| Author and Featured Book | Featured Book Description | Biography & Honors |
|---|---|---|
| Sarah Albee sarahalbeebooks.com  | Kids and adults alike will learn about the outrageous, politically perilous, funky, disgusting, regrettable, life-threatening and yes, sometimes practical and lovely creations people have worn over the course of human history. | Sarah Albee is the author of over 100 books for kids, ranging from preschool through middle grade. She enjoys writing about topics where history and science connect and blogs about offbeat history at sarahalbeebooks.com. She has had three titles on the New York Times Bestseller list. Bugged was featured on NPR's Morning Edition in May 2014. |
| Artie Bennett artiebennett.com  | Belches, burps and farts. We all do it. So isn't it time we learned about those often awkward, sometimes comical sound effects…before our next blast-off?! Ever wonder which animal out-farts the rest? Or if there are countries where belching isn't considered rude? Or the average number of farts we release per day? Wonder no more! It's all here -- and much, much more! | Artie Bennett, who was hailed as "the Dr. Seuss of your caboose" for his much-praised, unique picture books (The Butt Book and Poopendous) now blows the lid off of that symphony of sounds our bodies produce. He is the executive copy editor for a children's book publisher , and his books have won numerous accolades and awards, including from the New York Public Library, the Huffington Post, PragmaticMom.com and other notable reviewers. |
| Carin Bramsen carinbramsen.com  | The characters of "Hey, Duck!" return in this humorous and heartwarming picture book about friendship. Now that Cat has learned to play games that Duck enjoys, it's Duck's turn to try things that Cat likes. However, climbing trees and swatting at leaves prove to be a bit tricky for flat-footed Duck. What's an unlikely pair of friends to do? | Carin is the author and illustrator of several books. She lives in Brooklyn, NY among teetering towers of books and loves a good puddle stomp as much as the next duck. Hey, Duck! was the Children's Book of the Month Main Selection and The Yellow Tutu was recognized with the Oppenheim Golden Seal Award and featured on the Children's Choices reading list. |
| Ann E. Burg annburg.com  | Serafina has a secret dream. She wants to go to school and become a doctor with her best friend, Julie Marie. But in their rural village outside Port-au-Prince, Haiti, many obstacles stand in Serafina's way -- little money, never-ending chores, and Manman's worries. More powerful even than all of those are the heavy rains and the shaking earth that test Serafina's resolve in ways she never dreamed. | Ann Burg has been writing since early childhood. Her first children's books were published in 2003. She is working on her third novel and researching another. |
| Laurie Calkhoven lauriecalkhoven.com  | Caroline has an important package to deliver for her father in the big city of Albany. That means a three-day stagecoach trip with her friend Rhonda. The other travelers fascinate the girls. But when Caroline's precious package goes missing, she realizes the culprit must be a fellow passenger. Will she unmask the thief in time, or will her promise to Papa be impossible to keep? | When she got her first library card and was set free among the library books, Laurie Calkhoven decided she wanted to spend her life surrounded by books. She has written novels for American Girl and also writes a series of historical action/adventure novels called Boys of Wartime. She lives in New York City and can frequently be found at the library. Her books have been honored with the Beacon of Freedom Award and the Mark Twain Readers Award. |
| Monica Carnesi monicacarnesi.com  | Beatrice and Bear are best buddies. They meet in spring and as the seasons change, so do their games -- until winter comes, and Beatrice can't find Bear anywhere. Unfortunately, Bear's going to sleep all winter and Beatrice doesn't love sleepovers that much. Good thing Beatrice is an inventive little bunny -- and she soon devises the perfect plan to share winter with Bear, after all. | Monica Carnesi wrote and illustrated the award-winning Little Dog Lost. She's also a librarian, which allows her to combine her love of illustration and children's literature. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and their own little dog. Both of her books have received honors, including a starred review from School Library Journal and a Bulletin Blue Ribbon and a Gryphon Award Honor. |
