Popcorn & PJs
Connect with Books in a Whole New Way
Popcorn & PJs is a fun, virtual family storytime where a featured children’s author brings their book to life with a live read-aloud, interactive Q&A, and a hands-on literacy activity for the whole family.
How It Works
Families can pay to register for individual events or purchase a seasonal bundle. Each participating family receives a link to access the virtual readings and has the option to purchase a special Popcorn Package, shipped directly to an address of their choosing. Each package includes the featured book, popcorn, crayons, a sketch pad, and themed activities for families to enjoy together.
Families can also donate a ticket to help another family participate in Popcorn & PJs through Read to Grow.
Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, donors, and grant partners, Popcorn & PJs is offered at little or no cost to participating families, helping make this enriching experience accessible to more children and families across our community.
For the Fall 2026 Season, you can enjoy this lineup of unforgettable evenings together:
Winsome Bingham kicks off the season with Fish Fry Friday—a heartwarming story that celebrates family, community,
and the special traditions that bring people together.
Debbi Michiko Florence shares Monster Maker: The Strange Creatures of Mark Nagata next! This book is an exciting
biography about toy designer, painter, illustrator, and collector extraordinaire, Mark Nagata.
Laurenne Sala & Zara González Hoang close out the season with Mi Escuela Is My School, a bilingual book that teaches
special Spanish words that can be used in school and at home.
Each event is packed with laughter, creativity, and connection! Want to experience all three events?
Click here to purchase tickets for the full Fall 2026 Season!
Learn More About This Fall’s Guests
Winsome Bingham
Meet an award-winning author, educator, literacy advocate, and self-proclaimed soul food connoisseur! Winsome Bingham is the author of Soul Food Sunday, a New York Times Best Book of the Year and Connecticut Book Award winner. With more than 15 years of teaching experience and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults, Winsome is passionate about helping children discover the joy of reading and seeing themselves authentically represented in books. A U.S. Army veteran and master cook, she brings plenty of stories, heart, and a love of community to everything she does.
Debbi Michiko Florence
Meet Debbi Michiko Florence, an award-winning author who has written more than 25 books for children and tweens! A third-generation Japanese American, Debbi draws on her experiences and love of storytelling to create books that inspire kids to read, laugh, and see themselves in the stories they love. Her popular Jasmine Toguchi chapter book series has sold more than 200,000 copies, and her newest series, Last Chance Academy, has earned Edgar Award recognition. Before becoming a full-time author, Debbi worked with animals at zoos, a Humane Society, and even a raptor rehabilitation center—so she has plenty of fascinating stories to share! Today, she writes from her studio, The Word Nest, alongside her two rescue dogs.
Laurenne Sala
Meet Laurenne Sala, a storyteller, poet, and author who loves helping people turn their real-life experiences into stories! Laurenne is the author of You Made Me a Mother and has written everything from television commercials to jokes for the stage and even a few viral videos. She also leads workshops that help people share their own personal stories. When she’s not writing, Laurenne enjoys being a mom, riding her bike along the beach, and spending time with her cat, Cheddar. Originally from Los Angeles, Laurenne now lives in Mexico with her family.
Zara González Hoang
Meet Zara González Hoang, an author, illustrator, and lifelong doodler who believes in the magic of imagination! Growing up in Minneapolis, Zara was surrounded by stories, especially the colorful tales her dad shared about his childhood in Puerto Rico and New York. Those stories helped inspire her own books, including A New Kind of Wild, as well as her picture book Thread of Love. Before becoming a full-time illustrator and author, Zara worked in advertising and interactive design before following her passion for storytelling through art. Today, she creates books from her home in Northern Virginia, where she lives with her family and a jungle of plants in a wonderfully quirky house surrounded by a “magical” forest.
