Traverse City
Children's Book Festival

Presented By Jenkins Group

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 brings together Michigan and national publishers to showcase a wide variety of books for readers of all ages.
 

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

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.

City Opera House, located on 106 East Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49684

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.

Hotel Indigo

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.

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.

Primarily the exhibitors are publishers and authors of children’s books (including Moonbeam award-winning authors), book sellers, literacy advocates and educational institutions.

Download our sponsorship sheet here and email info@moonbeamawards.com to secure your spot.

Yes. We will have authors present who will be selling and signing books their books.

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.

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.

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.

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.