Find Us at the Orange County Children's Book Festival — Sunday, September 20
One of the largest children's book festivals in the country is back at Orange Coast College on Sunday, September 20 — four stages, dozens of authors, hands-on activities, and free admission. The Tiny Time Traveler series will be there too.
If you are anywhere near Southern California in September, put this one on the calendar. The Orange County Children's Book Festival returns to Orange Coast College on Sunday, September 20, 2026 — and the Tiny Time Traveler series will be there.
Admission is free.
A Whole Day Built Around Kids and Books
The festival takes over the Main Quad at Orange Coast College, in front of the College Center, and fills it with authors, illustrators, booksellers, and literacy organizations. Children wander from booth to booth meeting the people who actually make the books they read.
There are four stages running all day, book signings, author meet-and-greets, hands-on activities, a free trackless train ride, photo opportunities with sci-fi characters, and food trucks for when everyone runs out of steam around noon.
This year's headliners include Rachel Ignotofsky, the New York Times bestselling author-illustrator, presenting Dinosaurs: Exploring Prehistoric Life and Geological Time; Melissa Villaseñor with Cat and Lola: School Picture Day; and Jesús Trejo with Mamá's Magnificent Dancing Plantitas. The StoryTeller from KidTime StoryTime — YouTube's most-watched children's reading channel — will be performing as well.
The Details
- What: Orange County Children's Book Festival
- When: Sunday, September 20, 2026, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Where: Orange Coast College, Main Quad (in front of the College Center) — 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
- Cost: Free admission
Come Say Hello
The Tiny Time Traveler books will be at the festival, and I'll be there to sign copies and talk with young readers about the real archaeology behind the stories.
That is the part I look forward to most at events like this. A child picks up Book 1, sees the painted goblet from the Burnt City, and asks the question every archaeologist hopes to hear: is that real? It is. It was buried for five thousand years in southeastern Iran, and the animal painted around its rim moves when you spin it. That is the world's first animation, and it is the reason this series exists.
A book festival is exactly the right room for a series like this one — a day where curiosity is the whole point, and nobody has to be talked into picking up a book.
New to the Series?
Start with The First Animation of the Ancient World, Book 1 of the Tiny Time Traveler series, or browse the full collection. Book 1 is also available in Persian if you'd like a copy grandparents can read aloud.
And if the Bay Area is closer to home for you, we'll also be at the Mehregan Festival in San Ramon on September 27.
See You in Costa Mesa
Bring the kids, bring a tote bag — you will need it — and come find us.
Sunday, September 20, 10 AM to 3 PM, Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa. More festival information at kidsbookfestival.com.