About Fred Wynn

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So far Fred Wynn has created 271 blog entries.

Curato, Mike

Curato, Mike

Mike Curato is the author and illustrator of picture books including the award winning Little Elliot series and Where Is Bina Bear?, and Flamer, his debut young adult graphic novel, which was awarded the 2020 Lambda Literary Award and the 2021 Massachusetts Book Award. He also illustrated All the Way to Havana by Margarita Engle, Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian, The Power of One by Trudy Ludwig, and What If… and The Sharey Godmother, both written by Samantha Berger. His new book, What Are You?, by Christian Trimmer, will be available for purchase at the festival before its release!  www.mikecurato.com

Awards/Honors
2020 Lambda Literary Award for LGBTQ Young Adult (Flamer)
2021 Massachusetts Book Award for Middle Grade/Young Adult (Flamer)
2021 SCBWI Golden Kite Award Honor Illustrated Book for Older Readers (Flamer)
2014 Society of Illustrators Original Art Show Founder’s Award (Little Elliot, Big City)
2015 Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor (Little Elliot, Big City)

3 Fun Facts

1. Mike loves singing karaoke
2. He has a very cute dog named Leia
3. Mike was born and raised in the Hudson Valley

Berger, Samantha

Berger, Samantha

Samantha Berger may not be…
an otter with an attitude
a crankycrankycranky green boy
a Christmas reindeer
a princess on the potty
a sloth at a music festival
a witch at a day spa
a Sasquatch with anxiety
a snail traveling cross country
a girl riding a Pegacorn
a drawing that comes to life
a glamorous grandma
or a monster with underwear dilemmas…

BUT —

she has written picture books about them ALL!

Samantha Berger is the award-winning author of over 80 picture books. More than that, Samantha LOVES picture books, and loves sharing them with people of all ages. Sam wrote for Nickelodeon for 12 years, and currently writes for Sesame Street in Communities & Sesame Street International. Sam likes to see as much of the world as she can, and do as much good as she can along the way. She is an official We Need Diverse Books 2019 Mentor, and looks forward to helping new voices and new stories shine. Sam is a 2019 Air Serenbe Joy of Reading Fellow and can’t wait to see what she will create there! Samantha lives in both New York City, and sunny Santa Monica with her Dingo-Chihuahua rescue dog Polly Pocket, who is a daily reminder of resilience and the power of love. www.samanthaberger.com

3 Fun Facts

1. I love theme parties (tiki, 80s, glitter, wigs, you name it!)
2. I can touch my tongue to my nose
3. I just took a ride in a “karaoke car” and sang my way through sundance!

Bildner, Phil

Bildner, Phil

Phil Bildner is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous books for kids. His latest book is the 2021 NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Honor-winning middle grade novel, A High Five for Glenn Burke. He is the author of many children’s picture books including the Margaret Wise Brown Prize winning Marvelous Cornelius, the Texas Bluebonnet Award winning Shoeless Joe & Black Betsy, Martina & Chrissie, Twenty-One Elephants, and The Soccer Fence. Phil is also the author of A Whole New Ballgame, Rookie of the Year, Tournament of Champions, and Most Valuable Players in the critically acclaimed middle grade Rip & Red series. www.philbildner.com

New York Times Bestseller (Sluggers series)
Margaret Wise Brown Prize (Marvelous Cornelius)
Texas Bluebonnet Award (Shoeless Joe & Black Betsy)

3 Fun Facts

1. I’ve been to the World Series, the Super Bowl, and the NBA Finals.
2. I’ve been bitten by a lion.
3. I have a pitbull rescue dog named Katniss. We call her Kat. So I have a dog named Kat.

Sadlowski, Dan

Sadlowski, Dan

Dan Sadlowski is the author of the newly released children’s book, The Universe Is Rooting for You! An awe-inspiring tale that reminds us to appreciate the natural world around us, connect with nature, and give back. His first book, Finding Brooklyn – And The Next Great Superhero boasts your first original female superhero in a children’s book. This resilient children’s book encourages readers to feel empowered, be different, and believe they have superpowers within. Dan Sadlowski is dedicated to spreading uplifting messages through storytelling, empowering school visits, and inspiring readers everywhere. #gofindingbrooklyn  http://dansadlowski.com

3 Fun Facts

1. I love all movies by Laika Studios. One of my favorite characters of all time is Coraline Jones.
2. I spent most all of my time as a child playing basketball. Challenge me to a game of 1 on 1!
3. I love superheroes. Come say hi and tell me who your favorite superheroes are?

Bloom, Suzanne

Bloom, Suzanne

My books have taken me around the world: from Iowa to Ireland, from Texas to Italy, from Pennsylvania to the Pearl River Delta in China.

I grew up in Fresh Meadows NY, graduated from Cooper Union, made my way to Buffalo and from there to our home-made house on a scrubby hillside in upstate NY. For years my husband and I made wooden toys, until an idea for a book seeped through the sawdust.

