Children’s Literature Festival

The event will feature 12 authors to share their books with fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students in the northeast Missouri region. This year’s lineup includes Robbi Behr and Matthew Swanson, Tamika Burgess, Rob Buyea, Heather Murphy Capps, Megan E. Freeman, Sarah Guillory, Matt Heagerty, Varian Johnson, Meg Eden Kuyatt, Brandon Mull and Taryn Sanders. More information about them can be found on the CLF website.

Students will participate in 30-minute sessions with the guest authors. All schools or individuals attending must be pre-registered. Registration can be completed online at childrensliteraturefestival.truman.edu.

In addition to the traditional literature festival activities, the Truman Theatre Department will perform “Lions in Illyria,” an adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” at 9:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. This animal-themed show, best suited for third through seventh grade students, follows a young lion named Violet as she navigates a new island after being shipwrecked in a storm. “Lions in Illyria” has central themes of love and kindness but also touches on themes such as the loss of a loved one, bullying and friendship.

Those attending the literature festival in the morning could eat lunch on campus and attend the 12:30 p.m. performance of “Lions in Illyria” Those attending in the afternoon could arrive early for the 9:45 a.m. performance, eat lunch and then attend the literature festival.

All the authors will be signing books from 3-4 p.m. in the Student Union Building Conference Room. There is no cost to attend the book signing, and it is open to the public.

At 6 p.m. there will be banquet in the Student Union Building Georgian Rooms. Attendees can choose to sit at the table with any of the authors. Cost for the banquet is $20 for all guests, and seating is determined on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration can be completed online on the CLF website. The deadline for banquet registration is March 25.

Additional information about the event may be obtained from the Children’s Literature Festival webpage or by contacting clf@truman.edu.
March 27, 2026
March 27, 2026
Cultural
The event will feature 12 authors to share their books with fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students in the northeast Missouri region. This year’s lineup includes Robbi Behr and Matthew Swanson, Tamika Burgess, Rob Buyea, Heather Murphy Capps, Megan E. Freeman, Sarah Guillory, Matt Heagerty, Varian Johnson, Meg Eden Kuyatt, Brandon Mull and Taryn Sanders. More information about them can be found on the CLF website. Students will participate in 30-minute sessions with the guest authors. All schools or individuals attending must be pre-registered. Registration can be completed online at childrensliteraturefestival.truman.edu. In addition to the traditional literature festival activities, the Truman Theatre Department will perform “Lions in Illyria,” an adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” at 9:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. This animal-themed show, best suited for third through seventh grade students, follows a young lion named Violet as she navigates a new island after being shipwrecked in a storm. “Lions in Illyria” has central themes of love and kindness but also touches on themes such as the loss of a loved one, bullying and friendship. Those attending the literature festival in the morning could eat lunch on campus and attend the 12:30 p.m. performance of “Lions in Illyria” Those attending in the afternoon could arrive early for the 9:45 a.m. performance, eat lunch and then attend the literature festival. All the authors will be signing books from 3-4 p.m. in the Student Union Building Conference Room. There is no cost to attend the book signing, and it is open to the public. At 6 p.m. there will be banquet in the Student Union Building Georgian Rooms. Attendees can choose to sit at the table with any of the authors. Cost for the banquet is $20 for all guests, and seating is determined on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration can be completed online on the CLF website. The deadline for banquet registration is March 25. Additional information about the event may be obtained from the Children’s Literature Festival webpage or by contacting clf@truman.edu.
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