The Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books: a day of free family fun, coming in May

Photo above by Gaman Alice via Unsplash. 

If you and your kids are book lovers — or you’re looking to inspire your kids and yourself to spend more time reading this summer — Pittsburgh’s annual festival of books is a free celebration of reading you won’t want to miss.

The Greater Festival of Books happens this year on Saturday, May 11, on the campus of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary on Highland Avenue.

Families can check out a range of free storytelling events happening through the day. See the lineup and register here to confirm seats at your favorites. Just a few of the options include:

• Storytime with Brittany Thurman, 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m.: The author of  the books “Forever and Always,” “Fly” and books in the Fearless series, and the upcoming picture books “The First Library” and “Come Catch a Dream,” will be reading and meeting kids at this gathering in the Carnegie Library Kids’ Tent.
• Storytime: Seoul Food with Erin Danielle Russell, 11:15 a.m. to 12 p.m.: At this event, happening in the University of Pittsburgh Kids’ Tent, families can hear the story of a young girl who joyfully celebrates her Black and Korean cultures the best way she knows how—with the irresistible power of food. Afterwards, kids can meet the author and get books signed.
• Writing YOUR History with Amra Sabic-El-Rayess and Alexandra Diaz, 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m.: Your child can unleash their inner writer (and you can, too) at this discussion happening at the University of Pittsburgh Kids’ Tent.
• Graphic Adventures for Middle Schoolers, 1:15 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.: This panel discussion with authors/artists Terri Libenson, Sharee Miller and V.P. Anderson will explore all things comic and graphic novel. Find it in the Carnegie Library Kids’ Tent.
• Make Your Own Zine with Sharee Miller, 3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m.: This workshop in the Carnegie Library Kids’ Tent is led by bestselling illustrator and author Sharee Miller, best known for her acclaimed picture book “Don’t Touch My Hair.”

Search the full list of panels and storytelling sessions right here.

You’ll also find an “author’s alley” where your kids can meet local writers who have self-published or written books for smaller publishing houses. Find out what it takes to build a career like this.

Get all the festival details right here.