General admission to the festival is free and includes all outdoor experiences and activities. Visit two children’s stages for events featuring authors and celebrities loved by parents and kids alike. You can also get special VIP package tickets and more here.
This year’s kid-friendly highlights include:
Saturday, April 18
- Dr. Becky Kennedy, author of ‘Leave Me Alone!’ in conversation with Jenny Gold
- Dr. Becky Kennedy, known to millions as Dr. Becky, is a clinical psychologist, mom of three and the founder and CEO of Good Inside, an innovative parenting platform and global community.
- Bess Kalb, author of ‘Buffalo Fluffalo and Puffalo
- Bess Kalb is an Emmy-nominated comedy writer and the bestselling author of Nobody Will Tell You This But Me, a New York Times Editor’s Choice. Her first children’s picture book, Buffalo Fluffalo, illustrated by Erin Kraan, was a national bestseller. She wrote for eight years on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and has written for the Emmy Awards, the Academy Awards and the Democratic National Conventions.
- Devin Elle Kurtz, illustrator of ‘Seven Ways Through the Woods’
- Devin Elle Kurtz is the author-illustrator of The Bakery Dragon and the illustrator of Mother of Sharks, by Melissa Cristina Márquez. She has worked in the animation industry as a background painter/designer and visual development artist and has also illustrated many book covers.
- Danica McKellar, author of ‘I Love You 100: A Counting Book Full of Love’
- Danica McKellar is a New York Times bestselling author of the groundbreaking McKellar Math series, including the middle school hit Math Doesn’t Suck and, her latest book, I Love You 100. Through her engaging work, she has helped more than two million kids build confidence and excel in math. She is also well known for her four-decade acting career, including roles in The Wonder Years, The West Wing and popular holiday movies.
- Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt, author of ‘Kat and Brandy’
- Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt is a New York Times bestselling author, mother, philanthropist and advocate for families and parenting. Her latest children’s book Kat and Brandy, which released in November 2025, is her sixth title and draws inspiration from her own childhood pony, celebrating courage, trust and the special bond between humans and animals.
- Max Greenfield, author of ‘Good Night Thoughts’
- Max Greenfield is a New York-born actor who is best known for his roles as Schmidt in New Girl and Dave Johnson in The Neighborhood. He is the author of I Don’t Want to Read This Book, This Book is Not a Present, I Don’t Want to Read This Book Aloud and Good Night Thoughts.
- Roda Ahmed, author of ‘Daniel’s Dream’
- Roda Ahmed is a New York Times bestselling publisher, children’s author and founder of Hightree Publishing and the Silent Writing Retreat. She has written 17 books for young readers, including the beloved national bestseller Mae Among the Stars, inspiring children worldwide to dream boldly. Her newest picture book is Daniel’s Dream, co-written with Daniel Humm and inspired by his childhood.
Sunday, April 19
- Blippi & Meekah
- Megan McDonald, author of ‘Fairy Door Diaries: Eliza and the Hobgoblins’
- Megan McDonald is the author of the hugely popular Judy Moody and Stink series for older readers, the Judy Moody and Friends series for beginning readers and the first chapter book Bunny and Clyde. She has also written many other chapter books and picture books for children.
- Mychal Threets, author of ‘I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy’
- Mychal Threets is a librarian, the library’s number one fan (according to himself, admittedly). He is adamant in his belief that it’s OK not to be OK. He is the author of I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy, illustrated by Lorraine Nam. He is the Resident Librarian for PBS and is the host of the revival of Reading Rainbow.
- Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, authors of ‘My Grandma and Grandpa Rock!’
- Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo are one of rock’s great power couples. Married for over 40 years, they’ve sold more than 36 million records worldwide, earned four consecutive GRAMMY® Awards and are Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees. Their latest project, the New York Times and USA Today bestselling picture book My Grandma and Grandpa Rock!, continues their creative legacy in a whole new way.
- Lily Rosenthal, author of ‘Just Try It! Someplace New!’
- Lily has teamed up with her dad, Phil Rosenthal, star of the beloved Netflix series, Somebody Feed Phil, for another installment of “Just Try It: A Phil And Lil Book,” which she has co-written. “Just Try It: Someplace New!,” will be released March 10 and is about an encouraging dad easing his daughter’s worries about “staying at Grandma’s for the first time.”
- Drew Daywalt, author of ‘Forty the Fortune Teller’
- Drew Daywalt is the author of many books, including the blockbuster No. 1 New York Times bestselling The Day the Crayons Quit and its sequels, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers, as well as The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors, illustrated by Adam Rex; Twinkle Twinkle Little Kid, illustrated by Molly Idle; The Wrong Book, illustrated by Alex Willmore, and many more.
- Melissa de la Cruz and Mike Johnston, authors of ‘Sloomoo: Making Friends’
- Melissa de la Cruz is the No. 1 New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times and Publishers Weekly international bestselling author of many critically acclaimed books for readers of all ages, including the Blue Bloods series, the Queen’s Secret duet, Disney’s Descendants novels and the Summer on East End series. Her books have sold over 8 million copies and the Witches of East End series became an hour-long television drama on the Lifetime network.
Learn more about the Festival of Books and follow @latimesfob on Instagram, Facebook, Threads and X to stay up to date on this year’s event.
