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SAN FRANCISCO — This spring, families and kidlit fans across the Bay Area are invited to an exciting day showcasing diverse children’s book writers. Authors Natasha Tripplett, Aida Salazar, Lisa Moore Ramee and more will be speaking at San Francisco Public Library’s first-ever BIPOC KidLit Fest. Christina Soontornvat, three-time Newbery Honor recipient and bestselling author, is this year’s Effie Lee Morris (ELM) keynote speaker.

This celebration of diverse authors, designed for budding readers, emphasizes the joy of diverse narratives and promises to be an afternoon of inspiration, representation and the transformative magic of literature. 826 Valencia will lead a mini writing activity for young aspiring writers. Jewish Jamaican American picture book author Natasha Tripplett and Latinx award-winning author, arts activist and translator Aida Salazar will host a special storytime. Lastly, attendees can anticipate a comix art demo with Nancy Cato, a Black artist who works primarily in pen and ink. 

"The particular power of seeing yourself reflected in a book, especially as a young child, cannot be underestimated,” said Naomi Jelks, Racial Equity Manager at San Francisco Public Library and organizer of the BIPOC KidLit Fest. “This is a terrific opportunity for young readers to interact firsthand with published authors and creators telling stories that resonate deeply with their own experiences, to draw deeper connections with literature and themselves.”

In addition to being an award-winning author, keynote speaker Christina Soontornvat is also an engineer and STEM educator. Her many works for children include picture books, chapter books and the bestselling graphic novel The Tryout. Her book The Last Mapmaker was also named a Best Book of the Year by The New York Times. Soontornvat will explore the theme of “Following Your Dreams”, as captured by her works. The event includes a book signing and free copies of her works for attending youth, while supplies last.  

“Christina’s books are popular with many of our young readers because they feature very ordinary, relatable characters who become extraordinary heroes by staying true to their dreams,” said Megan Anderson, Youth Centers Manager. “We are thrilled and honored to host her for this year’s Effie Lee Morris author talk.”

The ELM Meet-the-Author Program series at SFPL pays tribute to trailblazer Effie Lee Morris (1921 – 2009), SFPL's first coordinator of children’s services and the first Black president of the Public Library Association. Morris was a tireless advocate for diversity, inclusivity and the rights of all young people. She initiated the first annual celebration of Black history for youth at the Cleveland Public Library and was the first librarian at the New York Public Library whose work focused on children who were blind or visually impaired. At SFPL, her commitment to serving historically and intentionally excluded communities made a lasting impact. Notably, Morris also founded the local chapter of the Women’s National Book Association.

For more information, call (415) 557-4554, or email ChildrensCenter@sfpl.org.

BIPOC KidLit Festival: Follow Your Dreams – April 6, 12—4 p.m., Main Library, Lower Level

Effie Lee Morris Meet-the-Author Program featuring Christina Soontornvat – April 6, 2 p.m., Main Library, Koret Auditiorium

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