All my studies, all my jobs (except for racking clothes at Macy’s) all my grands (3) have led to the making of twenty two friend-filled books. www.suzannebloom.com

Awards:
A Splendid Friend, indeed
– Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor
– ALA Notable
– PA One Book for Every Young Child
– Texas 2×2
A Mighty Fine Time Machine
– Texas 2×2
Alone Together
– Bank Street College of Education, Best Children’s Books of the Year
The Bus for Us
– PA One book for Every Young Child Bunny Braves The Day
Bunny Braves the Day
– Bank Street College of Education, Best Children’s Books of the Year

3 Fun Facts

1. My friends, family, dogs and cats all show up in my books along with my imaginary friends.
2. I am left-handed but use scissors right-handed.
3. My favorite color can be found on many of my book covers.

Masiello, Ralph

Masiello, Ralph

Ralph Masiello was born and raised in the state of Massachusetts, where he lives with his daughters Alexa and Talia. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design (BFA, Illustration, 1985), Ralph has illustrated for magazines, newspapers and books, created posters and prints, and shown his fine art paintings in galleries throughout the world. Beginning with The Icky Bug Alphabet Book in 1986, Ralph has become internationally known for the children's books he's written and illustrated. Since 1987, he has visited over 3,300 schools all over the world, inspiring children with his life story, humor, and art.  www.ralphmasiello.com

Awards

New York State Reading Association Charlotte Award, IRA/CBC Children's Choices, Bank Street College of Education's Best Children's Books of the Year, Early Childhood News Director's Choice Award.

1. I was born on a skunk cabbage plantation (this is a lie).
2. I am an avid alpine skier (this is the truth).
3. I had an imaginary friend when I was little. His name was Charlie Pistachio and he lived in the radiator of my house (this is true…and I am writing and illustrating a book about him!).

McCarthy, Deirdre

McCarthy, Deirdre

Deirdre McCarthy has earned a Master of Science in Education, with distinction. In addition, she has earned a certification, Certified Financial Education Instructor, through the National Educator’s Council. Currently, Deirdre is a teacher in the Hudson Junior High School. In addition, she has a financial literacy company for children, Counting with Common Cents. In her free time, Deirdre loves spending time with her family and dog. www.countingwithcommoncents.com

3 Fun Facts

1. In sixth grade, I modeled for a book cover that Diane de Groat created.
2. I am a teacher in the Hudson City School District.
3. I love spending my free time with my family and dog.

Hasbrook, Sarah D.

Hasbrook, Sarah D.

Sarah D. Hasbrook wrote and illustrated her first self-published book “Sadie Mae’s Constant Song” in the summer of 2017. In addition, Sarah is a second grade special education teacher. She holds an Associate in Arts from Columbia-Greene Community College, Bachelor of Science in Education from SUNY New Paltz and two Master’s degrees, one in Childhood Special Education and most recently (2017), a second Master’s degree in Childhood Literacy Education both from SUNY New Paltz. Her passion for teaching and literacy prompted her to write this story. She wanted people to know that even when life is difficult, it is important to always see the good in every situation. In her free time she loves photography, to travel, and of course spend time with her favorite four legged friend, Sadie Mae. Visit Sarah’s website.

3 Fun Facts

1. Sailing is one of my favorite things to do on vacation.
2. My second grade teacher inspired me to be a second grade teacher.
3. I love to travel, but I have never been in an airplane.

Crews, Nina

Crews, Nina

Author and illustrator Nina Crews creates books that celebrate childhood and the power of imagination. Her debut title, One Hot Summer Day, will celebrate its 30th year in print in 2025. Nina is best known for her distinctive photocollage style and interpreting poetry in books like A Girl Like Me, The Neighborhood Mother Goose, and Seeing Into Tomorrow: Haiku by Richard Wright. More recently, Nina has put her camera aside to create digital illustrations for the books I’m Not Small, a story of milestones and mastery, as well as the non-fiction titles Extraordinary Magic: The Storytelling Life of Virginia Hamilton and Not Done Yet: Shirley Chisholm’s Fight for Change. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and son. www.ninacrews.com

Awards

Nina is the recipient of the 2023 New York State Library Association’s Empire State Award. Nina’s work has been recognized by the ALA Notable Committee, the Black Caucus of the ALA, The Horn Book, Junior Library Guild, NCTE, CCBC, New York Public Library, Chicago Public Library, Bank Street College of Education, and many others.

3 Fun Facts

1. I always wanted to be an artist.
2. My parents are the author/illustrators Donald Crews and Ann Jonas.
3. My favorite color is all of them.

Gray, John

Gray, John

John Gray is an Emmy award winning journalist and writer from upstate New York. Donations from the sales of his first children’s book have helped more than 30 animal shelters all over the country. His new book ‘Keller’s Heart’ is based on his blind and deaf dog Keller. View John’s Facebook page.

3 Fun Facts

1. My children’s books are based on real events from my life. In fact I do have a dog named Keller who is blind and deaf and helps run our household.
2. For 20 years I have written a weekly column for the very newspaper that I once delivered as a young child in my hometown. Paperboy was my first job.
3. I’m a huge fan of Broadway and have seen RENT 12 times and can sing the entire score without missing a single word.

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