Read, create and discover by meeting and connecting with authors and illustrators at your library.
Lee, crea y descubre al conocer y compartir con autores e ilustradores en tu biblioteca.
Your Author Series / Tu serie de autores
June 10, 2023 11:00 AM
Join us as we welcome author Zeena Pliska as she discusses her picture book Egyptian Lullaby—a rich, beautifully layered ode to the great city of Cairo, Egypt, its people, and culture. Each night, a young girl's Auntie Fatma puts her to bed, singing a lullaby filled with rich imagery of her home in Egypt. As Auntie Fatma sings, we are given a glimpse of modern Cairo, from boats making their way down the Nile to gentle calls to prayer from the mosques to young children joyfully playing soccer in the streets. Join Zeena Pliska on a vibrant journey to Cairo in this gorgeous, layered song.
Those attending the program will have an opportunity to win a free book.
Thank you to the Library Foundation of Los Angeles with generous support from the Lenore S. and Bernard A. Greenberg Fund.
June 13, 2023 4:00 PM
The Los Angeles Public Library proudly presents author Auriane Descombre as she discusses her middle-grade reader The Sister Split. A pair of soon-to-be stepsisters creates a plan that will stop their parents from getting married—but they soon learn that matters of the heart can surprise you! This is a fresh sister story evocative of The Parent Trap with LGBTQ themes for the modern reader.
Those attending the program will have an opportunity to win a free book.
Thank you to the Library Foundation of Los Angeles with generous support from the Lenore S. and Bernard A. Greenberg Fund.
June 13, 2023 4:15 PM
The Los Angeles Public Library is proud to present local author Antonio Sacre. Join Antonio as he discusses his autobiographical picture book My Name is Cool. The book celebrates biracial heritage and cultural identity by telling the story of a child who has 11 names and the reason behind each name. When he explains that his name is "Mr. Magoo El Señor Magoo El Goo Antonio Bernardo Sacre Papito Coquito Futinquito El Capitán de los Mosquitos," it results in snickers among the students of different skin tones and gets him sent to the principal's office.
Antonio Sacre, a bilingual Cuban and Irish-American writer based in Los Angeles, writes with an authentic voice and includes culturally-specific details in his stories, primarily focusing on multicultural family dynamics in his television writing. The child's explanation of his 10 nicknames and the 11th name he receives as a result of his self-expression shows the importance of affirming one's selfhood.
Those attending the program will have an opportunity to win a free book.
Thank you to the Library Foundation of Los Angeles with generous support from the Lenore S. and Bernard A. Greenberg Fund.
June 14, 2023 4:00 PM
The Los Angeles Public Library is proud to present local author/illustrator José Lozano. José will be discussing his book Once Around the Block. There’s always a lot of action in the Mexican American neighborhood where Mr. Lozano lives. Amelia argues with Anita; Benito loves bean burritos but not bumblebees; Hortencia and Herminia hover around like hummingbirds; and Zacarias is catching some Zs on Zachary Street. José Lozano’s wacky little stories and illustrations combine Mexican culture with Sesame Street smarts to make for a wonderful read-aloud ABC book in Spanish and English.
José Lozano, who lives in Anaheim, California, makes his living as an elementary school teacher, but his passion is art. He is a rising star in the thriving Latino art scene in Los Angeles.
Those attending the program will have an opportunity to win a free book.
Thank you to the Library Foundation of Los Angeles with generous support from the Lenore S. and Bernard A. Greenberg Fund.
June 21, 2023 3:00 PM
The Los Angeles Public Library is proud to present local author Antonio Sacre. Join Antonio as he discusses his autobiographical picture book My Name is Cool. The book celebrates biracial heritage and cultural identity by telling the story of a child who has 11 names and the reason behind each name. When he explains that his name is "Mr. Magoo El Señor Magoo El Goo Antonio Bernardo Sacre Papito Coquito Futinquito El Capitán de los Mosquitos," it results in snickers among the students of different skin tones and gets him sent to the principal's office.
Antonio Sacre, a bilingual Cuban and Irish-American writer based in Los Angeles, writes with an authentic voice and includes culturally-specific details in his stories, primarily focusing on multicultural family dynamics in his television writing. The child's explanation of his 10 nicknames and the 11th name he receives as a result of his self-expression shows the importance of affirming one's selfhood.
Those attending the program will have an opportunity to win a free book.
Thank you to the Library Foundation of Los Angeles with generous support from the Lenore S. and Bernard A. Greenberg Fund.
June 24, 2023 2:00 PM
Join local author Jade Adia as she discusses her unforgettable debut novel, There Goes the Neighborhood, a raised fist against the destructive forces of gentrification and a love letter to communities of color everywhere. There Goes the Neighborhood tells the darkly hilarious story of three best friends willing to do whatever it takes to stay together.
