St. Pete Reads! Lit Fest

A magical day of reading and storytelling, where #kidlit authors inspire in St. Pete!

St. Pete Reads! Lit Fest 2023 is presented in collaboration with The Woodson African American Museum of Florida, The St. Petersburg Library System and Florida Humanities.

Funding for this program was provided through a grant from the Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Join us in the Garden!

10:15am Storytime with author Ana Siqueria

Read- aloud of Our World: Brazil and Bella's Recipe for Success with author Ana Siqueria.
11:15am Panel

Panel: “Everything You Wanted To Know About Childhood Literacy, But Were Too Afraid To Ask” with panelist; Dr. LaShawn Proctor, Principal, Maria Scruggs: Phyllis Wheatley Rise To Read, Antonio Brown: Barbershop Book Club, Tyana Tibby: Urban Book Squad, with moderator Natasha Hall.
12:15pm Jazz in the Gardens

Jazz in the Garden: Musical storytime with Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association read-aloud of Jazz On A Saturday Night by Leo and Diane Dillon
1:15 PM Storytime with author Natalie Daise

Storytime: Read - aloud of Okra Stew by author Natalie Daise.
2:15pm Storytime with author Jasmine Paul

Storytime: Read - aloud of Granny’s Vintage Camera by author Jasmine Paul.
3:15pm Nature in the Gardens

Nature in the Garden: Interactive storytime with Boyd Hill Nature Preserve and Florida Native Plant Society reading The Garden Next Door by Collin Pine and Buzzing with Questions: The Inquisitive Mind of Charles Henry Turner by Janice N. Harrington.

Teen Workshops.

Self- Portrait Workshop with illustrator Anastasia Magloire Williams

11am - 12:30pm Illustrator Anastasia Magloire Williams hosts a storytime session and shares how images enhance and contribute to storytelling. As an illustrator known for blending of graphics, illustration and painting, she shares how visual style can complement the stories they are meant to tell. Following the reading, she will guide youth participants in creating their own self-portraits. Participants will explore character design techniques and visual storytelling to bring their own stories to life. Sign up here.
The Art of Storytelling Writers Workshop

12pm - 2pm The Art of The Deuces Writing Workshop is an opportunity to explore the immersive and captivating world of storytelling through public art. Led by the African American Heritage Association, youth participants will take a tour of the Deuces. They will discover how artists convey narratives through their art while learning about the rich culture and heritage of the Deuces. Following the tour, Keep St. Pete Lit staff will lead participants through writing exercises encouraging exploration of themes inspired by the neighborhood. Sign up here.
Poetry Workshop with Author Roberto Germán

1pm - 2:30pm Author and Educator Roberto German will read from his book Blue Ink Tears, introducing youth participants to his life through storytelling. His bilingual poetry shares 20 years of his life, where we discusses issues of identity, love, relationships and race. Roberto will guide youth participants to create and present their own poetry pieces. Sign up here.
Poetry Workshop with Miesha Brundridge

2pm - 3pm Learn about poet, Miesha Brundridge's journey becoming a poet and create your own poems ahead of the afternoon Teen Open Mic. Sign up here.
Sponsored by Barbershop Book Club, St. Petersburg Poet Laureate Gloria Muñoz and the Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship
Open Mic

3pm - 4pm Bring a poem to recite or share your original work at the Open Mic event hosted by the renowned poet, Miesha Brundridge. Sign up here.
Sponsored by Barbershop Book Club, St. Petersburg Poet Laureate Gloria Muñoz and the Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship