Our 2025 Author and Illustrator Participants
We had a magical day of stories, imagination, and the joy of reading!
A special THANK YOU to these authors and illustrators that committed to attend our 2025 festival. They spent the day meeting young readers, talking with families, and autographing and inscribing their books, which were available for purchase. Thanks for such a wonderful day of discovery and fun!
Sara Holly Ackerman
Heather Alexander
Author | Pre-School, Elementary, Middle Grade
Heather Alexander is the author and editor of over 70 children’s books, including the A Child’s Introduction to… series and Eat Bugs. Formerly a book scout and editor, she now writes from Los Angeles.
Website
Gabrielle Balkan
Author | Pre-School, Elementary
Gabrielle Balkan is a Brooklyn and Hudson Valley-based author known for nonfiction titles like The 50 States, Meet the Megafauna, and Book of Bones. A former Scholastic editor, she blends science, geography, and art in engaging books for kids.
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Tracey Baptiste
Author | Pre-School, Elementary, Middle Grade
Tracey Baptiste is a New York Times bestselling author known for The Jumbies trilogy and African Icons. Born in Trinidad, she now teaches at Lesley University’s MFA program and writes both fiction and nonfiction for young readers.
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Artie Bennett
Author | Pre-School, Elementary
Former copy editor turned children’s author, Artie Bennett is known for laugh-out-loud titles like The Butt Book and Poopendous!. He published crossword puzzles in The New York Times at 13 and lives in Brooklyn.
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Ethan T. Berlin
Author | Pre-School, Elementary
An Emmy-nominated television comedy writer turned children’s author, Ethan T. Berlin created the quirky Hugely‑Wugely Spider and other laugh-out-loud picture books. Regularly described as “hilarious” and “giggleworthy,” he also plays the robot L.I.S.A. on The Big Fib podcast (now a Disney+ series) and teaches comedy writing at NYU and Stony Brook.
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Valerie Bolling
Author | Pre-School, Elementary
Valerie Bolling is a Connecticut-based author of inclusive, rhythmic picture books such as Let’s Dance!, Together We Ride, and Ride, Roll, Run. A former educator of 30 years, she mentors writers and speaks on equity in children’s literature.
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Lynnor Bontigao
Author and Illustrator | Elementary
Lynnor Bontigao is a Filipino‑born author‑illustrator who created Sari‑Sari Summers, her nostalgic debut about Filipino community life. A former NYC finance professional, she now brings culturally rich, textured storytelling to children’s books while based in New Jersey.
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Laura Bower
Author | Pre-School, Elementary
Laura Bower, a former preschool teacher in Westchester, NY, is the playful and heartfelt author of The Imposter and Emily Snook, the World’s Smallest Cook. Her debut blends whimsy with resilience and celebrates quiet creativity in young readers.
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Derrick Boyle
Author | Pre-School, Elementary
Derrick Boyle, founder of Bibby’s Blurbs Publishing, creates playful, educational children’s books inspired by family and nature. Based in upstate New York, he’s the author of The Clover Counter and Into the Forest, fun stories that spark imagination, early learning, and joy in young readers.
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Nick Bruel
Author and Illustrator | Pre-School, Elementary
Nick Bruel is the author-illustrator behind the bestselling Bad Kitty series. A former cartoonist and humorist, he lives in Tarrytown, NY and is known for his witty, energetic characters and love of gardening and PEZ dispensers.
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Sylvia Chen
Author | Elementary
Sylvia Chen is the author of inclusive STEAM-themed picture books like Tricky Chopsticks and Sparkles for Sunny. She lives in New Jersey and creates playful, culturally-rooted stories that engage and celebrate diverse readers.
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Mike Ciccotello
Author and Illustrator | Elementary
Mike Ciccotello is the author-illustrator of Twins, Beach Toys vs. School Supplies, and Leonard Builds a Haunted House. He hosts the “Draw with Mr. Mike” YouTube series and lives in New Jersey with his family.
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Phaea Crede
Author | Pre-School, Elementary
Phaea Crede is a Boston-based picture book author with ADHD and dyslexia. Her humorous books include Jet the Cat (Is Not a Cat) and Super Pizza & Kid Kale. She’s a former stand-up comic and advocates for neurodivergent kids.
