As part of the CommUNITY Spotlight series, bring your little ones to the Theater, meet authors and hear them read their works and then do a craft.

Dec. 30: Douglas Haddad is an award-winning teacher, best-selling author, and speaker, specializing in tween and teen development. Join the Palace for storytime as he reads his book Mya McLure, the Brave Science Girl: The Toad Cave. Mya McLure, the Brave Science Girl: The Toad Cave focuses on female empowerment and inspiring innovation in science, technology, engineering, creative arts, and mathematics. In this children's picture book (ages 3–7), Mya McLure must figure out a way to save a family of toads threatened by land development.

Jan. 24: Susan is a passionate advocate for recognizing the inherent value and purpose within every individual, especially children. Susan is now sharing her heartfelt message through children's literature. Her book, The Whisper That Is Mine, is a testament to her belief that everyone has value even when mistakes are made, and that our worth is rooted in who we are, not just our actions. Susan is committed to empowering audiences, young and old, to embrace their inherent value and make a positive impact.

Feb. 28: Gabriele Davis, a freelance writer and former children's magazine editor, is the author of two children's books, Peaches and Our Joyful Noise. Join us for storytime, where she will read Our Joyful Noise and lead kids through a related craft. As a child, Gabriele longed to see families like hers reflected in the books she read. Now she gets to make that happen for other underrepresented readers. Our Joyful Noise is a joyful, jazzy picture book following a Black family through a week of shared moments and simple pleasures, woven through with hidden musical jewels from spirituals and songs.