About Fred Wynn

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So far Fred Wynn has created 306 blog entries.

Dee, Barbara

Dee, Barbara

Barbara Dee is the award-winning author of fifteen middle grade novels which have been named to many best-of lists, including the Washington Post’s Best Children’s Books, ALA Notable Children’s Books, ALA Rise: A Feminist Book Project List, School Library Journal’s Best Middle Grade Books, and the ALA Rainbow List Top Ten. Her books have earned several starred reviews and have appeared on numerous state awards lists as well. A former teacher and lawyer, Barbara is a co-founder of the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival. Nothing to See Here, her first book with Scholastic, will publish October 20, 2026. www.BarbaraDeeBooks.com.

Awards

2024 recipient of the Rip Van Winkle Award, given by the School Library Media Specialists of Southeastern New York, for “outstanding contribution to the world of children’s literature”,  2024 NCTE National Day of Writing Featured Author, Winner of New Jersey’s Garden State Book Award (Grades 6-8) (Violets Are Blue), ALA Notable Book (Maybe He Just Likes You), ALA Rise: A Feminist Book Project List (Maybe He Just Likes You), ALA Rainbow List Top Ten (Star-Crossed), Washington Post‘s Best Children’s Books of the Year (Maybe He Just Likes You), School Library Journal’s Best Books of the Year (Haven Jacobs Saves the Planet and Violets Are Blue), Bank Street Best Children’s Books (multiple books), Junior Library Guild (multiple books)

3 Fun Facts

1. My rescue dog Junie was named after Junie B. Jones.
2. My cat Saffy was named after the title character in Saffy’s Angel by Hilary McKay.
3. I’m a diehard Yankees fan.

Walton, K.M.

Walton, K.M.

K.M. Walton is the award-winning author of Cracked, Empty, and Ultimatum. She recently adapted her debut contemporary YA novel, Cracked, into a full-length play. She edited and contributed to her music-focused YA anthology, Behind the Song. K.M. co-authored Teaching Numeracy: 9 Critical Habits to Ignite Mathematical Thinking for mathematics teachers K – 8. She graduated from West Chester University and taught middle school language arts. She’s so passionate about acceptance that she gives school presentations—middle school through university level—titled: “The Power of Human Kindness.” K.M. lives in PA with her husband, two sons, and cat. Visit kmwalton.com or Instagram: @kmwalton.

3 Fun Facts

1. I recently started painting abstract art, and I’m up to 86 pieces!
2. Napoleon Dynamite is my all-time favorite movie. Gosh.
3. I recently adapted my debut novel CRACKED into a full-length play.

Craft, Jerry

Craft, Jerry

Jerry Craft is the New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of the graphic novels New Kid, Class Act, and School Trip. New Kid is the only book in history to win the John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature (2020); the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers’ Literature (2019), and the Coretta Scott King Author Award for the most outstanding work by an African American writer (2020). His newest book, J VS. K is coauthored by fellow Newbery winner Kwame Alexander. jerrycraft.com

Awards

Winner of the 2020 Newbery Medal,Winner of the 2020 Coretta Scott King Book Awards Author Award,#1 New York Times Bestseller, Winner of the 2019 Kirkus Prize for Young Readers’ Literature, Finalist for Audie Award – Middle Grade Book of the Year San Francisco Chronicle Bestseller, NEIBA, NAIBA, MPIBA, NCIBA, SCIBA and PNBA Bestseller, Indie Bestseller for Early & Middle Grade Readers, One of Publishers Weekly’s Best Middle Grade Books of 2019,New England Independent Booksellers Association Best Children’s Book of 2019, New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association 2019 Book of the Year for Middle Readers,Top 10 Spring 2019 Indie Next List Pick, Amazon Best Book of the Month, Ages 9-12, 2020 Eisner Award for Best Publication for Kids Nominee,2019 Harvey Award for Best Children’s Book, Nominee, One of Booklist’s 2019 Top 10 Diverse Fiction for Youth, One of Publishers Weekly’s Most Anticipated Children’s Books, Spring 2019, #1 Indie Comics & Graphic Works Bestseller, One of the Best Graphic Novels of 2019 – School Library Journal, One of the 5 Best Fiction Books of 2019 – Washington Post, One of the Best Graphic Novels of 2019 – Washington Post, 2020 Charlotte Huck Award for Outstanding Fiction for Children – Honor Book, 30 of the Most Influential Children’s Books of All Time – Bookriot.com,One of the Best Books of the Year – Time.com,Best Books of 2019 – New York Public Library, Best Fiction for Older Readers of 2019 – Chicago Public Library, 25 Best Children’s Books of 2019 – New York Times,Best Multicultural Children’s Books of 2019 – Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature,The Best New Gift Books for Kids – People, Kirkus – Best Middle Grade Graphic Novels of 2019, 100 Scope Notes Best Books of 2019, Shelf Awareness – Best Middle Grade Books of 2019, Today.com – Best Graphic Novels of 2019, 2022 Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader’s Choice, 2022 Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona),2022 Charlie May Simon Award (Arkansas), 2021 Nutmeg Book Award (Connecticut), 2020 Connecticut Book Awards (Connecticut), Sunshine State Young Readers Award 2020-2021 (Florida), 2021 Nene Award (Hawaii), 2021 Rebecca Caudill Young Reader’s Book Award (Illinois), 2021 Young Hoosier Book Award (Indiana), 2020-2021 Iowa Children’s Choice Award (Iowa), 2021-2022 Louisiana Readers’ Choice Awards (Louisiana), 2021 Maine Student Book Award (Maine), 2020 – 2021 Great Lakes Great Books Award (Michigan), 2021 Minnesota Youth Reading Award (Minnesota), 2019 – 2020 Great Stone Face Children’s Book Award (New Hampshire), 2022 North Carolina Children’s Book Award (North Carolina), 2021 Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award (Pennsylvania),2020-2021 Volunteer State Book Award (Tennessee).

