2025 HCBF Archives - Page 5 of 9 - Hudson Childrens Book Festival

Bontigao, Lynnor

Lynnor Bontigao is the author-illustrator of SARI-SARI SUMMERS, her picture book debut. She is proud to have illustrated the HCBF 2024 poster. Lynnor illustrated 3 books in 2024: AT THE END OF THE DAY by Lisl H. Detlefsen(a JLG selection), KAILANI’S GIFT by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, & SEASHELL KEY(a 2024 CPL Best Fiction for Younger Readers) by Lourdes Heuer. Lynnor also illustrated THE WORLD’S BEST CLASS PLANT (one of Kirkus Reviews’ Best Picture Books of 2023) by award-winning authors Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick. Lynnor will have 2 more illustrated chapter books in 2025. She is currently working on book projects with Minh Lê coming out 2026 & Jean Reidy coming out 2027. www.lynnorbontigao.com

Awards

2024 Chicago Public Library Best Fiction for Young Readers(SEASHELL KEY by Lourdes Heuer), 2023 Kirkus Best Picture Book (THE WORLD’S BEST CLASS PLANT by Liz Garton Scanlon & Audrey Vernick), 2020 IBPA Gold Winner(Jack & Agyu by Justine Villanueva), 2020 SCBWI Tomie dePaola Professional Development Award, 2020 Kweli Emerging Voice,

3 Fun Facts

1. I love watching KDramas.
2. I am learning to play the ukulele.
3. I can say Thank You in 17 languages.

LaRocca, Rajani

Rajani LaRocca was born in India, raised in Kentucky, and now lives in the Boston area, where she practices medicine and writes award-winning books for young readers, including the Newbery Honor winning middle grade novel in verse, Red, White, and Whole. She’s always been an omnivorous reader, and now she is an omnivorous writer of fiction and nonfiction, novels and picture books, prose and poetry. She finds inspiration in her family, her childhood, the natural world, math, science, and just about everywhere she looks. Learn more about Rajani and her books at www.RajaniLaRocca.com.

Awards
Newbery Honor, Walter Dean Myers Award, Massachusetts Book Award, New England Book Award, SCBWI Golden Kite Award, SCBWI Crystal Kite Award, Charlotte Zolotow Highly Commended Title, NCTE Notable Poetry Book, among many state lists and other awards

3 Fun Facts

1. I’m a practicing doctor
2. I love to cook and bake
3. I have a cute fluffy dog

Balkan, Gabrielle

Gabrielle Balkan Author Photo Balloons – Gabrielle

Balkan, Gabrielle

Gabrielle Balkan‘s non-fiction picture books delight readers ages 0-12 with curious and essential facts about the United States, animal record-breakers, and ground-breaking artists. Learn about the best place to see a hot dog eating contest, falling dino poop, mapping your tummy, and what “eye of newt” really is in her books The 50 States, Book of Dinosaurs, What a Map Can Do, and How to Be a Witch. When she’s not puzzling over how to explain complex topics to readers, Gabe loves visiting classrooms and brainstorming with kids. Learn more: www.gabriellebalkan.com and @gabriellebalkan.

Awards

Gabrielle’s books have been recommended by the American Library Association, Chicago Public Library, National Council for the Social Studies-Children’s Book Council, the International Literacy Association and received starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus, and Publisher’s Weekly. Gabrielle is a semi-annual speaker at the Osher Map Library’s Elementary Map Contest, and Bank Street College’s Geography in the Social Studies Curriculum course.

3 Fun Facts

1. I once sat on a cactus, by mistake.
2. I have licked a dino coprolite on a dare.
3. I reread The Golden Compass every year‚ sometimes twice a year!

Yuksel, M.O.

Yuksel, M.O

M.O. Yuksel is an award-winning author of several acclaimed picture books, including In My Mosque, One Wish: Fatima al-Fihri and the World’s Oldest University, Ramadan Kareem, Sami’s Special Gift: An Eid al-Adha Story, and The Prince of Stars: Ulugh Beg’s Quest to Map the Stars and Seasons. Her books, honored with accolades like the Orbis Pictus Honor, ALA Notable, Junior Library Guild Gold Standard, and TLA Topaz Nonfiction Gem Award, celebrate diversity and offer rich insights into Muslim traditions that inspire readers of all ages. www.moyuksel.com.

Awards

Her books have won several awards, including American Library Association Notable Book, a School Library Journal Best Book, and a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection, Cooperative Children’s Book Center Best Choice, Notable Books for a Global Society, Anna Dewdney Honor Book, English Association Nonfiction Picture Book Award, Texas Library Association Topaz Nonfiction Gem Award, and Virginia Readers’ Choice Award, National Council of Teachers of English Orbis Pictus Recommended Book, an American Library Association Rise Honoree, a Children’s Book Council Notable Social Studies Trade Book, Nerdy Book Club Award for Best Nonfiction Picture Book, and School Library Journal Best Nonfiction Book.