| Selene Castrovilla selenecastrovilla.com  | Sixteen year-old good girl Dorothy just blew into the small town of Highland Park, where the social headquarters is Munchkinland (Dunkin' Donuts.) There, she meets Joey, a bad boy who tells no one about the catastrophic domestic violence he witnesses at home. Can these two lovers survive peer pressure, Joey's parents and his alcoholism? And then there's his family secret, about to be unleashed. Will their bond endure or will it melt away? | Selene Castrovilla is the award-winning author of multiple narrative non-fiction picture books and young adult novels. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from The New School and a BA in English from NYU. She loves on Long Island with her two sons and too many cats. Jacqueline Woodson, Selene's teacher at The New School, calls Selene "a writer worth watching." |
| Crissa-Jean Chappell crissajeanchappell.com  | My mom doesn't want me. My dad just got out of jail. They want me to go live with him on the reservation in the Everglades. Trouble is, everyone there just ignores me. At least I get to work with Pippa on my film project at schoo. The thing is, I don't belong anywhere. I don't fit in on the rez, and I suck at school. My dad thinks I'm an idiot, but Pippa thinks I'm all good. I don't know what to think. Am I bad news or am I more than good enough? | Crissa-Jean Chappell lives in Brooklyn, NY and has taught creative writing and film studies for over ten years. Her books have been honored by New York Public Library, VOYA, Kirkus Reviews, the Florida Book Awards and the In the Margins Book Award List. |
| Bruce Coville brucecoville.com  | Angus Cairns is a brownie. No, not the kind you eat! He's a tiny magical creature who loves to do chores. Angus has just "inherited" a new human girl, Alex. To say that Alex is messy would be an understatement. Living with each other isn't easy but Angus and Alex soon learn there is a curse that binds them. What's worse, it threatens Alex's family! Working together, Angus and Alex must try to break the curse...hopefully without killing each other first! | Bruce Coville is the author of 103 books for children and young adults, including the international bestseller My Teacher is an Alien and the Unicorn Chronicles series. His works have appeared in over a dozen languages and have won awards in a dozen states. He has been a teacher, a toymaker, a magazine editor, a gravedigger and a cookware salesman. Mr. Coville lives in Syracuse, NY with his wife, illustrator and author Katharine Coville. |
| Jacky Davis and David Soman ladybuggirl.com  | When Lulu puts on her ladybug costume, she becomes Ladybug Girl, a superhero who uses her imagination to have adventures right in her own backyard. Her dog, Bingo the basset hound, is always by her side and the two prove that they are not too little to explore nature, build forts, and make their own big fun. For fans of Fancy Nancy and Toot and Puddle, the Ladybug Girl series honors individuality, creativity, and a love of the outdoors! | Jacky Davis and David Soman work on the New York Times-bestselling Ladybug Girl series together. They live with their two children, who inspire their stories, in Rosendale, NY. |
| Barbara Dee barbaradeebooks.com  | All middle school boys are either Tadpoles, Croakers or Frogs. At least, according to Finley Davis and her best friend, Maya Lopez. They've written a hilarious and (if they say so) brilliant "guide" to all the boys in their grade. But when Zachary Mattison, a former Tadpole, returns to school as a Frog, he challenges their assumptions about boys, about their friendship and even about themselves. | Barbara Dee writes humorous fiction for tweens. A former English teacher, she enjoys running creative writing workshops and speaking to kids about writing. When she is not writing, she enjoys baking bread, rooting for the Yankees and walking her rescue hound, Ripley. Barbara is also one of the directors of the Chappaqua (NY) Children's Book Festival. |
| Kathleen Benner Duble kathleenduble.com  | In 1789, with the French people on the brink of revolution, orphaned Celie Rosseau, an amazing artist and a clever thief, runs wild with her protector, Algernon, trying to join the idealistic freedom fighters of Paris. But when she is caught stealing from the lady from the waxworks, Celie must use her drawing talent to buy her own freedom or die for her crimes. | Kathleen Benner Duble had sixteen car accidents before she was twenty-one. Being an at-home writer keeps her from hitting the road (or anyone else!) She is the author of nine books for children, and has been honored by the ALA, Booklist, the Boston Author's Club, the Bank Street College Children's Book Committee and the Parents' Choice Awards. She lives in New England . |
