bam 2023 will be held on april 15th
BAM 2022 SCHEDULE
10:00- 11:00 am
BAM Fam Good Morning!
Courtyard Riser
Hey BAM Fam! Each year we love seeing your smiling faces at the BAM Festival – our annual, free book and music festival for all ages where members of our community can celebrate books and the authors and illustrators that create them through author readings, book signings, live music and more! Hurry and grab a seat – this is the only place you will be able to see all of our presenters in one place!
11:00 AM
Storytime
Robert Forbes
Calling all animal lovers! Are you ready for a story time with some of your Beast Friends? Join successful businessman turned author, Robert Forbes, as he shares mischievous poetry about some not too beastly creatures from his three books of poetry for children.
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- Corner Courtyard, Story Time Tent
11:00 AM
Writing Outside of Your Comfort Zone
Ashley Woodfolk, Stacie Ramey, Lauren Gibaldi, Kim Johnson
In their writing, authors are always trying fresh and new things that may scare them. Just like you! Join these authors as they talk about how they created stories and adventures about tough topics that they may or may not have experienced firsthand. Learn how they accomplished this in the past, what they think is important going forward, and what they might do differently now.
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- 2nd Floor, Studio 411
11:00 AM
Cooks in the Kitchen
Vanessa Brantley-Newton, Lynne Marie, Linda Sue Park
We’ve got the recipe for cooking up some food in books! The first ingredient includes the author’s story and the history of food itself. Come enjoy some yummy tidbits about baking, broth, and everything in between in books.
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- 3rd Floor, Clematis Room
12:00 PM
Mental Health Matters
Jess Redman, Adib Khorram, Neal Shusterman, Stacie Ramey, Eric Smith
We are amidst a global pandemic. We are also amidst a national mental health crisis. You're not alone If you've been struggling with your mental health, even before COVID. Let these authors and characters shed some light on your state of mind.
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- Commission Chambers
12:00 PM
Illustrator Smackdown II
Jarrett Lerner, Vanessa Brantley-Newton, Jenin Mohammed
In case you missed the first one! Cheer on some of your favorite illustrators as they compete in a kid-judged, live-action drawing competition where you help decide what masterpieces our experts create.
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- 3rd Floor, Auditorium
12:00 PM
GET PUBLISHED: THE BAM FLASH FICTION CHALLENGE
Stephen Kozan
Enter this free writing contest and come back to BAM 2023 as a published author! Author Stephen Kozan will get you started with a few writing warm-ups to get you on your way to enter the flash fiction challenge. One piece will be selected, and the winner will receive the opportunity to craft a book, edit, and publish it with Mr. Kozan’s own publishing company!
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- 2nd Floor, Studio 411
1:00 PM
IT’S ALIVE!
Jenin Mohammed, Jarrett Lerner, Juana Medina
Draw alongside a professional illustrator and bring your best ideas to life at this creature feature in Studio 400. We provide the materials, you provide the creativity.
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- 2nd Floor, Studio 411
1:00 PM
Spelling Sorcery
Claribel Ortega, Stacie Ramey, Dana Swift
Whether it’s cauldrons and brooms or spooky dark rooms, these tales will satisfy anyone interested in literary witchcraft and magic!
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- 3rd Floor, Auditorium
2:00 PM
Little Stories, Big Messages
Alexandra Alessandri, Kerry O'Malley Cerra, Juana Medina, Vanessa Brantley
We'll discuss stories for children that tackle important themes and issues with grace. From navigating current events to dealing with personal adveristy, these authors help kids find perspective and voice in tough times.
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- Courtyard Riser
2:00 PM
Middle Grade Magic: How to Survive School
Christina Diaz Gonzalez, Jess Redman, Debbie Reed Fischer, Sherri Winston
Sometimes being a middle schooler does NOT feel magical. From bullying and puberty, to changing relationships with family and friends, these years can be tough! These authors have been there, done that. Their books present the realities of middle school and show how you too can survive! Come for the books, stay for the (sometimes hilarious) yearbook photos and writings from our authors’ own preteen years.
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- 3rd Floor, Clematis Room
2:00 PM
From Fandoms to Fanfiction
Claribel Ortega, Neal Shusterman, Kwame Mbalia
Calling on all fangirls and fanboys! Disney, Star Wars, fairytales: Are you a fan? Retellings of our favorite stories breathe new life into classic worlds. Bonus–what’s the next big craze?
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- 3rd Floor, Auditorium
3:00 PM
Final Panel & Announcement of Workshop winner
Stephen Kozan & Kids!
Enjoy our final panel, and find out who won the BAM Flash Fiction challenge!
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- Courtyard Riser
11:00 AM
Illustrator Smackdown
Yangsook Choi, Juana Medina, Mike Wohnoutka,
Cheer on some of your favorite illustrators as they compete in a kid-judged, live-action drawing competition where you help decide what masterpieces our experts create.
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- 3rd Floor, Auditorium
11:00 AM
Published Before 18
Stephen Kozan, Raelen T. Mauge, Darrel Creary, Breanne Wright, Samantha Mason, Ryan Snider
These young authors have finished books before finishing high school! Check out the kind of stories that young people write for their readers (and their peers!)
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- Courtyard Riser
11:00 AM
Family Matters
Chad and Dad Richardson, Shannon Hitchcock
Family is not only the heart of the home. Whether it be family secrets, family stories, or family reunions, family is often found at the heart of books. Join these authors as they discuss how family shapes their stories.
