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 Prayer-Go-Round” by Carolyn Huffman. 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 Prayer-Go-Round” by Carolyn Huffman is a heartfelt Christian story about friendship, faith, prayer, and the extraordinary impact that simple acts of belief can have on people’s lives. The book follows two young boys, Joey and Tommy, whose friendship becomes the center of a powerful journey of faith. Although written with young readers in mind, the story reaches beyond childhood, offering a message of hope and encouragement that can resonate with parents, families, and adult readers as well.
At the center of the story is a merry-go-round at school, which becomes an unexpected place of prayer and fellowship. Joey begins by praying for something deeply personal—the blessing of a best friend—and when that prayer is answered, he does not keep his faith to himself. Instead, he and his new friend Tommy begin praying together for Tommy’s troubled family. Their simple practice gradually draws the attention of other children, who begin bringing their own concerns and requests to the merry-go-round. Through this touching premise, Huffman presents prayer not merely as a private activity, but as an expression of compassion, friendship, and hope.
Carolyn Huffman spent portions of her childhood in both Colorado and Alaska, with some of her most formative years taking place in the Alaskan communities of Haines and Nenana. According to her published biography, she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at the age of eight while living in Alaska, despite experiencing difficult family circumstances. At sixteen, she returned to Colorado, where she later met and married her husband, Glen, also known as “Shorty.” Together, they continued growing in their Christian faith and eventually established a church and two ministries.
The book becomes especially memorable as the merry-go-round develops into a gathering place where other children bring their own concerns. What begins with one boy praying for a friend gradually becomes a shared experience involving many children and many different needs. Through this expanding circle of prayer, Huffman emphasizes the ripple effect of faith and kindness. The Prayer-Go-Round is therefore more than a story about two boys; it is an uplifting reminder that hope can spread from one person to another and that even a simple act of prayer can become a source of comfort and encouragement.
For families and readers looking for a Christian story that combines friendship, hardship, faith, and hope, The Prayer-Go-Round offers an emotionally engaging choice. Its message is accessible to children but broad enough to speak to adults, particularly through its exploration of loneliness, family difficulties, answered prayers, and the importance of helping others. Carolyn Huffman’s decades of Christian service and teaching further strengthen the book’s personal and spiritual foundation, making it a story intended not simply to entertain but also to encourage readers to recognize the value of faith, compassion, and prayer in everyday life.
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.