| Ame Dyckman amedyckman.com  | Families of all kinds will delight in this sweet tale of new babies, sibling rivalry, bravery, unconditional love…and veggies! The Bunny family has adopted a wolf son, and daughter Dot is the only one who realizes that Wolfie can -- and might! -- eat them all up! Dot tries to get through to her parents, but they are too smitten to listen. A new brother takes getting used to, and when (in a twist of fate) it's Wolfie who's threatened, can Dot save the day? | Ame Dyckman writes picture books when she SHOULD be sleeping. She lives in New Jersey with her family, pets and book collection. You can follow Ame on Twitter (@AmeDyckman) where she Tweets picture book reviews and pretty much everything that pops into her head. Her books have won numerous awards and recommendations, including from Kirkus, Booklist, Publisher's Weekly, School Library Journal and the New York Public Library. |
| Alison A. Formento alisonashleyformento.com  | Mr. Tate's class is about to learn there's more to rocks than being dirty lumps on the ground. On this field trip, they're visiting the rocky ridge mountains to learn about rocks. At first, the children think rocks will be boring, but they soon learn that rocks are all around us in ways we might not expect -- such as glass and toothpaste! | Alison A. Formento is the author of award-winning nature picture books as well as one young adult novel, Twigs, featured by Publisher's Weekly as a notable new release. She has written for several national publications including the New York Times, The Writer and Parenting. Alison's books have received the Paterson Prize for Books for Young People, the Green Prize for Sustainable Literature, and the 2013 Skipping Stones Honor Award. |
| Gretchen Gibbs gretchengibbs.com  | In 1628, with England torn by religious conflict, gutsy Anne Dudley helps a young rebel escape from Tattershall Castle through the watery Fens. Pursued by the sheriff and his men, who regard her Puritan family as traitors to the king, Anne risks more than her reputation as the fifteen-year old daughter of the Earl's steward -- she also risks her life. | Gretchen Gibbs grew up in a small town in Massachusetts. With a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Harvard, she taught, practiced and conducted research while publishing books and articles in psychology as well as short stories, memoir and poetry. Anne of the Fens is her second novel. The Book of Maggie Bradstreet was her first, about Anne's granddaughter during the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. Gretchen is descended from both Maggie and Anne. |
| Tommy Greenwald tommygreenwald.com  | Charlie Joe suddenly becomes the go-to guy for romantic guidance -- but he gets in trouble when he fails to take his own advice. | Tommy Greenwald is the author of the Charlie Joe Jackson books, a middle-grade series about the most reluctant reader ever born, and of the 2015 titles Katie Friedman Gives Up Texting! (And Lives to Tell About It) and Crimebiters! He is an executive at a theatrical and entertainment advertising agency in NYC. The musical John & Jen, which he co-wrote, was revived off-Broadway this year. His books have won many state awards. |
| Mark Greenwood markgreenwood.com.au  | To commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, this poignant new picture book, Midnight, memorializes the story of a soldier and his beloved mare. On October 31, 1917, the Australian cavalry took part in one of the last great charges in history to capture the wells of Beersheba. Among the first to leap the enemy trenches was Lt. Guy Haydon riding Midnight. This is the story of the trust that bonds horse and rider. | Mark Greenwood is an author with a passion for history. His books have been published internationally and his work honored by starred Kirkus reviews, by the Bank Street College of Education's Children's Book Committee and in his native Australia, by numerous awards. Mark often teams with his wife, illustrator Frane Lessac, to produce books that promote an understanding of multicultural issues. |
| Melissa Guion melissaguion.com  | How is a mama penguin to keep her brood of baby penguins busy through the long, long week? With lots of lessons, of course, to teach them how to grow up and be good at all the things adult penguins need to do! From sliding down icy, snowy slopes to learning to fish so they can catch their own dinners, these little penguins have lots to do and lots to learn. Maybe someday they'll be even better at these things than their mama! | Melissa Guion lives in Brooklyn and Jeffersonville, NY. She is always up for a penguin party! Her debut picture book, Baby Penguins Everywhere!, was selected for Original Art 2012, an exhibition at the Society of Illustrators of the year's best picture books. |
