Carmichael's bookstore is excited to host BRITTANY J. THURMAN for a reading of her book Forever and Always.

About the book:

In this lyrical picture book from two breakout picture book creators, a young Black child waits for—and worries about—her father while he’s away from home. A sensitive, poignant portrayal of a family’s worries, joys, and comforts, to sit alongside books by Jacqueline Woodson and Christian Robinson.

Every night when Daddy gets home from work, Olivia gives him a big hug and knows that the evening will be full of love—and fun. Together, she, Daddy, and Momma will make a feast for dinner, clean up, dance to old-school tunes, and read stories. But every morning when Daddy goes to work, Olivia worries, worries, worries. Be safe, she and Momma tell him. But what if he isn’t? Sometimes other people aren’t, like the people Olivia sees on the news. Thud, thud, thud, goes Olivia’s heart. Thump, thump, thump, all through the long day, until she hears the jangle of Daddy’s keys announcing he’s home.

Brittany J. Thurman’s poetic text deftly explores the day-to-day life of a young Black child and her family—their joys and their fears—with a rhythm and musicality perfect for reading aloud. Shamar Knight-Justice’s expressive artwork sings with color, texture, and warmth. Forever and Always respects the deep emotions of young readers while offering comfort and reassurance to any child waiting for a loved one to come home. For readers of Nigel and the Moon, The Year We Learned to Fly, and Saturday.

About the author:

Brittany J. Thurman writes award-winning books for kids. She is the author of Fly, (Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Text) and Fearless: Boulevard of Dreams, written with Mandy Gonzalez. Her upcoming books include Forever and Always, illustrated by Shamar Knight Justice (2024), Fearless: The Takeover (2024), The First Library: The True Story of the First Library by and For Black America, illustrated by Cozbi Cabrera (2025) and Come Catch a Dream, illustrated by Islenia Mil (2025). She holds an MFA in Dramatic Writing from Carnegie Mellon University, and a Bachelor of Art in Theater from Kingston University, London, England. Her plays have been produced in Aspen, Colorado, and in New York City on Theatre Row. Brittany is a former children’s specialist. She lives in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, where she holds tight to her elders, roots, and her childhood home.

Carmichael's Kids is thrilled to present New York Times Bestselling author & illustrator, Jeff Kinney on Thursday, October 27th!

Tickets on sale HERE!

Carmichael's Kids Bookstore is thrilled to present Jeff Kinney and his latest release in the Diary of the Wimpy Kid series: Diper Överlöde. Attendees are in for an evening of fun featuring a performance from the Löded Diper band as well as opportunities for concertgoers to show off some of their singing, dancing, and musical talents onstage. This will be a one-of-a-kind event your young readers will not want to miss!

This event will take place at the Louisville Memorial Auditorium.

Event starts at 6:00 pm, doors will open at 5:30 pm, and all seating is general admission.

About the Ticket:

Each ticket is $18.58 including taxes and fees and includes:

• TWO general admission seats (ONE adult and ONE youth seat)
• ONE signed copy of Diary of the Wimpy Kid #17: Diper Överlöde

Please note: There will not be a signing line at this event. All books will be signed prior to the event. NO PERSONALIZATIONS. Books will be picked up at the event.

About the Book:

In Diper Överlöde, book 17 of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series from #1 international bestselling author Jeff Kinney, Greg Heffley is finding out that the road to fame and glory comes with some hard knocks. When he decides to tag along with his brother Rodrick’s band, Löded Diper, Greg doesn’t realize what he’s getting into. But he soon learns that late nights, unpaid gigs, fighting between band members, and money troubles are all part of the rock ’n’ roll lifestyle. Can Greg help Löded Diper become the legends they think they are? Or will too much time with Rodrick’s band be a diper överlöde?

About the Author:

Jeff Kinney is a #1New York Times bestselling author and a six-time Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award winner for Favorite Book for his Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Jeff has been named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. He is also the creator of Poptropica, which was named one of Time’s 50 Best Websites. He spent his childhood in the Washington, D.C., area and moved to New England in 1995. Jeff lives with his wife and two sons in Massachusetts, where they own a bookstore, An Unlikely Story. For more about Wimpy Kid visit wimpykid.com.

*This program has been canceled. We apologize for the inconvenience.*

We at Carmichael's Bookstore are excited to announce that Gene Luen Yang will be visiting us at the Louisville Free Public Library on tour for his new book, DRAGON HOOPS!

In his latest graphic novel, Dragon Hoops, New York Times bestselling author Gene Luen Yang turns the spotlight on his life, his family, and the high school where he teaches.

Gene understands stories—comic book stories, in particular. Big action. Bigger thrills. And the hero always wins.

But Gene doesn’t get sports. As a kid, his friends called him “Stick” and every basketball game he played ended in pain. He lost interest in basketball long ago, but at the high school where he now teaches, it's all anyone can talk about. The men’s varsity team, the Dragons, is having a phenomenal season that’s been decades in the making. Each victory brings them closer to their ultimate goal: the California State Championships.

Once Gene gets to know these young all-stars, he realizes that their story is just as thrilling as anything he’s seen on a comic book page. He knows he has to follow this epic to its end. What he doesn’t know yet is that this season is not only going to change the Dragons’s lives, but his own life as well.

We will be on-site to sell Dragon Hoops. This event is FREE but please register! http://www.lfpl.org/tickets/authorticket.php

Join us for a lively, baking themed discussion with middle grade author Rajani LaRocca!

About the book: Eleven-year-old Mimi Mackson comes from a big Indian American family: Dad's a renowned food writer, Mom's a successful businesswoman, and her three older siblings all have their own respective accomplishments. It's easy to feel invisible in such an impressive family, but Mimi's dream of proving she's not the least-talented member of her family seems possible when she discovers a contest at the new bakery in town. Plus, it'll start her on the path to becoming a celebrity chef like her culinary idol, Puffy Fay.

Rajani LaRocca was born in India, raised in Kentucky, and now lives in the Boston area with her wonderful family and impossibly cute dog. She earned a BA and an MD from Harvard, and spends her time writing novels and picture books, practicing medicine, and baking too many sweet treats. Midsummer's Mayhem is her first novel.