Mass Kids Lit Fest Returns with Four Events in Amherst

Source: Massachusetts Center for the Book

Massachusetts Center for the Book (MCB) is bringing back the Mass Kids Lit Fest, running from May 3-9, 2026. Now in its third year, this vibrant children’s book festival overlaps with Children’s Book Week, a national celebration of literature and reading. Families can meet acclaimed Massachusetts authors and illustrators, enjoy hands-on activities, and experience the magic of reading at events across Western Massachusetts.

Festival week consists of more than two dozen events—ranging from author-led storytimes and writing workshops to hands-on activities and interactive programs. Highlights include a protest sign-making workshop with Rachel Katz, author of Rise Up!: Powerful Protests in American History, at Amherst College’s Mead Art Museum (May 7); turtle time with Mary Wagley Copp, author of Yoshi’s Big Swim, at the Hitchcock Center in Amherst (May 9); an animal heroes storytime with Heather Lang, author of Supersquads! at the Zoo at Forest Park (May 8); a draw-along with Astrid Sheckels, author and illustrator of Flora and the Jazzers, at The Mount in Lenox (May 9); a Cat Nap storytime with Caldecott Honoree Brian Lies at the Forbes Library (May 5); a youth open mic at Sip413 (May 3); and a writing workshop with middle grade author Taylor Tyng, author of Sprout, at the Easthampton Public Library Annex (May 8). Learn more and view the full schedule of events here.

The Massachusetts Center for the Book is committed to providing free, high-quality programming for young readers—especially in Gateway Cities and rural communities. The festival’s footprint grew nearly threefold in 2025, reaching almost 1200 children and their families. “We are excited to expand our reach even further this year through our partnerships with public schools across the region,” said Courtney Andree, executive director of the Massachusetts Center for the Book. “With reading scores continuing to fall, and with fewer and fewer kids picking up books in their free time, this is a critical moment to spark excitement around reading.”

Amherst Events

Rise Up!: An Author Event and Protest Sign-making Workshop with Rachel Katz. Thursday, May 7, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM The Mead Art Museum, 41 Quadrangle Dr, Amherst, MA 01002

Carle After Dark: Once Upon a Picture Book (note: this event requires a paid museum admission). Friday, May 8 4:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art 125 W Bay Rd, Amherst

Special Storytime: Talia Aikens-Nuñez. (note: this event requires a paid museum admission). Saturday, May 9, 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art 125 W Bay Rd, Amherst

Yoshi’s Big Swim Storytime and Turtle Meet-and-Greet with author Mary Wagley Copp. Saturday, May 9, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West St, Amherst

Find the full schedule of events here.

Partners and Sponsors
The 2026 festival is presented in collaboration with libraries, museums, cultural organizations, nature centers, afterschool programs, and public schools across Berkshire, Franklin, Hamden, and Hampshire counties. This year’s partners include the Berkshire Botanical Garden, High Five Books, Hitchcock Center for the Environment, Mead Art Museum, The Mount, Odyssey Bookshop, R. Michelson Galleries, Somehow School, Sip413, Springfield Museums, and the Zoo at Forest Park, as well as schools and public libraries in Agawam, Amherst, Ashfield, Chicopee, Clarksburg, Colrain, Easthampton, Greenfield, Lenox, Longmeadow, Monson, Northampton, Pittsfield, South Hadley, Springfield, and Sunderland.  2026 sponsors include the Greenfield Recorder, which is underwriting festival programming in Franklin County; the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts; Greenfield Savings Bank; Lee Bank; PeoplesBank; and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

About the Massachusetts Center for the Book
Massachusetts Center for the Book (MCB) is a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring a love of reading, honoring the rich literary culture of the Commonwealth, promoting unrestricted access to books and libraries, and fostering literacy and learning. Founded in 2000, MCB is charged with developing, supporting, and promoting cultural programming to advance the cause of books, libraries, and reading in Massachusetts. As the designated Commonwealth affiliate of the Library of Congress, the Center runs youth and family literacy programs, like the Reading Challenge and Letters About Literature; represents Massachusetts at the National Book Festival; operates the Massachusetts Book Awards and Mass Kids Lit Fest; and partners with community organizations on literary initiatives and events, big and small, across the state.