Parent Child Happy Hour: Kids’ Book Fest — A Celebration of Stories & Local Authors!
Schedule
Sun Nov 16 2025 at 10:30 am to 02:00 pm
UTC-06:00Location
3241 Garver Green, Madison, WI, United States, Wisconsin 53704 | Madison, WI
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🗓 Sunday, November 16th 🕥 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM📍 Garver Feed Mill & Garver Canvas
🎟 $10 per child • Adults attend free
✨ Half of all ticket sales benefit Madison Reading Project, helping put more books in the hands of local kids!
Discover new stories, meet local authors, and spend a cozy Sunday surrounded by creativity, connection, and community! The PCHH Kids’ Book Fest brings together Madison-area authors and illustrators across picture books, elementary and middle-grade fiction — creating an experience that celebrates storytelling for every age and stage.
Whether your child loves picture books, silly stories, or is deep into their first fantasy series, this event offers something for every kind of reader (and the adults who love them).
✨ Highlights
📖 Author Storytime in Garver Canvas Gallery
Hear stories come to life! Enjoy live readings and Q&A sessions with local authors — a perfect chance for kids (and grown-ups) to connect with the voices behind the books they love. Authors Sarah Mendonca, Christine Virnig and Alby Williams will kick off the fun with their Creature Clash at 11, where the kids decide which spooky fictional characters come out on top!
🎨 Interactive Author Stations
Each participating author will host a hands-on craft, activity, or game inspired by their work. Collect Author Signatures in your PCHH Book Fest Autograph Book as you explore, and earn a small prize when your adventure is complete!
🎭 Special Guests from Event Sponsor, Children’s Theater of Madison, from 10:30-12:30
Meet beloved storybook characters from CTM’s Winnie the Pooh, brought to life by talented young actors! Say hello, take a photo, read with a character and stop by CTM’s info table to learn about upcoming events and youth programs
📸Family Portrait Booth
Dress to impress for FREE family po11rtraits (perfect for holiday cards!) by Little Dragan Photography. Reserve your spot upon entry, limited to 50 families.
🍳 Brunch, Beverages + Goodies!
Parents, we’ve got you covered — Star Bound Catering will be serving up brunch favorites, and Garver Lounge will offer craft drinks and hot cocoa. Relax, sip, and enjoy while your readers explore. Don’t forget to grab a something special from Lily’s Magical Treats
🎤Featured Author Lineup and Storytime Schedule:
11:00_ Creature Clash: Sarah Mendonca, Christine Virnig and Alby Williams pit their fictional creatures against one another in a game of spooky and silly competitions…and YOU help decide who wins each round!
11:30_ Laura Anne Bird: a chapter from Crossing the Pressure Line. Laura Anne Bird is the award-winning middle grade author of Crossing the Pressure Line and Marvelous Jackson. When she's not reading, writing, or walking her tiny little wiener dog, she serves as an ambassador for Wisconsin Book Festival, a board member for Madison Public Library Foundation, and co-chair of Lunch for Libraries.
11:45_ W.T. Kosmos: Silly Zoo Baby. W.T. Kosmos is a lifelong educator turned humorist author who blends sharp wit, quirky characters, and boundless imagination to uncover hidden wisdom—even in life’s most ludicrous situations.
12:00_ Suzy Scudder: Count upon your Friends. Suzy Scudder is a Math Educator who wrote Count upon your Friends to help young learners with those tricky teen numbers. She lives in Middleton with her husband and dogs, Monty and Piper.
12:15_ Pat Zietlow MIller: Sophie’s Squash. Pat Zietlow Miller is a Madison-based, award-winning children’s book author known for heartfelt, engaging stories such as New York Times Bestseller Be Kind, Sophie’s Squash, and Wherever You Go. Her books blend warmth, humor, and emotional insight, inspiring readers of all ages.
