Jacky and David, are the creators of the New York Time’s Best-Selling LADYBUG GIRL series. They live with their two children and rescue dog in Rosendale, NY. www.ladybuggirl.com
1.Our dog, Pico, is a very messy drinker.
2. Ladybug Girl is based on our daughter who is now 16, and Bumblebee Boy is based on our 14 year old son.
3. If you ask David he’ll share his trade secret- of how to draw a tutu.
Jacky and David, are the creators of the New York Time’s Best-Selling LADYBUG GIRL series. They live with their two children and rescue dog in Rosendale, NY. www.ladybuggirl.com
1.Our dog, Pico, is a very messy drinker.
2. Ladybug Girl is based on our daughter who is now 16, and Bumblebee Boy is based on our 14 year old son.
3. If you ask David he’ll share his trade secret- of how to draw a tutu.
Chris Raschka has made more than sixty books for children, including Yo! Yes?, Five for a Little One, and A Ball for Daisy. His work has earned one Caldecott Honor and two Caldecott Awards, the Ezra Jack Keats Award and has been selected five times for the New York Times Best Illustrated Books List. He lives in New York City.
1. Wednesday is oatmeal day at our house.
2. The names of my last four cats have all begun with the letter A.
3. I once gave private art instruction
Seymour Simon (@SeymourSimon), whom the New York Times called “the dean of the [children’s science] field,” is the author of over 300 highly acclaimed science books, more than seventy-five of which have been named Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). He has introduced tens of millions of children to a staggering array of subjects, and says: “I’m more interested in arousing enthusiasm in kids than I am in teaching the facts. The facts may change, but that enthusiasm for exploring the world will remain with them for the rest of their lives.” www.seymoursimon.com
1. Seymour Simon’s cat was named “Newty Fruity,” after the great scientist Sir Isaac Newton.
2. Seymour grew up with identical twin sisters who often tried to fool people by switching identities. The only person they could not trick was their little brother, Seymour. He always knew which was which!
3.Seymour Simon is working on a new book about DINOSAURS, which is going to be full of fascinating new information. Did you know there is a new dinosaur species being discovered nearly every week?!
SHELLEY ROTNER is an award-winning author and photo-illustrator of over sixty children’s books. Her books are about inclusivity that help children navigate their world. LOVE IS A BIG FEELING, FAMILIES, SHADES OF PEOPLE, NATURE SPY GUIDE are recent titles. TRUE YOU-A GENDER JOURNEY and FINDING HOME-WORDS FROM KIDS SEEKING SANCTUARY were recent recipients of the Junior Literary Guild gold award.
Ms Rotner is also a noted free-lance photojournalist, whose work has appeared in Time Magazine, National Geographic’s World Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler, Food and Wine Magazine and GoNomad.
She has traveled extensively for UNICEF documenting programs about children and education. www.shelleyrotner.com
Junior Literary Guild Gold Award for FINDING HOME-Words From Kids Seeking Sanctuary and for TRUE YOU- A Gender Journey.
1. I stand on my head everyday.
2. I eat ice cream every day.
3. I read every day
Jo Knowles is the author of Still a Work In Progress, Read Between The Lines, Living With Jackie Chan, See You At Harry’s, Pearl, Jumping Off Swings, and Lessons from a Dead Girl. Jo’s awards include a New York Times Editor’s Choice and Notable Book, the PEN New England Children’s Book Discovery Award, an American Library Association Notable, Bank Street College’s Best Books for Children (Outstanding Merit), and YALSA’s Best Fiction for Young Adults. Jo’s books have also appeared on numerous state award lists. Jo lives in Vermont with her husband and son. www.joknowles.com
1. My cat has his own blog called “Things We Put On Fred”
2. I once served coffee to J.D. Salinger
3. I am a Hostess Snack Cake connoisseur.
Lisa Yee’s debut, Millicent Min, Girl Genius, won the prestigious Sid Fleischman Humor Award. Her 17 novels include Warp Speed, Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time, the Bobby series, and several American Girl books including the 2016 Lea Clark series. Lisa’s books have been named a NPR Best Summer Read, Sports Illustrated Kids Hot Summer Read, and USA Today Critics’ Top Pick.
The Kidney Hypothetical is Lisa’s latest novel for teens. She is the author of the DC Super Hero Girls middle grade novel series featuring Wonder Woman, Supergirl, and the most recent, Batgirl at Super Hero High. Visit Lisa at www.lisayee.com.
1. My collection of Winnie-the-Poohs is in a museum in Canada.
2. I always write my endings first.
3. Ate grubs as part of research for a book.
Eric Luper’s more than 20 titles include the Key Hunters series and The Chocolate Lab series, Jeremy Bender vs. the Cupcake Cadets, and Seth Baumgartner’s Love Manifesto. He’s also been doing super-cute books with Cartoon Network for numerous televised shows such as The Amazing World of Gumball, The Regular Show, Teen Titans Go and Ben 10. In addition, Luper writes Mad Libs books for Star Wars, Star Trek and Scooby-Doo. One of his books was recently optioned for motion picture. Eric lives near Albany, but he spends many of his weekends in nearby Lake George. www.ericluper.com
1. I worked to rebuild a castle in southern France
2. I had a job taking care of owls, hawks and eagles… and a few ornery vultures too!
3. My favorite topping on pizza is… another slice of pizza!
Matthew Van Fleet’s innovative books have been introducing children to basic concepts for over twenty years. His unique formats invite toddlers to touch, press, pull, lift and even sniff as they explore colors, shapes, numbers, letters, opposites and more.
His books include the #1 New York Times bestsellers Tails and DOG as well as the New York Times bestsellers CAT, Alphabet, Heads and MOO. His perennial favorites have sold more than 8 million copies and children in fifteen countries across the globe enjoy his books in foreign language editions. www.vanfleetbooks.com
Laurie Stolarz is the author of eighteen young adult novels, including the Dark House series, the Touch series, Project 17, and Bleed, as well as the bestselling Blue is for Nightmares series. With over a million books sold worldwide, Stolarz’s titles have been translated into thirty languages, developed into podcast series, and optioned for TV. Her most recent title is The Last Secret You’ll Ever Keep, a companion book to Jane Anonymous, which was named a 2020 Best Book by Kirkus and included on several state and award lists. Additionally, Stolarz is a producer and scriptwriter for Fictionz, a podcast company focused on creating narrative series based on fiction. www.lauriestolarz.com.
Awards (partial list):
For Jane Anonymous:
New England Book Award Finalist, 2021, Best Fiction Nominee, American Library Association, 2021, Texas Tayshas List, Texas Library Association, 2021, South Carolina Book Award Finalist, 2021, Missouri Gateway Award Finalist, 2022, Kirkus Reviews, Best Books of 2020, Silver Award in the category of Scripted Fiction, for the podcast script, by the Signal Awards.
For the Blue is for Nightmares series of books (which has sold 750K copies) Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, 2005, American Library Assn., Blue is for Nightmares, Top Ten Teen Pick Nominee, 2004, American Library Assn., Blue is for Nightmares, Top Ten Teen Pick Nominee, 2004, American Library Association, White is for Magic, COVR Award Finalist, 2006, Silver is for Secrets,Quill Award Finalist, 2005, Silver is for Secrets, IPPY Award Finalist, 2005, Red is for Remembrance.
For the Touch series of books (which has sold 500K copies): Texas Tayshas List, Texas Library Association, 2010, Deadly Little Secret, Teens@Random, Favorite Book of 2009, Deadly Little Lies, Gold Star Award, TeensReadToo.com, 2009, Deadly Little Lies, Children’s Book Council, Teen Book of the Year Nominee, 2010, Deadly Little Lies.
For Welcome to the Dark House: Seattle Picks: Teen/Horror & Thrillers List, 2018, Popular Paperback, American Library Association, 2017
1. I’m currently learning French.
2. I relax while watching reality TV.
3. I have a dog named Rumpelstiltskin.
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Hudson Children’s Book Festival, Inc., established in 2009 in the historic City of Hudson, NY, strives to create, nurture and sustain a culture of literacy in partnership with our community and schools in Hudson and the surrounding areas. The mission is to foster a love of reading by connecting children with world-class authors and illustrators at the annual free festival and special school and community events. Since 2024, Hudson Children’s Book Festival is a 501(c)3 charity. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
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