3 Fun Facts

1. I met Queen Elizabeth when I was a kid.
2. LeBron James’s SpringHill Company is producing a New Kid live action movie.
3. I went on a rollercoaster for the first time ever in 2025.

Wenzel, Brendan

Wenzel, Brendan

Brendan Wenzel is a NY Times bestselling author and illustrator, with great affection for all things furred, feathered and scaly. When not creating books for children, he is a proud collaborator with many groups working to protect and conserve wild places and creatures. Brendan’s book They All Saw a Cat received a 2017 Caldecott honor. www.brendanwenzel.info

3 Fun Facts

1. I had a pet pig growing up.
2. Both my parents, my brother and my uncle all like to make art as well.
3. When i’m not making books I like watching wildlife.

Chappell, Crissa-Jean

Chappell, Crissa-Jean

Crissa-Jean Chappell was born in Miami and now lives in Brooklyn, New York. Her debut young adult novel, TOTAL CONSTANT ORDER (HarperTeen) is a NYPL Book For The Teen Age and a VOYA Perfect Ten. Chappell’s second novel, NARC (Flux Books) is currently optioned for film. MORE THAN GOOD ENOUGH (Flux Books) is a Florida Book Awards medalist, which Kirkus calls, “compelling and emotionally nuanced.” Chappell’s newest YA novel is SNOWBIRDS (Merit Press, F+W Media, winter 2017). She holds a PhD and MFA from the University of Miami and has taught creative writing and cinema studies for over ten years. www.crissajeanchappell.com

3 Fun Fact

1. When I hear music, I can taste colors and shapes.
2. I grew up in Miami, Florida and lived through several big hurricanes (including Andrew, a category 5 storm).
3. If I feel homesick, I talk to the wild parrots in Prospect Park.

Bennett, Artie

Bennett, Artie

Artie Bennett is delighted to share The Tenth Man: A Miracle of Jewish Faith and Friendship in New Orleans, his moving, new nonfiction picture book, with young readers. It’s a book brimming with heart and humor. He is also the author of the classic kids’ book The Butt Book, The True Story of Zippy Chippy: The Little Horse That Couldn’t, which won the Magnolia Book Award, given by the children of Mississippi, Poopendous!, Peter Panda Melts Down!, Belches, Burps, and Farts—Oh My!, and What’s Afoot! Your Complete, Offbeat Guide to Feet. He lives in Brooklyn, New York, where he spends his time moving his car to satisfy the stringent demands of alternate-side-of-the-street parking. http://www.artiebennett.com/

Awards

The True Story of Zippy Chippy: The Little Horse That Couldn’t,The Magnolia Book Award (Mississippi),A CCBC Choice,A Horse Lover’s Guide to Staying Inside Children’s Book from America’s Best Racing, A Picture-Book Biography You Need to Know About Citation from Imagination Soup,
A Gift Guide Great Book for the Book Lover in Your Life from The Bookworm Sez.

The Butt Book, Reuben Award Winner for Book Illustration, Best Feel-Good Children’s Book (HuffPost), A New York State Assembly/NYPL Suggested Reading Title, A Starred Review from the Horn Book Guide.

Belches, Burps and Farts—Oh My! A World Science Festival Selection, A Kentucky Bluegrass Award Nominee for Informational Text. A Pragmatic Mom Best Nonfiction Book for Kids, A HuffPost (One of) 26 Entertaining and Educational Books for Back-to-School Season.

Poopendous! A Bright Horizons Notable Book in the Humorous Books for Children Category, A Book Vine for Children Growing Green Book.

3 Fun Facts

1. I’ve always been a good speller and was proud as a boy that I could spell “pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis,” the biggest word around! I would amaze my friends with my prowess.
2. I played Little League baseball and taught myself to switch-hit in emulation of my boyhood idol, Mickey Mantle.
3. I swim every weekday and get some of my best book ideas while doing my laps.

