Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor is headed to San Antonio on Tuesday, Feb. 10 for a live conversation about her new picture book, Just Shine! How to Be a Better You, followed by a book signing. The event, presented by local bookseller Nowhere Bookshop, will pair Sotomayor with San Antonio writer Carmen Tafolla at the Jo Long Theatre inside the Carver Community Cultural Center and will include a post-talk signing plus an opportunity for audience questions submitted in advance.
According to Express-News, the conversation is set for 6:30 p.m. and is being presented by Nowhere Bookshop, with tickets listed at $23.60 on Ticketmaster. The outlet reports that Sotomayor will sign copies of Just Shine! and that attendees may send in questions before the event. The paper also notes that the picture book was inspired by the way Sotomayor’s mother encouraged others to recognize their own brilliance.
Where and Tickets
The Jo Long Theatre at the Carver Community Cultural Center lists its address as 226 N. Hackberry on the Carver, which also directs patrons to Ticketmaster for box-office sales and seating details. The Carver advises visitors to check its online calendar for potential schedule updates and accessibility information. Patron services and a box office phone number are available on the venue site for anyone who needs assistance.
Part of a Texas run
BookPeople lists an Austin stop for Sotomayor on Feb. 11, with that appearance set for First Baptist Church and followed by a signing. The back-to-back dates signal a short regional swing through central Texas venues. Fans in the area who cannot make the San Antonio appearance may find tickets for nearby stops by checking event listings from local booksellers.
About the book
Just Shine! How to Be a Better You is listed by independent booksellers as a Philomel picture book published in September 2025 and illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara, according to Women & Children First. The story follows a young girl who finds joy in helping others and joins Sotomayor’s earlier children’s titles and her memoir My Beloved World in her growing body of published work. Local booksellers report that events featuring nationally known authors typically draw both families and longtime readers.
A brief civic note
Justice Sotomayor was nominated to the Supreme Court in 2009 and is widely regarded as the first Hispanic person to serve on the court, as outlined by Britannica. Her public appearances often highlight both her judicial career and her writing for young readers. Those interested in a deeper legal biography are directed to major reference profiles.
Who will lead the conversation
Carmen Tafolla, a San Antonio-born poet and children’s author who has served as both the city’s first poet laureate and as Texas Poet Laureate, will moderate the event and provide a local lens on the discussion, according to her profile at Museo del West Side. Tafolla’s extensive work includes poetry, children’s books and performance pieces that center Chicana/o and Tejano experiences. Her role helps frame the evening as a conversation between a national figure and a local literary leader.
Why this matters locally
The visit comes at a moment when independent bookstores in San Antonio have been described as community hubs that push back against book bans and anti-DEI pressures, a role examined by Express-News. Nowhere Bookshop, which is presenting the event, has been highlighted for programming that emphasizes inclusivity and public engagement. For many locals, a high-profile author appearance functions as both a cultural moment and a way to support independent bookselling in the city.
Tickets are on sale now. The Carver’s calendar directs ticket buyers to Ticketmaster for seating and pricing information and lists box office contact details for accessibility requests via the Carver. The program is billed as suitable for families and will be followed by a signing line for attendees with copies of Just Shine! or other Sotomayor titles. For the most current information, readers are advised to check the Carver calendar and the presenting bookseller’s event page.