3 Fun Facts

1. She lived on three continents and crossed two multiple times in one day! (Hint-hint: Istanbul, Türkiye, the city that spans two continents).
2. She speaks three languages – English, Turkish, Uzbek, and understands several – Spanish, Azeri, Kazak, Kyrgyz, Turkmen, Uyghur.
3. If she had her way, she’d eat dessert first at every meal (but don’t tell her kids!).

Bobrick, Rick

I taught science at the Hudson Junior High School for over 30 years. I became a published author after I retired when I turned an old bedtime story into my first book, Bears Don’t Share. All three of my books were illustrated by my niece, Lauren Sullivan, in a memorable family collaboration. www.rickbobrick.com

Awards

Being accepted at the Hudson Children’s Book Festival as a visiting author for three consecutive years. Quite an honor for a first-time author, even though I had an in!

3 Fun Facts

1. I raise turkeys and chickens in the spring, summer, and fall.
2. My main passion is fly fishing for wild brown trout in the Catskill mountains.
3. I work with ski patrol in the winter.

Gopal, Jyoti Rajan

Gopal, Jyoti Rajan

Jyoti Rajan Gopal is an award-winning picture book author, mom and forever kindergarten teacher. Her books have received starred reviews in Kirkus Reviews, Publisher’s Weekly, School and Library Journal, Book List, and Book Page and are on the Bank Street, NYPL and SLJ Best Books lists. She is the recipient of the ALA 2024 Stonewall Honor Award.

Jyoti writes stories – fiction and non-fiction – of identity, community and belonging, themes that speak to her heart and that reflect her multiple identities. https://www.jyotirajangopal.com/

Awards
ALA Stonewall Honor 2024 for Desert Queen

3 Fun Facts

1. I speak 5 languages.
2. I swam with whale sharks.
3. I love tiramisu.

Pullen, Mark David

Mark David Pullen is the author of the middle-grade series The Oasis Chronicles. His debut novel, The Oasis King, was released in February of 2023. Mark combines his love of science fiction and fantasy with action and adventure to create wholesome, fast-paced stories the entire family can enjoy together. Mark lives in Upstate New York with his wife, two children, and crazy old hound dog, Toby. www.theoasisking.com

Awards

PenCraft Literary Award Winner, NYS Book Festival Honorable Mention, Outstanding Creator Award- Winner

3 Fun Facts

1. Loves to cook.
2. Avid Outdoorsman.
3. 90s video games are the best!

Miller, Kayla

Kayla Miller is the author and illustrator of the bestselling Click series of graphic novels as well as the co-author of it’s spin-off series, Besties. www.kayla-miller.com

Awards

Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, Little Maverick Reading List Selection, One of Parents Magazine’s 30 Best Kids’ Books of 2019, One of Barnes & Noble’s Best Books of 2020, An Amazon Teachers’ Pick, One of A Mighty Girl’s Best Books of the Year 2019 and 2020, New York Times Bestseller, Publisher’s Weekly Bestseller, Indie Bestseller, USA Today Best Seller.

3 Fun Facts

1. I have three cats and a turtle.
2. I can read and write upside down.
3. I’m not a morning person, but breakfast is my favorite meal.

Parra, John

John Parra is an award-winning artist, illustrator, author, and educator, best known for his Latino themed children’s picture books. https://www.johnparraart.com/

Awards

CSMCL’s Best Multicultural Books of 2024, Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, NY Society of Illustrators, Original Art Show Selection, “Starred Review” Kirkus Review

3 Fun Facts

I like to play guitar, travel, and eat good food.

Venkatraman, Padma

Padma Venkatraman is the author of The Bridge Home, Born Behind Bars, A Time to Dance, Island’s End and Climbing the Stairs. Her books have sold over ¼ million copies, received over 20 starred reviews, and won numerous awards: Walter Dean Myers Award, South Asia Book Award, Golden Kite, ALA Notable etc. Her poetry has been published in Poetry Magazine and nominated for a Pushcart Prize. An oceanographer by training, Padma loves teaching and sharing her love for reading and writing with others. Her latest novel, Safe Harbor, is about a girl who rescues a stranded seal in Rhode Island, where Padma lives with her family.
www.padmavenkatraman.com

Awards
Padma Venkatraman is the winner of a Walter Dean Myers Award for Outstanding Children’s Literature, Golden Kite, Crystal Kite, three South Asia Book Awards, two Paterson Prizes, Julia Ward Howe and Nerdy Book Awards; recipient of Malka Penn, Sakura Medal, Prix des Libraries, Storytelling World and Litterado honors, etc. Her novels have appeared on numerous best book lists (ALA Notable, Kirkus, Booklist Editor’s Choice, NYPL, Chicago Public Library, Bank Street, CSMCL and many more).

3 Fun Facts

1. I play Indian classical music, like Geetha, the protagonist of Safe Harbor.
2. I was the only BIPOC female in my incoming graduate oceanography class in the 1990’s.
3. I was inspired to write Safe Harbor by a seal I came across while strolling along the beautiful New England beach near my home.