2026
Bookmarks Festival of Books and Authors Bookmarks Festival of Books and Authors
Some book events are about looking for your next book, while others are about meeting the people who make those books possible. Bookmarks Festival of Books & Authors brings both together, creating a place where readers can meet writers, listen to their stories, and enjoy books with other people who love them. The festival has become the largest annual book festival in the Carolinas, welcoming more than 30,000 attendees each year and bringing together authors from different parts of the country.
The value of the festival comes from the simple connection between readers and authors. With talks, discussions, signings, and events for different ages, Bookmarks gives people a chance to experience books in a more personal way. The 2026 festival is also bringing well-known voices such as John Green for its opening keynote and Jodi Picoult for its closing keynote, giving readers even more reasons to come together around stories.
For Kravitz and Sons, being part of a celebration like this means more than simply putting books on display. It means giving our authors and their stories another chance to meet readers who may be looking for something new.
And speaking of stories worth discovering, An Old Little Lady by Judith Hobson brings its own special idea to the festival. The book follows an older woman who leaves downtown life behind for the quiet of the country, only to discover that country living comes with wildlife, stray cats, new friends, and plenty of bugs. As we take a closer look at the story, it is also the perfect time to learn about the author who brought this little adventure to life.
The Heart Behind the Story
Some writers begin with a big idea, while others begin with something much closer to home. Judith Hobson has built her writing around real human experiences, personal struggles, and the small moments that can make people stop and think. Her work has also reached into difficult subjects, including abuse, trauma, healing, and suicide prevention. Her earlier book You Are Not Alone focuses on Jean, a woman dealing with abuse, loss, recovery, and eventually finding a reason to help others.
That serious side of Hobson’s writing makes An Old Little Lady interesting in another way. Instead of staying with heavy subjects, she turns toward something much lighter and more familiar. The story finds humor in everyday life, especially the kind of unexpected trouble that can happen when someone moves from the city to the country. A stray cat can become a friend, wildlife can become part of the daily routine, and a tiny bug can suddenly become the biggest problem in the house.
Hobson’s writing also shows that a story does not always need a huge adventure to be worth reading. Sometimes, a quiet home, a curious mind, and one very unwelcome little creature can be enough. Her book has also received attention through author-focused media, including a January 2026 appearance on The BrightWord Books Podcast, where Hobson discussed the inspiration behind An Old Little Lady and the book’s themes of change, companionship, and finding joy in everyday discoveries.
A Little Life, A Big Surprise
At the center of An Old Little Lady is a woman in her senior years who decides that life in the country might be exactly what she needs. Downtown life is left behind, and she settles into a much quieter place surrounded by nature. At first, everything seems to be going well. She sees wildlife in her yard, enjoys the peaceful setting, and even begins making friends with stray cats. It is a simple new chapter in her life, but things soon become a little more interesting.
Then come the bugs.
Outside, the different creatures do not seem like much of a problem. Inside the house, however, the situation is very different. One tiny bug can completely change the mood of a quiet evening. What could have been an ordinary trip to the washroom turns into a moment filled with fear, surprise, and a little wonder. The book takes this small event and shows how even the smallest things can create a big reaction.
What makes the story friendly is that it does not try too hard to be complicated. An Old Little Lady is about change, getting used to a new place, finding companionship, and learning that life can still surprise us at any age. The wildlife, stray cats, bugs, and quiet country setting all play their own part in the story. Beneath the humor is also a simple lesson: sometimes the ordinary moments we ignore can become the moments we remember most. The book was published in 2025 and is listed as a children’s title, with a 27-page digital edition and a 28-page print edition.
A Small Story Worth Finding
There is something nice about a book that does not need to shout to get your attention. An Old Little Lady takes a quiet change in life and turns it into a warm story about curiosity, friendship, nature, and the funny problems that can appear when you least expect them. For readers who enjoy simple stories with a little humor and heart, this could be a fun book to add to the reading list.
And with Bookmarks Festival of Books & Authors bringing readers and authors together in Winston-Salem, stories like this get another chance to find the people who will enjoy them. Sometimes, you do not need a huge adventure to discover a good book. Sometimes, all you need is an old little lady, a quiet country home, and one very troublesome little bug.
An Old Little Lady
A gentle story about change, friendship, and the unexpected surprises of country life. Discover the Story