(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Princeton Children’s Book Festival returns to Hinds Plaza for 2022 with a gathering of many acclaimed authors and illustrators of children’s literature on Saturday, October 8, from 11:00am to 4:00pm, rain or shine.

A Princeton tradition, the event is intended to ignite a lifelong love of books and reading and is a chance for children and teens to meet and interact with some of their favorite authors and illustrators and have their books signed.

Festival organizers strive to bring a diverse and inclusive range of voices to the event and to strengthen the connection for youth between the stories on the page and the people who create them.

The poster for this year’s festival was created by author, illustrator and animal advocate Patrick McDonnell, creator of the award-winning comic strip MUTTS. McDonnell is also the producer of picture books including the Caldecott Honor-winning “Me … Jane,” a biography of Jane Goodall. He will be presenting an interactive story time at 10:30am on the third floor of the library to open the festival.

Book sales for the Princeton Children’s Book Festival will be handled by festival sponsor, jaZams of Princeton, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the library.

A complete list of authors and illustrators participating in the 2022 Princeton Children’s Book Festival is available at www.princetonlibrary.org/bookfestival.

Princeton Public Library is in the Sands Library Building at 65 Witherspoon St. in Princeton. Convenient parking is available on neighboring streets and in Spring Street Garage, which is adjacent to the library. For more information about library programs and services, call (609) 924-9529 or visit www.princetonlibrary.org.

Photo: The poster for this year’s Princeton Children’s Book Festival features artwork by author, illustrator and animal advocate Patrick McDonnell, creator of the MUTTS comic strip.