WELCOME TO THE 7TH ANNUAL

Beautiful Blackbird Children's Book Festival logo

Celebrating Children’s Literature of the African Diaspora

An older man with gray hair and a mustache smiles while holding and reading the book “Beautiful Blackbird” by Ashley Bryan in a cozy, book-filled room.

community events 2026

Join the Celebration!

Become part of the fun. Join our Beautiful Blackbird Festival events taking place throughout Maine.

We are hard at work preparing for the 7th annual Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival. Inspired by Ashley Bryan’s legendary masterpiece, Beautiful Blackbird, our upcoming season celebrates his timeless legacy while shining a spotlight on the next generation of Black storytellers and artists.  

The 2026 Festival promises to be our most vibrant yet. We are curating an unforgettable lineup of art walks, community celebrations, and specialized toolkits for educators. Most importantly, we are gearing up to distribute over 3,500 free books to children across the state of Maine this coming year!

As we look toward these six months of preparation, your support is more vital than ever. By donating today, you ensure that we can purchase these books, fund family programming, and continue cultivating joy through literacy and cultural connection. Join us in inspiring the next generation to read, write, and draw.  

Black Books Matter

In this video, Dr. Krista Aronson, a research psychologist and professor at Bates College, explores the profound impact that multicultural literature has on childhood development. Drawing from both her professional expertise and her personal experience as a mother, Dr. Aronson explains that books are far more than just stories—they are essential tools for shaping identity and empathy.

To help you dive deeper, we’ve provided several ways to engage with this year’s Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival selections. We hope these Educator Toolkits enrich your exploration of the African Diaspora.”

Featured Masterpiece of 2026

Ashley Bryan's Beautiful Blackbird

Coretta Scott King Award-winner Ashley Bryan’s adaptation of a tale from the Ila-speaking people of Zambia resonates both with rhythm and the tale’s universal meanings: appreciating one’s heritage and discovering the beauty within. His cut-paper artwork is a joy.
Featured Masterpieces

Discover the Featured
Books from 2026

Beautiful Blackbird
by Ashley Bryan
Winner of the Coretta Scott King Award

Fibbed
Written and Illustrated by Elizabeth Agyemang

Hairstory by Sope Martins Illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu

Korobá: The Case of the Missing Kolo
by Àlàbá Ònájìn

The Deepest Blue by Shauntay Grant Illustrated by Daniel Minter
Sail Away by Langston Hughes Illustrated by Ashley Bryan
The Girl and the Robot by Oz Rodriguez and Claribel A. Ortega
Saturday by Oge Mora

The Night Has Ears: African Proverbs
by Ashley Bran