Children’s Institute 10, the ABA’s first in-person event since the pandemic began, took place in Phoenix, Ariz., June 20–22. We’ve put together photo highlights from the various bookseller-focused events, including the annual kidlit-themed costume contest, author and illustrator signings, after-parties, and more.


Attendees (from l.) Changing Hands children’s bookseller Gemma Speight, Changing Hands children’s book buyer Brandi Stewart, and Tegan Tigani from Queen Anne Book Co. in Seattle.


Elisa McIntosh of The Bookstore Plus Music & Art haunted the Children’s Institute halls as Moaning Myrtle for the opening night costume contest.


Children’s Institute booksellers in costume.


Attendees brought their favorite characters to life.


Attendees dressed as Coraline’s parents for the costume party.


A bookseller dressed as Ferdinand the Bull.


Conference-goers as Strega Nona and an elf.


Authors Kacen Callender (l.) and Alex Aster signed copies of their forthcoming novels Lark & Kasim Start a Revolution and Lightlark.


(From l.): ABA copy editor Britt J. Camacho with authors Danielle Greendeer, Traci Sorell, and Cynthia Leitich Smith during the Native Stories Now keynote.


Authors Charlie Jane Anders (l.) and Roseanne A. Brown signing their new books.


During Ci10’s Juneteenth celebration, authors Ibram X. Kendi (l.) and Frederick Joseph (c.) took part in a conversation moderated by Jake Cumsky-Whitlock (r.) of Solid State Books.


Debut author Anna Gracia signs ARCs of her YA novel Boys I Know.


Author-illustrator team Jay Albee (l. and c.) with their chapter book Riley Reynolds Crushes Costume Day and author Bao Phi (r.) with his picture book You Are Life.


Author Trang Thanh Tran signing copies of their upcoming novel, She Is a Haunting.


Bookstore owner Kathy Burnette (l.) of Brain Lair Books with Danielle King (c.) from Left Bank Books and Nicole Lintemuth of Bettie’s Pages (r.).


Authors Julie Buxbaum (l.) and David Barclay Moore signing their fall releases The Area 51 Files and Holler of the Fireflies.


The Scholastic Graphix party drew a crowd with its photo booth.


(From l.) authors Gale Galligan, Jamar Nicholas, Christina Soontornvat, and Christiana Diaz Gonzalez strike a pose at the Graphix party held in their honor.


Author Emily Hughes signing prints.


Anastasia McKenna of The Twig Book Shop in San Antonio, Tex., demonstrates a read aloud of Let’s Sing a Lullaby with the Brave Cowboy by Jan Thomas during the Storytime Panel.


Author Liz Garton Scanlon at the author signing and reception.


Steenz (l.) and Dana Simpson gear up for a signing.


Maddox Avery of Brightside Bookshop found plenty of reading material thanks to the Galley Room.