Mojica, Barbara Ann

Mojica, Barbara Ann

Barbara Ann Mojica, M.A. S.A.S., S.D.A is a historian and retired educator. Her education career spans more than forty years serving as a teacher, special educator, principal, and school district administrator. Now retired, she provides education strategies and tips for parents and teachers through guest podcasting, book reviewing, teaching videos, and personal appearances. Barbara writes monthly historical articles for the Columbia Insider under the banner “Passages.” Using the whimsical Little Miss History character to narrate her book series, Barbara hopes to educate, entertain and inspire children to learn about historical people and places.The author teaches critical thinking skills that will empower our youth to become the leaders of tomorrow. Little Miss History’s antics make reading nonfiction a fun-filled adventure for all ages. She firmly believes, “If you don’t know your history, you don’t know what you’re talking about.”  http://www.littlemisshistory.com

Awards

The Little Miss HISTORY book series has garnered more than two dozen awards including B.R.A.G. Medallions, International Book Excellence Awards, Purple Dragonfly, International Readers’ Favorite Awards, Eric Hoffer, and Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards.

3 Fun Facts

1. I have two sets of twin grandchildren!
2. I enjoy playing BoxBollen.
3. My favorite dessert is gelato.

Mojica, Victor Ramon

Mojica, Victor Ramon

Victor Ramon Mojica was born and raised in Manhattan, New York, but now lives in New York Capital Region. He is an illustrator, cartoonist, writer, and publisher with such works as the critically acclaimed comic book series “eugenus®, The Next Step in Human Evolution,” and Captain CROSSBONES® for LAUGHS, Volumes 1-4. www.eugenusSTUDIOS.com

Awards

BRAG Medallions

Fun Facts

1. Visited Europe (Italy) for the first time in 2024.
2. Never known a time I didn’t have a TV.
3. Been drawing since I was 5.

Gantos, Jack

Gantos, Jack

JACK GANTOS is the author of forty-nine books for children from the “ROTTEN RALPH” picture books, collections of “JACK HENRY” short stories, upper elementary and middle school “JOEY PIGZA” and “NORVELT” novels, young adult books—LOVE CURSE OF THE RUMBAUGHS, DESIRE LINES, HOLE IN MY LIFE and THE TROUBLE IN ME. His work can lead readers from the cradle to the grave.

Mr. Gantos was a professor at Emerson College where he developed the Master’s Degree Program in Children’s Literature, Writing and Publishing. He now spends his time writing and is an active speaker at book and literacy conferences, schools and libraries. His works have received a Newbery Award, Scott O’Dell Award, Newbery Honor, Printz Honor, Sibert Honor, National Book Award Finalist nomination, and he is the 2010 recipient of the NCTE/ALAN AWARD for his contribution to the field of Young Adult and Children’s Literature. DEAD END IN NORVELT received both the 2012 John Newbery Award and the Scott O’Dell award for Historic Fiction. This was followed by the companion novel, FROM NORVELT TO NOWHERE. THE KEY THAT SWALLOWED JOEY PIGZA, the final book in the “Joey Pigza” series was released in 2014 and nominated for the Kirkus Prize. His most recent book, THE TROUBLE IN ME, is now available. www.jackgantos.com

Maldonado, Torrey

Maldonado, Torrey

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Torrey Maldonado is an acclaimed author and educator whose work impacts middle grade, young adult, and elementary school literature. He approaches thirty years teaching and has been celebrated by two NYC Chancellors as a top culturally responsive educator. Named “Best Books of the Year” by NPR, The Washington Post, Oprah, and The NY Times, Hands, What Lane?, Tight, and Secret Saturdays are inspired by his and his students’ lives. They’re praised for their authenticity about friendship, family, and choices. Torrey contributes to anthologies alongside celebrated authors. Children’s literature celebrates his 2025 debut picture-book, Just Right, and upcoming picture-books Little Artist and Uncle. Learn more at torreymaldonado.com

3 Fun Facts

1. In third grade, I got hooked to comics. By fourteen, I had 200 comics. Then came my cat, Snow White. Cute name: a Disney princess. She could’ve been a villain. She destroyed my collection—peeing and clawing my 200 down to 50. Do you know what it’s like to see your favorite superheroes smell like cat pee? Ever since, my dream superpower isn’t flying—it’s time-control because I’d pause pets mid-pee to save others from losing valuables to cat-chaos. Oh, I’d love super-speed too.

2. Scrabble! How does a word-game get my heart pumping like an athlete? I love Scrabble so much that it’ll be at my signing table. See if you can beat me. I enjoy losing as much as I do winning. New to the game? I’ll teach you or you can bring someone to tag-team against me.

3. As a tween, I spent a month taping my ears to my head with black electrical tape because I thought that would shrink them or something. Spoiler alert: it didn’t. The good news? People say my head finally grew into my ears. I guess my ears were ahead of their time?

The Hudson Children’s Book Festival is a 501c3 charity.

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.

 

This free, public event fosters a love of reading as families meet and greet world-class creators of books for children of all ages

Copyright 2026 Hudson Children's Book Festival

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