Up, Up & Read! A Children’s Literary Festival

COME ONE, COME ALL! 

The Charleston Library Society and The Book Drop present the return of the highly popular children’s literacy festival: Up, Up & Read!, a three-day, free (and open to all) festival designed to foster a love of reading in support of our community’s effort to nurture early childhood literacy by increasing access to books. In support of The Book Drop initiative by the Charleston Library Society, Up, Up & Read! celebrates children’s literature and nurtures the community through programming that cultivates and connects readers of diverse ages and backgrounds with beloved children’s authors, while inspiring children to want to read and making reading accessible to every child, regardless of their circumstances. Visitors will enjoy a full day of read-aloud story times and author panels, musical performances, book signings, and art projects inspired by our favorite authors and illustrators.

VOLUNTEER FOR UP, UP & READ! 

Reserve your silhouette slot with Clay Rice HERE!

Take a peek at last year’s festival HERE!

September 10th – 12th, 2026 — FREE ENTRY AND OPEN TO ALL! 

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Thursday, September 10th

4:30 PM Chris Singleton

5:30 PM Antwan Eady

Friday, September 11th

10:00 AM Local Author Signings

10:00 AM-1:00 PM Peachy Palette Facepainting

10:30 AM-1:30 PM Silhouettes with Clay Rice*

11:00 AM Andrew Barton**

3:30 PM Clay Rice

4:30 PM Lowey Bundy Sichol

5:30 PM Al Roker and The Weather Hunters ®

*Silhouettes by sign-up only

**With a special visit from some four-legged friends!

Saturday, September 12th

10:00 AM Mark C. Fava

10:00 AM Weather Hunters ® Game Table with Al Roker

10:00 AM-1:00 PM Peachy Palette Facepainting

11:00 AM Jonathan Miller

1:00 PM Mermaid Elise

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, South Carolina Arts Commission!

And to the rest of our sponsors for helping us remove barriers to books and making this event possible!

Dr. Jacob and Ilene Rispler

Caroline Milbank