Over the past 11 years, the Hudson Children’s Book Festival has hosted several performances on festival day. We have had musical performances by Aaron Nigel Smith and John Farrell who include all children in their shows. We’ve hosted Walter Dean Myers as a keynote speaker who joined us while he served as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. We’ve also had Steve “The Dirtmeister” Tomecek who has put on amazing science shows for us. Come see who we have coming at this years festival!

John Farrell

Make This World a Little Better: Songs and Stories of Peace and Hope
Time: 10:30am-11:30am | Program Length: 60 minutes
Audience Age: ALL

Award winning Author, Songwriter, Storyteller, and Peace Educator John Farrell travels the world sharing stories and writing songs. In June, John is climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, to help a school in Zambia. He will bring with him a banner expressing the hopes and cares of thousands of children from across the planet, including writing and art from local schools. This session will feature area children singing with John and sharing songs they’ve helped create. This session is or ALL ages.

Morgan Taylor

I’m From The Sun: The Gustafer Yellowgold Story
Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm | Program Length: 60 minutes
Audience Age: ALL

Described by the New York Times as “Dr.Seuss Meets ‘Yellow Submarine’,” Grammy® nominated artist, Morgan Taylor will perform his one-of-a-kind, music and animation show at the Hudson Children’s Book Festival. Morgan will be featuring material from his Best Selling Audible original ‘I’m From the Sun’ alongside classic fan favorites. Taylor’s funny and touching multimedia presentation about a little guy from the Sun who landed in the Minnesota woods has loads of adult crossover appeal, making Gustafer Yellowgold’s show a truly all-ages experience.

Columbia County Youth Theatre Performing Company

Tall Tales and Heroes
Time: 1:15pm | Program Length: DBA
Audience Age: ALL

Members of the Columbia County Youth Theatre Performing Company will present Tall Tales and Heroes. This musical review explores how exaggeration can be used to convey a message or make a point. Audience members will meet well-known American folk heroes such as Davy Crockett,Calamity Jane, and Molly Pitcher who highlight the idea that anyone can be a hero.

Columbia County Youth Theatre (CCYT) performers attend schools in the Chatham, Hudson, Germantown and Ichabod Crane School Districts. Our young actors are dedicated to serving the community through their work and their performances. CCYT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.