| Susan Hood susanhoodbooks.com  | Headquarters is about to get a new recruit! Written in guidebook format for "special agents" preparing to be new brothers or sisters, this book highlights 16 tasks for "training" the new kid on the team. Readers follow four diverse families as they share intel, crack codes, lead physical training and provide backup. | A former editor at Nick Jr., Sesame Street and Scholastic, Susan Hood has published more than 200 books for ages 0-8. She now works full-time at her first love: creating original picture books! Her work has received starred reviews in Publisher's Weekly and Booklist and received accolades in the New York Times Book Review. When she's not writing or reading, you'll find Susan sailing with her husband along the New England coast. A sailing book may be next! |
| Amy Ignatow abramsbooks.com/popularitypapers  | Amy Ignatow's hilarious bestselling Popularity Papers series follows the intrepid fifth-graders Julie and Lydia, whose quest to understand popularity may not succeed in the ways they want, but will succeed in keeping readers in stitches. | Amy Ignatow is a cartoonist and author of the Popularity Papers series of scrapbook-style illustrated novels. She is a graduate of the Moore College of Art and Design and lives in Philadelphia with her husband Mark, their daughter, Anya and their cat, Mathilda, who is mostly very terrible. Her work has been highly praised in the New York Times Sunday Review of Books, where Amy was described as "hugely talented." |
| Sylvie Kantorovitz sylviekantorovitz.com  | A whimsical and wondrous tale of courage, creativity and friendship. | Sylvie Kantorovitz has illustrated over 25 books, among which are such favorites as The Wheels on the Bus and Go to Bed, Monster. Her latest is Zig and the Magic Umbrella, a rainy-day adventure that leads to a beautiful friendship. Sylvie grew up in France, settled in the U.S. in 1985 and now lives contentedly in Albany, NY. To the delight of teachers and children, Sylvie enjoys visiting schools and libraries, where she reads, draws, and talks about her work. |
| Gayle C. Krause gayleckrause.com  | Sixteen-year old streetwise orphan Jax Stone is an expert at surviving in a dangerous city, where rats rival the homeless for food and shelter, but she's an amateur at fighting the immoral mayor when he kidnaps her little brother. Desperation demands she quickly master the role of courageous opponent. To outwit the diabolical mayor, she uses her hypnotic singing voice to lead rats to their death and the children to safety in a city cursed by the deadly sun. | Gayle C. Krause has served as assistant editor for Underneath the Juniper Tree, a dark fantasy online magazine developed for young teens, as a children's book reviewer for ChildrensLiterature.com, and she offers a critique service for children's book writers at First Peek Critique. She lives in a cliff house with her husband in the Pocono Mountains with views of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the Delaware River. |
| Kevin Kurtz kevinkurtz.homestead.com  | A Day in the Deep takes you on a journey through the dark depths of the ocean where you'll encounter animals unlike any you have seen before. Meet vampire squid, anglerfish, cookiecutter sharks and other inhabitants of the extreme habitats of the deep sea. | Kevin Kurtz writes nonfiction children's books about science and nature. He has worked as a research assistant at a marine biology lab and as an educator for organizations such as the South Carolina Aquarium and the Science Factory Children's Museum. He was also the Educator at Sea on the research ship JOIDES Resolution in the South Pacific. His books have been honored by Library Media Connection and by the Florida Publishers Association. |
| London Ladd londonladd.com  | Making a difference in the world can be as simple as planting a tree or giving up your seat on the bus to a disabled person. These are a couple of examples of simple acts of kindness featured in this collection of fourteen original poems. Each one emphasizes the compassion and joy of giving. Representing diverse voices, different ages and backgrounds, the collection shows the bridging of boundaries between people who are often perceived as being different. | London Ladd, a graduate of Syracuse University, has illustrated a number of children's books. He teaches art at an inner city afterschool program and hopes one day to open an art center so that families can develop projects of their own. Mr. Ladd's works have been honored with an ALA Carnegie Medal of Excellence, with a Parent's Choice Award and as a Teachers' Choice book. He lives and creates in Syracuse, NY. |
