Picture Book Parade

OUR MISSION: To promote love, literacy, and local authors by hosting storytelling exhibits in unexpected places. 

While we love traditional events in libraries and bookstores, we aim to bring the pages to the people! An everyday errand becomes an invitation to enjoy Minnesota-made books. Active kids can read on-the-go. Young dreamers can meet artists who live in their neighborhoods. 

WHAT WE DO:

We invest in Minnesota artists

We share high quality text and illustrations

We showcase diverse books and diverse book makers 

We create literary touchstones for all

HOW WE DO IT:

We offer a new story stroll every Saturday for families to enjoy as they enter the Midtown Farmers Market. The season runs from May to the end of October. We also curate a Little Free Library in our author tent. Families can return weekly for new books.

Our story strolls also serve as larger-than-life book promotions for local authors and illustrators. They end with QR codes so readers can buy the books online. Artists are invited to visit with families and to read their books during storytime. They can keep their exhibits for future strolls.

We love our Midtown Farmers Market family! Here's what our friends at the market had to say about our book sharing shenanigans: 

In addition to our market strolls, we partner with Arts@MSP to share picture books by celebrated Minnesota authors with travelers from around the world. Our rotating storytelling exhibits reflect the beautiful diversity of our state.

YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS!

With help from the Minnesota State Arts Board, the Metro Regional Arts Council, and community contributions, we've done big things!

We created almost 100 new story exhibits showcasing work by Minnesota authors and illustrators

We matched over 1000 free books with their new, very excited readers

We paid 83 Minnesota artists who participated in community events and shared their stories

We designed and created our strolls at a local print company

WHAT'S NEXT:

We are always looking for new ways to share stories in community. Starting this fall, we will work with the Mall of America to offer story strolls on Toddler Tuesdays. Stay tuned!