Events

Created by acclaimed artist Sean Kenney(opens in a new tab), Brick Masters Studio is an immersive and interactive exhibition exploring the fascinating intersection of creativity and science. Discover the secrets behind Kenney’s breathtaking sculptures through hands-on build challenges, innovative design techniques, and real-world engineering concepts. Experiment with shape, structure, and color as you learn how to construct like a true Brick Master!

Kids, parents, teachers, and fans! Come meet Keenan Jones, the author of the picture book, "Saturday Morning at the ‘Shop", illustrated by Ken Daley, which follows a young boy who discovers the vital role a neighborhood barbershop plays in community and culture. A 2022 Mirrors and Windows Fellow with The Loft Literary Center, Keenan also teaches writing workshops and speaks on the importance of literacy, representation, and storytelling.

Kids, parents, teachers, and fans! Come meet Claribel Ortega, whose book "Witchlings" (Scholastic) was an Instant NYT Bestseller, a USA Today Bestseller, and #1 Indie Bestseller. Her graphic novel "Frizzy" with Rose Bousamra was winner of the 2023 Pura Belpré Award for Children's Text, The 2023 Eisner Award and an Indie Bestseller. Claribel’s debut middle grade novel "Ghost Squad" is a New York Times Bestseller and is being made into a feature film. Her latest book "Witchlings: Scepter of Memories" released in September 2025 from Scholastic.

Celebrate the joy of literacy, art, storytelling, and creativity at the Meet & Greet for Midwest Lit Fest! Meet all of the talented authors and illustrators visiting the festival, get your books signed, and snap a photo with your favorite creators. Plus, every child can receive one free book written by one of our participating authors, while supplies last. Come discover new stories, meet inspiring creators, and celebrate the magic of books together!

Kids, parents, teachers, and fans! Come meet Jerry Craft, the New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of the graphic novels "New Kid", "Class Act," and "School Trip." New Kid is the first graphic novel in history to win the John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature (2020). And it is the only book to ever win the Newbery Medal; the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers’ Literature (2019), and the Coretta Scott King Author Award for the most outstanding work by an African American writer (2020).

Kids, parents, teachers, and fans! Come meet the Caldecott-winning author and illustrator of Big. Vashti Harrison is also the #1 New York Times bestselling creator of "Little Leaders," "Little Dreamers," and "Little Legends," and the illustrator of Lupita Nyong’o’s "Sulwe" (for which she received a Coretta Scott King Book Award Illustrator Honor), Matthew A. Cherry’s "Hair Love," Andrea Beaty's "I Love You Like Yellow," and Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic’s "Hello, Star," among others. Vashti will discuss her books and her journey to becoming both an illustrator and an author.

Kids, parents, teachers, and fans! Come meet Claribel Ortega, whose book "Witchlings" (Scholastic) was an Instant NYT Bestseller, a USA Today Bestseller, and #1 Indie Bestseller. Her graphic novel "Frizzy" with Rose Bousamra was winner of the 2023 Pura Belpré Award for Children's Text, The 2023 Eisner Award and an Indie Bestseller. Claribel’s debut middle grade novel "Ghost Squad" is a New York Times Bestseller and is being made into a feature film. Her latest book "Witchlings: Scepter of Memories" released in September 2025 from Scholastic.

Kids, parents, teachers, and fans! Come meet Raul the Third, author of the "¡Vamos!" books and illustrator of the "Stuntboy" and "Lowriders" graphic novels. Raúl The Third is a New York Times bestselling and three-time Pura Belpré award-winning illustrator, author, and artist living in Boston. "Vamos! Let’s Cross the Bridge" was awarded one of the year’s Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2021 from the New York Times and the New York Public Library. His work centers around the contemporary Mexican-American experience and his memories of growing up in El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

Kids, parents, teachers, and fans! Come meet Danielle Herzog, author of "What Are You, Lou?", "The Cassette Tape Secret", and "A Place for Scamper."  Danielle Herzog works in education (former school counselor) by day, and by night, she's a kid lit writer, freelance writer, speaker, mother and member of one ridiculously insane large Italian family.

Join OPL at The Joslyn for storytime, featuring stories, creative movement, music and exploration of a piece of art. Storytime is geared toward preschoolers, but all ages are welcome. This Storytime is part of The Joslyn's monthly Art-tastic Saturdays.

Kids, parents, teachers, and fans! Come meet the Caldecott-winning author and illustrator of Big. Vashti Harrison is also the #1 New York Times bestselling creator of "Little Leaders," "Little Dreamers," and "Little Legends," and the illustrator of Lupita Nyong’o’s "Sulwe" (for which she received a Coretta Scott King Book Award Illustrator Honor), Matthew A. Cherry’s "Hair Love," Andrea Beaty's "I Love You Like Yellow," and Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic’s "Hello, Star," among others. Vashti will discuss her books and her journey to becoming both an illustrator and an author.

Kids, parents, teachers, and fans! Come meet Chloe Burgett, illustrator of the "A to Z Animal Mysteries" and the brand new book about Omaha Central Library, "A Place for Scamper." Chloe Burgett lives in Lincoln, Nebraska with her husband, Seth, and her orange cat, Pencil. Her work includes "Big, Bold, Beautiful Me" by Jane Yolen and Maddison Stemple-Piatt, "Cooler than Lemonade" by Harshita Jerath, "Potatoes for Pirate Pearl" by Jennifer Concepcion, and "Etta Extraordinaire" by Charnaie Gordon and Roda Ahmad. 

Raúl will lead a drawing workshop for kids in grades K-8. Registration is required. Caregivers must remain with their child(ren) for the duration of the program and must also register.