The New Art Center and Read Your World have teamed up to create the inaugural Newton Children’s Book Festival. This free event will be held on December 14th, Saturday, from 10 am to 2 pm, at the New Art Center in Newtonville, MA. A snow date is set for Sunday, December 15th, from 10 am to 2 pm.

The Newton Children’s Book Festival will showcase 60+ children’s book authors and illustrators signing books. Newtonville Books will be selling the books, with a 20% discount for teachers! There is a free bookmark craft for children.

“We are pleased to offer the New Art Center space to the inaugural Newton Children’s Book Festival,” says Emily O’Neil, Executive Director of New Art Center. “Kids benefit from meeting children’s book authors and illustrators, and signed books make great gifts for the holiday season! ”

“Boston has one of the largest concentrations of children’s book creators in the United States, and we are thrilled to have more than 60 in the area at our event, including Caldecott Honor author and illustrator Brian Lies, and Newbery Honor author Rajani LaRocca,” says Mia Wenjen, President of the Newton-based non-profit, Read Your World.

In support of the Newton Children’s Book Festival, West Newton Cinema Foundation is hosting a children’s book event with the New York Times best-selling author of the Wings of Fire series, Tui T. Sutherland. It will be held on Monday, December 9th, at 5 pm at the West Newton Cinema. Newtonville Books will supply signed copies for this ticketed event. To order tickets, go to newtonvillebooks.com.