Photo: Children's book author Arree Chung signs a copy of "Ninja" for a young fan at the 2015 Arkansas Literary Festival.

Where can you meet award-winning authors, compete in a pie bake-off, drop a beat in a drum circle and learn about 3D printers? The 2016 Arkansas Literary Festival!

The state's premier event for bookworms of all ages returns April 14-17, gathering readers, writers and creators for dozens of events in central Arkansas. Almost all of the events are free and take place at various venues around Little Rock, including the Central Arkansas Library System's Main Library, the Hillary Rodham Clinton Children's Library and Heifer Village.

For families, the most exciting day of the festival is Saturday, April 16, when many of the children's events are scheduled. Not sure where to start? Try one of these 16 interactive storytimes, performances and activities for families!

Author Events/Book Readings

Nikki Grimes: Festival goers have two chances to interact with author Nikki Grimes, winner of the 2006 NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children and a Coretta Scott King Award for her children's books.

  • At Hearne Fine Art, Grimes and illustrator E.B. Lewis will show off Lewis' original illustrations of Grimes' character Danitra Brown. The exhibit will include Lewis' illustrations for "Danitra Brown, Class Clown," as well as works by Floyd Cooper from "Meet Danitra Brown" and "Danitra Brown Leaves Town." 5:30 p.m. April 15. Location: Hearne Fine Art.
  • At the Children's Library, Grimes will lead an interactive poetry and prose presentation for kids and discuss elements of her writing process and the how-tos of developing characters. She'll share real-life stories behind books like "Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel," "Jazmin's Notebook," "The Road to Paris," "Words with Wings" and "Poems in the Attic." 1 p.m. April 16. Location: Hillary Rodham Clinton Children's Library and Learning Center.

Gabrielle Simone: Eleven-year-old Little Rocker Gabrielle Simone speaks about two books that she co-wrote with Morgan Billingsley and Jackie Lee: "The Perfect Summer" and "The Perfect Present." Billingsley and Lee will join the conversation via SKYPE (technology willing). 1 p.m. April 16. Location: Main Library, Youth Services.

"The Seagoing Cowboy": At Heifer Village, listen to a reading of the new children’s book by Peggy Reiff Miller called “The Seagoing Cowboy.” The book tells the real-life story of seagoing cowboys who took livestock to those suffering the effects of World War II. 11 a.m. April 16. Location: Heifer Village.

Alan Cumyn, Janet B. Taylor, Jeff Zentner: Teens can join this panel discussion featuring Canadian Alan Cumyn, "Hot Pterodactyl Boyfriend;" Arkansan Janet B. Taylor, "Into the Dim;" and Nashville-based Jeff Zentner, "The Serpent King." The trio will discuss writing for young adults, time traveling, escaping through music, snake handling, and writing these unusual novels. Noon April 16. Location: Main Library, Level 4.

Elias Weiss Friedman: Documentary street photographer Elias Weiss Friedman, aka "The Dogist," takes portraits highlighting dogs' distinct characters and spirit. The Humane Society of Pulaski County will be present before and after the event with adoptable canines. 1 p.m. April 16. Location: Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center.

Performances

"How the Camel Got His Hump": In this charming tale by Rudyard Kipling, the lazy Camel, who has not yet earned his hump, lives in the Howling Desert and will do no work. The Horse, the Dog, and the Ox plead with him to do his part, but the idle Camel just says "Humph!" Finally, when the Djinn of all the Deserts rolls in on a cloud of magic dust, the Camel gets his just comeuppance and everyone learns a valuable lesson about hard work and cooperation. 10 a.m. April 16. Location: Hillary Rodham Clinton Children's Library & Learning Center.

The Kinders: Enjoy a live concert of interactive children's music by local favorites, The Kinders. 10 a.m. April 16. Location: Main Library, Youth Services.

Fast Food Fun: Gobble down this fast and funny performance/examination of the truth behind fast food, brought to you by the North Little Rock High School Forensics team. Your happy meal comes with some additional humorous interpretations used in competition. 3 p.m. April 16. Location: Main Library, Level 4.

Teen Poetry Competition: Finalists from CALS branch competitions compete for a grand prize in this jam-packed poetically engaging hour. 4 p.m. April 16. Location: Main Library, Level 4.

Activities

15-Minute Escape: Locked in a room, participants must work together to find clues, solve puzzles, and find the final escape within 15 minutes. Escape rooms are not scary, but this one produced by Central Arkansas Escape Rooms will leave patrons thrilled! Noon-5 p.m. April 15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 16. Location: Main Library.

3D Printing & Get Growing: Learn about 3D printers, why it works and how you can get involved. Families can also explore the library's gardens and trails and take part in the greenhouse and garden scavenger hunt. 2 p.m. April 16. Location: Hillary Rodham Clinton Children's Library & Learning Center.

Snacktivity: Kids will decorate a bag and fill it with a trail mix concoction. They can also make a straw woven bookmark, paper spinner, popsicle stick catapult or a Cheerio bird feeder. 3 p.m. April 16. Location: Hillary Rodham Clinton Children's Library & Learning Center.

Drum Circle: Instrument collector Searcy Ewell needs your hands to utilize many drums not being used. If you've drummed before, come teach him something new. 3 p.m. April 16. Location: Main Library, Youth Services.

Pie Bake-Off: Take part in the The Root Café's 2nd Annual Traditional Pie Bake-off and Recipe Swap. Food writers and critics from the community will judge. 4:30 p.m. April 16. Location: The Root Café.

Arkansas Puzzle Day: The Clinton School for Public Service welcomes puzzle enthusiasts for crossword and Sudoku contests. All skill levels are encouraged to participate. 1 p.m. April 17. Location: Clinton School of Public Service, Sturgis Hall.

The 2016 Arkansas Literary Festival will be held April 14-17. For a full schedule of events, visit ArkansasLiteraryFestival.org.