2024 Buckeye Book Fair

Authors & Illustrators

The Buckeye Book Fair is excited to announce the distinguished authors and illustrators for its 2024 event. This stellar group promises to bring a diverse range of genres and styles to the fair, making it a must-attend event for book lovers of all ages.

2024 Annual Report: Celebrating a Year of Literary Excellence with the Buckeye Book Fair

The Buckeye Book Fair (BBF) is proud to present its 2024 Annual Report, showcasing another year of celebrating Ohio’s literary talent and fostering a love for reading across the state. Through strategic initiatives, robust community partnerships, and feedback-driven improvements, we met our four programming goals, leaving a lasting impact on our community.

The Buckeye Book Crawl

To kick-off of the 36th Buckeye Book Fair we teamed up with Wayne County Public Library and host a series of author presentations.

Sports Panel David Lee Morgan, Ralph Paulk, Scott Longert

School Visits, Rural Tour, and Excellence Awards

Jerzy Drozd, Lindsay Bonilla, and Andy J. Pizza lead workshops throughout the area.

This year’s honorees include the follow students, schools, and story titles:

Bailey Webb, 5th Grade, Shreve Elementary – The Amazing Thomas Edison
Elizabeth Ungerer, 8th Grade, Triway Middle School – Trash Can
Remi Garrison, 3rd Grade, Wooster Township – The Hunt Was On
Ryne Gessel, 5th Grade, Waynedale Elementary – The Egyptian and The Genie
Emmett Ramseyer, 4th Grade, Green Elementary School – Fighting For Freedom
Truet Steiner, 8th Grade, Green Middle School – Veterans Day
Lydia Decker, 5th Grade, Rittman Elementary School – Inventions of the Past
Lucero Cisneros Zambrano, 7th Grade, Orrville Middle School

Their exceptional dedication and passion for writing are a testament to the positive influence of our community. Warmest congratulations to each winner, their families, and the supportive communities that have played a crucial role in nurturing their love for writing.

Young Authors Conference 2024

The Young Authors Conference is a partnership with all schools in Wayne, Holmes, and Ashland counties through Buckeye Book Fair’s established partnership with Tri-County Educational Service Center, the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education, and Ohio Arts Council. With over 500 students participating, the Young Authors Conference teaches students in grades 3-8 about the ins and outs of the writing and storytelling process. Students attend a one-day session where they work intensively with a teaching artist expert in writing, illustration, and publishing.

Festival Day – 2024 Buckeye Book Fair

Featured Presentations:

9:40 AM – Richard Cowdrey
Beloved illustrator Richard Cowdrey shares insights from his latest Halloween story featuring Fiona the Hippo. Young readers are sure to be charmed by this seasonal tale. Click here for a copy of Fiona’s engaging Activity Kit.

10:00 AM – Andy J. Pizza
In this dynamic presentation, Andy J. Pizza inspires us with the idea that self-love fuels true creativity. Explore the connection between self-expression and the art we create.

11:00 AM – From the Diamond to the Gridiron
Dive into America’s rich sports history with authors Scott Longert, Keith O’Brien, Ralph Paulk, and David Lee Morgan Jr., covering stories of groundbreaking athletes and historic moments in sports.

11:30 AM – Inside the Pages: Creating The Yellow Bus with Loren Long
New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Loren Long delves into the creation of The Yellow Bus, his artistic journey, and collaborations with figures like Barack Obama and Amanda Gorman.

12:00 PM – Crafting Childhood Magic: A Journey Through Children’s Literature
Crafting Childhood Magic: A Journey Through Children’s Literature with Lindsay Bonilla, Molly David, Erin Guendelsberger, Barry Gott, Will Hillenbrand, Dandi Daley Mackall, and JP Mitchell.

12:30 PM – John Gorman | WMMS Radio Legend
John Gorman recounts his time transforming WMMS into a legendary rock station, and shares his experiences in radio broadcasting, which shaped Cleveland’s airwaves in the ’70s and ’80s.

1:00 PM – Visual Storytelling: A Dive into Graphic Novels
Join Anne Drozd, Fern Haught, Wes Molebash, Rafael Rosado, and Joe Sutphin for an in-depth look at the world of visual storytelling through graphic novels.

1:30 PM – Uncovering the Past: Stories from America’s Heartland
Heather Cole, David Meyers, Elise Meyers Walker, Mark Sebastian Jordan, Mandy Shunnarah, Mark Strecker, and Jane Turzillo present fascinating stories from America’s history, highlighting lesser-known tales of resilience and discovery.

2:00 PM & 2:30 PM – André Bernier
In his heartfelt memoir, veteran meteorologist André Bernier shares his passion for weather, from early broadcasting days to his time at WJW-TV and The Weather Channel.

3:00 PM – From Imagination to Page: Fiction Writers in Focus
Amanda Flower, Shelly Costa, Anastasia Hastings, Chrissy Hartmann, Connie Berry, and Andrew Welsh-Huggins explore the art of transforming imagination into compelling fiction.

3:30 PM – Unlocking Boldness for Young Minds
Join C. Dale Brittain, Keila Dawson, Florenza Lee, Mary Kay Carson, David Rickert, Terri Libenson, and Carmella Van Vleet as they discuss the power and impact of middle-grade books.

This is just a glimpse of the incredible authors you can meet at the Buckeye Book Fair. Each brings a unique perspective to the world of literature, offering something for every reader. Explore, engage, and be inspired as you celebrate the joy of books!