I didn’t know about the Everywhere Book Fest before it happened (May 1 and 2), maybe I heard about it but it got lost in the flood of information and resources (I’ve heard it described as a fire hose many times!). But yesterday, someone smart forwarded the information about it to me, and OH WOW! It is a FREE, recorded virtual book festival with speakers like Gene Luen Yang, Jacqueline Woodson, Jason Reynolds, Nic Stone, Meg Medina; super fun panels about writing and illustrating with a huge, wonderful cast of writers and illustrators. There is almost guaranteed to be an author for kids or teens that you love in this festival.
My advice? When you need a break from frantic planning, or creating your Beanstack challenges, or you want to do something for work that your kid might also enjoy, take a little 20 minute moment to watch one of the MANY recordings! I have only watched one (with one of my top favorite authors and speakers, Gene Luen Yang) and it was inspiring, heartfelt, and lovely.