| Frane Lessac franelessac.com  | This beautifully illustrated picture book narrates the historic journey of 102 passengers aboard the Mayflower and their settlement at Plymouth Harbor. The 3,000-mile trip was crowded and dangerous, with families cramped next to animals and stormy seas along the way. However, their determination was rewarded. The Pilgrims adjusted, thanks to help from Native American tribes, and soon celebrated their first harvest in the New World. | Frané Lessac was born in the USA and lived on the Caribbean island of Monserrat and in London before moving to Australia. As a child she considered becoming a veterinarian and had many pets including a monkey, snakes and a camel. She is now an author and illustrator of over 40 children's books. She promotes children's literacy in various capacities in Australia and was awarded the Barwell Award for Distinguished Service to Children's Literature in 2010. |
| David Lubar davidlubar.com  | Released on the 10th anniversary of the popular novel Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie, which has become required reading in schools across the country, Sophomores and Other Oxymorons follows Scott Hudson through his second year of high school. Things do not go smoothly. | David Lubar has written over 30 books for teens and young readers. His novels are on reading lists across the country, saving countless students from a close encounter with Madame Bovary. His Weenies short story collections have sold more than 2 million copies and his books have been honored by ALA, YALSA, Bank Street College, Keystone State Reading Association and the Kansas State Reading Circle. In his spare time, he takes naps on the couch. |
| Elisa Ludwig elisaludwig.com  | Willa's string of good-hearted but ill-conceived thefts at her former high school catapulted her into a life she hardly knows. She became a cult hero, but soon afterward her mom disappeared, leaving only a cryptic message. When Willa hits the California highway to find her, she discovers a dark family secret: Joanne Fox is not who she says she is - and neither is Willa. Uncovering the truth requires solving a decades-old murder case. | Elisa Ludwig is the author of both Coin Heist and the Pretty Crooked trilogy. When she's not writing about teen heists and capers, she's writing about food for the Philadelphia Inquirer and other publications. She lives with her family outside of Philadelphia. |
| Maryann Macdonald maryannmacdonald.com  | Odette lives in the beautiful city of Paris during an ugly time, when the city is occupied by the Nazis. When her father joins the French army and her mother joins the Resistance, Odette is sent to the country to “hide in plain sight.” Forced to lie and to keep secrets in order to survive, Odette begins to lose touch with who she really is. When she returns to Paris at the end of the war, she struggles to find her true identity. | Maryann Macdonald has written over twenty five books for children. She lived in Europe for many years, where she discovered the touching story of Odette Meyers’s childhood in her memoir “Doors to Madame Marie.” Ms. Macdonald lives in New York City, where she serves on the International Board on Books for Young People as its representative to the United Nations. ReadKiddoRead, James Patterson’s book club, selected her book The Pink Party as a “best illustrated book.” |
| Wendy Mass wendymass.com  | Angelina D'Angelo has left town to see the world. It's now Grace's turn to use her magic to protect the people of Willow Falls, and she is up to the challenge. This is her destiny, after all. But destiny is a funny thing-it doesn't always behave the way you'd expect it to. | Wendy Mass is the New York Times-bestselling author of The Candymakers (the sequel to which is underway) and 17 other novels for young readers, among them A Mango-Shaped Space and Every Soul a Star. She lives in Sparta, New Jersey, where she's building a labyrinth in her backyard. |
| Yona Zeldis McDonough yonazeldismcdonough.com  | A lively, informative biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the beloved Little House on the Prairie series. Special emphasis is placed on Laura's relationships with her mother and her daughter, both of which were extremely important in her development as a writer. Includes crafts, recipes and period games to flesh out the life and times of this legendary figure. | Yona Zeldis McDonough is the author of twenty-five books for children and six novels for adults. She holds degrees from Vassar College and Columbia University and presently lives in Brooklyn with her family and two small, yappy Pomeranians. Ms. McDonough is the recipient of the Once Upon a World Award, presented by the Simon Wiesenthal Center, and her works have been finalists for the Texas Bluebonnet and Sydney Taylor awards. |
