A Celebration of Books,
Writers & LIterary Excellence

Save the Date


Gaithersburg
Book Festival

May 17, 2025

10am – 6pm

Bohrer Park


Genre: Children's

The Painter and the President by Sarah Albee

Sarah Albee

Featured Title: The Painter and the President: Gilbert Stuart's Brush with George Washington

Sarah Albee is The New York Times best-selling author of non-fiction books for kids. Her most recent titles include “Zero: The Number that Almost Wasn’t,” “The Painter and the President: Gilbert Stuart’s Brush with George Washington” and “Bounce!: A Scientific… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 4:15 pm

Venue: Jim Henson Pavilion

Signing: 5:15 pm

Kerry Aradhya

Featured Title: Ernő Rubik and His Magic Cube

Kerry Aradhya has loved puzzling over words and immersing herself in the creative process ever since she was a little girl growing up in Erie, Pa. Her debut picture book, “Ernő Rubik and His Magic Cube,” was a 2024 Junior… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 4:15 pm

Venue: Jim Henson Pavilion

Signing: 5:15 pm

Jonathan Auxier

Featured Title: The Vanished Kingdom: The War of the Maps

Jonathan Auxier is a New York Times best-selling author of strange stories for strange children — including the beloved “Vanished Kingdom” and “Fabled Stables” series. His spooky novel, “The Night Gardener,” was a Junior Library Guild selection, an ABA IndieNext… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 11:15 am

Venue: Ogden Nash Pavilion

Signing: 12:15 pm

Tracey Baptiste

Featured Title: Moko Magic: Carnival Chaos

Tracey Baptiste is a New York Times best-selling author of 26 books for children, including the popular “Jumbies”series –   “The Jumbies,” “Rise of the Jumbies” and “The Jumbie God’s Revenge” – as well as the picture book, “Looking for a… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 12:15 pm

Venue: Ogden Nash Pavilion

Signing: 1:15 pm

Charles F. Bolden Jr.

Featured Title: Star Sailor: My Life as a NASA Astronaut

Charles F. Bolden Jr. became the first Black NASA Administrator in 2009. He logged more than 600 hours in space over the course of four shuttle missions. During Bolden’s eight-year tenure as NASA Administrator, the agency developed a spacecraft to… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 2:15 pm

Venue: Willa Cather Pavilion

Signing: 3:15 pm

Extra Innings by Fred Bowen

Fred Bowen

Featured Title: Extra Innings

Fred Bowen is the author of 29 sports books for young readers ages 8-12. He is the creator and author of the Fred Bowen Sports Story series, 26 books that combine sports fiction, sports history and always have a chapter… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 12:15 pm

Venue: Willa Cather Pavilion

Signing: 1:15 pm

Return to Sender by Vera Brosgol

Vera Brosgol

Featured Title: Return to Sender

Vera Brosgol was born in Moscow, Russia, in 1984 and moved to the United States when she was five. Her three graphic novels — “Anya’s Ghost,” “Be Prepared” and “Plain Jane and the Mermaid” — were published by First Second.… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 10:15 am

Venue: Willa Cather Pavilion

Signing: 11:15 am

Gaia Cornwall

Featured Title: Fairy Walk

Gaia Cornwall loves to write and illustrate for children. She is the author-illustrator of “Jabari Jumps,” which was a Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book and an American Library Association Notable Children’s Book; and its follow-up, “Jabari Tries,” as well as “The… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 10:15 am

Venue: Jim Henson Pavilion

Signing: 11:15 am

Sayantani DasGupta

Featured Title: The Ghost Forest (Secrets of the Sky, Book Three)

Sayantani DasGupta is The New York Times best-selling author of the critically acclaimed, Bengali folktale and string theory-inspired “Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond” books, the first of which — “The Serpent’s Secret” — was a Bank Street Best Book of… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 12:15 pm

Venue: Ogden Nash Pavilion

Signing: 1:15 pm

Jacqueline Davies

Featured Title: The Lemonade War

Jacqueline Davies is the best-selling author of the “Lemonade War” series, which has inspired millions of young readers across the world to raise money for charitable causes. She is also the award-winning author of the “Sydney and Taylor” series, illustrated… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 3:15 pm

Venue: Willa Cather Pavilion

Signing: 4:15 pm

Gabby Torres Gets a Billion Followers

Angela Dominguez

Featured Title: Gabby Torres Gets a Billion Followers

Angela Dominguez was born in Mexico City and grew up in the great state of Texas. She now resides on the East Coast with her boyfriend, Kyle, and their petite dog, Petunia. She is also the author and illustrator of… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 10:15 am

