About Fred Wynn

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So far Fred Wynn has created 271 blog entries.

Conklin, Melanie

Conklin, Melanie

Melanie Conklin grew up in North Carolina and worked as a product designer before she began her writing career. She is the author of Counting Thyme, Every Missing Piece, A Perfect Mistake, Crushed (2024), and her debut picture book, When You Have to Wait (2024). Her books have won awards such as the International Literacy Association Teacher’s Choice Award, Bank Street Best Children’s Book, and nominations to six state reading lists. When she’s not writing, Melanie spends her time doodling and dreaming up new ways to be creative. She lives in New Jersey with her family. https://www.melanieconklin.com/

Awards

The International Literacy Association Teacher’s Choice Award, Bank Street Best Children’s Book, and nominations to six state reading lists.

3 Fun Facts

1. Before I started writing, I was a product designer. I’ve designed some strange things: eye-wash stations, label makers, baby incubators, and pencil cups.
2. I didn’t always want to be a writer! I’ve always loved books, but it took me a long time to write one of my own.
3. I hated middle school. My hair never cooperated, no matter how much hairspray I used!

Rex, Michael

Rex, Michael

Michael Rex has been writing and illustrating books for children since 1995. He has made over 50 books including the #1 bestseller “Goodnight Goon,” and the popular “Fangbone!” series, which has been made into an animated TV show. He also is the creator of “Eat Pete” and “Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots.” His newest graphic novel series, “Your Pal Fred,” is a feel-good comedy about the “nicest boy in the apocalypse.” Mr. Rex has a masters degree in Arts Education and travels the country visiting schools to talk about his work. He lives in Leonia, NJ with his wife, two teen sons and dog. https://www.instagram.com/fangbone_rex/

3 Fun Facts

1. I find writing harder than drawing.
2. I have two sons.
3. I have two dogs.

Lavin, Nanette Torchia

Lavin, Nanette Torchia

Nanette Torchia Lavin, a Hudson native, attended Greenport Elementary and Hudson High. As a social worker in a preschool for the past 25 years, she knows how children connect with food. No suitcase is required for Nanette’s debut, Recipe Road Trip, Cooking Your Way Across the USA. This book was created out of her love of travel, cooking, and children. Nanette lives in Lynbrook, New York with her daughter, Emma, and their three-year-old Wheaten Terrier Maddie. www.kitcheninkpublishing.com

Awards

A fantastic Kirkus review “A colorful celebration of food and culture—children will delight in cooking (and eating) their way around the nation”- Wonderful five star reviews including profile on Net Galley and a bulk sale to the Junior Library Guild (JLG).

3 Fun Facts

1. Born and raised in Hudson, NY
2. Children’s yoga teacher
3. Won a Today Show costume contest and the prize was a trip to Harry & Meghan’s royal wedding in London

Kantorovitz, Sylvie

Kantorovitz, Sylvie

Sylvie Kantorovitz was born in Casablanca, Morocco, grew up in France, and now lives in the beautiful Hudson Valley. She is the author-illustrator of SYLVIE, a middle-grade graphic-novel about her young years in France. SYLVIE has been called “enchanting and witty” (School Library Journal), “a delightful graphic-novel memoir of artistic coming-of-age for children ages 8-14.” (Wall Street Journal). Her latest book, also a graphic novel, is MONTI AND LEO, A NEWCOMER IN POCKETVILLE. She is also the illustrator of the bestseller, WHEELS ON THE BUS, A RAFFI SONG TO READ. www.sylviekantorovitz.com

Awards

SYLVIE is a Bank Street Best Book of the Year and a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection. MONTI AND LEO is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection.

3 Fun Facts

1. I’m easy to recognize: I have very short hair and a French accent
2. I love spirals! I manage to include 2 in my autograph
3. I have learned a new word: knolling. I love the practice of knolling the treasures I bring back from nature walks.

Ralli, Jessica

Ralli, Jessica

Jessica Ralli is the coordinator of early literacy programs at Brooklyn Public Library where she develops and manages creative initiatives for children 0-5. She has taught in schools, museums and libraries, and lives in Brooklyn with her partner and two children. Jessica is currently co-authoring the award-winning, critically-acclaimed First Conversations series published by RISE X Penguin Workshop. firstconversations.com

Awards

ALA Notable Book (2021), Notable Social Studies Book for Young People (2022), 2023 ALA RISE Booklist, Kirkus Best Book of the Year 2021, Bank Street Book Committee Best Book of the year 2022 & 2023 (more reviews and honors listed here: https://www.jessicaralli.com/childrens-books)

3 Fun Facts

1. I love eggs and often make TikTok videos devoted to them:)
2. I adore Hermit Crabs!
3. I grew up in a school (that my mom ran in our home).

