Uptown Kid Lit—Word Up’s book festival for kids—showcases the fun and possibilities of books, reading, writing, and art, for kids of all ages and backgrounds, and their adults. Free books and school supplies are provided for all who register in advance!

Programming includes:

• Haitian-American powerhouses Edwidge Danticat (Watch Out for Falling Iguanas) and Ibi Zoboi (First Day Around the World) in a conversation moderated by tasha dougé
• New York Times bestselling author Claribel A. Ortega and Emmy-winning director Oz Rodriguez discussing their sci-fi coming-of-age story (The Girl and the Robot)
• Bilingual English and Spanish Drag Story Time presented by Drag Artists for Expression NYC
• Jasminne Paulino (The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez) and NASA climate scientist Allegra N. LeGrande discussing neurodivergence in science followed by a space walk in the park
• Rio Cortez (The Blue Velvet Chair) story time and observation exercise exploring feelings with mini-book making