January 19, 2017
The 25th Annual African American Children's Book Fair will be held on Feb. 4 at the Community College of Philadelphia. 250 people attended the very first book fair. Now, an average of 3,500 people from across the country go to the free event each year.
The event is organized by the African American Children's Book Project, founded by Vanesse J. Lloyd-Sgambati.
"We light the way to helping children discover the joy of reading," the nonprofit's website states.
Free book-related promotional materials will be distributed at the book fair, and there will be a wide selection of affordable literature available to purchase.
Nationally known best-selling authors and illustrators will also be in attendance to sign books and give presentations. The full list of confirmed participants this year includes:
Kwame Alexander
Crystal Allen
Jabari Asim
Patrik Henry Bass
Tonya Bolden
R. Gregory Christie
Floyd Cooper
Nancy Devard
Nahjee Grant
Elleanor Jean Hendley
Christine Kendall
E.B. Lewis
Kelly Starling Lyons
Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Jewel Parker Rhodes
Sandra Richards
Christian Robinson
Brittney Shipp
Javaka Steptoe
Shadra Strickland
G. Todd Taylor
Morgan E. Taylor
Pamela Tuck
Carole Boston Weatherford
Jeffery Boston Weatherford
Renee Watson
Elizabeth Zunon
The fair is one of the oldest and largest single-day events for African-American children's books in the country.
Saturday, Feb. 4
1-4 p.m. | Free
Community College of Philadelphia
1700 Spring Garden St.
