For the second year in a row, the Children’s Festival of Reading was named the Best Children’s Event in the Southeast at the 2026 Kaleidoscope Awards. With 187 applications submitted across 12 states in a variety of categories, the competition reflects the creativity, scale, and impact of festivals and events that drive tourism, strengthen local economies, and bring communities together.

“We are thrilled and honored to have this festival recognized for its excellence. It is truly exciting to see young people meet their favorite authors and illustrators. They are the rock stars in our world,” commented Erin Nguyen, head of Children’s Services and artistic director for the Festival.

The Knox County Public Library launched the Children’s Festival of Reading in 2005 to kick off its summer reading programs. Since then, it has grown into one of the region’s signature events and is one of the few festivals designed solely for children. Its focus on imagination and creativity invites families to explore curiosity and wonder together.

On May 16, the library will celebrate its 20th festival with world-class authors and illustrators, performers, science demonstrations, and even a dinosaur race. The free event will be held in World’s Fair Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This year, festival organizers are welcoming back several familiar faces:

  • Chris Grabensteinis a multiple award-winning, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author best known for the  Lemoncello, Smartest Kid in the Universe, Wonderland and Dog Squad series. He has co-authored dozens of fast-paced adventures with James Patterson and wrote Shine! with his wife, J.J. A University of Tennessee, Knoxville, graduate, he now lives in New York City.
  • Kwame Mbaliais a New York Times bestselling author and publisher known for the award-winning Tristan Strong He co-wrote Last Gate of the Emperor, edited the No. 1 New York Times anthology Black Boy Joy and leads the Freedom Fire imprint with Disney Books. His latest middle-grade novel, Jax Freeman and the Phantom Shriek, was released in 2024. A Howard University graduate, he lives in North Carolina.
  • Bob Sheais an award-winning author and illustrator whose picture books—including Chez Bob, Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great, the Ballet Cat series and the Dinosaur vs. series—delight young readers. He has created work for PBS Kids, Playhouse Disney, Nick Jr. and Comedy Central. A former Eisner nominee and mentor at the School of Visual Arts, he lives with his family in a cheerful yellow house.
  • Carmen Agra Deedyis an award-winning author and storyteller known for The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet!, Martina the Beautiful Cockroach and the bestselling 14 Cows for America. A 2026 ALMA nominee, her work has appeared on NPR and the Emmy-winning Love That Book!. She is also a noted speaker and advocate for libraries and literacy.
  • Alyssa Capucilliis an award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of more than 150 books for children, including the Biscuit series, which has sold more than 54 million copies worldwide and is available in 12 languages. She is also the author of the Katy Duck series, the nonfiction My First Experiences series and more than 50 additional titles. She co-wrote the instant New York Times bestseller Willow the White House Cat with former First Lady Jill Biden.
  • Allan Wolfis a nationally recognized children’s poet, performer and author known for his energetic presentations and extensively researched poetry collections and novels-in-verse. A Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist and two-time North Carolina Young Adult Book Award winner, he is the author of The Day the Universe Exploded My Head and the acclaimed The Watch That Ends the Night, named one of Booklist’s “50 Best YA Books of All Time.” He lives in Asheville, North Carolina.
  • Erin Falligant, who writes the popular Wind Ridersseries under the pen name Jen Marlin, joins the festival for the first time. She is a prolific children’s author and former editor best known for her extensive work with American Girl. She has written more than 40 books for young readers, including picture books, chapter books, advice guides and interactive fiction.
  • This year’s festival is made possible through the support of many businesses and organizations, including Comcast/Xfinity, National Endowment of the Arts, the Tennessee Arts Commission, and Friends of the Knox County Public Library.

Mary Pom Claiborne is assistant director for marketing, communications and development for Knox County Public Library.

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