Rhea’s neighborhood is fading away―the mom-and-pop shops of her childhood forced out to make space for an artisanal kombucha brewery here, and a hot yoga studio there. And everywhere, the feeling that this place is no longer meant for her. Because while their little corner of South L.A. isn’t perfect, to Rhea and her two best friends, it’s something even more important―it’s home. And it’s worth protecting.
Those attending the program will have an opportunity to win a free book.
Thank you to the Library Foundation of Los Angeles with generous support from the Lenore S. and Bernard A. Greenberg Fund.
June 27, 2023 4:00 PM
Join us in welcoming L.A.-based author and illustrator Ashlyn Antsee as she discusses her graphic novel for young readers, Shelby & Watts: Tidepool Troubles. Shelby loves a good mystery. And her best friend, Watts, is never without his encyclopedia. When Shelby gets a letter from Fred the hermit crab claiming that all the shells are missing from the beach, she and Watts are just the duo to help him. With Shelby’s deductive skills and Watts’s scientific knowledge, there’s no case the two of them can’t solve–one environmental mystery at a time!
Those attending the program will have an opportunity to win a free book.
Thank you to the Library Foundation of Los Angeles with generous support from the Lenore S. and Bernard A. Greenberg Fund.
June 29, 2023 4:00 PM
Join us in welcoming author Brandy Colbert as she discusses her latest non-fiction book, Black Birds in the Sky: The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
Brandy’s work has been recognized by the American Library Association, Kirkus Reviews, Vulture, Buzzfeed, Seventeen Magazine, and numerous other organizations and publications. Originally hailing from Springfield, Missouri, she resides in Los Angeles and is a faculty member at Hamline University’s MFA program in writing for children.
Those attending the program will have an opportunity to win a free book.
Thank you to the Library Foundation of Los Angeles with generous support from the Lenore S. and Bernard A. Greenberg Fund.
July 6, 2023 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
The Los Angeles Public Library proudly presents author Jessica Maison as she discusses her graphic novel Mary Shelley's School for Monsters: La Llorona in the Machine.
An occultist splits a young Mary Shelley into two versions of herself—one, the literary legend who writes Frankenstein. The other is a supernatural girl, Shel, who spends her immortality fighting evil humans who exploit monsters. The story, as told by Maison and illustrated by Anna Wieszcky, is filled with mystery, adventure, and friendship. Their modern comedic take on Mary Shelley's life and work champions outsiders and gives tragic monsters a chance to be the hero of their own stories.
Participants will receive a free copy of the comics anthology Cthulhu is Hard to Spell: Battle Royale, while supplies last.
Thank you to the Library Foundation of Los Angeles with generous support from the Lenore S. and Bernard A. Greenberg Fund.
July 13, 2023 3:30 PM
The Los Angeles Public Library is proud to present local author/illustrator Kim Dwinell as she discusses her graphic novel (and now an AppleTV+ series) Surfside Girls. Things are getting weird in Surfside. Lately, Samantha’s best friend Jade explodes into fits of giggles whenever she sees a boy, and it’s throwing a wrench into the kick-back summer of surfing and hanging out that Sam had planned. But after swimming through a secret underwater cave, Sam starts to… see things. Like ghosts. And pirates. And maybe something even scarier! Can she and Jade get to the bottom of this mystery in time to save their town?
While Kim Dwinell has a fondness for stories that rivals her love for the beach, she has had a career as both a beach lifeguard and an animator, having worked on notable films such as The Swan Princess, Cats Don't Dance, Hercules, Mulan, and Tarzan. Kim also shares her knowledge by teaching animation at CSU Long Beach. When she isn't in the classroom or at her desk, you might find her participating in a 10K run, sailing on the ocean in her boat, or riding the waves on her surfboard.
Those attending the program will have an opportunity to win a free book.
Thank you to the Library Foundation of Los Angeles with generous support from the Lenore S. and Bernard A. Greenberg Fund.
July 15, 2023 2:00 PM
Author Aminah Mae Safi will be featured at the Los Angeles Public Library, showcasing her remarkable retelling of the Robin Hood legend with a strong female protagonist, Travelers Along the Way. In her presentation, Aminah will explore how she reframes the tales of the Third Crusade from a Muslim perspective, challenging the traditionally male and predominantly white Euro-centric narrative that surrounds its origins.
In the year 1192, amidst the ongoing Third Crusade in Jerusalem, Rahma al-Hud faithfully followed her older sister Zeena into the conflict for control over the Holy Land. However, with the arrival of reinforcements led by Richard the Lionheart, who came to be known as the Faranji invaders, Rahma's sole desire is to ensure their survival and find a way back home.
