Eight children's authors and illustrators, a day of activities, and two shows, all free at ImaginOn. Here's one book from each author, so the kids know who they're meeting.
Meet the books ↓One book from each visiting author, with that author's signing time. Tap a cover to buy it from an indie bookstore.
Book one of the bestselling Narwhal and Jelly series, from an Eisner Award-winning author and illustrator.
Presentation 10:55 am, signing 11:20 am Buy Now
Cranky the crane truck is having a cranky day, and his friends help with kindness and honesty. The first in Tran's picture-book series with illustrator Pete Oswald.
Presentation 10:55 am, signing 11:20 am Buy Now
A Coretta Scott King Award winner for its illustrations and a New York Times Best Book of the Year.
Presentation 11:20 am, signing 11:40 am Buy Now
True story: in 2013, eleven orcas were trapped by sudden ice near the village of Inukjuak in northern Canada. Wilson's first nonfiction picture book.
Presentation 11:20 am, signing 11:40 am Buy Now
Detective Squirrel Lock Holmes and her sidekick Mole Watson hunt for a missing pet rock. A full-color early graphic chapter book, ages 6 to 9.
Presentation 1:30 pm, signing 1:55 pm Buy Now
The first book in Yi's Cat & Cat Adventures graphic novel series for young readers.
Presentation 1:30 pm, signing 1:55 pm Buy Now
Twelve-year-old Leo gets invited to try out for the London Dragons' youth academy, with 200 players fighting for eleven spots. Book one of the New York Times bestselling soccer series, ages 7 to 13.
Presentation 1:55 pm, signing 2:20 pm Buy Now
A Golden Kite Award-winning picture book from the Louisville-born author of the Opal Watson: Private Eye series.
Presentation 1:55 pm, signing 2:20 pm Buy NowWhat to read first, and when to be where.
An If You Give a Mouse a Cookie performance at 12 pm and Lucky Diaz at 3 pm, both in the McColl Theater. All-day activities include face painting, a scavenger hunt, book giveaways and a Calming Zone. Full schedule at cmlibrary.org/epicfest.
Event details from Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. Updated October 20, 2026.
Ashley Belote, Ben Clanton, Brittany J. Thurman, Kimberly Wilson, T. Z. Layton, Phuc Tran, Susie Yi, and Winsome Bingham.
Saturday, November 7, 2026, at ImaginOn in Charlotte. It opens at 10 am, and the all-day activities run until 3 pm.
Yes. The Library describes it as a free literary festival for children and families.
Verse & Vino, the Library Foundation's fundraiser on November 12, is sold out, but here are the four authors' new books. Or browse the whole bookstore.
Source: Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.