivor with a gut instinct about the Boy—starts following him around and joining him on his runs. Evolving from wary companions to steadfast friends, Evan and the dog run fast and far together, thwart an abusive dog breeder and the school bully, and find the courage to stand up for themselves and to open up to those who matter most. Recommended for ages 9 - 12.
- Presentation: 3:15 p.m.
- Signing: 2:15 - 3:00 p.m. AND 3:45 - 4:00 p.m.
Chris Monroe
String Ball (Carolrhoda Books, 2025). When a curious kitten encounters its young owner's string ball craft project, an amazing adventure ensues! The kitten squeezes inside the ball and begins to roll . . . right out the open front door. Yikes! Kitten and ball encounter playful pups, pecking birds, a baby in a carriage, and one very slippery slide. Whee!
Author-illustrator Chris Monroe takes readers on a journey they won't soon forget in this nearly wordless picture book. Recommended for ages 4 - 8.
- Presentation: 12:20 p.m.
- Signing: 11:20 a.m. - noon AND 1:00 - 1:20 p.m.
What Lolo Wants (Kids Can Press 2024)
Every night, Maria and Lolo draw together. Lolo can draw anything! One day, though, things start to change. Lolo does not feel well. And when Maria asks him to draw, he says he needs to rest. Not long after, Lolo begins to forget people’s names, and soon he cannot find the words for what he wants. Maria tries to find some way to help Lolo communicate – could their shared love of drawing be the answer?
This sweet and moving picture book written by Cristina Oxtra is a wonderful conversation starter about how to navigate through family changes by continuing to care and connect. Recommended for ages 3-7.
- Presentation: 11:10 a.m.
- Signing: noon - 1:00 p.m.
- Presentation: 11:45 a.m.
- Signing: 12:45 – 1:30 p.m
Lauren Stringer
- Presentation: 1:30 p.m.
- Signing: 1:05 - 1:25 p.m. AND 2:05 - 2:30 p.m.
The 2025 Minnesota Children’s Book Festival is generously sponsored by Associated Bank, First Farmers & Merchants Bank, Munson Electric, Red Wing Noontime Kiwanis, Ripley's Rental & Sales, Wilson Oil, and Musty Barnhart Agency.
This event is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.