There is a certain kind of excitement that can only be found at a book festival. Readers wander from one title to another, authors share the stories behind their work, and unexpected discoveries happen simply because someone decided to pick up a book. That sense of curiosity and connection is what makes the Bookmarks Festival of Books & Authors 2026 such a special literary gathering. Taking place in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the festival brings together people who share a love for books while creating opportunities to discover new authors, explore different perspectives, and celebrate the many stories that bring communities together.
The Bookmarks Festival of Books & Authors 2026 concluded last September 26–27, 2026, marking the festival’s 21st anniversary. The main celebration transforms downtown Winston-Salem into a lively destination for readers, featuring author panels, readings, book signings, exhibitors, vendors, food trucks, and activities for visitors of all ages. The festival also welcomes young readers with a dedicated children’s area where children can participate in activities and receive free books, making the celebration an experience that families can enjoy together.
Literary festivals such as Bookmarks offer something that cannot always be found through a simple visit to a bookstore or an online search. They create a space where readers can encounter books in a more personal way. A panel can provide insight into an author’s creative process, a book signing can turn a title into a memorable keepsake, and an unexpected conversation can lead a reader toward a story they might never have discovered otherwise. It is this combination of literature and human connection that continues to make book festivals valuable to the publishing community.
Among the titles proudly represented by Citi of Books at this year’s festival is “The Atlas of Alliterative Animal Adventures” by Sharon Morris. The book offers readers another distinctive voice to discover and reflects the variety of stories and perspectives found within our publishing community. We are excited to introduce this work to the festival audience and give visitors the opportunity to explore the author’s ideas, experiences, and creative vision through the pages of the book.
“The Atlas of Alliterative Animal Adventures” by Sharon Morris is a charming and imaginative children’s book that combines animals, language, geography, and the playful technique of alliteration. Rather than presenting the alphabet in a conventional way, the book takes young readers on an entertaining journey around the world, introducing a variety of animals through alphabet-driven sentences.
At the heart of the book is the idea that language learning can be both educational and fun. Each animal adventure uses playful sentences to explore different sentence structures and aspects of English while encouraging children to engage with the sounds and patterns of words. The book is also intended to appeal beyond young readers, making it useful for parents, teachers, and others who want to encourage children to explore language in a relaxed and entertaining way. Hand-drawn illustrations complement the humorous sentences, creating a reading experience that connects words, animals, and the wider world.
Sharon Morris is an educator and children’s book author whose background in teaching has strongly influenced her approach to writing. According to her publisher and official author website, she holds a Master’s Degree in Education and spent many years teaching in Singapore. Her experience as an elementary school teacher gave her the opportunity to work closely with children who were beginning to explore the English language, and she particularly enjoyed seeing how quickly young learners could develop their language skills. Her love of teaching children eventually led her toward writing children’s books.
Morris now lives in Bellingham, Washington, with her husband, Steve. Her biography notes that they have two dogs and fourteen chickens, while their family includes four adult children and four grandsons. Outside of writing children’s books, Morris enjoys quilting and spending time with her grandsons.
The Atlas of Alliterative Animal Adventures offers an inviting way to introduce children to the joy of words. Its playful sentences, animal-centered adventures, illustrations, and educational purpose make it suitable for families and classrooms looking for a creative approach to early language development. For readers who enjoy books that combine learning with humor and imagination, Sharon Morris’s work provides a cheerful journey through the alphabet while encouraging children to discover that language itself can be an adventure.
Citi of Books at Bookmarks Festival of Books & Authors 2026 — celebrating authors, discovering new perspectives, and giving more stories the opportunity to find their readers.