Thursday, October 17
The VCBF Bookshop will be located in Dorrill Lee Grand, and book signings will occur during the lunch break from 12:15pm-1:00pm
Elementary
You Can Save the Day
Did you know there have not always been stoplights? Before Garrett Morgan became a successful inventor and saved countless lives with his creations, he was a little boy with a head full of ideas on how to make life better. Join Karyn Parsons for his amazing story and a chance to come up with your own inventions!
Session 1 (9:45-10:30am)
Upper Elementary
Todd Parr is Back!
Join long-time VCBF favorite Todd Parr as he introduces his new book, "You Will Always Have Me," and revisits old favorites!
When you fall down.
When you are scared.
If you get a bad haircut.
You will always have me!
Nicked
Dive into the world of Nicked by M.T. Anderson, a gripping novel that blends suspense, technology, and human emotion. From the award-winning and bestselling author of Feed comes a raucous and slyly funny adult fiction debut. Based on a bizarre but true quest to steal the mystical corpse of a long-dead saint, Nicked is a fantastical, genre-defying historical tale.
A Little Tomfoolery
Join renowned illustrator Barbara McClintock as she takes children on a visual journey that will have them singing, drawing, and telling their own amazing stories! Barbara will take kids on a creative journey that they will never forget!
Session 2 (10:45-11:30am)
Doodle through the Apocolypse!
See if you have what it takes to survive the monster-zombie apocalypse. Draw your own inventions in Quint's workshop, design a kids-only hangout that will rival Jack's treehouse, put together your dream post-apocalyptic warrior outfits and weapons with Max and Jay!
Draw Emotions w/ Bad Kitty
Nick Bruel demonstrates drawing techniques with tips on illustrating scenes and expressions. Kids develop their own characters to join Bad Kitty, or illustrate a scene from their own Bad Kitty Story.
Hip Hop at the Moton
VCBF Rapper-in Residence Malik-16 takes teens through the Moton Museum, then works with them and Moton educators to create their own hip hop pieces based on the Moton Story. This is an all-day event, and lunch will be provided for students.
Hip-hop at the Moton
VCBF Rapper-in Residence Malik-16 takes teens through the Moton Museum, then works with them and Moton educators to create their own hip hop pieces based on the Moton Story. This is an all-day event, and lunch will be provided for students.
Join the beloved author and illustrator Nick Bruel for an exciting and interactive program based on the Bad Kitty series. Just how bad IS Bad Kitty? It seems trouble always seems to find her, no matter how good she tries to be. Join Nick Bruel to find out just how bad Bad Kitty really is!
Seller of Dreams
From master storyteller Daniel Nayeri comes an epic journey along the Silk Road with a young Monk and his newfound guardian, Samir, the so-called “Seller of Dreams”. Samir ‘s greatest skill is the ability to talk his way into getting what he wants. While that talking did save Monkey’s life, it has left a lot of people furious with Samir— furious enough to hire assassins. A timeless and daring tale for all ages.
Hip Hop at the Moton Museum
VCBF Rapper-in Residence Malik-16 takes teens through the Moton Museum, then works with them and Moton educators to create their own hip hop pieces based on the Moton Story. This is an all-day event, and lunch will be provided for students.
How Can I Help?
Stone-in-the-Glen is a once-lovely town that has fallen on hard times. The beautiful Library burned down; the dazzling, dragon-slaying Mayor offers more speeches than action, and the fourteen clever Orphans at the Orphan House still struggle to get enough to eat. Only the Ogress can help, but how much will it cost her? Join the incredible Kelly Barnhill to find out.
Graphic Novel Faceoff
Jay Cooper - Cece Bell - Mike Curato - Jason Platt - Jonathan Roth meet in an epic graphic novel showdown hosted by the incomparable Russell Ginns. Who will emerge the winner? Only you will decide.
Todd Parr is Back!
Join long-time VCBF favorite Todd Parr as he introduces his new book, "You Will Always Have Me," and revisits old favorites!
Wishes Gone Awry
Everyone at Cade Webster's prep school is afraid of him: he's from a bad neighborhood, he is too big, too ambitious, and too Black. But one night an impulsive wish changes everything. Soon Cade realizes that something terrible is happening. As he grapples with the ramifications of his wish, Cade must confront the darkness within himself and find a way to undo the damage of a wish gone awry.
