MIAMI (November 18, 2025) – Miami Dade College’s (MDC) Miami Book Fair, taking place Nov. 16-23, 2025, welcomes young readers, teens, and their families to its magical Children’s Alley for three days of literary adventures during Street Fair weekend, Nov. 21-23, 2025. This year’s program celebrates creativity and discovery with musical performances, bestselling authors, and hands-on workshops across four themed canopies: LEARN!, CREATE!, PARTICIPATE!, and the brand-new INNOVATE! Canopy, a digital playground for young creators.
Children’s Alley is packed with talented authors and performers. Edwidge Danticat will read from her picture book “Watch Out for Falling Iguanas” on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 2 p.m. Author and musician Susie Jaramillo will perform songs from her new bilingual board books “Sana Sana and Besitos” on Friday, Nov. 21, at 12 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 22, at 11:30 a.m. Miami’s own Mr. J will lead multiple high-energy, interactive jam sessions throughout the weekend as this year’s musical headliner, Inez Barlatier will share the rhythms and songs of Haiti in “Songs From Ayiti” on Sunday, Nov. 23, at 11:30 a.m., and Kuniko Yamamoto will introduce Japanese culture through the art of origami and storytelling on Sunday, Nov. 23.
The Fair also features an exciting lineup for middle-grade and young adult (YA) readers. Middle school students can look forward to seeing authors like Shannon Messenger (Keeper of the Lost Cities #9.5: Unraveled), Newbery medalist Donna Barba Higuera (Xolo), Kwame Mbalia (Jax Freeman and the Tournament of Spirits), and Scott Reintgen (The Rise of Neptune). On Friday, Nov. 21, students in grades 11 and 12 are invited to an “Evening With” global bestseller Mercedes Ron, who will discuss Tell Me Softly. The session will also feature special appearances by the stars of the Amazon Prime film adaptation. On Saturday, Nov. 22, bestselling author E. Lockhart will discuss We Fell Apart: A We Were Liars Novel, and Maggie Stiefvater will present The Raven Boys: The Graphic Novel. Other teen-focused highlights include the “Teens Read the 2025 National Book Awards” panel on Friday, and panels on YA horror, dark fantasy, and romance throughout the weekend.
The new INNOVATE! Canopy invites kids to explore technology and imagination through workshops like How to Be a DJ with DJ Bear Who?, Creating One-Page Comics with George O’Connor, and Learning Labs, hands-on creative experiences using iPads and led by MDC’s EnTec students. Miami Book Fair is receiving support for the Innovate! canopy from Apple as part of its community education initiative, providing hardware, scholarships and professional learning support.
Hands-on science and engineering take center stage throughout the Alley. At The Chill Zone, Frost Science will explore physical reactions by freezing everyday objects with liquid nitrogen. Young builders can join Bricks4Kidz for a LEGO® Engineering workshop to construct a LEGO® alligator, while older kids can explore a Teknik Labs’ SmashBots & Drones session to fly drones through obstacle courses.
For kids who love stories, the Read & Chill Lounge offers cozy beanbags, storytime sessions with favorite authors including Zena Ayoub, Ali Mejia, Silvia López, Edwidge Danticat, Carmen Misé, and David Unger, plus readings hosted by the Books for Free crew. Families can also stop by the Books & Books supply post to browse the latest titles, meet authors and find signed copies for every young reader.
For the young artists, the CREATE! Canopy is the place to make your imagination a reality and dive into advanced art-making! Featured workshops are 45 minutes each and are led by local artists. Kids will learn how to Make Nature Mandalas with Paloma Duenas, the Art of Needle Felting with Kerri Philllips and creating Torn-Paper Bouquets with Pangea Kali Virga, among many more! If a quick art activity is more your speed, then the Make & Take Stations are where you want to be! MDC’s Museum of Art & Design (MOAD) and The Bass lead drop-in art activities throughout the day that change every few hours so you can return over and over again for a new art experience!