12:30_ Alina Loux: The Toothbrush Circus. Alina Loux is an award-winning, Amazon bestselling author-illustrator. She teaches picture book writing at Madison College and runs Little Story Squad (www.littlestorysquad.com), an online platform helping others bring their own picture book publishing dreams to life. Find her at www.alinaloux.com or on Instagram @alinawritesbooks.
12:45_ Holly Ann Burns: You Are / I Am. Holly Anne Burns is a design leader, artist, and author who believes creativity and compassion can change the world. When she’s not working or making art, she’s usually playing referee between two small creative directors who call her Mom.
1:00_ Sarah Michelle White and Tessa Gibbs: Our Food Grows. Sarah M. White is a children’s book author and educator based in Madison, WI. Our Food Grows is her seventh book, and her work has appeared in Highlights High Five magazine. Tessa Gibbs is a Madison-based illustrator and graphic artist who creates work inspired by things in the natural world. Her aesthetic is happy and colorful to evoke playful and kid-like nature.
1:15_ Andrea Debbink: If the Rivers Run Free. Andrea Debbink is a Madison-based naturalist and author who has written more than a dozen books for children and adults from field guides to picture books to graphic novels.
1:30_ Megan Thornburgh: UnPerfect. Megan is a Children's book author, educator, and Mom of three. She enjoys blending fun stories and teachable moments, educating kids and parents.
🌟Other Featured Authors:
Samantha Cora: Waverly Braves the Breeze. Samantha Cora is a writer and photographer based in Madison with a fascination for the natural world. She is the founder of the organization Playful Acorns, the co-founder of the Lakeside Children's Book Writers and Illustrators group, and the South West Area representative for SCBWI-WI.
Sarah Mendonca: An Encantadora’s Guide to Monstros and Magic. Sarah J. Mendonca is a Portuguese American author of magical books about misfits finding their own way in the world. Raised on her father’s bedtime stories, Sarah started writing about monsters at age eight and hasn’t stopped.
Christine Virnig: A Bite Above the Rest, Phantom Academy and Waist-Deep in Dung. Christine Virnig is a children’s author who combines her child development expertise as a former pediatric allergist with her experience working in a children’s library to craft stories that make kids laugh, scream, and feel seen
Alby Williams: Where there be Monsters and Where there be Spies. Alby C. Williams is a storyteller, poet and artist of dubious skill but endless enthusiasm. If you catch them in their spare time, you might mistake them for a cat based on the amount of yarn in their immediate vicinity, but don't be fooled---they're actually several pigeons in a trench coat
💫 A Family-Friendly Sunday for All Ages
You don’t have to skip your weekend brunch — just bring the whole crew! From toddlers to teens, this event celebrates reading, creativity, and the local authors who inspire it all.
🎟️ Tickets Here:
https://pchh-kids-book-fest-local-authors.tripleseattickets.com/
📋 More Details:
Maximum of three children per adult. Children 4 & under require an adult within speaking distance at all times. Seating in the atrium will be provided for adults who prefer to be close by and still enjoy their food and drink.
🚦 Rules:
1. Liability waiver required to participate. Review and sign here: https://forms.gle/ojS4P7nFMCtKfmV8A
2. Doors are strictly at 10:30AM, please do not arrive early but feel free to arrive at any time during the event.
3. Children 4 and under must have an adult within speaking distance at all times.
4. All Parents and guardians must remain in the event space while their child is participating in PCHH.
5. Rude, disrespectful, or aggressive behavior will receive 1 warning. A second infraction and the child will be escorted to find their adult and to leave the space. No refund will be given.
6. No running/playing on the mezzanine (second-story area). All children must have an adult within speaking distance on the mezzanine.
7. Carry-in toys are limited to riding toys and push toys. No balls, projectile toys, weapon-based toys, roller skates/roller blades, or pedal riding toys.
8. All alcohol must be purchased from Garver Lounge.
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Where is it happening?
3241 Garver Green, Madison, WI, United States, Wisconsin 53704Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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