Book Celebrations
Let's read a book!
Children’s Fairyland presents Book Celebrations as an extension of its annual Book Festival, which honors local authors and illustrators. Since 2016, the event has given children the rare opportunity to meet book creators up close and personal to learn about the creative process, from idea to actuality. This new series celebrates recent book releases and promotes the love of literature all year long.
Next in our star-studded lineup:
Book Celebration with Joanna Ho
Join us for a festive Book Celebration featuring award-winning author Joanna Ho and her delightful holiday story, A City Full of Santas!
Saturday, December 21, 11:30 a.m.
Joanna Ho, known for her captivating storytelling and inclusive narratives, will enchant young readers with a special read-aloud, followed by an engaging Q&A session and book signing. A City Full of Santas brings holiday magic to life as it follows a diverse group of children discovering Santas of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds throughout their city. With Ho's lyrical text and vibrant illustrations, readers will meet Santas who speak different languages, have various skin tones, and even use wheelchairs – all spreading joy in their unique ways. This charming book celebrates the spirit of giving and the beauty of diversity during the holiday season. It's the perfect addition to your holiday book collection and a wonderful way to embrace the magic of Fairy Winterland!
Previous Book Celebrations Authors and Illustrators.
Michael Genhart PhD author of Spanish is the Language of my Family
Michael Genhart PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in San Francisco and Mill Valley, California. He is the author of several picture books including: "Spanish is the Language of my Family" (2023), "Ouch! Moments: When Words Are Used in Hurtful Ways" (2016), "Peanut Butter & Jellyous" (2017), "Mac & Geeeez!" (2017), "Cake & I Scream!" (2017), "So Many Smarts!" (2017), "I See You" (2017), "Rainbow: A First Book of Pride" (2019), and "Accordionly: Abuelo and Opa Make Music" (2020) all from Magination Press, as well as "Love Is Love" (Little Pickle Press/Sourcebooks, 2018).
Minnie Phan illustrator of The Yellow Áo Dài
Minnie Phan is a queer Vietnamese American illustrator, cartoonist, and writer born in Stockton, CA. Raised across the Bay Area, her work ranges from editorial illustrations to comics, animation, and picture books. When she's not illustrating, she teaches comics to youth in the Bay Area and advocates for safer streets for bicyclists.
Aida Salazar author of Jovita Wore Pants
Aida Salazar is an award-winning author of several critically acclaimed books that explore issues of identity and social justice. Aida’s first picture book, In the Spirit of a Dream: 13 Stories of American Immigrants of Color, is written in poems and features the illustrations of 13 artists, each of them a “first or second generation immigrant of color”. She has also written three books in verse for middle grade readers including The Moon Within, Land of the Cranes and, most recently, A Seed in the Sun. Aida is a founding member of Las Musas, a Latinx kidlit author collective. Her story, By the Light of the Moon, was adapted into a ballet and is the first Xicana-themed ballet in history. She works and lives right here in Oakland!
Ying Chang Compestine author of Little Red Riding Hood and the Dragon.
Ying is a multi-talented author of 20 books including fiction, children’s picture books, and cook books. She is the host of the popular TV cooking show New Ideas for Delicious Meals on Phoenix TV.
