Traverse City Children’s Book Festival
Traverse City
Children's Book Festival
Presented By Jenkins Group
Home » Traverse City Children’s Book Festival
Saturday, November 8, 2025 | 10 AM - 2 PM | City Opera House
In addition to discovering great stories, families can enjoy fun, kid-friendly activities and crafts hosted by local non-profits. Award-winning authors and illustrators—including Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards medalists—will be on hand to share their inspiring work, making the festival a must-visit for book lovers of all ages.
Admission is free, and no tickets are required! Plus, every attendee (adults & children) will receive $1 in Book Bucks, good toward the purchase of any book at the festival.
Everything You Need to Know
Date & Time
Saturday, November 8, 2025 From 10 AM - 2 PM.
Location
Located at City Opera House in downtown Traverse City at 106 East Front Street.
Parking
Meter parking is available along the streets and Larry C. Hardy Parking Deck is located just two blocks away.
Free Admission
General attendance to the TCCBF is free! No tickets are required.
Make sure to follow us on social media for updates!
Schedule of Events
Coming soon!
10:15 AM: Opening celebration featuring Traverse City Pit Spitters’ Monty
11:00 AM: Old Town Playhouse Young Company performs Holiday Cabaret excerpts
11:40 AM: Old Town Playhouse Young Company performs Holiday Cabaret excerpts
12:30 PM: Parallel 45 Interactive Storytelling – “This is Not a Box”
1:15 PM: Parallel 45 Interactive Storytelling – “This is Not a Box”
authors

Sydelle Pearl
Religion/Spirituality Bronze Medalist for Elijah’s Tears: Stories for the Jewish Holidays

Art Baltazar
Comics/Graphic Novel Silver Medalist for Flash Gordon Adventures!

Jessica Alpart
Pre-Teen Fantasy Bronze Medalist for Ballad of the Magpie

Rodney Smith Jr
Best Series - Picture Silver Medalist for The Chronicles of Rodney’s Mission to Spread Kindness

Katianne Olson
Nonfiction - Picture Book Gold Medalist for The Resilient Brain: Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury for Kids

Cassandra Corrigan
Education Gold Medalist for My History, My Gender, Me

Debra Roy
Book with Merch Gold Medalist for Anger is a Hedgehog

Kenny Loui
Best Series - Nonfiction Silver Medalist for Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher

Emilia Ramos
Best Book by Youth Bronze Medalist for Thieves of Time Forgotten

Sarah Mackenzie
Picture Book - 4-8 Silver Medalist for Dear Duck, Please Come!

Millie Florence
Pre-Teen Fantasy Silver Medalist for Beyond Mulberry Glen

Katie Wray Schon
Nonfiction - Picture Book Gold Medalist for Painting Wonder

Marie Tevosyan
Best Book by Youth Silver Medalist for Duck and Bear: The Best of Friends

Martha Wild
Best First Book - Chapter Bronze Medalist for A Keen Sense of Time

Lisa Stewart
Animals/Pets - Fiction Silver Medalist for Heaven is Amazing—The Dogs

Dustin Kinard
Pre-Teen - General Bronze Medalist for The Wandering Adventures at Hobart Mill

Emily Dunckle
Mind/Body/Self-Esteem Silver Medalist for The Most Amazing Machine

Kaitlyn Marquart
Pre-Teen - Mature Issues Bronze Medalist for Amber Luna My Bright Light

Milina Anderson
Activity Book 1 (Arts & Crafts) Gold Medalist for Hedgehogs in the Desert

Aishah Hight
Children’s Picture Book eBook Bronze Medalist for London Learns: Cake, Lemonade, and Sprinkles

Silpa Kona
Best First Book - Picture Gold Medalist for A Monster on My Trail

Vassi Mitsopoulos
Best Series - Picture Bronze Medalist for Story Swapping

Bertie Stephens
Best First Book - Chapter Gold Medalist for Ellie Ment and the Material Matte

Debby Erdmann
Pre-Teen - Mystery Bronze Medalist for Mystery at Flamingo Bay
Exhibitors
Our Mission
The mission of the TCCBF is to promote children’s literature and literacy by creating an event that brings together children’s book publishers and authors, non-profits, and the community as a whole. The Children’s Book Festival celebrates the importance of books not just in the lives of kids, but for everyone.
Proceeds from the Traverse City Children’s Book Festival are donated to local literacy charities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Traverse City Children's Book Festival?
The TCCBF is a celebration of children, families, community, and literacy. The festival offers a sampling of the best children’s books from a variety of Michigan and national publishers who will be on hand with wonderful stories for the entire family! Local non-profits will be on hand with fun, kid-friendly activities and crafts.
Where is it?
City Opera House, located on 106 East Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49684
Where should I park?
Whatever your downtown Traverse City destination, a parking space is conveniently available. Two and ten hour metered spaces along the streets and in designated lots make visiting the downtown and waterfront areas hassle-free. Don’t forget many of these meters offer 30 minutes FREE for quick trips!
If you don’t want to think about time on a meter, make the Larry C. Hardy Parking Deck your parking destination. This facility offers the most affordable parking rates in town. There is no fee on weekdays after 5pm and all day on the weekends. It is located two blocks east of the City Opera House on the south side of Front Street.
Where should I stay?
263 W Grandview Parkway
Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone: (231) 932-0500
Standing among revamped lumberyards, sawmills and canneries, Hotel Indigo reflects the new life and vibrant spirit of our waterfront Warehouse District neighborhood.
The staff and management here look forward to welcoming you to their fresh, modern hotel located right across from Grand Traverse Bay.
For other reliable recommendations for accommodations, visit the Traverse City Visitor’s Bureau.
Who attends the festival?
The festival is attended primarily by parents and their children (especially Pre K – 3). Publishers, authors, librarians, book sellers and illustrators will also be in attendance.
Who exhibits?
Primarily the exhibitors are publishers and authors of children’s books (including Moonbeam award-winning authors), book sellers, literacy advocates and educational institutions.
How can I exhibit?
Download our sponsorship sheet here and email info@moonbeamawards.com to secure your spot.
Will I have a chance to have a book signed?
Yes. We will have authors present who will be selling and signing books their books.
What do you have for children?
The entire event is focused on children from a kid-friendly (and safe) play area, activity tables, and entertainment on the main stage! Parents will free to shop while their children have all kinds of fun activities to participate in nearby.
How do authors participate?
Authors chosen as exhibitors can contact Festival Director Amy Shamroe at info@moonbeamawards.com for more information if they would like to participate beyond selling books.
What is The City Opera House?
The City Opera House is the oldest of three historically intact Victorian Opera Houses in Michigan.
Over the last three decades, the primary objective of the City Opera House has been the restoration of this unique public environment. With its historic ambiance the theater offers to the northwest region of Michigan an exciting, one-of-a-kind venue for national, international, local and regional entertainment and arts opportunities, educational programming, and public and private celebrations.
Are you ADA compliant?
Yes! The TCCBF and the City Opera House are ADA compliant.
Intersted in becoming a sponsor?
Sponsorships range from $250-$750. Our Sponsors allow us to put on a free, family-friendly event celebrating children’s literacy the whole community can enjoy. Your support is greatly appreciated. Download our PDF to view our sponsorship levels and contact Emily Slater at emilys@jenkinsgroupinc.com to make the magic happen.
