FOLD Kids Book Fest

Come in your pajamas and bring your favourite stuffie as special guest readers share some of our favourite picture books at our annual read-a-loud event at Brampton Library’s Gore Meadows branch.

Designed for ages 4 – 10.

Free book for every attendee while supplies last , courtesy of First Book Canada.

Join us for a special, interactive music and dance event for our littlest readers based on two picture books: Bollywood Beat! by Anita Yasuda and Devika Oza, and Some Body, Every Body! by Roz MacLean. This drop-in event, designed for families with young children (birth to 6 years), develops physical coordination, social skills, and creative expression, and is presented in cooperation with BridgeWay Family Centre (EarlyON) and FOLD Kids Book Fest.

Pre-registration is not required.

Designed for Ages 0 – 6

Kick-off Community Day with the FOLD Team, FOLIO—our monster mascot—and a fun-filled magic show at Gore Meadows Community Centre. After the show, stick around and join us for our opening parade!

Designed for All Ages

This event is sponsored by Tundra Books/Penguin Random House Canada.

Join the excitement of FOLD Kids Book Fest as family, friends, authors, and staff enjoy live music as they march through Gore Meadows Community Centre to kick off Community Day at our opening parade!

Designed for All Ages

Celebrate FOLD Kids Book Fest at Gore Meadows with a day of storytelling magic on our Storyteller Stage, where books come to life through laughter, music, and imagination! Enjoy live interactive storytimes presented by authors and special guests, followed by authors signings and photos.

Designed for ages 4 – 10.

10:30 AM | Farida Zaman
11:30 AM | Julien Chung
2:00 PM | Sophia Robinson
3:00 PM | Suharu Ogawa

This event is sponsored by TD.

Escape the Library in a ghost-filled escape room inspired by the book, Spirit Service: Twice the Trouble. Created by Basil Sylvester and Kevin Sylvester, this thrilling adventure challenges students to solve puzzles, uncover clues, and race against time before the library doors lock for good!

Designed for ages 8 – 13.

Registration is required. Participants who have registered should arrive 10-15 minutes early to secure their spot; a limited number of drop-in spaces will be made available prior to the event on a first-come, first-serve basis.

As part of FOLD Kids Book Fest, kids of all ages are invited to drop in for a hands-on art workshop inspired by the book, Built Like A Bug by Anjali Joshi and Kathleen Ng. Participants will design their own spider web using string, popsicle sticks and beads! Great for hanging on your window to help birds avoid flying into the glass.

This drop-in event is open 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM -4:00 PM.

Designed for All Ages

It’s facilitated by the Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives.

Get ready for The Amazing Animal Show, packed with incredible tricks, magic, hilarious comedy and plenty of surprises! Meet and interact with an exciting lineup of animals, from a striking Savannah cat to a curious bearded dragon.

Designed for All Ages

This event is sponsored by Peel Elementary Teachers’ Local.

Registration is required; a limited number of drop-in spaces will be made available prior to the event on a first-come, first-serve basis. This experience runs for two hours: the first half is the show, and the final hour includes a meet and greet with the team and animals.

Watch centuries-old art come to life in vivid colour and incredible detail! In this hands-on workshop with the Aga Khan Museum, kids will discover the beautiful techniques behind traditional Persian manuscripts, then use watercolour pencils to create a colourful bookmark of their own.

Designed for ages 8–15.

Registration is required. Participants who have registered should arrive 10-15 minutes early to secure their spot; a limited number of drop-in spaces will be made available prior to the event on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Using her books Blanket, Scribble and Fox and Squirrel, help Illustrator-in-Residence Ruth Ohi grow a story from a scribble in this interactive drawing demo, then get the chance to create your own!

Designed for Ages 6 – 12

Registration is required. Participants who have registered should arrive 10-15 minutes early to secure their spot; a limited number of drop-in spaces will be made available prior to the event on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Calling all budding writers ages 8–14! Join Ripple Foundation instructors for a creative writing workshop that explores what makes a great character and how strong character development can bring a story to life.

Designed for Ages 8 – 14

Registration is required. Participants who have registered should arrive 10-15 minutes early to secure their spot; a limited number of drop-in spaces will be made available prior to the event on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Featuring titles from festival authors and illustrators available for purchase on-site.

Another Story Bookshop is a progressive independent bookstore with a wide ranging selection of books for children and adults.

Since 1987, Another Story has been bringing great books to new readers, with an emphasis on social justice, equity, and diversity.

In this playful, hands-on workshop with author Julien Chung (Chicka Chicka Peep Peep), kids will create their own picture-book-style story, combining text and their own hand-drawn illustrations. Following the event, participants will have the opportunity to present their work on the Storyteller Stage!

Ideal for children ages 6-8 years old.

Free book for every attendee, courtesy of The Children’s Book Bank.

Registration is required. Participants who have registered should arrive 10-15 minutes early to secure their spot; a limited number of drop-in spaces will be made available prior to the event on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Authors Sarena Nanua and Sasha Nanua lead kids through a spooky writing workshop inspired by their middle grade novel, Spirit Service: Twice the Trouble. Young writers will build a haunting setting, create a ghost with a goal, and imagine what happens when their main character comes face-to-face with the supernatural. Following the event, participants will have the opportunity to present their work on the Storyteller Stage!

Ideal for children ages 8-12 years old.

Free book for every attendee, courtesy of The Children’s Book Bank.

Registration is required. Participants who have registered should arrive 10-15 minutes early to secure their spot; a limited number of drop-in spaces will be made available prior to the event on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Poet Patrick de Belen leads teens in a FOLD Kids Book Fest spoken word writing workshop, guiding them through the process of crafting a spoken word piece and offering helpful performance tips. Following the event, participants will have the opportunity to present their work on the Storyteller Stage!

Ideal for youth ages 13-17 years old.

Free book for every attendee, courtesy of The Children’s Book Bank.

Registration is required. Participants who have registered should arrive 10-15 minutes early to secure their spot; a limited number of drop-in spaces will be made available prior to the event on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Take the stage and share your work! Participants from the writing workshops are invited to present their creations and experience what it’s like to be a FOLD Kids Book Fest author. Hosted by Patrick de Belen with an appearance from FOLIO, the FOLD Kids monster reader mascot!

Ideal for All Ages