Council Literary Series | 100 Years of Stories: Children’s Authors, Crafts, and More
For the first time, the Council Literary Series will feature a family-focused program as part of the Library’s Centennial Celebration. Bring your grandchildren or young readers to Central Library before it opens to the public for a special morning celebrating children’s literature in the beautiful Rotunda and Children’s Literature Department.
The program will feature readings and conversation with three acclaimed children’s authors and illustrators: Caldecott Medal–winning illustrator and author LeUyen Pham, whose work includes beloved collaborations with Julianne Moore and her forthcoming book Shrinking Violet, releasing at the end of March; award-winning author Nell Cross Beckerman, whose books include the Los Angeles–inspired From Park to Playa, and whose newest title Forests was named a 2026 Notable Book by the American Library Association; and artist and writer Mirelle Ortega, whose book Magic: Once Upon a Faraway Land received a 2023 Pura Belpré Award Illustration Honor and an International Latino Book Award.
Families will enjoy author readings, book signing, and hands-on crafts and creative activities throughout the morning, along with refreshments and the opportunity to connect with fellow Council families. Children will also have the chance to read aloud to BARK Reading Dogs, a beloved volunteer program that helps young readers build confidence by reading to calm, non-judgmental certified therapy dogs.
Event Schedule
10:30am | Arrival, Refreshments, Crafts, Book Sales, and BARK Reading Dogs
Guests arrive in the Rotunda to enjoy light refreshments, browse books available for purchase, and participate in crafts and creative activities. Crafts, book sales, and visits with the BARK Reading Dogs will continue throughout the event.
10:50am | Author Program Begins
Enjoy readings and conversation with our featured authors in the Children’s Literature Department.
12:00pm | Book Signing and Crafts Continue
Meet the authors, have books signed, and enjoy crafts and activities before departing.
Location
Richard J. Riordan Central Library
630 W. Fifth Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Parking Information
Please park in the Westlawn Garage
524 S. Flower Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Validation will be provided.
Recommended for children ages 3 to 8.
If you have any questions, please email The Council office at thecouncil@lfla.org or call 213.228.7506.
Our Guest Authors:
LeUyen Pham
LeUyen Pham is the award-winning and critically acclaimed illustrator of more than 140 books for children, including Freckleface Strawberry with Julianne Moore, Grace for President with Kelly DiPucchio, and the Vampirina series by Anne Marie Pace. With Shannon Hale, she has illustrated The Princess in Black series, the graphic novel Friends series, and Itty Bitty Kitty Corn, all New York Times and Indie bestsellers.
Pham is the recipient of numerous awards, including a Society of Illustrators Bronze Medal, the Fay B. Kaigler Award, a Caldecott Honor for Bear Came Along by Richard Morris, the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Young Adult Honor for Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Yang, and a New York Times Best Illustrated Picture Book citation for The Man Who Didn’t Like Animals by Deborah Heiligman.
Her own books include Big Sister, Little Sister, The Bear Who Wasn’t There, and Outside, Inside, a recollection of our year in lockdown. Her latest books are Shrinking Violet, with Laurel Snyder, and the graphic novel As I Dream of You, with Jennifer Lee.
Visit leuyenpham.com to learn more about LeUyen and her work.
Nell Cross Beckerman
Coming in 2027: Coyote & Me, about a child who sees a coyote in their neighborhood and wonders about its life, and Welcome to Iceberg Alley, about a family in Newfoundland who eagerly awaits the annual parade of icebergs on their coastline.
Visit nellcrossbeckerman.com to learn more about Nell and her work.
Mirelle Ortega
Mirelle Ortega is a Mexican artist and writer for kidlit and animation based in Los Angeles, California. She is the author-illustrator of River of Mariposas andMagic: Once Upon a Faraway Land, for which she received a 2023 Pura Belpré Award Illustration Honor and an International Latino Book Award bronze medal. She’s a prolific children’s books illustrator creating covers for best-selling middle grade series such as From The Desk of Zoe Washington, Cece Rios and Love Sugar Magic, artwork for well-loved chapter books series such as The Mythics, Vote for Effie and Mermaids Rock and vibrant illustrations for picture books like I Am, Yo Soy, The Mermaid Princesses and Pepe and The Parade.
Visit mirelleortega.com to learn more about Mirelle and her work.
