2026 Readers' Recess
Monday, September 28 - 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm
Columbia Event Center A
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Sponsored by: |
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Tickets required |
Four children's book authors talk about their books.
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Tami Charles is the New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books for children and young adults, including All Because You Matter, We Are Here, and Muted. In That Beautiful Mind she teamed up with her son, Christopher Charles, to write a rhythmic text that will speak to any child—and every child—who has needed an extra second or a second chance to harness the power of their own unique gifts and limitless potential. Stunning illustrations by Nikkolas Smith bring to life the joy, frustration, and triumph of navigating the world as a neurodivergent child. That Beautiful Mind celebrates the power and diversity of every child’s beautiful mind, and the dynamic and prismatic way so many children think and learn.
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Elisa Kleven is the acclaimed author and/or illustrator of over thirty children’s books, including Sun Bread, The Paper Princess, and Abuela, by Arthur Dorros. For as long as she can remember, Elisa has loved creating imaginary characters and miniature worlds in her stories and art. In Look! A Bear!, Remy the rabbit and Bella the bear explore a richly textured natural world, discovering the joy of unexpected friendship. With lush full-color illustrations and a warm story about curiosity, kindness, and looking beyond assumptions. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family.
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Julia Kuo is the Taiwanese-American author and illustrator of Home Is a Wish, Let’s Do Everything and Nothing and Luminous: Living Things That Light Up the Night. Her latest, Mountainous, is a wondrous exploration of mountains. With simple lyrical text and informative sidebars, this stunning picture book is perfect for introducing readers of all ages to the mysteries of mighty mountains and the wonders of our natural world. She lives in a suburb of Seattle.
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Nikki McClure is a papercut artist and children’s book creator based in Olympia, Washington. She has illustrated numerous books, including the Washington State Book Awards Finalist Old Wood Boat and Rachel Carson’s About the Sky, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book. A Forest, a Family, a Harbor, a Home follows with a story told in handcrafted images, rooted in the nature and landscape of the Northwest, and threaded with the experience of child- and parenthood. It is a rich and deeply felt meditation on the intimacy of home, the wonder of the world, and the magic of discovery.
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Elizabeth Rusch writes propulsive stories both true and fictional on topics as diverse as democracy and dog heroes, climate change and color, art and equal pay. Her writings on vital, high-interest topics pose essential questions and celebrate human ingenuity and the power of collective action. In We Breathe: How Air Connects Us All Rusch and debut illustrator Amy Healey explore how air sustains different species on earth. Rusch presents and holds workshops at schools, colleges, libraries and many other settings around the country and the world. She also offers creative retreats from her house on the Oregon Coast.
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