Chris Brown knows children’s theater owes a debt to children’s literature.

So Orlando Family Stage, where Brown is executive director, is about to repay that debt — in a really big way.

As part of its centenary celebration, Orlando Family Stage will present a brand-new, mostly free festival Feb. 20-22 in Loch Haven Park. The inaugural Florida Children’s Book Festival will bring an impressive lineup of kids’ lit authors to town and feature theatrical performances, readings, workshops, games, food and — of course — plenty of books.

“It’s totally within our mission of who we are and why we exist,” Brown said. “So many of our shows are rooted in children’s literature.”

The idea came from Lauren Zimmerman, a supporter of Orlando Family Stage who owns the Writer’s Block bookstores in Winter Park and Winter Garden. When she suggested a festival in a conversation with Brown, “he was like, ‘What? Yes!’” Zimmerman recalled. “He didn’t hesitate, he took the bull by the horns.”

“I’m crazy enough to try new ideas,” Brown laughs.

Zimmerman’s team at Writer’s Block, led by business manager Elizabeth Fleming, is handling author appearances and bookselling at the festival.

“I’m happy to provide any resources I have,” said Zimmerman, who estimates about 40% of her business comes from selling children’s books. “Kids buy books. We want to do even more work with students.”

Other community partners were quick to jump on board, as well.

In honor of its centenary, Orlando Family Stage is producing the first Florida Children’s Book Festival, in partnership with Writer’s Block Bookshop. Pictured is a detail from the poster for the inaugural event. (Courtesy Orlando Family Stage)

Major funding came from Dr. Phillips Charities and the Edyth Bush Foundation. Other support came from AdventHealth for Children, United Arts of Central Florida, the Shubert Foundation and OUC The Reliable One.

WUCF also partnered on the endeavor: Its popular “Be My Neighbor Day,” featuring meet-and-greets with Fred Rogers’ beloved children’s TV character Daniel Tiger, will take place at Loch Haven Park 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 21, concurrently with the book festival. That service-oriented event includes family activities such as packing resource kits for Help Now Osceola for survivors of domestic violence and helping in community-cleanup work.

Brown said there’s natural crossover between Be My Neighbor Day and the Florida Children’s Book Festival because both emphasize learning and empathy for others.

That empathy is reflected in the theatrical productions Orlando Family Stage will offer during the festival.

“Tiara’s Hat Parade,” by Kelly Starling Lyons, has been adapted into a stage play and will be part of the Florida Children’s Book Festival. (Courtesy Orlando Family Stage)

“Tiara’s Hat Parade,” based on the book by Kelly Starling Lyons, tells of a young girl’s desire to help her mother as it stresses kindness and spotlights elements of African American culture. “Lilly and the Pirates,” adapted from Phyllis Root’s book, highlights curiosity and courage as it follows a young girl’s adventures on the high seas. Both productions, which require a paid ticket, are original plays co-commissioned by Orlando Family Stage.

Other paid shows: “Puppet Play Day: Peter Rabbit” offers young creatives to make their own puppets and then watch a puppet show based on the children’s story. For even younger children, “Yo, Ho, Ho! Let’s Go!” is a pirate-themed interactive experience for ages 1-5.

Lyons, who won a 2021 Christopher Award for “Tiara’s Hat Parade,” is one of more than two dozen authors attending the festival.

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“What a special way to connect children’s book creators with the kids we serve,” she wrote in a statement. “The festival gives writers and young readers the chance to meet and be inspired. It’s so important for kids to know that they deserve to not just be the stars of stories, but authors of them.”

Authors will present readings from their books and sign copies while meeting young fans. Children will also find hands-on activities, story strolls and even encounter the dinos from Orlando Family Stage’s “Dinosaur Dance Party” show.

Other offerings from WUCF include an appearance by Aaron Augenblick, creator of PBS Kids series “City Island.” Families can meet the animator and explore how characters are built from simple shapes.

Amar Shah, who wrote the graphic novel “Wish I Was a Baller,” will be one of the authors participating in the Florida Children’s Book Festival at Orlando Family Stage in Loch Haven Park. (Courtesy Orlando Family Stage)

Interactive screenings from the new Ken Burns documentary “American Revolution” will provide historical context for children and offer hands-on activities to bring history to life.

Festivalgoers can register ahead of time at floridachildrensbookfestival.org to participate in panel discussions and conversations on topics such as mysteries, drawing, dancing, graphic novels and friendship. Special discussions led by Black and Spanish-speaking authors also will be offered.

The creators of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical,” a popular holiday play about “the worst kids in the world,” will present a reading of their sequel play, still in development: “The Best Halloween Ever.” Writer-lyricist Jahnna Beecham and co-author Skye Hillgartner, her daughter, will be in attendance.

Feb. 20, the festival’s first day, is given over to educators, who will participate in professional-development session exploring topics such as arts integration in curriculum, media literacy and the role of storytelling in learning.

An interactive theatrical show for ages 1-5, “Yo, Ho, Ho! Let’s Go!” will be part of Orlando Family Stage’s first Florida Children’s Book Festival Feb. 21-22. (Courtesy Ashleigh Ann Gardner)

Brown said that while the festival is offered as a community service, he hopes that it will strengthen Orlando Family Stage and shine a spotlight on the work it does, both at the local and national level.

“When the building is full of people, you sell more tickets, you sell more concessions, you get more donations,” he said. “And we’ll have authors all over the country who will be talking about us.”

But the focus remains on youths and literacy.

“Something powerful happens when a child finds a story that speaks right to their heart, and something even more powerful is to experience that story leap from the page to the stage,” said Orlando Family Stage artistic director and festival producer Jeff Revels. “Children’s literature and Theatre for Young Audiences lift each other up, and in our centennial season, we amplify that connection.”

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Brown said that theatrical connection sets the fest apart from other book events.

“It’s not a traditional book festival. It’s hopefully going to connect the dots between children’s literature and the theater we make,” Brown said. “It has turned into a really exciting way to bring the community together.”

Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find more entertainment news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/entertainment or sign up to receive our weekly emailed Entertainment newsletter.

Florida Children’s Book Festival

• Where: Orlando Family Stage and Loch Haven Park, 1001 E. Princeton St. in Orlando

• When: Public activities 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 21-22

• Cost: Free for activities, browsing books, panel discussions; fee for live stage shows

• Parking: Free parking available at AdventHealth’s Alden Street garage. A free shuttle will transport festivalgoers to Loch Haven Park, or it’s a 6-minute walk.

• Info: orlandochildrensbookfestival.com

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/02/16/florida-childrens-book-festival-orlando-family-stage/