Venue: Willa Cather Pavilion

Signing: 11:15 am

Craig Kofi Farmer

Featured Title: Kwame Crashes the Underworld

Craig Kofi Farmer is a Prince George’s County, Md., native, with two Bachelor of Science degrees from Towson University and one Master of Education degree from the University of Maryland, College Park. He works in higher education administration, helping students… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 12:15 pm

Venue: Ogden Nash Pavilion

Signing: 1:15 pm

Team Unihorn and Woolly by Alexis Frederick-Frost

Alexis Frederick-Frost

Featured Title: Team Unihorn and Woolly: Revenge of the Unicorn

Alexis Frederick-Frost is a cartoonist whose books are distinguished by their vibrant art and whimsical humor. He is the co-author and illustrator of the critically acclaimed “Adventures in Cartooning” series of graphic novels and picture books and is the author… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 4:15 pm

Venue: Willa Cather Pavilion

Signing: 5:15 pm

Mixed-Up by Kami Garcia

Kami Garcia

Featured Title: Mixed-Up

Kami Garcia is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly and international best-selling author and comic book writer, and an award-winning young adult novelist. Her best-known works include “Beautiful Creatures,” “Unbreakable” and “Teen Titans: Raven.” Kami was a… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 3:15 pm

Venue: Willa Cather Pavilion

Signing: 4:15 pm

Gia Gordon

Featured Title: My So-Called Family

Gia Gordon is a disabled author, youth activist and former educator. Her middle grade debut, “My So-Called Family,” has received two starred reviews; been named a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, a Kirkus Best Books of 2024, and a… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 2:15 pm

Venue: Ogden Nash Pavilion

Signing: 3:15 pm

John Patrick Green

Featured Title: InvestiGators: Agents of S.U.I.T.: Wild Ghost Chase

John Patrick Green is a human with the human job of making books about animals with human jobs, notably the smash-hit graphic novel series “InvestiGators.” John is definitely a multiple New York Times best-selling human author and not just a… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 4:15 pm

Venue: Willa Cather Pavilion

Signing: 5:15 pm

Michael Hall

Featured Title: Punch!: A Story About Kindness

Michael Hall grew up in Ann Arbor, Mich., and lives with his family in Minneapolis, Minn. He is the creator of numerous acclaimed picture books for children, including ”Frankencrayon,” ”Red: A Crayon’s Story,” ”My Heart Is Like a Zoo,” ”Perfect Square” and ”It’s an Orange… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 3:15 pm

Venue: Jim Henson Pavilion

Signing: 4:15 pm

When I Hear Spirituals by Cheryl Willis Hudson

Cheryl Willis Hudson

Featured Title: When I Hear Spirituals

Cheryl Willis Hudson is an author, editor, publisher and respected member of the children’s book community. She is co-founder, with her husband Wade, of Just Us Books, Inc., an independent publishing company that focuses on Black interest books for young… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 11:15 am

Venue: Willa Cather Pavilion

Signing: 12:15 pm

Wade Hudson

Featured Title: The Day Madear Voted

Wade Hudson is the author of more than 35 books for young readers, including the middle grade memoir, “Defiant: Growing Up in the Jim Crow South,” winner of the 2022 Malka Penn award, and the anthologies, “We Rise, We Resist,… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 11:15 am

Venue: Willa Cather Pavilion

Signing: 12:15 pm

JOHO

Featured Title: Saphie the One-Eyed Cat Volume 1

Joanna Ho (JOHO), hailing from a lineage of cat butlers, earned her B.F.A. from George Mason University. Her artistry and lineage showcased in “Saphie: The One-Eyed Cat,” captures hearts by melding her profound feline connection with illustration. She is also… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 3:15 pm

Venue: Willa Cather Pavilion

Signing: 4:15 pm

Alan Katz

Featured Title: Take Me Out of the Bathtub and Other Silly Dilly Songs

Alan Katz has written 50+ highly acclaimed books for young readers. A frequent presenter at regional and national conferences and festivals, his titles include “Take Me Out of the Bathtub and Other Silly Dilly Songs,” “Got Your Nose!,” “OOPS!,” “Zooloween”… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 11:15 am

Venue: Jim Henson Pavilion

Signing: 12:15 pm

Erin Entrada Kelly

Featured Title: The First State of Being

Erin Entrada Kelly is a two-time Newbery Medal winner for for “Hello, Universe” and “The First State of Being,” and earned a Newbery Honor for “We Dream of Space.” She grew up in Lake Charles, La., and now lives in… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 1:15 pm

Venue: Willa Cather Pavilion

Signing: 2:15 pm

Hena Khan

Featured Title: We Are Big Time

Hena Khan is a Pakistani-American writer. She is the author of the middle-grade novel, “Amina’s Voice,” which was selected as a Best Book of the Year by Kirkus, NPR, The Washington Post and Chicago Public Library. Her other titles include… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 12:15 pm

Venue: Willa Cather Pavilion

Signing: 1:15 pm

David LaRochelle

Featured Title: Mr. Fox's Game of No!

