Going to the Festival
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About the Book
Going to the Festival Going to the Festival is a lively picture book that celebrates community, friendship, and the discoveries that happen when children take part in the traditions around them. When four friends stumble upon their town’s annual summer festival, they quickly learn it is more than colorful booths and busy streets. It becomes a week shaped by creativity, curiosity, and the shared spirit of neighbors who make a place feel like home.
Through bright illustrations and a warm, engaging story, readers follow Beatriz, Tanner, Sebastian, and Danielle as they participate with intention. They admire local art, meet new people, lend a hand, and experience the simple joy of being present. Each moment shows how shared traditions help children understand connection, responsibility, and belonging.
Created for children, families, educators, and librarians, Going to the Festival encourages young readers to notice what is familiar, support those around them, and recognize how local traditions shape everyday life. It reminds readers that meaningful adventures are often closer than they think, found in shared experiences with friends, neighbors, and community.
Meet the Characters
Get to know the four friends whose story brings the festival to life.
Beatriz
A gifted singer and devoted reader with a strong love of language and ideas. Beatriz is articulate, reflective, and often helps the group think through questions, share knowledge, and connect ideas.
Danielle
A thoughtful artist who learns through hands-on exploration and careful observation. Danielle is quietly curious, patient, and attentive to detail, often noticing patterns and possibilities others overlook.
Sebastian
An energetic soccer player who brings humor, movement, and enthusiasm to everything he does. Sebastian enjoys friendly competition, playful problem-solving, and keeping the group motivated and engaged.
Tanner
An adventurous sailor who enjoys exploration, learning through experience, and understanding how things work. Tanner is curious, determined, and especially interested in the ocean, navigation, and teamwork.
Together, they learn how traditions, teamwork, and kindness help communities grow stronger.
Key Themes
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Celebrating community traditions and local festivals
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Building friendship, teamwork, and a sense of belonging
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Exploring creativity through art, music, and shared experiences
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Encouraging curiosity, learning, and discovery
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Honoring civic pride and connection to place
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Who This Book Is Perfect For
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Classrooms, schools, and libraries
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Community arts and cultural programs
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Independent bookstores, museum shops, and gift retailers
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Tourism bureaus and cultural organizations
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Nonprofits and youth-focused programs
Bring Going to the Festival to Your Community
Explore bulk orders, partnerships, and program opportunities.
Book Formats & Assets
Available in Hardcover, Paperback, and eBook
Author & illustrator
available for readings and community events
Excellent tie-in for festivals, community activities, and arts-themed lesson plans
Pricing Information
Direct Order Prices
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$20.00 Hardcover -ISBN: 978-0-9995458-5-0
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$10.00 Paperback -ISBN: 978-0-9995458-6-7
Bookstore & Retail Prices
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$25.00 Hardcover -ISBN: 978-0-9995458-5-0
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$15.00 Paperback -ISBN: 978-0-9995458-6-7
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$8.00 eBook -ISBN: 978-0-9995458-7-4
Library of Congress Control Number: 2025924198
Meet the Author
Jodi-Tatiana Charles
Jodi-Tatiana Charles is a multidisciplinary artist, author, and storyteller whose life’s work explores how people and cultures connect, celebrate, and learn from one another. A first-generation Haitian American, she grew up surrounded by traditions that fostered curiosity, creativity, and community pride. One of her greatest influences was her grandmother, whose dedication to community engagement shaped Jodi’s deep belief in the power of shared experiences to strengthen neighborhoods.
Her artistic journey spans photography, painting, writing, and crafts. She photographs everything, capturing moments that make viewers feel present immersed in the colors, energy, and emotion around them. Her abstract paintings are bold and expressive, and her writing brings stories to life with warmth and depth. Across every creative medium, Jodi’s mission remains the same: to bring people and cultures closer together.
Going to the Festival is her second children’s book. Her debut picture book, It’s Just a Rug, illustrated by Diana Lisanto, introduced themes of identity, culture, and belonging. With this new story, she continues helping children explore their own traditions while appreciating the richness of others. To Jodi, festivals are far more than events they are gateways to understanding, belonging, and cultural pride.
Beyond her creative endeavors, Jodi brings over 30 years of experience in marketing and communications, including 15 years as founder of LCG Brands Consulting. Her professional background informs her storytelling and deepens her understanding of what helps communities grow and thrive.
Meet the Illustrator
Julia Potvin
Julia Potvin is a visual storyteller and illustrator whose work bridges youthful imagination with meaningful community narratives. A student-designer at the Ringling College of Art and Design, she earned recognition in the Best of Ringling 2025 exhibition for her plein air piece Ringling Museum Plein Air.
Going to the Festival marks Julia’s first children’s book collaboration. Partnering with author Jodi-Tatiana Charles, she created illustrations that celebrate friendship, creativity, and the joy of shared traditions. Her artwork captures moments of discovery and connection that bring the story’s community to life, ensuring each page resonates with young readers and families.
Julia’s artistic approach focuses on color, emotional connection, and cultural storytelling. She is passionate about creating imagery that welcomes children into the narrative encouraging them to explore, imagine, and participate in the world around them.
Outside of the book, Julia continues her studies in Illustration at Ringling, developing her voice through painting, character design, and visual storytelling. She builds extensive collections of references, character sketches, and process explorations that enrich her practice. This ongoing exploration shapes her sense of narrative rhythm and strengthens her ability to communicate emotion through art.
Guided by the belief that art is a universal language, Julia aims to create illustrations where children and families feel inspired, included, and connected.
Early Praise from Readers & Educators
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Going to the Festival by Jodi-Tatiana Charles, illustrated by Julia Potvin. No part of this website or its content may be reproduced without permission.