Read Along With Pete Oswald

Join beloved illustrator Pete Oswald for a joyful read-along celebrating the magic of picture books and the power of visual storytelling. Best known for Bad Seed and Hike, Oswald invites young readers and their families into worlds filled with heart, humor, and imagination.

During this engaging session, Pete will read from his books, share insights into how his stories and illustrations come to life, and talk about the creative journey from sketch to finished page.

Children will discover how characters are created, how stories grow, and how art can express big feelings in accessible and playful ways.

Designed to spark curiosity and creativity, this interactive event encourages kids to listen closely, ask questions, and see themselves as storytellers and artists.

A celebration of reading, imagination, and the simple joy of a good book, Read Along with Pete Oswald promises a delightful experience for readers of all ages.

We are delighted to welcome you to this event at the Reagan Room at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort.

This event is offered free and open to the public through the generous support of our partners at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort.

Pete Oswald is a New York Times bestselling picture book creator.

He is the illustrator of many beloved titles, including the celebrated Food Group series written by Jory John, as well as Sleepy Sheepy (by Lucy Ruth Cummins), Cranky (by Phuc Tran), Flat Cat (by Tara Lazar), and the Underwear Dragon books (by Scott Rothman).

An author as well, Pete’s debut picture book, Hike, was shortlisted for the prestigious CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal.

His 2023 book, The Noise Inside Boys: A Story About Big Feelings, offers an emotionally rich journey through sibling dynamics and self-awareness.

Pete lives in Los Angeles, California, with his wife and three sons.

This event is presented as part of the Santa Barbara Literary Festival.