Does David LaRochelle ever get tired of making books for young people? No! He can’t think of a better profession in the world! He is the author of “Isle of You,: illustrated by Jaime Kim, as well as “How to… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 11:15 am

Venue: Jim Henson Pavilion

Signing: 12:15 pm

Meet the Mini Mammals by Brian Lies

Brian Lies

Featured Title: Meet the Mini-Mammals: A Night at the Natural History Museum

Brian Lies is the author and/or illustrator of over 30 children’s books, including the new “Meet the Mini Mammals: A Night at the Natural History Museum” (by Melissa Stewart, Beach Lane Books) and upcoming “Cat Nap” (Greenwillow / HarperCollins, Fall… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 12:15 pm

Venue: Jim Henson Pavilion

Signing: 1:15 pm

Steve Light

Featured Title: A Spider Named Itsy

Steve Light is the creator of “Gus and Sully Watch the Weather,” as well as the board books, “Black Bird Yellow Sun;” “Mama Tiger, Tiger Cub;” “Up Cat Down Cat” and “Have You Seen My Lunch Box?” Among his many… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 12:15 pm

Venue: Jim Henson Pavilion

Signing: 1:15 pm

The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon by Grace Lin

Grace Lin

Featured Title: The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon

Grace Lin is the award-winning and best-selling author and illustrator of “Chinese Menu,” “When the Sea Turned to Silver,” “Starry River of the Sky,” “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon,” “The Year of the Dog,” “The Year of the Rat,”… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 1:15 pm

Venue: Willa Cather Pavilion

Signing: 2:15 pm

Carole Lindstrom

Featured Title: The Gift of the Great Buffalo

Carole Lindstrom is the author of The New York Times best-selling and Caldecott Award–winning “We Are Water Protectors,” “My Powerful Hair” and “Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior.” She is Anishinaabe/Métis and is a proud member of the Turtle Mountain Band of… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 2:15 pm

Venue: Jim Henson Pavilion

Signing: 3:15 pm

The Gods' Revenge by Katherine Marsh

Katherine Marsh

Featured Title: The Gods' Revenge

Katherine Marsh is the author of “Medusa,” a Kirkus Reviews Most Anticipated Book of 2024 and Amazon Editors’ Pick; “The Lost Year,” a National Book Award Finalist and winner of the Jane Addams and Golden Kite Awards; “Nowhere Boy,” winner… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 10:15 am

Venue: Ogden Nash Pavilion

Signing: 11:15 am

Space Chasers by Leland Melvin

Leland Melvin

Featured Title: Space Chasers by Leland Melvin

Leland Melvin is an engineer, educator, author, former NASA astronaut and NFL wide receiver. He served on board the Space Shuttle Atlantis as a mission specialist on mission STS-122 (2008) and STS-129 (2009), helping to construct the International Space Station.… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 2:15 pm

Venue: Willa Cather Pavilion

Signing: 3:15 pm

Laura Numeroff

Featured Title: Max and Mama

Laura Numeroff is the acclaimed #1 New York Times best-selling children’s author of “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” and the subsequent “If You Give” series. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y, she graduated from Pratt Institute in 1975… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 1:15 pm

Venue: Jim Henson Pavilion

Signing: 2:15 pm

Dave Roman

Featured Title: Unicorn Boy

Dave Roman is the author/illustrator of several graphic novel series including, “Unicorn Boy” and “Astronaut Academy.” He’s worked as a writer on “Teen Boat! Race for Boatlantis” and “Agnes Quill: An Anthology of Mystery,” and as an illustrator for “Goosebumps… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 4:15 pm

Venue: Willa Cather Pavilion

Signing: 5:15 pm

Rover and Speck: It's a Gas by Jonathan Roth

Jonathan Roth

Featured Title: Rover and Speck: It's a Gas! (Rover and Speck, 3)