| Florence Minor minorart.com  | If You Were a Panda Bear introduces different types of bears to young children. Through the poem in this charming storybook, kids will learn that pandas are shy and eat bamboo, black bears love to climb trees and grizzly bears can be up to ten feet tall. A section at the back includes even more fun animal facts. The full-color illustrations are playful and bring the personality of each bear to life. | Florence Minor is a former film editor for ABC News. She now works with her husband Wendell creating books that entertain, teach and inspire children. She manages all aspects of their busy studio and authors some of the books that Wendell illustrates. Her works have been selected for PA and IL State reading programs. Boston Public Library recognized her at the 27th annual Literary Light, celebrating outstanding New England writers for their inspiring work. |
| Wendell Minor minorart.com  | In amazingly lifelike, luminous paintings, Wendell Minor, one of America's finest wildlife and landscape painters, reveals the variety of animals that surround us when we are awake and when we are sleeping. Minor's vivid introduction to diurnal (daytime) and nocturnal (nighttime) creatures invites readers to experience the movements, sounds, colors and textures of nature. | Wendell Minor is nationally known for the artwork he has created for over fifty award-winning children's books. He is also the cover artist and designer for books by David McCullough, Pat Conroy and for the YA editions of Nathaniel Philbrick's books. His work has been honored by the Smithsonian, the ALA, Bank Street College, the Boston Public Library and the New England Independent Booksellers Association, among other organizations. |
| Andy Myer andymyer.com  | Meet Henry Hubble, aspiring cartoonist, poet and a perpetual lightning rod for trouble. From class trip bathroom breaks to Halloween costume catastrophes to lunchroom table love drama, Henry is always in the middle of a debacle. That is … until this journal (yes, the one you hold in your hands) makes Henry a media mogul and one of the most popular 6th graders in the world. But you're just going to have to start reading to find out why. | After a long career that spanned illustration, graphic design and corporate communications, Andy Myer debuted as a children's book author/illustrator with Pickles, Please! His second picture book for youngsters, Delia's Dull Day, was published a year later. Henry Hubble's Book of Troubles is Mr. Myer's first book for middle-grade readers. Delia's Dull Day won recognition from Kirkus Reviews as one of the top children's books of 2012. |
| Karen Kaufman Orloff karenkaufmanorloff.com  | Alex is not happy about being sent to his grandparents' retirement community while his parents go on a fabulous vacation. What could be worse than tagging along to Grandma's boring bridge game or enduring the sight of Grandpa's dentures? But as the week goes on, Alex's desperate emails to his parents turn into stories about ice cream before dinner and stickball with Grandpa. Alex has made a surprising discovery: grandparents are way cooler than he thought! | Karen Kaufman Orloff is the author of eight books for children including the "I Wanna" series, used in schools for persuasive writing. "I Wanna Iguana" was nominated for 16 state awards, was an IRA notable book and was featured in the children's television show "Between the Lions." "I Wanna New Room" was nominated for four awards and topped a Children's Book of the Month Club bestseller list for several weeks. |
| Ammi-Joan Paquette ajpaquette.com  | For her thirteenth nameday, all princess Juniper wants is a country of her own. So when ramblings of unrest start in his kingdom, Juniper's father decides to grant his daughter's wish and sends her to a small, idyllic corner of the Hourglass Mountains until trouble blows over. Once there, Juniper discovers that ruling a small country is a bit harder than she'd expected, especially when her nasty cousin Cyril challenges her rule. | Ammi-Joan Paquette is the recipient of a PEN New England Discovery Award and her books have been recognized with starred reviews and placed on a variety of "Best of the Year" lists. In her non-writing life, she is a literary agent with Erin Murphy Literary Agency, representing a range of top children's and teen authors. She is crazy about words, books and buttery pastry. Preferably all three at once. |
| James Preller jamespreller.com  | Eric is the new kid in seventh grade. Griffin wants to be his friend. When you're new in town, it's hard to know who to hang out with--and who to avoid. Griffin seems cool, confident, and popular. As Eric gets drawn deeper into Griffin's dark world, he begins to see the truth about Griffin: He's a liar, a bully, a thief. Eric wants to break away, do the right thing. But in one shocking moment, he goes from being a bystander . . . to the bully's next victim. | James Preller has published a wide variety of books for readers of all ages. He lives in Delmar, NY and has travelled the country making presentations at schools. His books have been well-reviewed over the years, landing on many state "best" lists and receiving many awards including an ALA Notable, Children's Choice, Cybil and New York Public Library "Best Books for Reading and Sharing." |
