Book Season at Cathedral brings an exciting lineup of acclaimed authors and illustrators to campus! From award-winning picture books to imaginative new graphic novels and middle-grade fiction, our visiting authors will share their work, their creative processes, and their love of storytelling with students across the Lower School. Read on to learn more about this year's extraordinary guests and their visits to Cathedral.

Two-time Emmy Award–winning author and illustrator Loryn Brantz is the creator of the bestselling Feminist Baby series and Poems of Parenting. Her latest picture book, I Am a Spicy Nugget, tells the hilariously relatable story of a little girl whose big emotions turn her into a very spicy nugget! During her October 8 visit, Loryn guided Kindergarten and First Grade students in creating their own colorful characters and imagining their adventures, including such memorable creations as "Angry Soup" and "Happy Mango."

Debut novelist Elisabeth Kamakawiwoole is the author of The Seventeenth Quest, a whimsical and imaginative adventure about a robot who dreams of becoming a knight in a world where humanity has mysteriously disappeared. Elisabeth will visit Cathedral's Fourth and Fifth Grades on October 16 to share her forthcoming novel, a celebration of storytelling, friendship, and what makes us human. Students will have the rare opportunity to hear from an author whose book is still in its final stages of publication, ahead of its March 2, 2027, release.

Order your copy of The Seventeenth Quest by Thursday, October 15, to have it signed and personalized by the author. Signed copies will be delivered on publication day, March 2, 2027, and every family who orders will also receive an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) to enjoy in the meantime.

Sibert Honor winner Traci N. Todd and Caldecott Medalist Vashti Harrison are the acclaimed author and illustrator behind That You Are Here Is No Small Thing, a stunning exploration of Black American history, resilience, and hope. Todd is the author of the award-winning picture book biographies Nina: A Story of Nina Simone and Holding Her Own: The Exceptional Life of Jackie Ormes, while Harrison is the New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of Big, Little Leaders, and Little Dreamers. Together, they will visit Cathedral on October 19 to share their remarkable new collaboration with Kindergarten and First Grade students.

Award-winning New York Times editor Amisha Padnani is the creator of the newspaper's acclaimed "Overlooked" project, which celebrates the lives of extraordinary individuals whose achievements went unrecognized in their time. Her new picture book, Hidden Heroes, introduces young readers to remarkable dreamers and doers, from groundbreaking scientists to fearless stuntwomen, whose contributions deserve to be remembered. Amisha will visit Cathedral's Second Grade on October 23 to share these inspiring stories and explore how history can overlook some of its most extraordinary figures.

Award-winning graphic novelist Julio Anta is the author of the Hillside Valley series, illustrated by Gabi Mendez, as well as the Eisner Award–nominated Frontera. His books explore themes of identity, friendship, family, and belonging, often through the experiences of young Latino characters. Julio will visit Cathedral's Third Grade on October 26 to share Speak Up, Santiago and Sol Goes for Goal, two heartfelt graphic novels about friendship, soccer, and finding the confidence to be yourself.