Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 from 11am - 4pm
The 27th annual Minnesota Children's Book Festival will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026 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 2026 Minnesota Children's Book Festival.
2026 event Schedules
Presentation
Schedule
11:15 a.m.
Daniel Bernstrom
11:45 a.m.
Jennifer A. Bell
12:15 p.m.
Meenal Patel
12:45 p.m.
John Coy
1:15 p.m.
Jacqueline West
1:45 p.m.
Monica Rojas
2:15 p.m.
Mary Casanova
2:45 p.m.
Mélina Mangal
3:15 p.m.
Tanáǧidaŋ Tó Wíŋ (Tara Perron)
Book Signing Schedule
11:00 a.m. AND 12:35 p.m.
Jennifer A. Bell
noon
Daniel Bernstrom
noon AND 1:35 p.m.
John Coy
11:30 a.m. AND 1:05 p.m.
Meenal Patel
noon AND 1:35 p.m.
Jacqueline West
1:05 AND 2:40 p.m.
Monica Rojas
1:35 AND 3:00 p.m.
Mary Casanova
2:10 AND 3:30 p.m.
Mélina Mangal
2:15 AND 3:45 p.m.
Tara Perron
2025 Featured Book Titles
Jennifer A. Bell
Gentle (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2026) is a sweet picture book about the transformative power that quiet love and kindness can have on any creature, based on the real-life animal sanctuary the Gentle Barn. Written by Ellie Laks.
The Babysitter Tree (Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2026) Young black bears tumble and spar, rest and recharge, and--most importantly--find safety and security in the shaded sanctuary of a white pine tree. Written by Molly Beth Griffin.
- Presentation: 11:45 a.m.
- Signing: 11:00 - 11:30 a.m. AND 12:35 - 1:35 p.m.
Daniel Bernstrom
The Dumped Truck (HarperCollins, 2026) Welcome to Toyville, where Dump Truck does his work. His dirty work. Dump Truck cleans, fixes, and dumps stuff because—hey!—it’s his job. But the other toys can’t stand Dump’s less-than-tidy appearance.
So they make a new rule: NO DIRTY DUMP TRUCKS.When Dump Truck gets dumped, what will he—and the other toys—do? Illustrated by Marcelo Verdad.
A Bear, a Man, and a Donut Van (Hippo Park, 2026) Everyone’s favorite hungry bear is back! This time Bear discovers a van full of donuts—YUM! Bear climbs in the van, but the unsuspecting donut man doesn't see what's going on. Until... he looks in his rear view mirror, and OMG!!! What should a donut man do when a bear is eating donuts in his van?
- Presentation: 11:15 a.m.
- Signing: noon - 1 p.m.
Mary Casanova
In Northwoods Lullaby (University of Minnesota Press, 2026), a springtime stroll transforms into a heartwarming bedtime lullaby.
Pairing Casanova’s signature lyrical writing with collage illustrations by Jordan Sundberg of Tin Cup Design, this bedtime story invites readers of all ages to explore the world of nature and discover the unexpected along the way. It’s time to sing a lullaby, a pine bough swaying lullaby, a lady’s slipper lullaby … a lullaby for you.
- Presentation: 2:15 p.m.
- Signing: 1:35 - 2:05 p.m. AND 3:00 - 3:30 p.m.
John Coy
The World Game: Soccer Circles the Globe (Lerner Books, 2026) From a park in the United States to a pitch in India, from the seaside in Nigeria to a stadium in Uruguay, there’s one game that brings the world together. Whether you call it football, soccer, or any other name, it’s the most popular sport on the planet. Illustrated by Phùng Nguyên Quang.
- Presentation: 12:45 p.m.
- Signing: noon - 12:30 p.m. AND 1:35 - 2:05 p.m.
Melina Mangal
Ants Work Together (Free Spirit Publishing, 2026) is part of the Outside our Window Series of Board Books. In Ants Work Together, two young children prepare for a summertime community picnic in their city neighborhood. They notice that ants are all around us, taking on specialized roles to make sure the whole colony has what it needs. Illustrated by Stella Lim.
- Presentation: 2:45 p.m.
- Signing: 2:10 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. AND 3:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Meenal patel
Where Do Stories Live? (Kokila, 2026) In this charming and meditative story by author-illustrator Meenal Patel, a young girl embarks on a journey to discover the stories all around her.
When Avni receives a journal as a gift, she questions what is worth putting on its blank pages. Through observation, contemplation, and adventure as they walk to their aunt's house, Avni and her younger sister Isha discover the magic of storytelling hiding in butterfly wings, homemade meals, and shared laughter.
- Presentation: 12:15 p.m.
- Signing: 11:30 a.m. - noon AND 1:05 - 1:35 p.m.
Monica Rojas
- Presentation: 1:45 p.m.
- Signing: 1:15 – 1:35 p.m. AND 2:40 - 3:10 p.m.
Tanagidan to win
Our Sacred Land of Phežúta Plants of all kinds fill a blooming landscape—and offer healing and knowledge to benefit those who connect with phežúta (medicines) and give thanks for their bounty.
In the early mornings of summer I go with my grandmother to pray and visit some of her oldest friends. “Grandmother, who will we get to visit with today?” I ask.
“Little one, we must listen quietly and see who decides to greet us this morning,” she replies. Written by Tanáǧidaŋ Tó Wíŋ (Tara Perron) and Illustrated by Holly Young.
- Presentation: 3:15 p.m.
- Signing: 2:15 - 3:00 p.m. AND 3:45 - 4:00 p.m.
Jacqueline West
Black Point (Simon & Schuster, 2026) In an insular small town steeped in Norse traditions, a local teen grapples with dark secrets from the past rising to the surface in this “spine-tingling thrill ride” (School Library Journal, starred review) by New York Times bestselling author Jacqueline West.
Lucia Sorenson holds on hard to the things she loves. Her tiny hometown clings to the bluffs above the Mississippi River, threatened by weather and time. Unlike most people her age, Lucia plans to stay after graduation and help her grandfather run the Viking Museum of Black Point. Maybe then she can keep everything her ancestors built from washing away.
- Presentation: 1:15 p.m.
- Signing: noon - 12:30 AND 1:50 - 2:20 p.m.
The 2026 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 a from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.