Literature Festival Draws 1,000-Plus Students

Published 3:54 pm Wednesday, November 11, 2026

By Joe Rios

More than 1,000 students from across the Ozarks attended the eighth annual Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Festival in Mansfield on Nov. 5–6, where award-winning children’s author Marc Brown, creator of Arthur, received the festival’s top literary honor.

The two-day event featured 10 authors from across the country, including several from the Ozarks, and drew students from Marshfield’s Shook Elementary and schools throughout southwest Missouri.

For festival chairman Nicholas Inman, the event was especially meaningful. Not only has he helped guide the festival since its beginning, but the celebration also started in Marshfield.

“It actually has a Marshfield connection because the festival began here eight years ago as part of the Cherry Blossom Festival,” Inman said.

The festival moved to Mansfield during its second year, giving students the opportunity to visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum while taking part in activities centered on reading and writing.

Inman said the move made sense because the event carries the name of the beloved author whose Little House books have introduced generations of readers to life on the American frontier.

Although the festival now calls Mansfield home, Marshfield students remain part of the celebration.

Students from Shook Elementary attended this year’s festival, joining children from Niangua, Seymour, West Plains, Republic, Ava and Springfield-area schools.

“We’ve had well over a thousand kids in two days, and ten authors from around the country, some from the Ozarks, have been participating as our presenting authors,” Inman said.

One of the biggest highlights came during the festival’s annual awards ceremony, when Brown received the Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Award.

Brown is best known for creating Arthur, the young aardvark whose adventures became a favorite among children through books and the long-running PBS television series.

The character marked its 50th anniversary this year, making the recognition especially timely.

“It was a delight to have him here from the East Coast, and he had a wonderful visit the last two days and spoke to students and received the award,” Inman said.

Marlena Howerton, librarian at Ezard Elementary School in Conway, introduced Brown at the ceremony.

Inman said having a school librarian introduce Brown was particularly fitting, considering the influence his books have had on young readers.

“It was such a nice, nice touch to the ceremony that a librarian introduced him, who, of course, has seen the impact the Arthur books have had on generations of students,” Inman said.

But Brown’s message to the students went beyond writing books and creating memorable characters.

During his appearances, he talked about the importance of encouragement in a child’s life.

Inman said Brown emphasized that every child needs someone who believes in them, whether that person is a parent, grandparent, neighbor, family friend or teacher.

For some children, that encouragement may come primarily from an educator.

That message struck a chord with Inman, who credits his own teachers with helping develop his interest in reading and history.

“I’m so fortunate to have had wonderful teachers who really instilled in me a love for reading and history and all those things,” he said. “And I wish every kid had that opportunity.”

The festival also gave students the chance to explore the Wilder home and learn more about the author whose stories remain an important part of American children’s literature.

Inman said bringing history and literature to life can leave a lasting impression on young people.

“I think anytime you can bring history or literature to life, it really has an imprint on a child, and I just love that,” he said.

Behind the scenes, the festival takes months of planning.

Inman said the Children’s Literature Festival Committee meets monthly in Seymour throughout the year to organize the event. Volunteers also play a major role in making the two-day celebration possible.

The Mansfield Chamber of Commerce hosted a breakfast for visiting authors, committee members and volunteers before the second day’s activities began.

For Inman, watching the festival grow has been particularly rewarding.

He first developed the idea before becoming director of the Wilder home and discussed it with the late Jean Cody, who encouraged him to pursue the project.

After becoming director, he helped turn the idea into an annual event.

Today, the museum gallery at the Wilder home features an award wall recognizing past recipients of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Award.

“We’ve honored some wonderful authors through the years,” Inman said. “It’s very special to have this award named after Laura Ingalls Wilder, and to have been the chairman all eight years. I just love every moment of it.”

The festival is held annually on the first Thursday and Friday in November, with organizers already looking ahead to next year’s event.

Admission to the literature festival is free for children, including homeschool students. Tours of the Wilder home have separate admission, with discounted packages available during the festival.

Families interested in learning more can visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Festival Facebook page for information and updates.

For Inman, the most rewarding part remains seeing children discover the excitement of reading and connecting with the authors behind the stories.

And with its beginnings in Marshfield, the festival continues to carry a piece of Webster County history into the next generation of readers.