Charlotte Huck Festival
Each year, the festival brings together educators, librarians, parents, students, authors, illustrators, editors, and those interested in children’s literature for a unique combination of full conference and small group sessions. Next year our faculty is once again chosen from the "best of the best".
29th Annual Children's Literature Festival
March 6 & 7, 2026
Join over 200 educators & librarians for an unforgettable Professional development opportunity!
Award winning 2026 Festival Speakers includes:
Jason Chin, Loren Long, Lisa Yee, and more!
2026 Session Title Sneak Peek:
- Bringing Literacy Activities to Life While Considering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Infrastructure Extravaganza: Books About Systems & Services that Make the World Work
- Using Children’s Literature to Teach Students to Write with Voice
- A Whole New World: Weaving the Magic Carpet of Place
- The Promise of Poetry: Poetry is Personal
Why do people come—and keep coming back?
In the words of past participants, it is:
“A small, intimate conference where you can spend time with the authors and illustrators.” “A unique opportunity to spend time with others who share a passion about children’s books.” “Practical ideas for my classroom” and library.
Festival Resources
Learn more about Dr. Charlotte S. Huck, how to submit a proposal, and festival vendors below.
Dr. Charlotte S. Huck (1922-2005)
Charlotte Huck, an internationally renowned children's literature expert who is the inspiration for the Charlotte S. Huck Children's Literature Festival, the National Council of Teachers of English's Charlotte Huck Award, and the Charlotte S. Huck Professorship in Children's Literature.
Call for Sponsorship
We hope you will help us to continue the rich history of the Charlotte S. Huck Children’s Literature Festival by becoming a sponsor this year. Please click the link to read a letter with a detailed outline of sponsorship options.
The Book Market
Open from 8:00 a.m. on Friday through the close of the Festival on Saturday. All exhibitors in The Book Market are independent Southern California vendors and donate a percentage of their sales at the Festival to support its continuation. We encourage you to support them year round! More information coming.
Charlotte Huck, an internationally renowned children's literature expert who is the inspiration for the Charlotte S. Huck Children's Literature Festival, the National Council of Teachers of English's Charlotte Huck Award, and the Charlotte S. Huck Professorship in Children's Literature.
Charlotte grew up in suburban Chicago, attended Wellesley College and earned her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University. She began her teaching career in Midwestern elementary schools. Her master's and doctorate degrees were also from Northwestern University.
Charlotte joined the education faculty of Ohio State University in 1955 where she organized the first course in children's literature at Ohio State, founded the Ohio State Children's Literature Conference, and built a nationally respected program that offers both a master's and doctorate in children's literature.
Her classic textbook, Children's Literature in the Elementary School, now in its tenth edition and authored by Barbara Kiefer, has been renamed Charlotte Huck's Children's Literature. During her career, Charlotte served on the Newbery Award Committee, chaired the Caldecott Award Committee, was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame, was an Arbuthnot Lecturer, received several distinguished teaching awards, and was elected president of the National Council of Teachers of English. Upon her retirement from Ohio State, the Charlotte S. Huck professorship was established, the first endowed professorship in children's literature in the nation.
In "retirement", Charlotte moved to Redlands to live near her nieces Charlotte Burgess and Jean Gaylord. Retirement for Charlotte meant continuing to bring books and children together. She wrote five children's books, was the force behind the evening read aloud program at Smiley Library, the Children's Literature Festival, the annual Family Day at Smiley Library, and a children's literature book discussion group that continues to meet. She also served on the board of the YWCA and Redlands Day Nursery and was named by Town and Gown as a "Woman of Distinction." Charlotte continued to be a teacher, mentor, and an active participant in the festival planning until her death at her home on April 7, 2005.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Charlotte S. Huck Children's Literature Festival Endowment by leaving a check made out to the University of Redlands at the registration desk or by mailing a check to the Charlotte S. Huck Children's Literature Festival Endowment, University of Redlands, PO Box 3080, Redlands, CA 92373-0999.
"Wilbur never forgot Charlotte. Although he loved her children and grandchildren dearly, none of the new spiders ever quite took her place in his heart. She was in a class by herself. It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte was both." - from "Charlotte's Web" © 1952 E. B. White
Brown Bag Books
We began as a ‘mobile bookstore’, and our ever-growing book collection now holds thousands of titles, all available either in person, or from our online selection. The Classics, old and new, are our first love, but current non-fiction that leans towards social justice, historical facts, and world cultures remain a staple in our collection. We have traveled the world, particularly London, Paris, and Berlin to bring back World Classics and fascinating finds from other lands. Our book collection is special because it is hand picked with our unique customers in mind.