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Margery Cuyler
Author | Pre-School, Elementary, Middle Grade
Margery Cuyler is the author of 50+ books, including That’s Good! That’s Bad! and 100th Day Worries. A former publishing executive and writing teacher at Princeton, she is based in New Jersey.
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Jacky Davis
Author | Pre-School, Elementary
Jacky Davis is the co-creator of the Ladybug Girl series and author of Black Belt Bunny and Sunny Side Up. She lives in Rosendale, NY, where she writes playful and diverse picture books.
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Barbara Dee
Author | Middle Grade
Barbara Dee is the award-winning author of 14 middle-grade novels, including My Life in the Fish Tank and Violets Are Blue, often tackling mental health and identity. A former teacher and attorney, she co-founded the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival.
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Della Ross Ferreri
Author | Pre-School, Elementary
Della Ross Ferreri is the author of picture books, early readers, and board books including The Mouse Buffet and Huggle Wuggle, Bedtime Snuggle. A poet and co-founder of CWHV, she lives in New York’s Hudson Valley.
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Claudia Friddell
Author | Elementary, Middle Grade, Young Adult
Claudia Fridell writes award-winning narrative nonfiction for children, including Grace Banker and Her Hello Girls and Saving Lady Liberty. A former elementary teacher, she is based in Baltimore and focuses on unsung heroes of history.
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Josh Funk
Author | Pre-School, Elementary
Josh Funk is the author of the Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast series, How to Code a Sandcastle, and My Pet Feet. A former software engineer, he’s visited 800+ schools and advocates for STEM and literacy.
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Nancy Furstinger
Author | Pre-School, Elementary, Middle Grade
Nancy Furstinger is the author of nearly 100 children’s books, many focused on animal rescue, such as Mercy and The Forgotten Rabbit. A dedicated animal welfare volunteer, she lives with rescued pets and writes nonfiction and fiction for young readers.
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Laura Gehl
Author | Pre-School, Elementary
Laura Gehl is the award-winning author of 30+ books, including One Big Pair of Underwear and the Baby Scientist series. A former neuroscientist and science writer, she lives in Maryland with her family.
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Julie Gonzalez
Author | Pre-School, Elementary
Julie Gonzalez is a picture book author whose debut How Could a Bear Sleep Here? inspires cozy curiosity in young readers. She regularly visits schools, libraries, and festivals. A nature lover at heart, Julie lives in the woods with her family and a rabbit, and dreams up her best ideas while exploring the outdoors.
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Jyoti Gopal
Author | Pre-School, Elementary
Jyoti Gopal is a picture book author, teacher, and global citizen. Her books, including American Desi and My Paati’s Saris, celebrate identity and heritage. She lives in Yonkers, NY, and was honored with the ALA Stonewall and Neev Literature Awards.
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Stephanie Graegin
Author and Illustrator | Pre-School, Elementary
Stephanie Graegin is a Brooklyn-based author-illustrator known for warm, detailed illustrations in books like Little Fox in the Forest and Fern & Otto. She holds a BFA from MICA and an MFA from Pratt Institute.
Website
Lisa Greenwald
Author | Middle Grade
Lisa Greenwald is the author of bestselling middle-grade series including TBH, Friendship List, and Pink & Green. She holds an MFA from The New School and works as a school librarian in NYC, where she lives with her family and dog, Kibbitz.
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Melanie Hall
Illustrator | Pre-School, Elementary, Middle Grade
Melanie Hall is an award‑winning illustrator and writer from Massachusetts, known for over 25 children’s books such as Winter Walk in the City and Fall Frolic in the City. Her sophisticated, whimsical art is featured at the Society of Illustrators and taught in MFA programs.
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Tara Hannon
Author and Illustrator | Elementary
Tara Hannon is a children’s author-illustrator based in Maryland. She is drawn to stories with humor and heart and is particularly fond of illustrating unicorns, dragons, and ghosts! She’s passionate about body positivity, female empowerment, and cultivating a belonging culture vs. a fitting-in culture.
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Rochelle Hassan
Author | Middle Grade, Young Adult
Rochelle Hassan writes middle-grade and YA fantasy steeped in folklore and magical realism. Her books include The Buried and the Bound trilogy and The Prince of Nowhere. She lives in New York and draws inspiration from Studio Ghibli and myth.
