2025 Book Fair — Libros For Kids

The New Mexico Children’s Book Fair: A Grand and Wonderful Day

Children’s book illustrator and musician Armando Ortega performing at the New Mexico Children’s Book Fair.

Author Daniela Ramirez and husband holding her book "Welcome Home, Esmeralda."

Delicious hot dogs were provided by an Urban Hot Dog food truck.

Author Vaunda Micheauz Nelson introducing herself to a group of children and parents.

Laurel Goodluck, who writes picture books with modern Native themes, also presented at the New Mexico Children's Book Fair.

Author Rachel Bate reading from her book, "Turquoise Tale."

Khadijah VanBrakle presenting two of her books, "My Perfect Family and Fatima Tate Takes the Cake."

This dog is ready to be read to!

Reading to the dogs!

Hawks Aloft volunteer showing off her Swainson’s hawk.

Authors Zahra Marwan and Carlos Meyer taking a break between presentations.

Author Charlia Boyer reading her book titled "The Cactus Kids go to the State Fair."

Carolyn Starr Rose reading from her book, "The Burning Season."

Magician and retired kindergarten teacher John Polinko pulling a snake out of thin air.

From left to right: Libros Volunteer Mary Beth Thorn, author Laurel Goodluck, and author Khadijah VanBrakle.

Author Nancy Abruzzo reading from her book "Soft Bright Fluffy," introducing young readers to the wonders of the many balloons that fill the New Mexico skies.

Children hard at work on art activities at the New Mexico Children’s Book Fair.

Fairgoers enjoying magician John Polinko’s presentation, a major draw to the New Mexico Children’s Book Fair.

Libros Treasurer Linda Contos next to participating authors’ books at the New Mexico Children’s Book Fair.

Albuquerque Transit’s Nick Manole in front of a 1927 vintage city bus full of free books for attendees at the New Mexico Children’s Book Fair.

Nancy Guinn, of local bookseller Bookworks, next to participating authors' books for sale at the Book Fair.

Author Daniela Ramirez holding a “book bouquet” gift created my Libros volunteer Mary Beth Thorn.

Author Khadijah Van Brankle holding a “book bouquet” gift created my Libros volunteer Mary Beth Thorn.

Brothers Paul Meyer (left) and Carlos Meyer (right), authors of "Under the Cottonwood Tree."

Author and Illustrator Jenny Sue Kostecki reading from her book, "Like You, Like Me."

The Turquoise Tail, The Joy of Juneteenth in New Mexico, Under the Cottonwood Tree, Forever Cousins, Where Butterflies Fill the Sky—these and many other children’s books came to life at the New Mexico Children’s Book Fair on October 11, 2025.

New Mexico children’s book authors and illustrators read from their works at this event, and there were many other activities: magic shows, hands-on art activities, children reading to dogs, a wild bird show, and much more! Many volunteers, led by Libros for Kids president John Heidrich and board member Kathy Chilton, turned out and made this book fair a big success.

The First Unitarian Church in Albuquerque, the venue for this event, was packed with children and parents enjoying the presentations by New Mexico children’s authors and illustrators, hawk handlers, and a magician.

In addition, children and their families enjoyed

reading to trained dogs
buying books from local bookseller Bookworks
receiving free books from Libros sister organization Read to Me on a vintage 1927 city bus.

Many also had a delicious lunch at the Urban Hot Dog food truck that was on site!

For a detailed summary of the Book Fair, click below:

Book Fair Summary

A special thanks to our sponsors listed below! (Click icon to go to sponsor home page.)