Children’s book-themed programming on the Uptown and Downtown Stages returns this year—with more events than ever. Since 2013, the Uptown Stage has been dedicated to children’s programs on one day of BEA, but this year the kids’ book-related offerings are part of two additional days’ schedules as well.

The impetus for extending the kids’ Stage events into 2016’s Wednesday and Thursday’s schedules was the growing number of publishers clamoring to help organize events featuring their children’s and YA authors. BEA education director Sally Dedecker, who works with publishers to orchestrate the Stage programming, notes that in recent years, “Our children’s events have been some of the best-attended of the Stage programs, and more and more publishers are reaching out to suggest and help put together kids’ events, often in conjunction with their colleagues in other companies. It is wonderful to see how willing publishers are to work together to promote their authors.”

The events listed below include two new entries in the kids’ Stage roster. Though PBS has sent crews to BEA in the past to film programming, this year, for the first time, it will have the spotlight on children at the PBS Presents stages. And another addition to the schedule is the panel “BEA Selects: Children’s,” which highlights new books for young readers from independent publishers.

Here’s the starting lineup—and be sure to check back on Friday to read about that day’s kids’ Stage events in Show Daily:

Today, 2–3 p.m., Downtown Stage: “PBS Presents: Women of Fiction.” Though not a children’s event per se, fans of YA author Gayle Forman will want to hear her talk about her first adult novel (Leave Me, Algonquin, Sept.), along with these authors discussing their new titles for adults: Robyn Carr (The Life She Wants, Mira) and Susan Elizabeth Phillips (First Star I See Tonight, Morrow).

Today, 3:30–4:30 p.m., Downtown Stage: “PBS Presents: Children’s Tales.” This panel spotlights bestselling and award-winning authors who will talk about their new picture books and middle-grade books. Participants include Laurie Halse Anderson (Seeds of America Trilogy: Ashes, Atheneum, Oct.), Aaron Becker (Return, Candlewick, Aug.), Trenton Lee Stewart (The Secret Keepers, Little, Brown, Sept.), and Mo Willems (Nanette’s Baguette, Disney Publishing, Oct.).

Tomorrow, 11–11:30 a.m., Uptown Stage: “Crafting Adventure Tales for Kids.” Chris Rylander (Countdown Zero, HarperCollins/Walden Pond) moderates a discussion among authors of adventure novels who will share their experiences with world- and character- building. Participating are Ridley Pearson (Lock and Key: The Initiation, HarperCollins, Sept.), Lisa McMann (Going Wild, HarperCollins, Sept.), and Jennifer Weiner (The Littlest Bigfoot, S&S/Aladdin, Sept.).

Tomorrow, 3–4 p.m., Downtown Stage: “PBS Presents: Young Adult Reads.” Four authors will discuss writing for teens, their new books, and the diverse YA audience: David Arnold (Kids of Appetite, Viking, Sept.), David Levithan (You Know Me Well, St. Martin’s Griffin, June), Jennifer Niven (Holding Up the Universe, Knopf, Oct.), and Chelsea Sedoti (The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett, Sourcebooks, Jan. 2017).

Tomorrow, 3:30–4 p.m., Uptown Stage: “BEA Selects: Children’s.” In this event, moderated by Jennifer Swihart Voegele of Consortium Book Sales & Distribution, representatives from five independent publishers discuss new books they’re especially eager to introduce to booksellers. Participants and the titles they are presenting are Jordan Hamessley of Adaptive Books (Bryce Moore’s The Memory Thief, Jan. 2017); Kathryn Kemp Guylay for Healthy Solutions of Sun Valley (Give It a Go, Eat a Rainbow by Guylay, illus. by Alexander Guylay, July); Ariane Laine-Forrest of Auzou (The Wolf Who Wanted to Be a Superhero by Orianne Lallemand, illus. by Éléonore Thuillier, Sept.); Tucker Stone of Nobrow/Flying Eye (The Journey by Francesca Sanna, Sept.); and Daniel Miyares for NorthSouth (Surf’s Up by Kwame Alexander, illus. by Miyares).

This article appeared in the May 11, 2016 edition of PW BEA Show Daily.