Tampa Bay's Young Publishers Book Lab Launch Party & Art Exhibition

Celebrate the imagination, creativity, and hard work of Tampa Bay’s young authors, illustrators, and publishers!

Join us for the official launch of Kind of Like Home: The Creature Compendium Vol. 1, an original collaborative book created, written, illustrated, and designed entirely by the inagural group of Tampa Bay's Young Publishers Book Lab, a creative and immersive expereince for kids created by Saxon Andrew Publishing and Lapa Loma Illustrations.

Over the course of Book Lab this past summer, our young creators experienced what it takes to bring a real book from idea to publication - brainstorming and world-building, writing, illustrating, collaborating, editing, designing, and ultimately becoming published authors and artists.

Now, we get to celebrate what they created!

WHAT TO EXPECT

Join our Book Lab families, friends, and Tampa's creative community for an afternoon featuring:

• The OFFICAL celebration, book launch, and author signings of our Summer Book Lab

• Original student artwork on exhibition

• Food and refreshments included

• A donation-based bar for adults will be available

• Additional copies of the book will be available for purchase

• Special Book Lab merchandise

• Opportunities to support Book Lab and future programming for young creators

Friends, extended family, and all members of the community are welcome! The more the merrier!

MORE THAN A BOOK LAUNCH

This event celebrates what can happen when young people are given the tools, guidance, and freedom to take their ideas seriously.

The students’ original artwork will remain on exhibition at the Old Hyde Park Art Center throughout the week, giving our young artists the opportunity to see their work displayed and celebrated in a real community art space.

Proceeds and donations collected during the event will help support Book Lab, including future publishing experiences and opportunities for young writers, artists, and storytellers.

EVENT DETAILS

Sunday November 1, 2026

3:00-5:00 PM

Old Hyde Park Art Center

Admission is free. RSVP requested.

Come out and meet our young publishers, see their work, celebrate their accomplishment, and help us launch Kind of Like Home into Tampa and the WORLD!