Yallfest 2016 is this weekend – so we packed our bags and journeyed to sunny Santa Monica to meet up with YA readers from across the country (and some who traveled from other countries!!) to share the book love! Between games, giveaways, panels, signings, and tomfoolery, we could probably write a novel about day 1. But instead, we’ll give you a few of the highlights!

1. First we built it:

Notice how clean and organized this booth looks right now…because it would not last for long.

2. And then they came.

Lines on lines on lines, all day every day.

3. There were authors.

We managed to snag a few picks of some of our lovely authors at Yallwest.

4. And books.

We gave galleys away like crazy.

5. And ice cream.

Because every day should have ice cream.

7. And some hot chocolate.

They meet on a Christmas tree farm in What Light — so could this be more perfect?

8. And a penguin pond, which pretty much slayed.

Pick a penguin to get a galley? Our new favorite game.

Follow @PenguinTeen to see us at Yallwest day 2 tomorrow!