Wishes Gone Awry
Nina is a Lipan girl in our world. She still believes in the old stories. Oli is a cottonmouth kid, from the land of spirits and monsters. Like all cottonmouths, he's been cast from home. He's found a new one on the banks of the bottomless lake. Nina and Oli have no idea the other exists. But a catastrophic event on Earth, and a strange sickness that befalls Oli's best friend, will drive their worlds together in ways they haven't been in centuries.
Let’s Grab the Mic!
VCBF Rapper-in Residence Malik-16 introduces children to the art of hip hop by using rhythm, rhymes, and beats to explore and engage with books and stories. This program will help children connect with literature in a fun, energetic, and relevant way.
Había una vez . . .
There lived a girl named Petra Peña, who wants to be a storyteller like her abuelita. But Earth has been destroyed t, and only a few scientists and their children – among them Petra and her family – have been chosen to journey to a new planet, Petra wakes and is the only person who remembers Earth. Petra alone now carries the stories of our past, and with them, any hope for our future. Can she make them live again?
Middle
Seller of Dreams
From master storyteller Daniel Nayeri comes an epic journey along the Silk Road with a young Monk and his guardian, Samir, the so-called “Seller of Dreams”. Samir‘s greatest skill is the ability to talk his way into anything, and it left a lot of people furious — furious enough to hire assassins. A timeless and daring tale for all ages.
If I Were a Fish
Kazoo along with viral hit son (now a picture book!) that is a joyous celebration about making the best of a very bad day comes If I Were a Fish - a gorgeously illustrated picture book explosion of positivity and love guaranteed to make you smile.
Back to (Magic) School
If you think going back to school is stressful, be thankful you aren’t Frankie Cardi. When Franki gets sent to boarding school (and this is NOT your ordinary boarding school), things get weirder and weirder. Can the magic she is learning help her escape?
Young Adult
Tim’s Rollicking Adventure!
No one knows adventure better than beloved VCBF author and illustrator, Tim Ering. Whether it’s crossing the equator on an aircraft carrier to catching some of the biggest fish you’ve ever seen, Tim can spin anything into a the world’s most exciting story.
VMFA Artmobile
VMFA on the Road is the museum’s 21st-century Artmobile, coming to you from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Come explore this traveling exhibition during its special appearance at the VCBF!
Who Am I?
Baseball is Elena Rueda’s entire She may be the only girl on her team, but she’s the best player and everyone knows it. Except . . . Elena has stopped having fun, and it’s time to quit. Who she is without a bat in her hand. How will Elena find out who she is—and teach her to love to play again?
Barely Floating
When champion swimmer Natalia de la Cruz Rivera y Santiago, sees The L.A. Mermaids perform, synchronized swimming steals her heart. Not only does Nat have to deal with parents who disapprove of a sport that seems to focus on looks, but the worry that she's thin enough to compete. This session will have some synchronized activities!
Get Creative with Bad Kitty
Thursday, October 17
Get Moody with Judy
Join author Megan McDonald for an exciting and interactive adventure with Judy Moody! This program features engaging activities, creative storytelling, and fun games based on the popular Judy Moody book series.
Playing to Win
Learn chess while you explore the pressures of the competitive game. May Li just earned a victory at the state championship—and with it, a ticket to nationals, but she's crumbling under the pressure. Yes, it is important to win, but isn't it also important to enjoy playing?
Clouds Over California
Change can be scary, but change happens. Stevie's life as a bi-racial girl in the 1970s is full of change: a brand new middle school, tension at home, an older cousin coming to live with her family, not to mention the changes in the world outside of her family. What happens when STEVIE is the one who starts to change?
Nicked
Dive into the world of Nicked by M.T. Anderson, a gripping novel that blends suspense, technology, and human emotion. From the award-winning and bestselling author of Feed comes a raucous and slyly funny adult fiction debut. Based on a bizarre but true quest to steal the mystical corpse of a long-dead saint, Nicked is a fantastical, genre-defying historical tale.
