Top children’s authors will read and sign favorite children’s books and classics in the making on Saturday, May 9 at North University Community Library & Nobel Recreation Center. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Librarians learn which books children love, from toddlers to teens. And the festival producers aimed to expand kids’ reading horizons, exposing them to a variety of quality reading. Writers such as DJ MacHale, author of the Pendragon series, will join Clementine series author and illustrator Marla Frazee, author Robin Preiss Glasser and National Book Award winner Sherman Alexie. The festival, now in its second year, kicks off the San Diego Public Library Foundation’s summer reading program, which runs from June 15 through Aug. 15. “Kids can go to their library and sign up for the program, and then if they read 10 books, they can win [prizes such as] free passes to SeaWorld, Padres tickets or free sundaes at Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza,” said Charlie Goldberg, marketing director for San Diego Public Library Foundation. Barnes and Noble, Yellow Book Road and Warwick’s will offer books for sale after the event at their various booths. “This is an event to promote literacy among children and teens, and to introduce readers to their favorite authors,” Goldberg said. Starting at 10 a.m., festival producers will hold events on two stages. The Festival Stage will feature Ballet Folkorico and a welcome by Rana Sampson, while the Library Stage will showcase Mommy or Daddy and Me. Meanwhile, “Literature Comes to Life” in the Library Community room. At 10:30 a.m., the Festival Stage will feature Gerald McDermott & Parade of Puppets, followed at 11 a.m. by Hullabaloo. Also at 11 a.m., the Library Community Room will feature Antoinette Portis; the Yellow Book Road Booth will host Gerald McDermott and the Barnes & Noble Booth will feature Marla Frazee. At 11:30 a.m., the Festival Stage will feature Robin Preiss Glasser; Library Stage will feature Children’s Karate Demonstration; Warwick’s Booth on the Library’s Lawn will feature Antoinette Portis. At noon, Kadir Nelson takes the Library Stage; Festival Stage will feature Dixieland Band Jammers; Yellow Book Road Booth will feature Robin Preiss Glasser; and Library Story Time Theater will feature English/Spanish story time. At 12:30 p.m., the Festival Stage will feature Sherman Alexie; Library Stage will feature Scripps Performing Arts; Warwick’s Booth will feature Kadir Nelson; and Library Story Time Theater will feature Baby Sign Language. At 1 p.m. the Library Community Room will feature Marla Frazee; Barnes & Noble Booth will feature Sherman Alexie; Festival Stage will feature Civic Dance Arts: Break Dance; and Library Story Time Theater will feature Sing-A-Long-Story-Time. At 1:30 p.m., Festival Stage will feature DJ MacHale; Library State will feature Kathleen Krull & Paul Brewer; Yellow Book Road Booth will feature Antoinette Portis; and Warwick’s Booth will feature Marla Frazee. At 2 p.m. the Festival Stage will feature Mad Science: Getting Creative with Sound; Warwick’s Booth will feature DJ MacHale; and Library Story Time Theater will feature Sing-A-Long-Story Time. At 2:30 p.m., the Festival Stage will feature George McClements; Library Community Room will feature Writing for Teens: Mary Pearson & Marlene Perez; and Warwick’s Booth will feature Kathleen Krull & Paul Brewer. At 3 p.m. Festival Stage will feature Metro Dance performing Tap 7 Hula; Barnes & Noble Booth will feature George McClements; and Library Story Time Theater will feature English/Spanish Story Time. At 3:30 p.m., the Festival Stage will feature Dr. Seuss Storyteller Teri Z. Throughout the day, Library Story Time Theater will feature Story Time; Library Children’s Patio will host Read to Therapy Dogs; and the Rec Center will feature Relaxing Music from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Screening: Animated Books from 1 to 4 p.m. “This is to introduce kids to new authors and books. We want it to be a fun event,” Goldberg said. “North UC is one of our most active [branches] for these events.” Last year, more than 5,000 people attended the festival and Goldberg said he expects more than 7,000 people this year. North UC Library is at 8820 Judicial Drive. For information, visit www.sandiego.gov/public-library.