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One Book Two Book Festival 2026 celebrates children’s literature in Iowa City
Annual event features children’s authors, book characters, student writers and more
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IOWA CITY -- The annual One Book Two Book Festival returns this month to Iowa City to celebrate children’s literature and writing.
The event, presented by the Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature and the Iowa City Public Library, will feature author appearances, a book fair, workshops, crafts, storytimes and a celebration of student writing.
The bulk of the events will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at FilmScene at The Chauncey, 404 E. College St. in Iowa City.
Children’s author Jacqueline Briggs Martin will read from her latest book, “Turtles Heading Home,” at 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. There also will be a book fair, character meet-and-greet, movie screening, amphibian open house and more.
Some events also will take place at MERGE on the Pedestrian Mall, 136 S. Dubuque St. in Iowa City. Activities there include model trains, a drop-in illustration workshop and a local children’s book author fair.
The festival concludes at 1 p.m. Sunday in Macbride Auditorium, 17 N. Clinton St., with a recognition of student writing. Area first- through eighth-grade students will read their winning submissions during the “Write Out Loud” award ceremony.
All the events are free and open to the public. For more information and to view the full schedule of events, go to the One Book Two Book Festival’s website.
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