With a wide variety of family-friendly activities, performances and interactive sessions, the Tucson Festival of Books helps children of all ages explore the wonders of reading, creativity, science and more.

From meeting storybook characters to engaging in hands-on activities, the festival offers something for every young reader.

The weekend’s festivities will kick off with the Children’s Storybook Parade Saturday at 9 a.m., which will depart from the walkway between the UA Campus Store and Student Union, march east down to the Education Building and end at the children's area at about 9:30 a.m.

One of the festival’s most engaging and family-friendly areas is Science City, which includes interactive STEM activities and hosts author talks.

There are six neighborhoods within Science City this year, including an exciting new addition.

The Science of Art was set to be introduced in 2020, but the festival was canceled due to the pandemic and moved online the following year. The new neighborhood will make its festival debut this year and feature the Tucson Symphony Orchestra educating attendees about different instruments and the science behind sound.

The Science of Everyday Life neighborhood will feature a self-sustaining bus called the Earth Seed Bus, which has its own built-in ecosystem, including running water, wildlife, vegetation and more.

For attendees interested in astronomy, the Science of Tomorrow neighborhood will include a telescope manned by experts, giving families a chance to learn about the wonders of space and science.

One of the most popular neighborhoods every year is Science of the Natural World, which includes the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum’s birds of prey demonstration, where attendees can observe native birds up close, perched atop handlers’ gloves.

With their giant talons, these birds captivate attendees of all ages, said Science City co-chair Cara Shopa.

The natural world neighborhood also gives festivalgoers the chance to touch and interact with a variety of reptiles and insects, and the Southern Arizona Beekeepers Association will be on-site to educate attendees about bees’ important place in the ecosystem.

Other neighborhoods include Science of You and Science of Food, with the interactive stations designed to teach kids about the natural world in an engaging and fun way, Shopa said.

"I was absolutely hooked the first year I volunteered in Science City, watching three generations of family members get excited about the reptiles or solar energy or whatever we have to offer," she said. "It’s just really rewarding and encouraging."

And with more than 65 children's book authors, illustrators and young adult authors participating in about 100 sessions throughout the weekend, there are plenty of opportunities for kids and teens to celebrate books.

Attendees will also have the chance to score some free books along the way. Local organization The Stocker Foundation will be giving away books for kids of all ages, with attendees welcome to stop by and pick one out.

There are also opportunities for Spanish-speaking kids to engage with the festival, including Sunday’s bilingual story time at the Tent for Tots and the Science City scavenger hunt, which was such a hit that it’s back this year in both English and Spanish.

The Tucson Festival of Books is the city’s biggest literacy celebration that aims to promote a love of reading and educate kids of all ages through fun, hands-on activities.

Abbie Andrus is a University of Arizona alum and Tucson Spotlight reporter. Contact her at asandrus@arizona.edu.

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