Note: blog post written in partnership with Charlottesville Family Magazine
Charlottesville and the surrounding Blue Ridge region have long been a haven for storytellers, from nationally known novelists to beloved children’s authors. JMRL’s community is rich with creative voices who bring to life stories that inspire, educate, and delight young readers. For example, Janasha “Jay” Bradford introduces children to financial literacy through her engaging picture books, while Kathryn Erskine, a National Book Award winner, explores empathy and resilience in her middle-grade novels. You’ll also find celebrated work from local favorite Marc Boston, whose stories explore themes of family and belonging.
Other authors and illustrators featured on CharlottesvilleFamily include Ainsley Bloomfield, Emily Thiede, Suzanne Tanner Chitwood, Kristen-Paige Madonia, Dionna L. Mann, Lindsay Heider Diamond, and Dr. Cara Goodwin. Their collective contributions—across genres, ages, and styles—give our region its vibrant literary identity and reflect the diverse voices raising young readers here.
This wealth of talent not only reflects the depth of imagination in our area but also connects families more deeply with the place they call home. Whether you discover a new title at Crozet Book Fest Jr. (October) or at Virginia Festival of the Book (March), browse the shelves of New Dominion Bookshop or Bluebird & Co., or encounter an author at a library event, these writers remind us that literature is thriving here in Central Virginia and that inspiring role models surround children growing up here.
At Jefferson-Madison Regional Library (JMRL), you’ll find many wonderful titles from authors right here in Central Virginia. Here are three favorites that families can enjoy together.
Busy-Eyed Day by Anne Marie Pace
Ages 2–7 | 2018
Anne Marie Pace, a beloved Charlottesville children’s author, captures the beauty of paying attention to the world around us. Her lyrical picture book Busy-Eyed Day encourages little ones to see magic in everyday moments.
• Publisher: “See the world through fresh eyes with this clever and unusual celebration of being observant and keeping an eye out for magic in the everyday world that surrounds us.”
• School Library Journal: “A great book to share with little ones before any stroll outdoors. It will get them talking about their observations as they experience their own ‘busy-eyed’ days.”
Garcia & Colette Go Exploring by Hannah Barnaby
Ages 3–8 | 2017
Award-winning local author Hannah Barnaby invites readers to dream big in Garcia & Colette Go Exploring. When two best friends can’t agree on whether to explore the ocean or outer space, they set out separately—only to discover that adventures are always better shared.
• Publisher: “Best friends Garcia and Colette can’t decide where they want to go exploring together, so they set out on separate expeditions before realizing that exploring is more fun with a friend.”
• Kirkus Reviews: “This book perfectly balances two stories and the characters within them, adding up to more than the sum.”
Lily’s Promise by Kathryn Erskine
Ages 8–12 | 2021
National Book Award–winning author Kathryn Erskine offers a moving story of courage, grief, and resilience. In Lily’s Promise, eleven-year-old Lily honors her father’s request to “Strive for Five”—speak up five times—despite her natural shyness and heartbreak.
• Publisher: “Shy, eleven-year-old Lily made her dad an important promise before he passed away—that she would ‘Strive for Five’ and speak her mind at least five times. But speaking up one time, let alone five, is easier said than done.”
• Publishers Weekly: “A touching novel that will leave readers cheering for Lily’s quiet victories.”
Check it out at JMRL
Building a Culture of Reading in Charlottesville
What makes these books even more special is how they connect to our broader community. CharlottesvilleFamily has long spotlighted local authors and illustrators (see our feature here), helping families discover the talent in our own backyard.
Events like Crozet Book Fest Jr. give families the chance to meet authors, join storytimes, and celebrate the joy of books. For parents, our quarterly Books After Bedtime: Moms Lit Society offers a space to connect over powerful stories by Virginia women authors. Together, these initiatives build a culture where children see reading modeled, celebrated, and deeply valued.
Jennifer Bryerton, M.A.Ed., is publisher of CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine, VirginiaSummerCamps.com, and TheBiblioParent.com. She is passionate about connecting families with local resources that make parenting easier and growing up fun. Through her publications, events, and community partnerships, she works to highlight the voices of local authors and foster a love of reading in children and parents alike.