Books

Meet Austin K. Graff, Inkandescent Kids Book Fair Featured Author!

His book, 111 Places for Kids in Washington That You Must Not Miss, will be available for sale at the Inkandescent Kids Book Fair!

Inkandescent Kids: What advice do you have for kids who want to become writers?

Austin Graff: Read, read, read. As you read other people’s writing, spend time reflecting on what makes it great. It’s a gift that we can learn from the millions of writers who have gone before us.

Inkandescent Kids: How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a writer?

Austin Graff: When I was a child, I loved writing stories in school. That passion carried with me from elementary school to university. When I got older, I told myself I’d never write a book because of the work it takes. When my publisher offered me a contract to write this book, my wife encouraged me to do it simply so we could have a tangible memory of my daughter and me exploring all of D.C.

Inkandescent Kids: What is the most important thing you’ve learned about writing?

Austin Graff: Just start writing.

 » Read more about: Meet Austin K. Graff, Inkandescent Kids Book Fair Featured Author!  »
March 2026: In her books to help families thrive, child psychiatrist Dr. Gayani DeSilva offers insights for tweens and teens — and their parents — to stop addiction and depression before it starts

A Note from Dr. Gayani DeSilva, a child and adolescent psychiatrist — “I obtained my medical training at Albany Medical College before interning at Brown University and doing a residency at Harvard, and have been honored to win numerous awards for my insights and work, including helping children in juvenile justice centers and foster care. Based on my experience and research, I have written several books with the goal of providing insight for parents hoping to help depressed tweens and keep their children from suffering from addiction.” If you are struggling with these issues, please take a look at these books.

 

December 2025: Children’s book author Karen Leggett Abouraya teaches us that we are all connected in her newest tale, Zamzam

A Note from Karen Leggett Abouraya, author of the children’s book, “Zamzam” — Zamzam is a young boy who enjoys life with his Egyptian grandparents in Alexandria, Egypt, and his American grandparents in New York City. He shares big and little differences in his daily experiences in each country – including phrases in Arabic and English — but ultimately realizes that the most important experiences are exactly the same​ across cultures. We know you’ll embrace this story of peace, family, and love.

September 2025: In his new book, “The Secret Sauce,” Superintendent Peter Noonan and his team of Educators Share 45 Ideas on What Makes FCCPS Special

A Note from Dr. Peter Noonan, Superintendent of Schools — “When I arrived in 2017 to serve Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS) as the 9th Superintendent in the division’s history, I knew something about this place was different than anywhere else I had ever worked,” insists Dr. Noonan. Read all about it in the 45 essays by teachers, administrators, and Fall Church officials that sum up the story in his 2025 book, “The Secret Sauce.”

Get Ready to “Scanimate!”

Making kids giggle, grown-ups grin — then say “how’d he do that?” — is the goal for Rufus Butler Seder. He credits his parents for helping him become a filmmaker, inventor, toymaker, and author of several moving picture books including Gallop! (2007), Swing! (2008), and his 2009 release, Waddle!