Festival Day Schedule

11:00AM

11:00-11:45AM │ Auditorium
Youth Bookmark Contest Ceremony
For Families
Celebrate the young artists selected as the 2026 Youth Bookmark Design Contest winners and see the designs chosen for this year's festival.

11:30AM-12:00PM │ Children's Dept.
We Match!: Storytime with Chris Barton
For Children
What do a bunch of dogs at the park have in common? More than they think! Chris Barton shares a funny, comics-style picture book that introduces simple math concepts while showing young readers how looking a little closer can reveal unexpected connections.

12:00PM

   
12:00-1:00PM │ Meeting Room A
Heroes Assemble!: 
A Book Talk with Saadia Faruqi & Varian Johnson
For Tweens
Saadia Faruqi and Varian Johnson talk about putting their own spin on familiar superheroes through Ms. Marvel: Remnants of the Past and Mister Miracle: The Great Escape. They'll explore identity, family, courage, and what goes into creating a new adventure for an established hero.

12:00-12:45PM │ Teen Dept.
The Hills of Estrella Roja: 
A Book Talk with Ashley Robin Franklin
For Teens
RGV native Ashley Robin Franklin talks about her spooky graphic novel set in a small Texas town filled with strange lights, family secrets, and a history of witchcraft. She'll also share more about creating Texas horror and bringing a story to life through comics.

1:00PM

 
1:00-1:45PM │ Teen Dept.
Huda F Cares?: 
A Book Talk with Huda Fahmy
For Teens
Author and cartoonist Huda Fahmy brings her signature humor to a conversation about family, faith, identity, and the awkward moments that come with figuring out who you are.

1:30-2:30PM │ Auditorium
STIBF Presents: Migrant Heart: 
A Book Talk with Reyna Grande
For Adults
Award-winning author Reyna Grande discusses Migrant Heart, her memoir in essays exploring migration, memory, family, and a life shaped by Mexico and the United States.

1:30-2:00PM │ Children's Dept.
Ali the Great: 
Storytime with Saadia Faruqi
For Children
Author Saadia Faruqi introduces young readers to Ali Tahir, a Pakistani American 2nd grader with big ideas & plenty to learn. During a museum trip, Ali is convinced he's the dinosaur expert, but a few mistakes along the way show him there's always more to discover.

2:00PM

2:00-2:45PM │ Teen Dept.
The Girl Who Loved Monsters: 
Sketch & Tell with Ashley Robin Franklin
For Teens
Ashley Robin Franklin takes readers into the world of The Girl Who Loved Monsters while sharing more about creating characters, monsters, and comics. She'll also give teens a closer look at her drawing process.

2:30-3:00PM │ Teen Dept.
Little Big Man: 
Storytime with Varian Johnson
For Teens
Varian Johnson shares a father-and-son story about family, responsibility, and making room for fun, even when life gets busy.

3:00PM

     
3:00-4:00PM │ Meeting Room A
It's Complicated: 
A Book Talk on Growing Up
For Tweens
Huda Fahmy and Natalia Sylvester bring very different stories to a conversation about changing families, identity, relationships, and the complications that come with growing up. Natalia's No Way Never Sisters introduces Meli and Roxy, two girls determined to keep their parents from getting married, while Huda brings her funny &  relatable perspective on figuring out who you are.

3:30-4:03PM │ Children's Department
Sketch & Tell
with Shauna J. Grant
For Children
Meet Mimi, her magical toy dog, and the imagination behind their adventures. Cartoonist Shauna J. Grant will share more about creating the Mimi series and give young readers a look at her drawing process as she sketches.