Calling all book lovers, literary enthusiasts, the curious and those just looking for a fun and free event on May 7 and 8. If Mom is a book lover or literary enthusiast, this is just the event to get you favorite child status after a great lunch or just before dinner.

Committed to building a literary culture, raising literacy and educational levels in the Bronx, the Bronx Book Fair is an annual feature of Bronx Week.

This is the 4th year of the Bronx Book Fair. Instead of a one day event, the Bronx Book Fair has expanded to a two-day affair: Saturday May 7, 11 AM-6 PM and Sunday May 8, 1-5 PM. Admission is free and there is always something for everyone. Meet new authors in the Bronx, get reading tips from librarians, learn about publishing, and for the little ones—enjoy storytime, make Mother's Day cards and if you are a new parent or caregiver, bring your child and learn how to get them started in the wonderful world of reading at our Family Literacy Workshop at 3:30 PM on Sunday.

Can't make it for the entire period? Here is a full schedule of the two days. Choose your favorite events and attend!

Saturday, May 7th, 2016

Auditorium

12-1 PM
Building a Literary Culture in the Bronx
A panel discussion on the state of the literary culture in the Bronx and what we can do to continue to develop it.

Moderated by Ron Kavanaugh, Director of the Literary Freedom Project and publisher of Mosaic Literary Magazine.

Panelists: Carmen D. Lucca is President of the Puerto Rico Hispanic Cultural Association and a poet and author of several works including The Sunset Watcher. Charles Rice Gonzalez is the co-founder of the Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance (BAAD). He is also the author of Chulito which has received awards and recognitions from the American Library Association and the National Book Critics Circle. Latanya De Vaughn, poet and founder of Urban Voices Heard.

1-2 PM
Panel Discussion with Bronx Librarians: Celebrate the Freedom to Read: Be a Power Reader! (Adults, Teens and Children). Moderated by Michael Alvarez, Chief Librarian of the Bronx Library Center.
Jean Harripersaud – Adult Services Librarian, Katie Fernandez - Teen Services Librarian and Luz Marin - Children Services Librarian of the Bronx Library Center.

2:30-3:30 PM
Papo Pepin Quartet
Enjoy lively Latin Jazz led by Papo Pepin, a master percussionist from the Bronx.

3:40-4:50
A Conversation: Women, Arts Activism, Creativity and Social Responsibility
Moderated by Lorraine Currelley, of Poets Network & Exchange, Inc. and a Pearls of Wisdom Storyteller.

Panelists: Alison Roh Park is a Pushcart-nominated poet, Kundiman Asian American Poetry fellow, and winner of the Poetry Society of America New York Chapbook Fellowship and Poets and Writers Magazine Amy Award. Mercy Tullis-Bukhari is a published poet and a tenured New York City high school teacher with a Master’s Degree from Columbia University. Rebecca Brooks lives in New York City in an apartment filled with books. She received a PhD in English but decided it was more fun to write books than write about them. She is the author of several romance novels including How to Fall. Purvi Shah, poet and winner of the inaugural SONY South Asian Excellence Award for Social Service for her leadership fighting violence against women.

4:50-5:40 PM
A Weaving of Voices: An Intergenerational Poetry Reading
Facilitated by Ketiwe Boahene, featuring: Daphne Carter McKnight, poet, artist, educator who has taught and counseled adult and college-aged students in New York City for over 30 years. Ms. McKnight is a member of the International Women's Writing Guild and the author of two chapbooks of poetry -- Full-Grown and Female (2009) and Sister, Sing Me A Song (2010). Edward Currelley, poet, playwright, author and artist. He is the author of the children's book I’m Not Lost, I’m With You and young adult book That Krasbaum Kid. Nkosi Nkululeko, the 2016 NYC Youth Poet Laureate, Callaloo Fellow and The Watering Hole Fellow.

Conference Room C21

12-1 PM
Women in Comics, a panel with Ray Felix
Ray Felix is the Executive Director of the community based organization, Bronx Heroes Comic Con, which promotes literacy and education through the practice of reading and creating comics. Ray's works include, " God: The Second Coming". " No-1 Anthology", "O.D's H.H" 1 & 2, "Bronx Heroes", "Runaway Slave" and "A World Without Superheroes".

1:30-2:30 PM
Clap! Snap!: A Youth Poetry Reading
Moderated by Peggy Robles, of Robles Writes, this reading will feature young voices of the Bronx.

3:30-4:30 PM
Drawing Workshop with Ray Felix
Join Ray Felix of the Bronx Heroes ComicCon for a drawing workshop.

Children’s Story Hour Room (2nd Floor)

12-12:45 PM
Storytelling/Read Aloud

4-4:45 PM
Craft: Mother’s Day Card Making
Hands-on projects using a variety of skills. For ages 7 to 12 years old. Limited to 30 children. Pre-registration required (718-579-4220)

---

Sunday, May 8th, 2016

Auditorium

1-1:45 PM
Do Publishers Have a Responsibility to People of Color?
Moderated by Gary Johnston, published, performing poet, literary editor and co-founder of the Blind Beggar Press with: Carolyn Butts, Executive Director and publisher of African Voices. Carlos Aguasaco, founder and director of Artepoetica Press a publishing house specializing in Hispanic American themes and authors. Ulises Gonzales, publisher of Los Barbaros = The Barbarians, a New York Literary magazine in Spanish.

1:45-2:30 PM
Enjoy an Afternoon of Poetry and Prose by Bronx BRIO Award Winners
Featuring Rachel Ansong, Jose Olivarez and Erik Maldonado (Advocate of Wordz), current and past winners of the prestigious Bronx Recognizes its Own (BRIO) awards by the Bronx Council on the Arts.

2:30-3:15 PM
Getting Published: How to Get Your Work in Readers’ Hands
Moderated by Robert Farrell, Associate Professor at Lehman College. Panelists: Yesenia Montilla, a New York City poet with Afro-Caribbean roots and a 2014 CantoMundo Fellow. Kevin Sabio is a literary and performing artist. He is the author of five books. Charlie Vazquez, Director of the Bronx Writers Center and the author of the novels Buzz and Israel (2004) and Contraband (2010).

3:15-4 PM
The State of Independent Bookstores: Thinking About the Bronx
Join Veronica Liu of Word Up Community Book Shop (Manhattan), Dr. Janifer Wilson of Sisters Uptown Bookstore and Cultural Center (Manhattan), and Lexi Beach of Astoria Bookshop (Queens) for a discussion about the state of independent bookstores in New York City and the potential for one in the Bronx. Moderated by Lisa Gomez, Bronx Socialite Blogger.

4-4:45 PM
Poets and Writers from Lehman College’s literary journal Obscura read new and published works
Featuring student writers: Giovanni Ortiz, Ashley N. Ortiz, Jean Carlos Soto, Stephanie Trinidad and Ariana DiLorenzo.

Children’s Story Hour Room (2nd Floor)

1-2 PM
Computer Zone
Waiting too long for the next available computer? Feel free to come to the computer zone and use a computer without the wait. For ages 7 to 12.

3:30-4:30 PM
Family Literacy Workshop
Learn tips on how to help your baby/toddler develop literacy skills using reading, talking, singing, writing and playing. Limited to 20 parents. Pre-registration at the Children’s Information Desk. Recommended for parents with babies and toddlers.