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- 2nd Floor, Digital Studio
12:00 PM
Seeing Myself In Picture Books
Antwan Eady, Alexandra Alessandri, Yangsook Choi, Valerie Bolling, Audrey Ades
Seeing yourself on a page can be a life changing and life affirming experience. Join these authors in reminiscing about their “AHA!” moments and cooking up those moments for future readers.
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- 3rd Floor, Open Floor
12:00 PM
The Impact of Seeing Oneself in Literature
G. Neri, Linda Sue Park, Debbie Reed Fischer, Kim Johnson
Seeing a character that reminds you of yourself can be life changing. This panel will cover how authors and characters can make young people feel seen and can set a groundwork for understanding others.
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- Courtyard Riser
12:30 PM
Storytime
Chad and Dad Richardson
Sit down for a special Storytime hosted by a special BAM 2022 guest!
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- Corner Courtyard, Story Time Tent
1:00 PM
#OwnVoices: Our Identities and How They Inform Us
Kwame Mbalia, Christina Diaz Gonzalez, Kerry O'Malley Cerra, Sherri Winston
Now more than ever, it’s important that stories be told in genuine, positive, and experienced ways. Why is it important that these stories are told by these authors? From different experiences, to diverse cultures, these authors know how to tell their characters’ stories because they’ve experienced them firsthand.
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- Commission Chambers
1:00 PM
Collaborator Fusion: BAM EDITION
Lauren Gibaldi, Eric Smith, Ashley Woodfolk, Chad and Dad Richardon
Oftentimes, a storyteller’s journey is a solitary one. Not for these creators! Join us for this roundtable and learn about their process in making a narrative together–as a team!
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- 3rd Floor, Open Floor
2:00 PM
Storytime
Lynne Marie
Sit down for a special Storytime hosted by a special BAM 2022 guest!
Sloans, Rosemary Ave., The Square
2:00 PM
From Bromance to Romance
Dana Swift, Adib Khorram, Lauren Gibaldi, Akshaya Raman
Love in all its forms! From romance to bromance, femships and friendships. Romantic and platonic loves include unique relationships between two characters and the terms are popping up everywhere in books, movies, and television.
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- 2nd Floor, Digital Studio
2:00 PM
Rhyme and Rhythm—Poetry In All Its Forms
Shauna Reynolds, G. Neri, Robert L. Forbes
From concerts to spoken word, from poetry slams to rap battles, poetry shines through so much of our media. Join these writers and poets as they talk about the versatility of rhyme and rhythm, how it affects us, and how it’s evolved throughout history.
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach
11:00 AM
Truth or Dare Jr.
Antwan Eady, Sherri Winston, Ed Masessa, David LaRochelle, Christina Diaz Gonzalez
Ever wanted to invite your favorite character to your slumber party? Well, we can’t do that, but at this panel, kids get to ask questions! The consequences if they don’t answer: they must showcase a weird talent! Find out everything you want to know about these writers and their books. More like “Truth or Talent,” authors answer questions honestly or must perform a talent.
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- 3rd Floor, Open Floor
11:00 AM
Fact or Fiction
Akshaya Raman, Neal Shusterman, Jess Redman
Come see how unreal worlds in fantasy & sci-fi allow authors to explore real-world issues differently from contemporary fiction. How does the real world inspire the fiction in novels? Where did these authors find their fantastical elements?
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- Commission Chambers
11:30 AM
Storytime
Rob Sanders
Sit down for a special Storytime hosted by a special BAM 2022 guest!
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- Corner Courtyard, Story Time Tent
12:00 PM
Storytime
Shauna Reynolds
Sit down for a special Storytime hosted by a special BAM 2022 guest!
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- Corner Courtyard, Story Time Tent
12:00 PM
From Kingdoms to Queendoms and Everything In Between
Akshaya Raman, Kwame Mbalia, Dana Swift
For much of history, fantasies began with a damsel in distress. These authors will discuss what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, how we’ve pioneered a new standard throughout history, and the work yet to be done.
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- 3rd Floor, Clematis Room
1:00 PM
The Book Zoo
Robert Forbes, David LaRochelle, Ed Masessa, Lynne Marie, Catherine Guthrie Bailey
Do you love animals? If so, then this is the group for you! Join these authors and illustrators as they discuss their books that are all about our scaly, feathery, and furry friends!
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- 2nd Floor, Digital Studio
1:00 PM
All Stories Have a Little Truth
G. Neri, Shannon Hitchcock, Audrey Ades, Rob Sanders
Books have the ability to spark the imagination and expand our horizons. Join these authors as they discuss the power of nonfiction and the real people and experiences that inspire them.
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- Courtyard Riser
1:30 PM
Storytime
Linda Sue Park
Sit down for a special Storytime hosted by a special BAM 2022 guest!
Sloans, Rosemary Ave., The Square
2:00 PM
“How-To” Draw Heroes!
Jarrett Lerner, Yangsook Choi, Mike Wohnoutka
Have you ever wanted to be able to draw the characters you read about? Impress your friends with your new skill in this step by step lesson on drawing attending authors’ characters.
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- 2nd Floor, Studio 411
2:00 PM
The Cost of Book Banning
Stacie Ramey, Eric Smith, Rob Sanders, Ashley Woodfolk, Kim Johnson
We’ve seen it in headlines: beloved books being banned for their content. These authors will weigh in for what that means for writers, readers, and society as a whole.
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- Commission Chambers
2:30 PM
Storytime
Ed Masessa
Sit down for a special Storytime hosted by a special BAM 2022 guest!
Sloans, Rosemary Ave., The Square
3:00 pm
BAM Closing
Please join us as we take our annual author photo and thank our audience, our guests, and our sponsors for their support. We hope to see you next year!