Other unique attractions include a Saturday visit from Miss Penny and Friends from South Florida PBS KidVision, who will meet families and share educational fun from the beloved children’s series. On Sunday only, Mermaid Elle will appear in her tank for photo ops and book readings, and she will lead an educational zone on marine conservation. Zoo Miami will also be on-site with its Mobile Fun Factory, where families can learn about animal care and well-being all weekend long; and make sure to swing by the Learn tent on Sunday, Nov. 23 at 11:00 a.m. for a special animal encounter visit from Zoo Miami’s Animal Ambassadors
Additional highlights include:
- Nicklaus Children’s Hospital: A presenting sponsor of Children’s Alley, Nicklaus Children’s Health System brings interactive educational activities, giveaways and fun surprises that will have the whole family smiling and learning about healthy living.
- UHealth Jackson Health Teddy Bear Care: Kids can become doctors for a day and nurse teddy bears back to health in a playful environment.
- Family Yoga: Start the day with a family-friendly wellness and yoga session with Namaste + Play at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
- Swamp Safari Obstacle Course: Race through an obstacle course to test your skills with Warrior Kids Academy. Open daily during the Fair.
- Tutifruti’s Roll-Up Station!: Play fun skateboarding games and creative activities. All skateboards, helmets, and protective gear are provided.
- KICK IT! With Soccer Shots: Kids ages 18 months to 8 years can build soccer skills and confidence through age-appropriate games in a safe, inclusive space.
- Pop-Up Pickleball Court with DETA Pickleball Club: Test out your hand-eye coordination with short group pickleball sessions and drills, led by DETA pickleball club.
- The Children’s Trust Book Club Tent: A space where babies and young children can play, build, and enjoy engaging storytelling sessions.
- Sensory Fair: Discover the science of the senses with Create Kids at hands-on stations exploring how sights, sounds, and textures can calm the body and support mental health.
- Community Yarn Art with Kern Mertle: Make your mark with local yarn artist Kern Mertle as she teaches families how to make pom-poms and other yarn ornaments to contribute to the growing community art piece all weekend.
Families can download the free Miami Book Fair Guide to view a complete list of events. Visit the Info Booth to pick up a Wordsmith Passport and complete activities around Children’s Alley to earn stamps and redeem for a free book.
With more than 30 hands-on workshops, performances, and readings across four themed canopies, Children’s Alley remains the heart of Miami Book Fair’s family programming.
For Miami Book Fair information, visit www.miamibookfair.com, call 305-237-3258, or email wbookfair@mdc.edu. Follow @miamibookfair on social media. #MBF2025 #MiamiReads
About Miami Book Fair
Founded in 1984 by Miami Dade College and partners, Miami Book Fair engages the community through inclusive, accessible programs that promote reading and support writers year-round. The annual eight-day festival has grown into the largest and most comprehensive community-rooted literary gathering in the United States, generating discourse on contemporary literature and current issues of international importance. Year-round programming includes The Little Haiti Book Festival; creative writing and publishing workshops; author presentations; reading campaigns; and Books for Free, a partnership with The Children’s Trust that distributes more than 150,000 free books annually to children in Miami-Dade County. Follow @miamibookfair #MiamiReads
Miami Book Fair programming is made possible through generous support from the State of Florida, National Endowment for the Arts, City of Miami, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, Miami Downtown Development Authority, and Friends of the Fair, as well as media and corporate partners.
Children’s Alley is presented by Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Amazon, The Batchelor Foundation, Meredyth Anne Dasburg Foundation, UHealth Jackson Children’s Care, The Children’s Trust, Carnival, BAM! Books & Brotherhood, Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe, Peacock Foundation, Chapman Foundation (Alvah H. and Wyline P. Chapman), Hermanowski Foundation, Henry L. Kimelman Family Foundation, Achieve Miami/TAP, Florida Power & Light Company Charities, and Miami Kids Magazine.
Miami Book Fair Media Contacts:
Rachel Pinzur, Pinzur Communications | 305-725-2875, rachel@pinzurPR.com
Alicia Rivas, Pinzur Communications | 646-338-2517, alicia@pinzurPR.com
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