Reedpop’s BookExpo unveiled the lineup for the Children’s Book & Author Breakfast, an annual event showcasing literature’s most esteemed children’s and young adult authors. Sponsored by Candlewick Press, the breakfast continues to be one of the most sought-after events, drawing over 1,000 attendees each year. The morning will be filled with lively conversations with some of your favorite celebrity authors.
Renowned author Judy Blume will host the breakfast this year as she celebrates the 50th anniversary of her book Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret., her novel which confronts various early teen situations. She will discuss various topics within her novel and how the story has helped not only in her life but those of millions of teens who have read the book. Along with hosting she will be moderating the author discussions as well.
Some of the author panelists in attendance include:
Misty Copeland, who made history by becoming the first African American female principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, will introduce the audience to Bunheads, the first in a series of picture books inspired by her own early experiences in ballet. In her first picture book since the bestselling and award-winning Firebird, Copeland tells the story of a young Misty discovering her love for dance through the ballet of Coppélia. The book, illustrated by Setor Fiadzigbey, boasts themes of teamwork, friendship, dedication, and hard work, as Copeland hopes children everywhere will be inspired to reach for their dreams.
Academy Award ® winning actress, director, producer and activist Natalie Portman will discuss Natalie Portman’s Fables, her upcoming book which retells three classic fairytales and imbues them with empathy and humor. Her new takes of The Tortoise and the Hare, The Three Little Pigs, and Country Mouse and City Mouse are perfect for reading aloud and are sure to become beloved additions to family libraries.
Raj Haldar, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of P is for Pterodactyl who’s also known by his stage name, Lushlife, joins the breakfast to showcase another hilarious fresh look at the English language. No Reading Allowed pokes fun at the English language, as it joyfully teaches young readers about homophones, homonyms, and tricky punctuation. This picture book’s illustrations provide clues to understanding the meanings behind wily words and confusing phrases, so readers will no longer be tricked by phrases like “C Major, it’s a beautiful key! / See Major, it’s a beautiful quay!”
Marie Lu, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Legend series, will introduce the BookExpo audience to Skyhunter, her new novel in which she imagines an immersive world broken by war, where danger waits around every corner and loyalty is life. Lu focuses on the evolution of the dystopian genre, how our relationships with these stories have shifted in light of real-world trauma, and how she hopes these stories can affect positive change.
Finally, Kwame Mbalia follows-up his best-selling Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky with Tristan Strong Destroys the World featuring characters from African-American folklore. Bestselling author Rick Riordan presents this second book in the Tristan Strong trilogy which features the title character, just back from a victorious but exhausting adventure in Alke, the land of African American folk heroes and African gods, suffering from PTSD but unable rest as he faces a new challenge of survival.
This event will be taking place on Friday, May 29, 2020 as it kicks off the final day of BookExpo.
Early bird prices are still available from now until April 30 which packages include: Reserved Premium Roundtable Seating & Special Entrance (Limited Quantity): $120 ,Roundtable Seating with Continental Breakfast: $60 , or Theater Seating: $40.
You can find out more about the event on their website, and don’t forget to register right here.