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Kay Healy
Author and Illustrator | Elementary, Middle Grade
Kay Healy is a Philadelphia-based artist and debut graphic novelist. Her book Casey’s Cases: The Mysterious New Girl (2025) draws from her work in fabric art and education. She holds an MFA from the University of the Arts.
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Maya Henderson
Author and Illustrator | Elementary, Middle Grade
Maya Henderson is a Hudson Valley-based illustrator and author. A MICA graduate, her debut graphic novel Brainbow is set for 2026. She also illustrated the Neecy and Nay Nay series and has been featured in The New Yorker.
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Kate Hosford
Author | Pre-School, Elementary
Kate Hosford is a Brooklyn-based educator turned award-winning picture book author and children’s poet. Her titles, including Infinity and Me, have earned ALA Notable, Junior Library Guild, and NYT Best Illustrated honors and been translated into multiple languages.
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Raven Howell
Author | Pre-School, Elementary
Raven Howell is the award-winning author of 20+ picture books and poems, including Blink and Glow and The Fisherman and the French Flounder. She serves as Creative Advisor for RedClover Reader and lives in New York.
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Melissa Iwai
Author | Pre-School, Elementary
Melissa Iwai is a Brooklyn-based author-illustrator known for Soup Day, Dumplings for Lili, and the Gigi and Ojiji series. Her multicultural stories promote representation and include educational materials for classrooms.
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Bee Johnson
Author and Illustrator | Pre-School, Elementary
Memphis-born and Brooklyn-based illustrator and picture book maker, Bee Johnson studied at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Her debut picture book What Can a Mess Make? launched her award-winning career. She lives with her husband, two daughters, and their beagle Banjo, and works with publishers like Macmillan, Penguin Random House, and The New York Times.
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Sylvie Kantorovitz
Author and Illustrator | Pre-School, Elementary, Middle Grade
Sylvie Kantorovitz is the author-illustrator of Sylvie and Zig and the Magic Umbrella. Born in France and now based in New York’s Hudson Valley, she explores personal storytelling through graphic novels and picture books.
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Leslie Kimmelman
Author | Pre-School, Elementary
Leslie Kimmelman is a longtime Sesame Workshop editor and author of 50+ picture books, including Everybody Bonjours! and The Runaway Latkes. She writes about Jewish culture, holidays, and family life from Ardsley, NY.
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Lorien Lawrence
Author | Middle Grade
Lorien Lawrence is a middle-grade author and English teacher from Connecticut. She’s known for The Stitchers and the Fright Watch series, which blend spooky suspense with emotional depth.
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Barbara Lehman
Illustrator | Elementary
Barbara Lehman is a Caldecott Honor-winning author-illustrator best known for her wordless picture books like The Red Book and Rainstorm. She holds a BFA from Pratt and lives in New York’s Hudson Valley.
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Rebecca Gardyn Levington
Author | Pre-School, Elementary
Rebecca Gardyn Levington is the author of picture books Brainstorm!, Afikoman, and Where’d You Go?. A poet and former journalist, she explores themes of childhood anxiety through lyrical rhyming texts. She lives in Summit, NJ.
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Suzy Levinson
Author | Pre-School, Elementary
Suzy Levinson is a New York-based author and poet. Her debut book Animals in Pants! received acclaim for its humor and wordplay. Her upcoming title Dinos That Drive is due in 2025.
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Megan Litwin
Author | Pre-School, Elementary
Meghan Litwin is a former teacher and graduate of Simmons University’s Children’s Literature program. Her titles include Twinkle, Twinkle, Winter Night and the Dirt & Bugsy series. She lives in Massachusetts and writes poetic, playful books for early readers.
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Kyle Lukoff
Author | Pre-School, Elementary, Middle Grade, Young Adult
Kyle Lukoff is a Newbery Honor and Stonewall Award–winning author and former librarian known for When Aidan Became a Brother, Too Bright to See, and Call Me Max. His work reflects his experiences as a Jewish, transgender author committed to inclusive storytelling.
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Lauren Magaziner
Author | Elementary, Middle Grade
Lauren Magaziner is the author of the Case Closed series, The Mythics, and Wizardmatch. Known for twisty, humorous middle-grade adventures, she lives and writes in Philadelphia.
