Want to meet some of Annapolis’ favorite authors and spend a literature-filled day with your kiddos? Do you love supporting your community while enjoying thoughtful discussions, fun activities, and delightful entertainment? What if I told you this event was free?

On Saturday, May 2, from 10 AM to 5 PM, writers, scholars, and bookworms will be on Key School’s campus for the Annapolis Book Festival. Whether you read 10 books a month or one book a year, you’ll have something to enjoy!

Chapter 1: Getting There

First thing’s first: you don’t need to register or pay for tickets. And even parking is free! To get there, head to 534 Hillsmere Drive in Annapolis. There is parking on campus and at a playing field nearby, with a free shuttle running between the two locations all day.

For people with disabilities, the event website states, “American Sign Language will be available in Katharine Hall all day and on an as-needed basis in other venues. There are marked accessible spaces and the buildings are likewise accessible. If you need any assistance while in attendance, please visit the Information Booth.” A map of the grounds can be found at the bottom of the event webpage.

Chapter 2: Activities and Entertainment

Enjoy magic, science, music, and more! These events will delight and ignite your little one’s imagination. The festival has a full day of family-friendly entertainment that everyone will love.

First, you might want to sign up for one of their tea parties. There are two Festival Tea Parties for kids ages 4 to 8 to enjoy a reading of Dragons Love Tacos along with (decaffeinated) tea. Tickets are $25 each and registration is required. You can sign up for the 11 AM party or the 1 PM party; both are in the First School Building.

Or check out the schedule of events for children. There’s a little bit of everything for mini book lovers. All shows are located in the Amphitheater.

10 to 11 AM: Science Show with Club SciKidz
11 AM to noon: Louis the Magician
Noon to 1 PM: Poodles in Oz with Two Dog Night Dancing Dog Troupe
1 to 2 PM: Key School Theater Showcase songs from the Upper School’s Little Shop of Horrors and the Middle School’s Charlotte’s Web
2 to 3 PM: Hunt School of Irish Dance
3 to 4 PM: Boh Re Mi, an a cappella group from Baltimore
4 to 5 PM: Key School Jazz Ensemble

Older kids—especially ones who love to read or create their own comics and graphic novels—will love ComicKey! Join authors and illustrators for workshops and discussions about the industry. Hear stories and advice from Roseanne A. Brown, Brent Peeples, Marian Dealy, Matt Webb, and Trinidad Hermida Black. Don’t be surprised if they inspire your budding creator to get to work right away!

See their website for a full schedule of events.

Chapter 3: Books, Books, and More Books!

If you’re heading to a book festival, bring a tote bag and be prepared to take home some new reads. Fill up your shelves with books from the festival’s participating authors during the event or beforehand from Wyrd Bookstore in Edgewater. You can also check out the massive new and used book sale, or the children’s book pop-up shop from Park Books in Severna Park.

Books That Moms Will Love

Treat yourself to a mental vacation with any of these books. Whether you like fantastic fantasy, poignant poetry, or heartfelt self-help, the festival’s amazing authors have something for you.

Books That Kids Will Love

Your little readers will love the tea parties and the magic show, but don’t let them forget about the books—that’s what it’s all about! Here are books for kids of all ages.

The Heart of Our Home by Janelle Washington (Children ages 3-6)
Akeem Keeps Bees! by Kamal E. Bell (Children ages 6-10)
Rise of the G.E.M.S. (Genetically Engineered Mice in Space) by Marian Dealy (Middle Grade)
Why the Birds Fly Back by Akosua Harvey (Young Adult)
Balancing Act: The Heights by Paula Chase (Young Adult)

Chapter 4: Workshops, Author Talks, and Storytimes

What might just be anyone’s favorite part of a book festival (besides bringing home a pile of new books) is the opportunity to hear directly from writers. For you, conversations with experts can help guide you and provide feedback. For littles, meeting writers and illustrators can spark their curiosity and present them with possibilities.

Talks That Moms Will Love

From Mindfulness to Meltdowns: Parenting Through Big Feelings with Sarah Dennehy, author of Mindful with Me, and Alyssa Blask Campbell, author of Big Kids, Bigger Feelings. 11 AM in the Main Barn (Library).
The Power Pause: A Conversation at the Intersection of Motherhood, Ambition, and Career Breaks with author Neha Ruch. 1 PM in the Main Barn (Library).

Talks That Kids Will Love

Storytime for Akeem Keeps Bees! by Kamal E. Bell. Noon in the First School.
Storytime for The Heart of Our Home by Janelle Washington. 2 PM in the First School.
Chasing Dreams with Young Adult authors Paula Chase, author of Balancing Act: The Heights, and Akosua Harvey, author of Why the Birds Fly Back. 4 PM in the Science & Library Center (101-102).

Chapter 5: And Everything Else!

But that’s not all the Annapolis Book Festival has for you. Come hungry, because they will have food trucks with burgers, pizza, crepes, coffee, and more! Get your wallet out, because they have amazing raffle prizes (I’ve got my eye on the Key-Wee: Little Maryland Scientists basket). You can even purchase raffle tickets online if you can’t make the festival. And come ready to dance to live music throughout the day!

And be sure to check out the Literary Marketplace. Meet authors, publishing houses, literary magazines, booksellers, children’s book publishers, educational institutions, literary organizations, and book-related merchandise sellers.

If you want to lend a helping hand, volunteers can help with setting up on Friday, May 1, or with the festival itself on Saturday, May 2. Sign up for a spot on their website.

Epilogue

Grab your bookmark and save a spot on your calendar for May 2! The Annapolis Book Festival will be a bibliophile’s dream event. Show support for authors who come from near and far while picking up the next addition to your nightstand. Kids will love the activities and you’ll enjoy helping them grow their love of books. Happy reading!