Sunday, June 28 • 1:30 - 2:20pm

From Page to Plate

Inside Editor–Author Collaboration

Join Jen Newens, editor and author of Thursday Night Tiki Lounge, and chef Julian Lopez for a behind-the-scenes conversation about the creative process behind The New Café Beaujolais Cookbook.

Together, they’ll discuss shaping recipes for home cooks, translating flavor and story onto the page, and the collaborative process that brings a cookbook to life. The session also features a cocktail pairing inspired by Thursday Night Tiki Lounge, exploring how food, drink, and storytelling come together to create memorable culinary experiences.

Sunday, June 28 • 2:30-3:20pm

One Table, Many Tastes

In Conversation with Caryn Carruthers

Cooking for different dietary needs doesn’t have to mean making separate meals. Join Caryn Carruthers, author of Bowl Theory, and Micah Siva, author of Nosh, for a lively conversation on creating flavorful, customizable dishes everyone can enjoy.

From allergen-friendly bowls to stress-free prep and effortless entertaining, discover how inclusive cooking can make gathering around the table easier, more joyful, and delicious for all.

Sunday, June 28 • 2:30-3:20pm

Beneath the Surface

Illustrating the Wonder of the Ocean

Join Judy Newman, Reader in Chief of Impact Reading, for a conversation with author/illustrator Aria Joy Prichard and illustrator Raleigh Stewart about bringing the underwater world to life on the page.

From mermaids to real-life sea creatures, they’ll explore how color, movement, light, and texture can spark curiosity, wonder, and appreciation for the ocean in young readers.

Sunday, June 28 • 2:30-3:20pm

From Experience to Impact

Turning Expertise into Books That Matter

Books can turn lived experience into meaningful impact. Join editing experts Elizabeth Dougherty and Marisa Solis, authors of The Complete Expert-to-Author Guide, alongside business leader David Gaines, author of Why We Buy and Why It Matters, and philanthropist and novelist Christy Scott Cashman, author of What Happened in Beulah, for a conversation on transforming real-world insight into books that build trust, spark connection, and extend influence—while exploring how libraries can support aspiring authors through programming.

Monday, June 29 • 9:30- 10:20am

Growing Eco-Conscious Kids

Using Picture Books to Teach Care for Our Planet

Picture books can help children understand their connection to the natural world and how it sustains us. Join Rebekah Lovato Piatte, Children’s Editorial Director, in conversation with the founder of Future Waves, Gabrielle Raymond McGee and award-winning author Sarah M. White, to explore how storytelling can spark conversations about ecosystems, conservation, and sustainable living while inspiring empathy, curiosity, and environmental stewardship in young readers.