The second annual Kids Graphic Novel Festival took place on April 20 in Acton, Mass., hosted by Silver Unicorn Bookstore. More than 3,000 book lovers attended, a 34% increase from last year, on what turned out to be a record sales day for the store. The event featured 20 children’s authors and illustrators, as well as Random House Graphic executive editor Whitney Leopard and Rebecca “Tay” Taylor, editorial director at Inklore Books. We’ve gathered highlights from the celebration. All photos by Jessica Cronin Photography, except where noted.


Festival authors struck a silly pose: (standing, from l.) John Patrick Green, Jannie Ho, Jason Viola, Dave Roman, Lincoln Peirce, George O’Connor, Matt Tavares, Sarah Sax, Clar Angkasa, Cameron Chittock, Dan Nott, Colleen AF Venable, Jonathan Todd, Gale Galligan; (sitting, from l.) Ellen T. Crenshaw, Mark Hoffmann, Maddie Frost, Jarrett Lerner, Amanda Castillo, and Kayla Miller.


Silver Unicorn manager Kimi Loughlin greeting attendees at the festival registration tent.


Author-illustrator Jannie Ho (The Lost Mitten, Holiday House) holding court on the Inside Stage.


Kayla Miller, creator of the Click graphic novel series (Clarion), interacting with the crowd during their opening keynote.


Illustrator Amanda Castillo signing a copy of her new graphic novel, Mapmakers and the Flickering Fortress (Random House Graphic), third in the Mapmakers series by Cameron Chittock.


A young attendee taking a break from the action to read a book.


Author-illustrator and Festival stage host Maddie Frost, author-illustrator of Shared Space (HarperCollins), during a presentation.


Dave Roman, talking with attendees about his new graphic novel series starter, Unicorn Boy (First Second), in the Author Tent.


Ellen T. Crenshaw, illustrator of Kristy and the Walking Disaster: A Graphic Novel (The Baby-sitters Club #16) by Ann M. Martin, signing for a fan in the Author Tent.


Big Nate creator Lincoln Peirce and a young attendee during Lincoln’s lunchtime keynote. Photo: Karen Graca.

The third annual Kids Graphic Novel Festival will take place on May 3, 2025.