| Lesa Cline-Ransome and James Ransome lesaclineransome.com jamesransome.com  | When Lizzie's parents are granted their freedom from slavery, Mama says it's time for Lizzie and her brother Paul to go to a real school -- a new one, built just for them. But will it be strong enough to stand forever? | Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome have collaborated on several picture books that have received numerous awards, including the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Picture Books, the Coretta Scott King Award, the Coretta Scott King Honor Award, two NAACP Awards, two Top 10 Sports Books for Youth and the Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance Award. They live in New York's Hudson Valley with their 4 children and St. Bernard, Nola. |
| Lizzy Rockwell lizzyrockwell.com  | Birds have traits that other animals share, like beaks, wings and hatching from an egg. But there is one trait that makes only a bird a bird. Can you guess what it is? This is an early science non-fiction book about classification in nature, presented with simple poetic language and realistic paintings of over 40 birds seen in their natural habitats. | Lizzy Rockwell is an author and illustrator of early non-fiction science books. She is also the illustrator of many books written by her mother, Anne Rockwell. Ms. Rockwell's The Busy Body Book won the ALA Best Science Book for Youth award. She lives in Bridgeport, CT. |
| Carol Roth authorcarolroth.com  | It's time for the five little ducklings to go to school. Four of the little ducklings shout, "YIPPEE! HOORAY! OH, BOY! THAT'S COOL!" The fifth little duckling sobs "BOO-HOO! I won't go to school! I'm going to miss you!" But when Mama reminds them "Even though we'll be apart, we'll still be in each other's hearts," the little ducklings go forth and soon discover "school is great!" | Carol Roth is a former kindergarten teacher with a Master's degree in early childhood education. She is the author of twelve children's books and also teaches English as a Literacy Volunteer. Her books have won multiple awards, among them a Children's Choice Book Award and the Missouri Building Block Award for Best Picture Book. Ms. Roth has two children, three grandchildren and another one on the way. She lives in NJ with her husband. |
| Marisabina Russo marisabinarusso.com  | The morning after a rainy night, Little Bird sets out to find a puddle for a bath. After a few surprise interruptions, he finally splashes in the perfect spot. | A graduate of Mount Holyoke College, Marisabina Russo is an award-winning children's book author and illustrator. She began as a freelance illustrator contributing spots and covers to the New Yorker Magazine and many other magazines and newspapers. Her 32 picture books and young adult novels have been translated into multiple languages and have been honored by ALA, Bank Street College and the Junior Library Guild, among other organizations. |
| Heidi EY Stemple heidieystemple.com  | When it's time to snuggle in bed, Mama shows her little one that home, like a bird's nest, can be anywhere at all -- as long is family is near. | Heidi EY Stemple didn't want to be a writer when she grew up. In fact, after graduating from college she became a Florida probation officer. It wasn't until she was 28 years old that she published her first short story, and has since published almost 20 books and numerous short stories and poems, mostly for children. Her works have been honored with multiple awards. Ms. Stemple lives and works on an old tobacco farm in western Massachusetts. |
| Naoko Stoop brownpaperbagcollection.com  | One day, Red Knit Cap Girl and her friends discover a hollow tree in the forest. What can the tree be used for? Little by little, one by one, the animals share their unique gifts and turn the ordinary tree into a special spot for everyone to enjoy! | Naoko Stoop is a Brooklyn-based, self-taught illustrator who draws, paints and makes prints in her loft studio. She uses found materials such as plywood and brown paper bags as her canvas as she tries to bring out the five year-old in people through her artwork. Her works have earned the New York Times Best Illustrated Picture Book award and a National Parenting Publication Award (Gold). |
