2025 HCBF Archives - Hudson Childrens Book Festival

Winterbottom, Julie

Winterbottom head shot 2 – Julie Winterbottom

Winterbottom, Julie

Julie Winterbottom writes books for kids about science and history and sillier subjects like pranks and farts. Her newest book is Magic in a Drop of Water, a picture book biography of pioneering ecologist Ruth Patrick. She is also the author of two humor books, Pranklopedia and What a Blast! and Frightlopedia. She is the former editor-in-chief of Nickelodeon Magazine and worked as an editor at Sesame Workshop and Scholastic. When she’s not writing, she loves exploring the shores of the Hudson River near her home in Beacon, New York. JulieWinterbottom.com

Awards

Many Educational Press Association Awards for editing and writing for children’s magazines published by Scholastic, Sesame Workshop, and Nickelodeon.

3 Fun Facts

1. I was a serious prankster as a kid.
2. I play the accordion in a Cajun band.
3. I love the smell of skunks.

Shah, Amar

Amar Shah is the author of the critically acclaimed Play the Game basketball trilogy and the upcoming graphic memoir Wish I Was a Baller (Scholastic). A multiple Emmy- winning writer and producer, Amar has held key roles at ESPN, Fox Sports, NFL Network, and the Orlando Magic. His work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the Orlando Sentinel, SLAM, and the Washington Post. www.amarshahwrites.com

Awards

Amazon Top New Release, SLJ said “Lovers of basketball, especially fellow athletes, will devour this novel.”

3 Fun Facts

1. I was on the cover of Sports Illustrated for Kids with Shaquille O’Neal as a kid.
2. I worked at ESPN as my first job.
3. I have two kids.

Eckler, Theresa

Theresa Eckler is a mom, wife, fourth grade teacher, videographer, and now published author! From starting her own educational company The Limitless Classroom where she shares her creative ideas for the classroom, to starting Limitless Publishing, Theresa aims to encourage those around here to reach for their dreams and find what makes them Limitless! www.thelimitlessclassroom.com

Awards

Founders Day PTA Award 2021

3 Fun Facts

1. I was born and raised in the state of Maine.
2. The illustrator of my book is a child I went to school with and met in the 3rd grade.
3. My illustrator and I created the entire book virtually over FaceTimes!

Rosenthal, Robin

Robin-Rosenthal-69 PhotoByJeffreyMosier_RR-med – Robin Rosenthal

Rosenthal, Robin

Robin Rosenthal is an author, illustrator, and art director. She has illustrated TWO DOGS ON A TRIKE and the Big Ideas for Little Philosophers and Big Ideas for Little Environmentalists series of board books. SWEET BABE! is her authorial debut. She grew up in Connecticut and now lives in Brooklyn, New York with her family. You can see more of her work at robinrosenthal.com.

Awards

TWO DOGS ON A TRIKE: 1. Kirkus Best Picture Books of 2020, 2. School Library Journal/Betsy Bird’s 2020 Math Books for Kids, 3. Starred Kirkus Review; BIG IDEAS FOR LITTLE PHILOSOPHERS: Featured in The New York Times 2020 Holiday Gift Guide. SWEET BABE! is receiving great advance reviews so far, you can read them here: https://www.robinrosenthal.com/sweet-babe

3 Fun Facts

1. I used to be the cook on a dude ranch. In a related fact, I broke my foot square-dancing.
2. I love to kayak and have kayaked in Alaska and Mexico and the NYC harbor…
3. What else… I am lactose intolerant but carry Lactaid pills with me everywhere because I LOVE. CHEESE.

Teis, Kyra

Teis, Kyra

Kyra Teis is a children’s book author and illustrator and a creator of joyful adventures. With her signature colorful digital collages, Kyra invites kids into a world where imagination knows no bounds. Her playful style and vivid illustrations spark creativity and wonder, making her books beloved by little readers and big dreamers alike. She lives and works in Niskayuna, NY, and can be seen most weekends cheering on the sidelines of her daughter’s soccer games. www.kyrateis.com

Awards

Sometimes When I’m Worried (2023), Kirkus Star. Sometimes When I’m Bored (2022), Kirkus Star and Kirkus Best Indie Books of 2022. Klezmer! (2021), Kirkus Star.

3 Fun Facts

1. I love to sew.
2. I enjoy improv.
3. I am the person who eats the licorice jellybeans.

Hwang, Sarah

Hwang, Sarah

Sarah Hwang is a Korean-American picture book author and Illustrator. She received her BFA in illustration at the Maryland Institute College of Arts. Sarah loves to sprinkle a bit of her quirk and humor in everything she creates. As a storyteller, she focuses on creating fun stories that are relatable for readers of all ages. Sarah made her author-illustrator debut with her much loved picture book, Toasty. sarah-hwang.com

Awards

Starred Review by School Library Journal

3 Fun Facts

1. I am a huge foodie- I love eating and drawing food.
2. My two favorite animals are dogs and penguins.
3. I draw mostly everything everything from memory (My illustrations are focused on capturing essence or feelings of things).

Stokes, Mason

YA debut author Mason Stokes is a professor of English at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, where he teaches African American literature and queer fiction. In addition to his scholarly writing, Stokes is the author of the adult novel Saving Julian and the personal essay “Namesake,” which was selected by Jonathan Franzen for inclusion in the 2016 edition of Best American Essays. masonstokes.com

Awards

Starred review of ALL THE TRUTH in Publishers Weekly; Positive reviews in Kirkus, Booklist, School Library Journal, Forward Reviews, and Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books; author interview on WAMC’s The Roundtable

3 Fun Facts

1. I used to be a drummer.
2. I spent most of my adult life telling myself I would never write a novel.
3. According to my partner, I mispronounce any word beginning with “wh.”

Karas, G. Brian

Karas, G. Brian

G. Brian Karas is an artist and author best known for his work in children’s picture book illustration. His work has received numerous awards, including honors from the American Library Association, the New York Times and starred reviews from major publications. He lives in the Hudson Valley of New York where he enjoys working in his studio, being outdoors and spending time with his family. gbriankaras.com

Awards

New York Times Best Illustrated, Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor,ALA Notable Book,Please Touch Museum Annual Book Award, Louisiana Young Readers’ Choice Award

3 Fun Facts

1. I like to cook (and eat!) all kinds of food but my favorites are pizza and donuts.
2. I like to dance though I’m a terrible dancer.
3. I like scary movies.

Gholson, AJ

Gholson, AJ

We are the parents of 3 energetic, entertaining and emotional children. The inspiration for the books comes from them. We watch the struggles our children deal with and remember those same challenges. We try to think of tools that have helped us in life and demonstrate them to our children. nylahversus.com

Fun Facts

1. Anthony also writes and directs short films.
2. Nylah is the name of our only daughter

Davila, A.M.

Davila, A.M.

A.M. Davila writes post-apocalyptic and dystopian fiction for both a YA and adult audience. When not writing, she teaches Social Studies to high school students in New York. The worlds she creates are at once both fantastical and eerily plausible. Her characters may seem familiar because, as a teacher and observer of humanity, Davila creates characters based on life. Each could be someone you know. Davila resides with her husband, two daughters, and lap dog in the Hudson Valley and enjoys traveling and enjoying the outdoors when she can. www.amdavila.com

3 Fun Facts

1. I was inspired to write this book while stuck in a torrential downpour outside of a church on my way to work.
2. One of the characters is inspired by a former student.
3. The dog is inspired by my neighbor’s dog and we now consider him to be famous!