Jonathan Roth is an Earth-bound but space loving author-illustrator of fun, STEAM-themed books for kids, including the “Rover and Speck” graphic novel series (Kids Can Press), the “Beep and Bob” chapter book series (Aladdin/S&S) and the true-story picture book, “Almost… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 2:15 pm

Venue: Willa Cather Pavilion

Signing: 3:15 pm

Dork Diaries 16

Nikki Russell

Featured Title: Dork Diaries 16: Tales from a Not-So-Bratty Little Sister

Nikki Russell graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.  She taught first grade until landing her dream job as the illustrator for The New York Times best-selling children’s book series, “Dork Diaries.” She will… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 3:15 pm

Venue: Ogden Nash Pavilion

Signing: 4:15 pm

Dork Diaries 16

Rachel Renée Russell

Featured Title: Dork Diaries 16: Tales from a Not-So-Bratty Little Sister

Rachel Renée Russell is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of “Dork Diaries,” an international blockbuster series chronicling the life and misadventures of middle school students, Nikki Maxwell, and her best friends Chloe and Zoey. The series has been… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 3:15 pm

Venue: Ogden Nash Pavilion

Signing: 4:15 pm

The Tontine Caper by Dianne K. Salerni

Dianne K. Salerni

Featured Title: The Tontine Caper

Dianne K. Salerni is the author of several middle grade novels, including Junior Library Guild selections “Eleanor, Alice, & the Roosevelt Ghosts,” “Jadie in Five Dimensions” and “The Carrefour Curse.” Her most recent publication is “The Tontine Caper,” illustrated by… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 10:15 am

Venue: Willa Cather Pavilion

Signing: 11:15 am

Michael Sampson

Featured Title: Rainbow Bear

Michael Sampson, Ph.D., is a New York Times best-selling author of 26 books for young children, including “Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3” and “The Bill Martin Jr. Big Book of Poetry.” Michael is dean of the School of Education at… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 1:15 pm

Venue: Jim Henson Pavilion

Signing: 2:15 pm

Bearsuit Turtle by Bob Shea

Bob Shea

Featured Title: Bearsuit Turtle Makes a Friend

Bob Shea has written and/or illustrated over 20 picture books including the popular “Dinosaur Vs.” series, “Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great” and the “Ballet Cat” early readers series. His most recent picture book, “Chez Bob,” received three starred reviews, with… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 3:15 pm

Venue: Jim Henson Pavilion

Signing: 4:15 pm

Wind is a Dance by Debra Kempf Shumaker

Debra Kempf Shumaker

Featured Title: Wind Is a Dance

Debra Kempf Shumaker started reading at the age of four and hasn’t stopped since. She grew up on a small dairy farm in Wisconsin but now lives in the suburbs of Northern Virginia with her husband, three sons and two… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 10:15 am

Venue: Jim Henson Pavilion

Signing: 11:15 am

Don't Eat the Cleaners by Susan Stockdale

Susan Stockdale

Featured Title: Don't Eat the Cleaners!: Tiny Fish with a Big Job

Susan Stockdale is the author and illustrator of many picture books that celebrate nature. Her books, including “Bring On the Birds,” “Stripes of All Types” and “Fabulous Fishes” have won a variety of awards including the ALSC Notable Picture Book,… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 10:15 am

Venue: Jim Henson Pavilion

Signing: 11:15 am

Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake

Amy Timberlake

Featured Title: Skunk and Badger (Skunk and Badger 1)

Amy Timberlake’s work has received a Newbery Honor, an Edgar and a Golden Kite Award. She’s had books on the Indie Books Bestseller list, one book was Tattered Covers’ Book of the Year, and reviews have appeared in The New… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 1:15 pm

Venue: Jim Henson Pavilion

Signing: 2:15 pm

Phuc Tran

Featured Title: Cranky Makes a Friend

Phuc Tran is an award-winning writer, tattooer and Latin teacher (for which he has won no awards). Lots of things make Phuc cranky: being too cold, being too hot, staying up too late, getting up really early, wearing baggy socks, eating… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 3:15 pm

Venue: Jim Henson Pavilion

Signing: 4:15 pm

Meera Trehan

Featured Title: Snow

Meera Trehan grew up outside Washington, D.C., and attended the University of Virginia and Stanford Law School. After practicing law for over a decade, she turned to creative writing. Her debut novel, “The View from the Very Best House in… Continue Reading

Author Schedule:

Speaking: 10:15 am

Venue: Ogden Nash Pavilion

Signing: 11:15 am