EVENT INFO
Explore the 2026 Festival
Take a look at the authors, illustrators, exhibitors, performances, and activities that were part of the 2026 Orange County Children's Book Festival.
Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA
2026 Festival Lineup
Meet the headliners and special guest performer from the 2026 festival, then explore the authors, illustrators, exhibitors, and food trucks that participated.
Headliners
Rachel Ignotofsky
New York Times Bestselling Author & Illustrator
Dinosaurs: Exploring Prehistoric Life and Geological Time
Melissa Villaseñor
Author, Comedian & Artist
Cat and Lola: School Picture Day
Jesús Trejo
Comedian, Author & TV Host
Mamá's Magnificent Dancing Plantitas
Special Guest Performer
StoryTeller
KidTime StoryTime is YouTube's most-watched reading channel for kids!
StoryTeller and her puppet family celebrate literacy by reading children's books with zany humor, spontaneous singing, high energy, and love.
StoryTeller is a published children's book author, a three-time Emmy Award winner, and now a YouTube sensation whose mission is to inspire kids to read and work hard for their dreams.
Explore the 2026 Festival Lineup
Browse participating authors, illustrators, and exhibitors in the directory below.
Booth locations correspond to the 2026 festival maps:
B = Blue, R = Red, O = Orange, Y = Yellow, and AC = Author's Corner Tent
Interactive Experiences
The 2026 festival featured free train rides, character encounters, hands-on activities, sci-fi cars, a giant slide, planetarium telescopes, and more.
Food Trucks at the Festival
From savory favorites to sweet treats, the 2026 festival offered a variety of food and drinks for purchase.
Festival Maps
Explore the 2026 festival maps to see where authors, exhibitors, stages, food trucks, and activities were located across the festival grounds.
Stage Schedules
Explore the 2026 schedules for three festival stages and the OCC Planetarium.
Main Entertainment Stage
TIME – PRESENTATION
10:15 am – Welcome by OCC President Dr. Angelica L. Suarez
10:20 am – OCC Dance Team Performance
10:40 am – Orange County Ghostbusters
11:00 am – Arts & Learning Conservatory: Aladdin
11:45 am – Interview with Melissa Villaseñor
12:10 pm – Melissa Villaseñor reads Cat and Lola: School Picture Day
12:20 pm – Interview with Jesús Trejo
12:40 pm – Jesús Trejo reads Mamá's Magnificent Dancing Plantitas
1:10 pm – Rachel Ignotofsky reads Dinosaurs
1:40 pm – Live storytelling with KidTime StoryTime
OCC Planetarium Dome
TIME – PRESENTATION
11:00 am – Family conversations with Rachel Ignotofsky "Women in Science"
12:15 pm – Magic Tree House: Space Mission
1:00 pm – Magic Tree House: Space Mission
1:45 pm – Magic Tree House: Space Mission
2:30 pm – Magic Tree House: Space Mission
Orange Stage • Student Union Area
TIME – PRESENTATION
10:35 am – Dr. Adam Schilling – Gus and the Chatterbug
10:55 am – Kimberlee Countryman – The Adventures of Bug & Bido
11:15 am – Christine Alemshah – Bea's Balikbayan Box of Treasures
11:45 am – Break: Join us at the Main Stage
12:05 pm – Elisa Eliot – Zak VS. Zombies
12:25 pm – Tristin Cole – Into the Night
12:45 pm – Jen Stryker – My Neighbors are Vampires, I Think!
1:05 pm – Marie Chow – It's Not Your Job
1:25 pm – Camille Brown – Casey's Pet Detective Agency
1:45 pm – Katie Dawson & Cassidy Pritchard – The Weather Inside: The Story of Katie & Bones
2:15 pm – Maryam Kia – A Suitcase Full
2:35 pm – Briana London (Cosworth Publishing) – Arnold's Pants
Green Stage • Go Coast Area
TIME – PRESENTATION
10:35 am – April Wu (Seedlingo) – You Are My Little Xiao Long Bao
10:55 am – Judy Li (Baby Snack Time) – Let's Celebrate!
11:15 am – Dashiell Hsu (Bitty Bao) – Bitty Baker's 100 First Kitchen Words
11:45 am – Break: Join us at the Main Stage
12:05 pm – Adaurie Stemshorn – I Will Always Be Your Mommy
12:25 pm – Candice Harris – Majestic Dreams
12:45 pm – Risa Williams – Max and the Imaginary Tree
1:05 pm – Taylor Harper – Pippin: The Peaceful Panda
1:25 pm – Ayodeji Anifowose – Tommy Can Win Too!
1:45 pm – Ann Chau (Gemma's Library) – My Ông Ngoại's Garden: Cal's Guide to Vietnamese Fruits and Culture
2:15 pm – Alexsandra Pumphrey – Rawr Rawr Dinosaur: It's Time to Go to Bed
2:35 pm – Andrew Ly – My Unicorn Eats Fried Chicken
Festival Details
Directions
Festival Location
Orange Coast College, Main Quad
(in front of the College Center)
Best Way to Arrive
Approach campus from Fairview Road, then turn onto Merrimac Way to reach the festival parking lots. The closest parking is in Lot C and Lot D, with the Main Quad a short walk from those lots.
Address
2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Parking
Primary Parking
Free festival parking is available in Lots C, D, or E.
Campus Map
Visitor Information
Admission
Free
Accessibility
This event is ADA compliant. Reasonable accommodation requests related to a disability should be made no later than five business days before the event.
Restrooms
Restrooms and accessible restrooms are available on campus. Locations are marked on the festival map.
Food
Food and drinks will be available for purchase from participating food trucks. Menu items and availability may vary.
Pets
Pets and other animals are not permitted at the festival. Only trained service animals are allowed.
Weather Policy
The festival takes place outdoors on campus and is held rain or shine.
