Traverse City Children’s Book Festival
Traverse City Children's Book Festival
Presented by Jenkins Group
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Saturday, November 8, 2025 | 10 AM - 2 PM | City Opera House
The Traverse City Children’s Book Festival, presented by Jenkins Group, is a joyful celebration of children, families, community, and literacy. This annual event offers a wide variety of books for all ages, featuring works from Michigan and national publishers.
In addition to exploring great books, families can enjoy fun, kid-friendly activities and crafts hosted by local non-profits. Moonbeam Award medalists will also be on hand to showcase their award-winning books, making the festival a must-visit for book lovers of all ages.
Admission is free, and no tickets are required!
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.
Schedule of Events
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
A.Y. JOHLIN
Best Book by Youth Author (under 18) Silver Medalist, The Girl Who Wasn’t Chosen
CDBA PUBLISHING
Comic/Graphic Novel Bronze Medalist, KYNG SUPA NOVA'S ADVENTURES 'OPERATION COVID-19' WITH FAMILY, WE CAN CONQUER ALL by Constance Delores Burrell; illustrated by Ismail Yousaf and Khadija Maryam
DEBRA WESTGATE-SILVA
Fiction – Religion/Spirituality Bronze Medalist, Bethlehem Barn
FATIMA R. HENSON
Young Adult Fiction – Fantasy / Sci-Fi Gold Medalist, Love in the Age of Dragons
HEATHER BRADLEY
Animals/Pets Non-Fiction Silver Medalist, When We All Get Together
HEATHER MATEUS SAPPENFIELD
Pre-Teen Fiction – General and Pre-Teen Fiction – Mature Issues Silver Medalist, The River Between Hearts
HERMIONE LEE
Young Adult Fiction eBook Gold Medalist, Where the Magic Lies: Perils of Portia Saga #1
KAREN VEGA
Young Adult Fiction – General Bronze Medalist, The Girl with No Sol
MEET THE PLAYGROUND KIDS
Non-Fiction – Picture Book Gold Medalist, Be Nice. The End. Simple Lessons of the Playground Kids by Bryan Skavnak; illustrated by Wendy Kieffer Shragg
MGCW CORPORATION
Spanish Language Book Silver Medalist, El cabello de Gregorina by Milagros Wallace; illustrated by Alynor Díaz
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-$1,000. 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 Amy Shamroe at info@moonbeamawards.com to make the magic happen.