# Event Details - **Event Name**: Hands Off Our Books: Writing for Kids in an Era of Censorship - **Event Start and End Date**: Sat, 13 Dec, 2025 at 01:00 pm – Sat, 13 Dec, 2025 at 03:00 pm - **Event Description**: A conversation about the freedom to write, publish and read children and YA books between three Rhode Island authors.About this EventWhat stories are our youngest readers not hearing, and why? From bias in the publishing industry to the pressures of self-censorship to book bans, writers who publish for kids and young adults have faced increasing barriers in the book industry. Thanks to the recently-passed Freedom to Read bill, Rhode Island is one of only 13 states protecting the ability of writers, readers, librarians, educators and booksellers to write, read, publish and make books available without interference, yet local writers still face censorship in 37 states. On Sat, Dec 13 from 1-3pm Rhode Island authors Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie, Cathy G. Johnson, and Padma Venkatraman will join LitArts RI Executive Director Christina Bevilacqua for a conversation about their own experiences with censorship and targeted attacks on their work, the growing threats to Americans’ unfettered access to books, and how to best advocate for freedom to read throughout our communities and our nation.Learn more about the Freedom to Read legislation here.This event is free and open to the public but seating is limited and registration is required. Please contact jodie@litartsri.org with any questions. We hope to see you!This event is made possible in part by funding from Providence Tourism Council.AccessibilityLitArts RI is wheelchair accessible. The organization is actively committed to cultivating a community that values and reflects diversity, equity and inclusivity and to providing programming that is accessible to all attendees. Please let us know about any accommodations we can make to allow you to participate fully in this event.Health Safety GuidelinesIf you have tested positive for Covid-19 within a few days of attending an event at LitArts RI, please contact Staff so we can let others know of possible exposure. We ask that you wait 14 days or until testing negative to return to the Center. - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/providence/hands-off-our-books-writing-for-kids-in-an-era-of-censorship/100001954909971349 - **Event Categories**: kids, art, literary-art, health-wellness, it - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 - **Event Highlights**: - Age Limit: 18+ - door_time: 2026-03-14T16:30:00Z - Duration: 2 hours - Location: LitArts RI - Languages: English ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: USD ## Event venue details - **city**: Providence - **state**: RI - **country**: United States - **location**: LitArts RI - **lat**: 41.82479699999999 - **long**: -71.4337726 - **full address**: LitArts RI, 400 Harris Avenue, Providence, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Hands Off Our Books: Writing for Kids in an Era of Censorship - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/4e1e47e7dc692ad28cebd29c2c8323b4901e169ff4408a4ccc53491e0a32ff31-rimg-w1200-h600-dc1d4598-gmir.jpg?v=1767022517 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Hands Off Our Books: Writing for Kids in an Era of Censorship being held? - **A:** Hands Off Our Books: Writing for Kids in an Era of Censorship takes place on Sat, 13 Dec, 2025 at 01:00 pm to Sat, 13 Dec, 2025 at 03:00 pm at LitArts RI, 400 Harris Avenue, Providence, United States. - **Q**: Is there an age restriction for Hands Off Our Books: Writing for Kids in an Era of Censorship? - **A:** Hands Off Our Books: Writing for Kids in an Era of Censorship is strictly for guests aged 18 and above. Valid government-issued photo ID is required for entry. Guests under 18 will not be admitted. The event will be presented in English. - **Q**: Who is organizing Hands Off Our Books: Writing for Kids in an Era of Censorship? - **A:** Hands Off Our Books: Writing for Kids in an Era of Censorship is organized by LitArts RI. ## Structured Data (JSON-LD) ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Event", "name": "Hands Off Our Books: Writing for Kids in an Era of Censorship", "image": "https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/4e1e47e7dc692ad28cebd29c2c8323b4901e169ff4408a4ccc53491e0a32ff31-rimg-w1200-h600-dc1d4598-gmir.jpg?v=1767022517", "startDate": "2025-12-13", "endDate": "2025-12-13", "url": "https://allevents.in/providence/hands-off-our-books-writing-for-kids-in-an-era-of-censorship/100001954909971349", "location": { "@type": "Place", "name": "LitArts RI", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "400 Harris Avenue", "postalCode": "02909", "addressLocality": "Providence", "addressRegion": "RI", "addressCountry": "US" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": "41.82479699999999", "longitude": "-71.4337726" } }, "eventAttendanceMode": "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode", "description": "A conversation about the freedom to write, publish and read children and YA books between three Rhode Island authors.", "offers": [ { "@type": "AggregateOffer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-04-08", "availabilityEnds": "2025-12-13", "validFrom": "2026-04-08", "lowPrice": "0.00", "highPrice": "0.00", "price": "0.00", "url": "https://allevents.in/providence/hands-off-our-books-writing-for-kids-in-an-era-of-censorship/100001954909971349" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/SoldOut", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-04-08", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2026-04-08", "url": "https://allevents.in/providence/hands-off-our-books-writing-for-kids-in-an-era-of-censorship/100001954909971349", "price": 0, "name": "General Admission" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/SoldOut", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-04-08", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2026-04-08", "url": "https://allevents.in/providence/hands-off-our-books-writing-for-kids-in-an-era-of-censorship/100001954909971349", "price": 0, "name": "LitArts RI Member Admission" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/SoldOut", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-04-08", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2026-04-08", "url": "https://allevents.in/providence/hands-off-our-books-writing-for-kids-in-an-era-of-censorship/100001954909971349", "price": 0, "name": "Supporter Admission" } ], "organizer": [ { "@type": "Organization", "name": "LitArts RI", "url": "https://allevents.in/org/litarts-ri/21818525", "description": "Formerly What Cheer Writers Club, LitArts RI is a nonprofit, awaiting 501c3 status, that offers community events, coworking, and rental space to RI makers of the written, spoken, and illustrated word." } ] } ] ```