Raff, Anna

Raff, Anna

Anna Raff is an award-winning illustrator of many books for children including PARTY ANIMALS, IF I WERE A KANGAROO, YOU MAKE ME SNEEZE! Her book THE DAY THE UNIVERSE EXPLODED MY HEAD was a Kirkus Best Book of the Year and New York Public Library Best Book. Anna is on the faculty of the School of Visual Arts in the MFA Illustration as Visual Essay Program and Illustration Summer Residency. She lives in New York City, where there are reportedly five rats per human resident.
 www.annaraff.com

Awards

Kirkus Best Book of the Year; NY Public Library Best Book; Starred Reviews from Publishers Weekly, Booklist; Society of Illustrators: Original Art

3 Fun Facts

1. I can juggle.
2. Orange is my favorite color.
3. I’m allergic to cats and dogs, but I LOVE them!

Tarpley, Natasha Anastasia

Tarpley, Natasha Anastasia

Natasha Anastasia Tarpley is an acclaimed author and children’s media creator. Her beloved, bestselling picture book, I Love My Hair! is a staple on national school and library reading lists. She is also the author of a new picture book series, Keyana Loves… Other titles include the award-winning picture book, The Me I Choose To Be, and the social-justice themed middle grade mystery, The Harlem Charade. Natasha is also the writer and Co-Creator of the award-winning children’s narrative podcast, Opal Watson: Private Eye, and is currently developing new children’s television and podcast series. https://natashatarpleywrites.com

Awards

My books have appeared on Bank Street, Kirkus, and multiple library “Best Book” lists; National Endowment for the Arts fellowship recipient; City of Chicago Esteemed Artist Awardee; We Need Diverse Books Mentor; Zürich James Joyce Foundation Research Fellowship, Zürich, Switzerland; Regional Finalist, White House Fellow Program; PEN Foundation Prize for Multicultural Literature

3 Fun Facts

1. I love to sing and take multiple dance breaks while I write
2. I run marathons
3. I love to travel and explore new places (I speak German and can only use it when I travel)

Larsen, Mylisa

Larsen, Mylisa

Mylisa Larsen has been telling stories for a long time. This has caused her to get gimlet-eyed looks from her parents, her siblings and, later, her own children when they felt that certain stories had been embellished beyond acceptable limits. She now writes children’s books where her talents for hyperbole are actually rewarded. She is the author of the picture books All Of Those Babies, How To Put Your Parents To Bed, If I Were A Kangaroo and Ho Ho Homework and the novels Playing Through The Turnaround and Quagmire Tiarello Couldn’t Be Better. She has lived in eight states and two countries and has loved things about all of them. Right now, she lives in upstate New York near one of the Finger Lakes where she loves the water and the trees and the old libraries. https://www.mylisalarsen.com/

Awards

Playing Through The Turnaround-starred reviews in Kirkus and Publishers Weekly
If I Were A Kangaroo-chosen by Raising Readers to be distributed to 11,000 kids in Maine
If I Were A Kangaroo-selected for Imagination Library selection in 2018 and 2019

3 Fun Facts

1. I grew up on a farm
2. I’ve lived in eight different states and in Brazil.
3. I have a dog named Sophie who is convinced that pirates are trying to break into the house at all hours.

Sell, Chad

Sell, Chad

Chad Sell is an author and cartoonist originally from central Wisconsin. His children’s books include The Cardboard Kingdom, Doodleville, and The Stupendous Switcheroo. Chad lives in Connecticut. www.chadsellcomics.com

Awards

2020 Maine Student Book Award
2020 Nēnē Award for Best Graphic Novel
2019 Dwayne McDuffie Award for Kids’ Comics

3 Fun Facts

1. I love video games!
2. I’m weirdly good at croquet.
3. I love cats.

Freedman, Deborah

Freedman, Deborah

Deborah Freedman was an architect once-upon-a-time, but now she prefers building worlds in picturebooks. She is the author and illustrator of 11 of them, featuring protagonists that include an earthworm searching for its purpose in life, a house that dreams of its origins, and a character that is almost too shy to appear in its own book. Her stories have been translated into ten different languages, adopted in classrooms across the country, and honored with many starred reviews and awards. She daydreams and makes books in her colorful home in Connecticut.

Awards

Multiple starred reviews and state awards lists
Junior Library Guild gold standard selection
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Kirkus Best Books, Booklist Editor’s Choice
Society of Illustrators “The Original Art”
Parents’ Choice Gold Award
Crystal Kite Award
Indie Next List, Amazon Books of the Month
Best Books on Huffington Post, Buzz Feed, Chicago Public Library & NYPL
CLA Notable Books, Bank Street Books

3 Fun Facts

1. In school, I studied architecture, not illustration! But now I prefer making books for kids to buildings.
2. I live in a fantastically playful and colorful house.
3. I love meeting readers—so please stop by my table and say hello!

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