Attending the 2025 Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival

This April, I had the privilege of presenting at and attending the Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival at the University of Southern Mississippi. Check out some festival history and highlights, and find out how to attend next year’s festival below!

History

In 1968, the first children’s book conference was hosted at the University of Southern Mississippi. The festival was implemented to highlight the work of Dr. Lena de Grummond to build the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection. She created this collection because she “wanted her library science students to examine children’s books up close, as well as the process to create the book and get it published” (Rials, 2016, p. 6). The following year, 1969, was the first year that the festival was known as the Children’s Book Festival. In 2001, the festival was named after a long-time supporter and festival attendee, Fay B. Kaigler, in honor of her endowment that allows the festival to continue to inspire educators and librarians alike (Rials, 2016, p. 6). The festival has grown from its roots to be an internationally renowned conference where librarians from across the country are able to meet and present, and where authors, illustrators, publishers, and more are honored with awards such as the Southern Miss Medallion and the Ezra Jack Keats award. 

Festival Highlights

This year, the festival was held from April 9th through April 11th in partnership with the de Grummond Collection and the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation. Sessions spanned numerous topics, including Dr. Seuss and the Military Industrial Complex, Exploring the Magnolia Book Awards, Story Walks, and more. These sessions were in addition to the awards panels and luncheon that festival goers had the opportunity to attend. Participants had the opportunity to hear from storyteller Jos N. Holman, author and illustrator Will Hillenbrand, and author Carmen Agra Deedy all on the first day. 

On the second day of the festival, the Southern Miss Medallion award was given “for outstanding contributions in the field of children’s literature.” This year’s Medallion was presented to Caldecott-honoring winning Leuyen Pham. Pham is known for her work on titles such as Itty-Bitty-Kitty-Corn and Freckleface Strawberry, in addition to numerous titles which she has written and illustrated. Pham’s acceptance was full of joy and thanks, as she shared, “Librarians, you guys saved my life!” Past winners of this esteemed award have included Madeleine L’Engle (1978), Ezra Jack Keats (1980), Eric Carle (1997), Walter Dean Myers (2006), and Jacqueline Woodson (2016). 

This second day of the festival was also marked by the presentation of the Ezra Jack Keats Award and Honors. This award is co-administered by the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation and the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection. It has been presented at the Children’s Book Festival for two consecutive years now. The award honors Keats’ legacy by celebrating “books that embrace all ethnic and social groups” (Keats Foundation). Almost all of the authors and illustrators this year wove themes of Keats’ impact through their anecdotes and speeches. From author and illustrator Will Hillenbrand sharing images from his childhood of snowy days wearing his red snowsuit, to 2025 EJK Award winning author Dr. Breanna J. McDaniel’s images from her 20s of the first time she saw snow, wearing her bright red jacket, Keats’ impact was ever present. 

Looking Ahead

Next year, the festival is set for April 8th-10th, 2026. Rumor has it – the Keynote speakers are said to be just as amazing as this year! Check out the festival on Facebook for the most up to date information and announcements regarding the 2026 conference.

Featured image courtesy of the blogger.

Annaliese Melvin (she/they) is a children’s librarian at a neighborhood library in Washington, D.C. Originally from Pennsylvania, she moved to the DC-area in 2020 to become a special education teacher after graduating from Arcadia University. In 2023, she graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Library and Information Science and transitioned into the library field. She is passionate about equity, inclusion, reading, and Philadelphia sports.

This post addresses ALSC Core Competencies 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3.

The post Attending the 2025 Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival appeared first on ALSC Blog.

 This April, I had the privilege of presenting at and attending the Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival at the University of Southern Mississippi. Check out some festival history and highlights, and find out how to attend next year’s festival below! History In 1968, the first children’s book conference was hosted at the University of Southern Mississippi. The festival was implemented to highlight the work of Dr. Lena de Grummond to build the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection. She created this collection because she “wanted her library science students to examine children’s books up close, as well as the process to create the book and get it published” (Rials, 2016, p. 6). The following year, 1969, was the first year that the festival was known as the Children’s Book Festival. In 2001, the festival was named after a long-time supporter and festival attendee, Fay B. Kaigler, in honor of her…
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