Barely Floating
When champion swimmer Natalia de la Cruz Rivera y Santiago, sees The L.A. Mermaids perform, synchronized swimming steals her heart. Unfortunately, not only does Nat have to deal with parents who disapprove of a sport that seems to focus on looks, but the worry that she's thin enough to compete. This session will have some synchronized activities!
You Cuentista
If you were the one to carry humanity's memories, what stories would you tell? Don't miss this incredible session in which you become the Cuentista and record your memories to be archived and shared forever.
Cuentista
Thursday, October 17
Hundred word horror stories
Do you love horror? The macabre? The creepy.? Learn from the best what makes a story scary, and how to incorporate it into your own writing in this incredible writing workshop that is sure to help you chill some spines. With Lilliam Rivera, Lamar Giles, and Johnny Marciano.
VMFA Artmobile
VMFA on the Road is the museum’s 21st-century Artmobile, coming to you from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Come explore this traveling exhibition during its special appearance at the VCBF!
Thursday, October 17
Group Comic Creation
Join Jason Platt and Jonathan Roth as they discuss the elements of a good comic story (plot, conflict, resolution), demonstrates basic drawing techniques, and help you create a short comic script featuring your own characters.
Hiding Places with Bina Bear
Tiny is having a party, but Bina Bear is nowhere to be found. Is that Bina hiding under a lampshade? It looks like Bina . . . but it must be a lamp. Is that Bina beneath the fruit bowl? It could be . . . but it's probably just a table. Searching for Bina, Tiny realizes something is wrong―and sets out to make it right. This is a humorous yet sincere picture book about friendship, understanding, and embracing our loved ones just as they are.
Clouds Over California
Change can be scary, but change happens. Stevie's life as a bi-racial girl in the 1970s is full of change: a brand new middle school, tension at home, an older cousin coming to live with her family, not to mention the changes in the world outside of her family. What happens when STEVIE is the one who starts to change?
Judy Moody Collage
When Judy Moody’s teacher, Mr. Todd, assigns a project he calls a “Me collage,” Judy thinks it sounds fun (although she doesn’t say so). Mr. Todd tells his students to make a collage that is “all about YOU.” Well, now it’s your turn!
The Great Debate
Identity crises, consumerism, and star-crossed teenage love in a futuristic society where people connect to the Internet via feeds implanted in their brains. Participate in a debate about technology’s role in modern life, drawing parallels to Feed. Anderson has created a not-so-brave new world—and a smart, savage satire that has captivated readers with its view of an imagined future that veers unnervingly close to the here and now.
Session 3 (1:00-1:45pm)
Illustration and Mural
Join the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts for a fun filled hands-on drawing and mural painting workshop. Kids will work alongside their favorite children’s book illustrators to help create a collaborative drawing that stretches over 60 feet long and help Monty Montgomery and Nick Bruel paint a huge mural!
Playing to Win
Learn chess while you explore the pressures of the competitive game. May Li just earned a victory at the state championship—and with it, a ticket to nationals, but she's crumbling under the pressure. Yes, it is important to win, but isn't it also important to enjoy playing?
Zombie Creation Lab
Brainstorm and create your own zombie characters with Max and Jay, then work in groups to create the action! Hosted by Russell Ginns
Books and Basketball
Sometimes the best ideas and the best talk come when we are playing a game. Sports are more than just a way to break the ice. They are a way to interact, to spur being social, to solve problems, to connect. Pablo Cartaya wants to connect with kids through sports, to talk about books, and life, and friends, and dreams. So come play basketball!
VMFA Artmobile
VMFA on the Road is the museum’s 21st-century Artmobile, coming to you from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Come explore this traveling exhibition during its special appearance at the VCBF!
Which is Your Instrument?
Cece Bell and the Longwood Center for Community Music invite you to come to their instrument petting zoo! Have you ever wanted to try the tuba? You can! What about the drums? No problem! Who knows what instrument might be the one for you?
Ogress & Orphans Care Package
The Ogress shows love by sharing food she makes herself. Now you can too! Join Spoonful of Buttercream to create your own sweet treats to share in care packages.
Which is Your Instrument?
Cece Bell and the Longwood Center for Community Music invite you to come to their instrument petting zoo! Have you ever wanted to try the tuba? You can! What about the drums? No problem! Who knows what instrument might be the one for you?