Swiacki Children's Literature Festival

Register for the 2026 Festival!
 

Celebrating 40 years at Framingham State University!

Public Schedule of Events

All Events Occur in the McCarthy Center

The Silver Unicorn Book Sale 11:00–3:00 p.m. | McCarthy Center Lobby 

McCarthy Center Check-In 3:30–5:00 p.m. | Concourse
Pick up your name badge, say hello, and get ready for a joyful evening of literary celebration.

Opening Reception: Art Exhibit 3:30–5:00 p.m. | Mazmanian Gallery
The Mazmanian Gallery exhibit will run 11/3 – 12/11, with an opening reception from 3:30-5:00 p.m. on 11/5. This year’s exhibit will focus on the 40-year history of the Children’s Literature Festival.

Pat Keogh Memorial Workshop: “What’s New in Children’s Literature?” 4:30–5:30 p.m. | The Forum
Discover the latest trends, titles, and voices shaping the world of children’s books in this engaging workshop led by educators and librarians.

The Silver Unicorn Book Sale 5:00–7:45 p.m. | Dining Annex
Browse a selection of titles by our featured speaker, plus recent releases. A perfect chance to find your next great read—or a meaningful gift.

The Mary Burns Memorial Lecture 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Dining Annex
Savor a delicious dinner, then join Lois Lowry for an engaging conversation about her creative journeys, inspirations, and the impact of her work on readers and educators.

Book Signing 7:30–8:00 p.m. | Dining Annex
Meet Lois Lowry and this year’s SCLF workshop leaders, including Jennifer De Leon, Anika Denise, Desmond Hall, Rajani LaRocca, Jarrett Lerner, Michelle MacLean ‘18, Casey W. Robinson, Jonathan Todd, Kip Wilson and Paul Yalowitz. Have your books signed, and take home a lasting memory from this special evening.

A Zoom webinar option is also available for both the Pat Keough Memorial Workshop and the Mary Burns Memorial Lectures.

About the Speaker

Lois Lowry is the author of more than fifty books for children and young adults, including the New York Times bestselling Giver Quartet and the popular Anastasia Krupnik series. She has received countless honors, among them The Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award, the California Young Reader Medal, and the Mark Twain Award. She received Newbery Medals for two of her novels, Number the Stars and The Giver.

Festival History

The Swiacki Children's Literature Festival at Framingham State University is an annual celebration of children's books featuring renowned authors and illustrators in the field. The event includes book signings, lectures and workshops sharing the latest developments in the craft. The event launched in 1986 as the David McCord Children's Literature Festival, sponsored by the Nobscot Reading Council. Framingham State has hosted the festival since its inception and began coordinating the event in 2006.

In 2014, the festival was renamed the Swiacki Children's Literature Festival at Framingham State University in recognition of the efforts and support of alumnae donors, Nancy and Janina Swiacki.

Janina Swiacki Memorial Student Writing Contest 2026

Framingham Public Schools middle schoolers are invited to submit their poetry, nonfiction and fiction writing. Each winner will receive a certificate and prize. One winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship to Framingham State University applicable if the winner applies, is accepted, and enrolls as a full-time undergraduate student at the University. In addition, winners will be honored at this year’s SCLF on November 5th, and their work will be featured in the Festival’s Mazmanian Gallery Exhibit. Submission deadline: October 16th, 2026. Full details and entry: https://forms.gle/E31XQDbzAswhd2te8.

Past Featured Authors and Artists

2025: Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome
2024: Duncan Tonatiuh and Ibi Zoboi
2023: Ekua Holmes and Dashka Slater
2022: Raul the Third and Erin Entrada Kelly
2021: Sophie Blackall and Javaka Steptoe with Special Guest: Kate DiCamillo
2020: Joseph Bruchac and Melissa Sweet
2019: Nikki Grimes and David Wiesner
2018: Matt De La Pena and Wendell Minor
2017: Andrea Pinkney and Brian Pinkney
2016: Jason Chin and Steve Sheinkin
2015: Jane Yolen
2014: Steve Jenkins and Mark Teague
2013: Beth Krommes and Stephen Krensky
2012: Jerry Pinkney and Joyce Sidman
2011: Jeanne Birdsall
2010: Grace Lin, Leda Schubert, Jimmy Gownley and Nick Abadzis
2009: Molly Bang
2008: Barbara Lehman
2007: Steven Kellogg
2006: John Lechner & Gordon Morrison
2005: Chris Van Allsburg
2004: Katherine Paterson
2003: Patricia & Frederick McKissack
2002: Allen Say
2001: Diane Stanley
2000: Jack Prelutsky
1999: Kevin Henkes
1998: Joseph Bruchac
1997: Ann Jonas & Donald Crews
1996: Patricia Polacco
1995: Eric Carle
1994: Joanna Cole
1993: Jan Brett
1992: Jerry Pinkney
1991: Rosemary Wells
1990: Barbara Cooney
1989: Peter Spier
1988: Jean Fritz
1987: Steven Kellogg
1986: Tomie dePaola
 

Register for the 2026 Festival!

This program is supported by The Silver Unicorn Bookstore.

Additional funding provided by Arts & Ideas at Framingham State University and the Nobscot Reading Council.