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Kristin Mahoney
Author | Pre-School, Elementary, Middle Grade
Kristin Mahoney is a creative writer and former educator from North Carolina now based in New Jersey. She is the author of Annie’s Life in Lists and The 47 People You’ll Meet in Middle School, known for capturing middle‑grade life with wit and heart.
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Lynne Marie
Author | Pre-School, Elementary
Lynne Marie is a Connecticut-based author and former educator. Her books include Let’s Dance!, Together We Ride, and Rainbow Days. She mentors writers and champions inclusive storytelling in early readers and picture books.
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Denis Markell
Author | Middle Grade
Brooklyn-based author Denis Markell blends his background in sitcom writing and musicals to craft middle-grade mysteries like Click Here to Start and The Game Masters of Garden Place. Formerly co-writer on shows like ThunderCats, he collaborates frequently with illustrator wife Melissa Iwai and enjoys quirky family—and puppy—life in New York.
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Janae Marks
Author | Middle Grade
Janae Marks is the New York Times bestselling author of From the Desk of Zoe Washington and its sequel On Air with Zoe Washington. She holds an MFA from The New School and lives in Connecticut with her family and dog.
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Michele McAvoy
Author | Pre-School, Elementary
Michele McAvoy is an award-winning author, attorney, and educator. Her books include Cookie & Milk, My Superhero Grandpa, and Willa the Werewolf. She is also the founder of The Little Press and host of the My Messy Muse podcast.
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Jamie Michalak
Author | Pre-School, Elementary
Jamie Michalak is the Rhode Island-based author of Frank & Bean, Joe & Sparky, and Dakota Crumb. A former children’s book editor, she now writes playful early readers and picture books.
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Marie-Therese Miller
Author | Pre-School, Elementary, Middle Grade, Young Adult
Marie-Therese Miller is a nonfiction children’s author with 30+ titles, including the Dog Tales series and educational Sesame Street books. She teaches Children’s and YA Literature at Marist College and holds a PhD in English.
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Diana Murray
Author | Pre-School, Elementary
Diana Murray is the NYC-based author of over 25 picture books including City Shapes, Unicorn Day, and Pizza Pig. Also a published poet in Highlights and Cricket, she writes visual, lyrical stories for young children.
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Matt Myklusch
Author | Middle Grade
Matt Myklusch is the author of the Jack Blank trilogy, Order of the Majestic, and the upcoming graphic novel The Blood of Kings. A former Nickelodeon producer, he now hosts a podcast and writes adventure fiction in New Jersey.
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Robin Newman
Author | Elementary, Middle Grade
Robin Newman is the author of the Wilcox & Griswold mystery series and picture books like Don’t Call Me Fuzzybutt!. A former attorney and editor, she’s a member of SCBWI, PEN America, and the Bank Street Writers Lab.
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Travis Nichols
Author and Illustrator | Elementary, Middle Grade
Travis Nichols is the author-illustrator of The Terribles MG series and Maze Quest, and has contributed comics for SpongeBob, Hello Kitty, and Uglydoll. He is also a poet, environmentalist, and novelist.
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John Parra
Author and Illustrator | Pre-School, Elementary
John Parra is an award-winning illustrator and author best known for Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos, Growing an Artist, and Green Is a Chile Pepper. He’s received multiple Pura Belpré Honors and lives in Queens, NY.
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Cameron Pennings
Author and Illustrator | Pre-School, Elementary
Cameron Pennings, a New York–based children’s author, is the writer behind The Ground-Bound Dragon, about a young dragon who can’t fly but learns to embrace her uniqueness. With courage and help from a witch, she discovers that being different doesn’t mean giving up on your dreams.
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Gina Perry
Author and Illustrator | Pre-School, Elementary, Middle Grade
Gina Perry is a New Hampshire-based author-illustrator and psychologist. Her books include Too Much! Not Enough! and The King of Books (2025), combining gentle humor with vibrant, graphic-inspired illustrations.
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Greg Pizzoli
Author and Illustrator | Pre-School, Elementary, Middle Grade
Greg Pizzoli is an award-winning author-illustrator of picture books like The Watermelon Seed and Baloney & Friends. A Theodor Seuss Geisel Medalist with an MFA in Book Arts, he lives in Philadelphia with his family.
