November 30th | 1-3pm CST

We kindly request that if you would like your book signed, it must be purchased at Barbara’s Bookstore. To ensure a smooth and efficient signing process, please present your receipt as proof of purchase.

EVENT SCHEDULE

1:00-1:20  Readings

A children’s writer, performance storyteller, and former early childhood educator, Srividhya Venkat strongly believes in the power of books and stories. She has published several picture books, including GIRLS ONWHEELS (Kokila, 2023), SEEKER OF TRUTH (Little BeeBooks, 2024), DANCING IN THATHA’S FOOTSTEPS (winner of the 2022 South Asia Book Award) and THE CLEVER TAILOR (winner of the 2019 SCBWI Crystal KiteAward). To learn more about her, visit SrividhyaVenkat.com.

Darcy Day Zoells is the author and illustrator of the award-winning picture book, The New Bicycle (Clavis Books, 2023) which is an Illinois Reads selection and a Children’s Book Council Librarians’ Favorite. The Spanish version (La bicicleta nueva) was named one of Bank Street’s Best Picture Books in the Spanish Language. Darcy is based in Chicago where she can be spotted walking her enormous rescue dog, Bo, who was the inspiration for her second book with Clavis, Smithy and Me (April, 2025), about a little boy, his dog, and a lot of trouble.  You can see more of her art on her website: darcydayzoells.com or follow her on Instagram @darcydayzoells.

Malcolm Newsome is a traditionally published children’s book author and cyber security expert from the Chicago area. He is a married father of five who has a deep passion for telling stories of hope and possibilities. When he’s not writing or spending time with family, you’ll probably find him either reading, spending time outside in his mini-orchard, or being a lumberjack. His first children’s picture book, Dear Star Baby, released in April 2023. His second picture book, Sydney’s Big Speech, released with HarperCollins in February 2024. He also has several forthcoming titles with HarperCollins and Holt:Macmillan.

Sara Fujimura (Foo-gee-moo-rah) is the American half of her bicultural Japanese-American family and spends about a month each year in Japan. She started as a journalist, so it is no surprise that Sara’s young adult books contain a lot of facts to go along with the fiction. Whether you want to know about Japan (TANABATA WISH), the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 (BREATHE), what it’s like to be an Olympic-caliber skater (EVERY REASON WE SHOULDN’T), or how unscripted television works (FAKING REALITY), Sara takes readers on swoony journeys to unusual places. She is a creative writing teacher and literacy advocate who is excited to support the next generation of authors. If you go to anime cons, you may also see Sara as her alter ego, The Obento Lady. She is an active member of SCBWI and the Chicago-North Romance Writers.

EVERY REASON WE SHOULDN’T was named an NPR Best Book of 2020.

Sara is represented by Ann Rose of the Tobias Literary Agency.

Jennifer Wagh is a debut author from Sleepy Hollow, Illinois. She lives with her husband, three kids, and a leopard gecko named Bibi. As a former preschool teacher, she loves to enthusiastically read picture books aloud. She is currently learning to play the ukulele. Visit her at JenniferWagh.com

Alison Marcotte is a Chicago-based children’s book author. Her debut picture book SEEKING BEST FRIEND, illustrated by Diane Ewen and published by Beaming Books, came out in 2022. She’s a member of the 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge, Courage to Create, SCBWI, Author’s Guild, and Chicago Writers Association, and a freelance writer for American Library Association’s American Libraries magazine.