| Bill Thomson billthomson.com  | When a boy and his dog go for a hike, the boy trips on a fossil and it comes to life, revealing an ancient plant. The boy is so intrigued that he breaks two more fossils that also comes to life as a dragonfly and as a pteranodon! When these prehistoric creatures collide with present reality, the boy must figure out how to make things go back to normal. Visually told through art, this "wordless story" will surely spark imagination and creativity. | Bill Thomson has created artwork for advertising, book and editorial clients across the country, with recent work focusing primarily on children's books. He is also a Professor of Illustration at the University of Hartford, where he has been honored with two distinguished teaching awards. His work has been recognized by the ALA and National Parenting Publications, among other organizations. He lives in Connecticut with his wife Diann and their three sons. |
| Timothy Tocher sites.google.com/site/tochertales  | Adjust your helmet and step up to the plate to see some of the oddest players, fans, managers and mascots in baseball history -- all told through comic strips. | Timothy Tocher is the author of sports-based fiction and non-fiction for boys and girls. His works have received honors from the ALA (Best Books for YA list), Kirkus Review, Bank Street College (best non-fiction list), the Junior Literary Guild and have been nominated for state awards in New Jersey, New Hampshire and Nebraska. He lives in New York's lower Hudson Valley. |
| Iza Trapani izatrapani.com  | Old King Cole, the merry old soul, is having a castle ball. But when the fiddlers three play a soft serenade that lulls him into a deep sleep, the guests are distraught. Not even Mother Hubbard's dog, the three little pigs nor the blast of Little Boy blue's horn can wake the snoring sire. What will they do? | Iza Trapani is a best-selling, award-winning children's book author and illustrator working on her 26th book. Her popular series of nursery rhyme extensions are widely used in schools and libraries across the U.S. and abroad. Ms. Trapani's works have earned honors from the IRA/CBC Children's Choices, the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Book Awards, Bank Street College and more. |
| Danette Vigilante danettevigilante.com  | Ever since her brother's death, Dellie's life has become quiet and sad. She lives with the guilt that the accident that killed her brother was all her fault. But Dellie's world begins changing when new neighbors move into her building. | Danette Vigilante grew up in the Red Hook Houses in Brooklyn, NY. She now lives in Staten Island with her husband, two daughters, two puppies and a cat with a bad attitude. Her books have been honored with a nomination for the Sunshine State Young Reader's Award and as a pick for the New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing list. |
| Rita Williams-Garcia ritawg.com  | Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern are off to Alabama to visit their grandmother, Big Ma, and her mother, Ma Charles. Across the way lives Ma Charles's half sister, Miss Trotter. The two half sisters haven't spoken in years. As Delphine hears about her family history, she uncovers the surprising truth that's been keeping the sisters apart. But when tragedy strikes, Delphine discovers that the bonds of family run deeper than she ever knew possible. | Known for their realistic portrayal of teens of color, Rita Williams-Garcia’s works have been recognized by the Coretta Scott King Award Committee, PEN Norma Klein, American Library Association, and Parents’ Choice, among others. She recently served on the National Book Award Committee for Young People’s Literature and is on faculty at Vermont College MFA Writing for Children and Young People. |
| Maryrose Wood maryrosewood.com  | The Ashton family tree is soon to sprout a new member. The household is excited, but Lord Ashton is adamant: if Penelope can't remove the curse upon his family by spring, a Barking Baby Ashton is what his wife is likely to have. During a trip to the seaside, Penelope hopes to pry the words of the curse out of Great Uncle Pudge, but her efforts are complicated by the Babushnikovs. | Maryrose Wood's acclaimed Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series continues with The Unmapped Sea. She teaches fiction writing at NYU and is on the faculty of the Stony Brook Southampton Children's Literature Fellows program. Her works have received starred reviews in School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist and Publisher's Weekly and have been honored by Junior Library Guild and the Christian Science Monitor. |
Gloria Smith Zawaski | Katie, Jake, and their dog Cooper explore their aunt’s farm where they find a secret hole. Thus begins the two-book Undercover Kid adventure series by Middletown, NY author Gloria Smith Zawaski. | Gloria Smith Zawaski grew up as a tomboy and never lost her love of westerns, the outdoors and horses. Her Springer Spaniel bears a strong resemblance to Cooper. |