Those attending the program will have an opportunity to win a free book.
Thank you to the Library Foundation of Los Angeles with generous support from the Lenore S. and Bernard A. Greenberg Fund.
July 27, 2023 3:00 PM
Join us in welcoming L.A.-based author and illustrator Ashlyn Antsee as she discusses her graphic novel for young readers, Shelby & Watts: Tidepool Troubles. Shelby loves a good mystery. And her best friend, Watts, is never without his encyclopedia. When Shelby gets a letter from Fred the hermit crab claiming that all the shells are missing from the beach, she and Watts are just the duo to help him. With Shelby’s deductive skills and Watts’s scientific knowledge, there’s no case the two of them can’t solve–one environmental mystery at a time!
Those attending the program will have an opportunity to win a free book.
Thank you to the Library Foundation of Los Angeles with generous support from the Lenore S. and Bernard A. Greenberg Fund.
July 27, 2023 3:00 PM
Join local illustrator Noor Sofi as she discusses Brown Is Beautiful, an empowering picture book written by Supriya Kelkar and illustrated by Noor. The story follows a young Indian-American girl on a hike with her grandparents, where she notices all the natural things that are also brown. The girl collects these beautiful brown items as souvenirs for a scrapbook she plans to give to her new baby brother. Noor Sofi served as the visual developer and illustrator for the book. She has worked with a variety of professional clients in both the animation and publishing industries.
Those attending the program will have an opportunity to win a free book.
Thank you to the Library Foundation of Los Angeles with generous support from the Lenore S. and Bernard A. Greenberg Fund.
August 1, 2023 4:00 PM
Join local illustrator Noor Sofi as she discusses Brown Is Beautiful, an empowering picture book written by Supriya Kelkar and illustrated by Noor. The story follows a young Indian-American girl on a hike with her grandparents, where she notices all the natural things that are also brown. The girl collects these beautiful brown items as souvenirs for a scrapbook she plans to give to her new baby brother. Noor Sofi served as the visual developer and illustrator for the book. She has worked with a variety of professional clients in both the animation and publishing industries.
Those attending the program will have an opportunity to win a free book.
Thank you to the Library Foundation of Los Angeles with generous support from the Lenore S. and Bernard A. Greenberg Fund.
August 2, 2023 4:00 PM
Mirelle Ortega, a talented local author/illustrator, shares her story of growing up near her family's pineapple farm in Mexico in her debut book, Magic: Once Upon a Faraway Island, which was selected as a Pura Belpré Award Honor for illustration. The book tells the tale of a young girl who learns the true meaning of magic through experiences of change and transformation, ultimately resulting in a captivating picture book for young readers.
Mirelle will also be discussing her newest book River of Mariposas, in which a young girl dreams of the land’s historic mariposas amarillas and is determined to re-create their glory, even if her butterflies are made of paper. Based on the author’s own memories of a hurricane that diverted the migration of thousands of butterflies through her hometown near Veracruz, Mexico, this beautiful story captures the essence of imagination and the beauty of the unexpected.
Those attending the program will have an opportunity to win a free book.
Thank you to the Library Foundation of Los Angeles with generous support from the Lenore S. and Bernard A. Greenberg Fund.
August 3, 2023 3:30 PM
The Los Angeles Public Library is proud to present local author/illustrator Kim Dwinell as she discusses her graphic novel (and now an AppleTV+ series) Surfside Girls. Things are getting weird in Surfside. Lately, Samantha’s best friend Jade explodes into fits of giggles whenever she sees a boy, and it’s throwing a wrench into the kick-back summer of surfing and hanging out that Sam had planned. But after swimming through a secret underwater cave, Sam starts to… see things. Like ghosts. And pirates. And maybe something even scarier! Can she and Jade get to the bottom of this mystery in time to save their town?
While Kim Dwinell has a fondness for stories that rivals her love for the beach, she has had a career as both a beach lifeguard and an animator, having worked on notable films such as The Swan Princess, Cats Don't Dance, Hercules, Mulan, and Tarzan. Kim also shares her knowledge by teaching animation at CSU Long Beach. When she isn't in the classroom or at her desk, you might find her participating in a 10K run, sailing on the ocean in her boat, or riding the waves on her surfboard.
Those attending the program will have an opportunity to win a free book.
Thank you to the Library Foundation of Los Angeles with generous support from the Lenore S. and Bernard A. Greenberg Fund.
Funding provided by the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, Lenore S. and Bernard A. Greenberg Fund and other generous donors.