From author visits and giveaways to children’s storytimes, read up on how your favorite local bookstores are participating this Saturday.

Local independent bookstores have helped keep many a restless mind grounded during the unpredictability of the past couple of years with a steady supply of compelling reading material, along with hosting a variety of online author talks and events. And for the first time in two years, there’s ample opportunity to celebrate these businesses in person, on Independent Bookstore Day, which takes place on Saturday, April 30. 

This year’s events feature many in-person appearances and signings by authors, and some stores are also featuring activities for adults and kids. At some bookstores, visitors can also pick up special Independent Bookstore Day items, which typically include signed books, special prints and stationery items.

Books Inc. Palo Alto: Local authors Judge LaDoris Hazzard Cordell, Diana Farid, Erin Gleeson and Joanna Ho will be on hand to autograph books. Visitors are invited to get a free advance copy of a book and write a review about it that will be posted in the store. Other events include a raffle and exclusive Independent Bookstore Day items.

Books Inc. Palo Alto, 74 Town & Country Village, Palo Alto.

Kepler’s Books: Authors will be on hand to sign their books, starting with John Markoff signing “Whole Earth: The Many Lives of Stewart Brand” at 10:30; Kai Harris signing her novel “What the Fireflies Knew” at 11:30 a.m., and Grace D. Li will sign her bestseller “Portrait of a Thief” at 2 p.m.

Kepler’s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, #100, Menlo Park. Doors open at 9 a.m., activities take place 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Linden Tree Books: Throughout the day, the children’s bookstore hosts storytimes with local authors including Tim McCanna, Vicky Fang, Caroline Pritchard, Joanna Ho and Darshana Khiani. Visitors can also spin a “mystery wheel” for giveaways and discounts. Special Independent Bookstore Day items include mugs, journals, tote bags, Blackwing pencils and special edition Mad Libs.

Linden Tree Books, 265 State St., Los Altos. storytimes offered between 10 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.

Books Inc. Mountain View: The store offers special Independent Bookstore Day-themed items, including mugs, tote bags and journals, as well as tote bags with a design inspired by the “Six of Crows” fantasy novel by Leigh Bardugo. 

Books Inc. Mountain View, 317 Castro St., Mountain View. Store opens at 10 a.m.

Feldman’s Books: The used bookstore will host live piano music between noon and 5 p.m.

Feldman’s Books, 1075 Curtis St., Menlo Park.

Leigh’s Favorite Books, Bookasaurus: The neighboring sister bookstores in Sunnyvale will be celebrating Independent Bookstore Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, with a treasure hunt for kids at Bookasaurus and one for adults at Leigh’s Favorite Books. Prizes will be awarded to those who complete the hunt, including gift cards and “mystery books” (books wrapped in paper with only a description available). Owner Leigh Odum plans to have a Jane Austen tea table with cookies set out and a book-themed cornhole game out front. Bookasaurus will also have someone on hand making balloon animals from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Leigh’s Favorite Books and Bookasaurus, 121 and 125 S Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale. Activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. unless otherwise specified.

Books Inc. Campbell: The Campbell outpost of Books Inc. will host four authors on Saturday, including children’s book author of “The Wish Library” series, Christine Evans, at 11 a.m.; Lilli Valencia, discussing her new book “Lillistones” at 1 p.m.; Devi Laskar, who will be signing both of her books, including yet-to-be-released “Circa,” at 3:30 p.m.; and at 5 p.m. Kai Harris, author of the new book “What the Fireflies Knew.”

Books Inc. Campbell, 1875 S Bascom Ave. #600, Campbell.

Ink Spell Books: The Half Moon Bay bookstore will host a scavenger hunt at 3 p.m., followed by a trivia contest at 4, and plans to give away prizes.

Ink Spell Books, 500 Purissima St., Half Moon Bay.

More independent bookstores to check out: 

East West Bookshop, 324 Castro St., Mountain View. Specializes in metaphysical books and gifts.

Bell’s Books, 536 Emerson St., Palo Alto. The longtime bookstore carries new, used and rare books.

The Reading Bug, 785 Laurel St., San Carlos. A children’s bookstore in downtown San Carlos that also carries gifts. 

B Street Books, 301 S B St., San Mateo. A used bookstore with over 20,000 titles, including rare books.

Coastside Books, 432 Main St., Half Moon Bay. Sells books for kids and adults as well as gifts and stationary.

Florey’s Book Co, 2120 Palmetto Ave., Pacifica. A new and used bookstore for all ages and reading levels.