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James Preller
Author | Elementary, Middle Grade
James Preller is the author of 80+ children’s books, including the Jigsaw Jones mysteries and YA titles like Bystander. A former Scholastic editor, he lives in Delmar, NY, and has sold over 10 million books worldwide.
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Robin Rosenthal
Author and Illustrator | Pre-School, Elementary
Robin Rosenthal is a children’s book illustrator, art director, and author based in Brooklyn. Her work includes Big Ideas for Little Philosophers board book series and Two Dogs on a Trike. Her debut author-illustrated book Sweet Babe! is forthcoming.
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Annie Silvestro
Author | Pre-School, Elementary
Author of Bunny’s Book Club and Bravo, Little Bird!, Annie Silvestro grew up on the Jersey Shore and previously worked in magazines like Allure. She now lives in New Jersey, writing heartfelt picture books for young readers.
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David Soman
Illustrator | Pre-School, Elementary
David Soman is the co-creator of the Ladybug Girl series and author-illustrator of books like Three Bears in a Boat and The Impossible Mountain. He teaches at SVA and lives in Rosendale, NY with his family.
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Chana Stiefel
Author | Pre-School, Elementary, Middle Grade
Chana Stiefel is the award-winning author of over 30 books, including The Tower of Life and Animal Zombies & Other Real-Life Monsters. She holds an MS from NYU and writes nonfiction and picture books from her home in New Jersey.
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Shawn Stout
Author | Middle Grade
Shawn K. Stout is the author of the Penelope Crumb and Not‑So‑Ordinary Girl series, and the middle-grade novel The Impossible Destiny of Cutie Grackle. With an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts, she also works as a science writer at NIH and lives in Maryland.
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Dasha Tolstikova
Author and Illustrator | Elementary, Middle Grade
Born in Moscow and based in Brooklyn, Dasha Tolstikova is the author-illustrator of A Year Without Mom and Boney. Her emotionally rich stories have been featured by Kirkus and PW, and she also works in editorial and textile design.
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Iza Trapani
Author | Pre-School, Elementary
Iza Trapani is a Polish-born author-illustrator based in the Hudson Valley. She’s known for classic nursery rhyme retellings like The Itsy Bitsy Spider, which has sold over 2.5 million copies, and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star which has sold over 2 million copies! She has earned the Rip Van Winkle Award for her contributions to children’s literature.
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Mara Van Fleet
Author | Pre-School
Mara Van Fleet is a former art director turned author-illustrator, known for tactile board books like Three Little Mermaids and Mama’s Pajamas. She lives in New York and exhibits her artwork regionally.
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Matthew Van Fleet
Illustrator | Pre-School
Matthew Van Fleet is the bestselling creator of interactive board books like Heads, Tails, and Cat, with over 9.6 million copies sold. He lives in Chappaqua, NY and specializes in lift-the-flap and touch-and-feel formats.
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Colleen AF Venable
Author | Elementary, Middle Grade
Colleen AF Venable is a graphic novelist and designer best known for Kiss Number 8, Katie the Catsitter, and Mervin the Sloth. A National Book Award longlister and Eisner nominee, she lives between New York and Massachusetts.
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Padma Venkatraman
Author | Elementary, Middle Grade, Young Adult
Padma Venkatraman is the award-winning author of verse novels like The Bridge Home and Born Behind Bars. A former oceanographer, she holds a PhD and writes from Rhode Island, often focusing on global justice and resilience.
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Joan Waites
Illustrator | Pre-School, Elementary
Award-winning author-illustrator Joan Waites has created more than 50 illustrated titles and authored five of her own, working in gouache and mixed-media collage. She formerly taught at the Corcoran Museum School of Art and remains active in SCBWI and D.C.’s Children’s Book Guild, while continuing to draw inspiration from working with young students.
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Tracey West
Author | Pre-School, Elementary, Middle Grade
Tracey West is the author of 400+ books for children, including the bestselling Dragon Masters series and licensed series like Pokemon and LEGO Ninjago. Her new series for beginning readers, Dragon Hill, debuts this fall and you can find it at this festival. She lives in the western Catskills, where she operates a mobile children’s bookstore in her rural community.
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