The 27th edition of the nation’s finest and largest literary gathering, Miami Book Fair International, presented by the Florida Center for the Literary Arts at Miami Dade College (MDC), will take place Nov. 14- 21, at the college’s Wolfson Campus in downtown Miami.
The popular Street Fair runs Friday through Sunday, Nov. 19 to 21, with more than 200 exhibitors from around the country selling books in a festive atmosphere. This year, the fair will celebrate the literature and culture of Mexico.
The magical world of Children’s Alley — filled with beloved book characters, storytelling, music, dance and art activities — comes to life once again on Friday, Nov. 19. Featuring a new Land of Oz tent, the fun will continue throughout the weekend Street Fair with author readings, puppet shows and dramatic interpretations of favorite books.
Kids of all ages will be dazzled by an array of fun and educational activities throughout several themed tents. This year’s new addition is the Land of Oz tent, inspired by the classic tale, The Wizard of Oz. They also can explore a world of glamour in the Let’s Get Fancy tent, based on the Fancy Nancy books and stop by The Treehouse, featuring several new books and sponsored by The Children’s Trust. The Green Planet, What’s Up, Doc? and Let’s Play and Learn tents also will return.
In addition, two stages will provide storytelling and entertainment. The Once Upon a Time… Stage, presented by Bank of America, will host the Bits ‘N’ Pieces Puppet Theater performing Hansel and Gretel; Momentum Dance Company with its rendition of Alice in Wonderland, and Los Prometeitos, MDC’s Prometeo Theatre’s children’s troupe, presening the story of a girl with a very different ability — she floats! A special Sunday appearance by Steve Roslonek, aka Mr. Steve, co-host of the WPBT2 preschool show, will round out the magic with song and dance.
From the …Happily Ever After Stage, also sponsored by The Children’s Trust, children will take off on world tours alongside storytellers performing tales from Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe. In addition, authors Duncan Tonatiuh will read from his book, Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin; Antonio Scare from La Noche Buena and Pablo Cartaya from Tina Cocolina: Queen of the Cupcakes.
This year, the Book Fair is celebrating the literature and culture of Mexico. In honor of this year’s featured country, the Mexican Pavilion will include a MexiKids tent for children, with arts and crafts and storytelling in Spanish. And don’t miss the Kids Comic Con and School of Comics and Graphic Novels.
The Book Fair also will feature presentations by a number of celebrated children’s book authors, including Darren Shan, Ellen Hopkins, Scott Westerfeld, Larry Doyle, Tony Diterlizzi, Raina Telgemeier, Amy Ignatow, and Tracy White, among others.
Children’s Alley will open Friday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 20-21, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Children under 18 enter the fair for free. Adults pay an $8 admission fee.
For updates on Miami Book Fair International, visit online at www.miamibookfair. com, call 305-237-3528, or send email to wbookfair@mdc.edu.
