AmazeWorks

09/09/2026

Alphabet Forest photo dump! 🔤🌳

These pictures are just from AmazeWorks volunteer shifts, but there were 12 fabulous authors and illustrators featured throughout the fair. We love our Minnesota storytelling community, especially when they’re creating free activities for kids!

To keep the fun going, visit our bio to learn more about the artists and their books! And access SEVEN AmazeWorks discussion guides on the stories

So many people make this space possible. Thank you to all the Minnesota State Fair staff, authors and illustrators, book lovers, children, and more who make the forest so special. 💕 AmazeWorks is so proud to be a sponsor!

09/08/2026

09/06/2026

To close out this year's Alphabet Forest lineup, meet Louise Aamodt, Author! 🎡

Louise is leading an activity under the Blue Ribbon Artist Tent tomorrow on September 7! Learn more about Louise and her book, A Forest Begins Anew, in these four interview questions.

You can meet Louise between 10am-2pm tomorrow and participate in all the fun (and free!) alphabet activities in the forest. 🌳

Find Alphabet Forest on Cosgrove St and Wright Ave (across from the 4-H Building) for fun and free family fair activities. 💫 Every single day, a new author or illustrator will lead an exciting activity in the Blue Ribbon Artist tent between 10am-2pm. They can't wait to learn with you!

09/05/2026

Tomorrow at Alphabet Forest, meet author Cristina Oxtra! 🎡

Cristina Oxtra wrote What Lolo Wants, a book about Maria's relationship with her Lolo (grandfather) as he starts to lose his memory. Join her at Alphabet Forest under the Blue Ribbon Artist tent tomorrow, September 6, for a fun activity!

Visit Alphabet Forest on Cosgrove St and Wright Ave (across from the 4-H Building) for fun and free family fair activities. 💫 Every single day, a new author or illustrator will lead an exciting activity in the Blue Ribbon Artist tent between 10am-2pm. They can't wait to learn with you!

09/04/2026

Tomorrow at Alphabet Forest, meet author Thomas Peacock! 🎡

Thomas Peacock wrote The Naming of Aki. This is a traditional Ojibwe story about First Human and First Wolf, who travel together across Aki, the Earth, giving names to animals, plants, places, and feelings. Join Thomas at Alphabet Forest under the Blue Ribbon Artist tent tomorrow, September 5, for a fun activity!

Visit Alphabet Forest on Cosgrove St and Wright Ave (across from the 4-H Building) for fun and free family fair activities. 💫 Every single day, a new author or illustrator will lead an exciting activity in the Blue Ribbon Artist tent between 10am-2pm. They can't wait to learn with you!

09/03/2026

Tomorrow at Alphabet Forest, meet author Nancy Carlson! 🎡

Sarah is leading an activity under the Blue Ribbon Artist Tent tomorrow on Friday, September 4. Learn more about Nancy and her book, A Swing for Samara, in these four interview questions.

Visit Alphabet Forest on Cosgrove St and Wright Ave (across from the 4-H Building) for fun and free family fair activities. 💫 Every single day, a new author or illustrator will lead an exciting activity in the Blue Ribbon Artist tent between 10am-2pm. They can't wait to learn with you!

09/02/2026

Tomorrow at Alphabet Forest, meet author V.T. Bidania! 🎡

V.T. is leading an activity under the Blue Ribbon Artist Tent tomorrow on September 3! She's bringing her book, Eliana and the Magnificent Hmong New Year. In this book, Eliana wants to help her family prepare for the special celebration, but everyone says she is too small to help them with their tasks. After being told ‘no’ several times, Eliana finally finds a way to be helpful.

You can meet V.T. Bidania between 10am-2pm tomorrow and participate in all the fun (and free!) alphabet activities in the forest. 🌳

Find Alphabet Forest on Cosgrove St and Wright Ave (across from the 4-H Building) for fun and free family fair activities. 💫 Every single day, a new author or illustrator will lead an exciting activity in the Blue Ribbon Artist tent between 10am-2pm. They can't wait to learn with you!

09/01/2026

Tomorrow at Alphabet Forest, meet illustrator Jonathan Thunder! 🎡

Jonathan is leading an activity under the Blue Ribbon Artist Tent tomorrow on Wednesday, September 2. In Jonathan's book, Blue Bearies, Windy Girl learns more about her Ojibwe culture and history as her teacher, Mrs. Mukwa, teaches her class about bears.

Visit Alphabet Forest on Cosgrove St and Wright Ave (across from the 4-H Building) for fun and free family fair activities. 💫

Every single day, a new author or illustrator will lead an exciting activity in the Blue Ribbon Artist tent between 10am-2pm. They can't wait to learn with you!

08/31/2026

Tomorrow at Alphabet Forest, meet Nancy Loewen, children's book author and Linda Hayen! 🎡

Nancy and Linda will be leading an activity under the Blue Ribbon Artist tent tomorrow on Tuesday, September 1. Learn more about them and the book they wrote together, The Everybody Club, in these interview questions.

Find Alphabet Forest on Cosgrove St and Wright Ave (across from the 4-H Building) for fun and free family fair activities. 💫 Every single day, a new author or illustrator will lead an exciting activity in the Blue Ribbon Artist tent between 10am-2pm. They can't wait to learn with you!

08/30/2026

Tomorrow at Alphabet Forest, meet author Sarah Warren! 🎡

Sarah is leading an activity under the Blue Ribbon Artist Tent tomorrow on Monday, August 31. Learn more about Sarah and her book, A Spectacular Birdie, in these four interview questions.

Visit Alphabet Forest on Cosgrove St and Wright Ave (across from the 4-H Building) for fun and free family fair activities. 💫 Every single day, a new author or illustrator will lead an exciting activity in the Blue Ribbon Artist tent between 10am-2pm. They can't wait to learn with you!