Join OPL Oct. 2-3 for the 2026 Midwest Lit Fest!
This special event celebrates reading, storytelling, and creativity, designed to inspire young minds to explore their own voices through art and writing. Children in grades K-8 are invited to interactive sessions with authors and illustrators. The goal: to help kids see themselves as creators—to look at the people behind the books and think, “I could do that!”
Participating authors and illustrators include:
About the Authors & Illustrators
Jerry Craft
Jerry Craft is the New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of the graphic novels "New Kid", "Class Act," and "School Trip." New Kid is the first graphic novel in history to win the John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature (2020). And it is the only book to ever win the Newbery Medal; the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers’ Literature (2019), and the Coretta Scott King Author Award for the most outstanding work by an African American writer (2020).
In 2025, Jerry teamed up with fellow Newbery winner Kwame Alexander to bring you "J VS. K." The story of two fifth graders, one a talented artist, and the other an amazing writer, who become bitter rivals when they enter their school's annual storytelling contest.
Vashti Harrison
Vashti Harrison is the New York Times bestselling creator of "Big," which was awarded the 2024 Caldecott Medal, a Coretta Scott King Book Award Author Honor, and a Coretta Scott King Book Award Illustrator Honor, in addition to being a National Book Award finalist. Vashti is also the #1 New York Times bestselling creator of "Little Leaders," "Little Dreamers," and "Little Legends," and the illustrator of Lupita Nyong’o’s "Sulwe" (for which she received a Coretta Scott King Book Award Illustrator Honor), Matthew A. Cherry’s "Hair Love," Andrea Beaty's "I Love You Like Yellow," and Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic’s "Hello, Star," among others. A two-time recipient of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work for Children, Vashti lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Claribel Ortega
New York Times Bestselling and award-winning author Claribel A. Ortega went from journalism student, editing her classmates' often times hilarious ads and ramblings on the back page of SUNY Purchase’s Independent Newspaper, to a small town reporter, where she enjoyed going to board of ed meetings and texting the town mayors about the line at Starbucks.
"Witchlings" (Scholastic) was an Instant NYT Bestseller, a USA Today Bestseller, and #1 Indie Bestseller. Her graphic novel "Frizzy" with Rose Bousamra was winner of the 2023 Pura Belpré Award for Children's Text, The 2023 Eisner Award and an Indie Bestseller. Claribel’s debut middle grade novel "Ghost Squad" is a New York Times Bestseller and is being made into a feature film. Her latest book "Witchlings: Scepter of Memories" released in September 2025 from Scholastic.
Raul The Third
Raúl The Third is a New York Times bestselling and three-time Pura Belpre award-winning illustrator, author, and artist living in Boston. "Vamos! Let’s Cross the Bridge" was awarded one of the year’s Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2021 from the New York Times and the New York Public Library. His work centers around the contemporary Mexican-American experience and his memories of growing up in El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.
"¡Vamos! Let’s Go to The Market!" is Raúl’s first authorial project, which he wrote and illustrated, and is colored by Elaine Bay was awarded a Pura Belpre honor by the American Library Association and Reforma.
"Vamos! Let’s go Eat" was awarded the Pura Belpre award in illustration by the American Library Association and Reforma.
Chloe Burgett
Chloe Burgett is a children's book illustrator living in Lincoln, Nebraska with her husband, Seth, and her orange cat, Pencil. Her work includes "Big, Bold, Beautiful Me" by Jane Yolen and Maddison Stemple-Piatt, "Cooler than Lemonade" by Harshita Jerath, "Potatoes for Pirate Pearl" by Jennifer Concepcion, and "Etta Extraordinaire" by Charnaie Gordon and Roda Ahmad.
Danielle Herzog
Danielle Herzog works in education (former school counselor) by day, and by night, she's a kid lit writer, freelance writer, speaker, mother and member of one ridiculously insane large Italian family. Her books include "What Are You, Lou?", "The Cassette Tape Secret", and "A Place for Scamper."
Keenan Jones
His debut picture book, "Saturday Morning at the ‘Shop", illustrated by Ken Daley, follows a young boy who discovers the vital role a neighborhood barbershop plays in community and culture. A 2022 Mirrors and Windows Fellow with The Loft Literary Center, Keenan also teaches writing workshops and speaks on the importance of literacy, representation, and storytelling.
Kashelle Gourley
Kashelle Gourley distinctly remembers discovering the magic of books as a little girl in a Northern California library. It opened up another level of imagination, joy, and wonder that she hopes to share with others through her own writing. After moving from coast to coast and overseas to Paris, you can now find her adventuring with her husband and collaborator, Skylar Hogan, and three children in the great Midwest. She's authored children's books including "Poe and Lars", "Un-wanted", and "I'm Not Missing."
Skylar Hogan
Skylar is an author, illustrator, and speaker, who loves creating worlds filled with warm colors, inviting spaces, and humor.
He lives in Omaha, Nebraska with his wife and collaborator, Kashelle Gourley, and three children. He's illustrated children's books including "A Creature was Stirring", "Poe and Lars", "Un-wanted", and "I'm Not Missing."
Thank you to Midwest Literacy Collective, Omaha Public Library Foundation, and the Parker Family Foundation for sponsoring the Midwest Lit Fest.