2026 HCBF Archives - Page 3 of 5 - Hudson Childrens Book Festival

Davis, Jacky & Soman, David

Davis, Jacky & Soman, David

Jacky Davis and David Soman are the creators of the New York Times best-selling LADYBUG GIRL series. Their new series ELVIS & ROMEO, features an outgoing doodle and a grumpy bulldog, who find the things that bind them together. blackpolka.com and davidsoman.com

Awards

2020 Bank Street Children’s Books of the Year: Agent Lion, 2023 Bank Street Children’s Books of the Year: Papa’s Home, 2023 Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year: Papa’s Home, 2025 Barnes & Noble Best Books 2025: Elvis & Romeo.

3 Fun Facts

1. We have a dog that resembles both a polar bear and a lion.
2. We ponder silly things like- why is the name for grapefruit, grapefruit?
3. We loves trees and bumblebees.

Mahoney, Daniel J.

Mahoney, Daniel J.

Daniel J. Mahoney has been writing and illustrating books for young readers for over 25 years. He has written 6 picture books and has illustrated countless others. His latest picture books that he’s written and illustrated are We Don’t Eat Our Neighbors and My Cat is a Secret Agent. He grew up in Albany, NY and now resides on a cozy street in the country with his daughter Shay. Danieljmahoneyauthor.com

Awards

Bank Street Best Books and inclusion in the Society of Illustrators Original Art Show.

3 Fun Facts

1. I’m a fully trained Radiologic Technologist.
2. I sing to the bugs in my house.
3. I can break dance.

Scrivan, Maria

Maria Scrivan is a New York Times bestselling author and award-winning syndicated cartoonist. The first book in her graphic novel series, Nat Enough (Scholastic/Graphix), launched on April 7th, 2020, and became an instant New York Times bestseller followed by: Forget Me Nat, Absolutely Nat, Definitely Nat, Nat for Nothing, All is Nat Lost and Nat a Chance. The seventh and eighth books in the series will be published in 2026 and 2028, and a new series, Undercover Pup will publish in 2027 and 2028. http://www.mariascrivan.com

Awards

New York Times Bestseller, Canadian Bestselling Author, Sakura Award Nominee

3 Fun Facts

1. In addition to writing and drawing, I love trail running,
2. I love standing on my head,
3. And I love watching birds in window feeder over my drawing table.

Love, Jessica

Jessica Love is the award winning author & illustrator of Julián Is a Mermaid, Julián at the Wedding and A Bed of Stars. She studied Visual Art at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and then Drama at The Juilliard School. She lived New York City for 15 years making plays, and now she lives in the Hudson Valley with her husband and son, and making books. jesslove.format.com

Awards

The Stonewall Book Award, The Ezra Jack Keats Award, The Bologna Children’s Book Fair Opera Prima Award, The Klaus Flugge Prize, a Society of Illustrators Silver Medal and the Golden Poppy Book Award.

3 Fun Facts

1. I am an actor, as well as an author/illustrator.
2. My first book, Julián is a Mermaid is now a feature length film, created by Cartoon Saloon in Ireland!
3. My studio is an old one-room school house that I heat with wood.

Saks, Dan

Dan Saks is an acclaimed author, music therapist, and creator of Noodle Loaf, an award-winning music podcast for kids. His board books celebrate the beauty of diverse family experiences (Families Belong, Families Can, Families Grow) and highlight the importance of community and connection (We Share This School, We Share This Earth, We Share This Neighborhood). His first picture book, On Our Bikes, will be published in June 2026. Through all his work, Dan fosters creativity, inclusivity, and a sense of belonging for readers and listeners of all ages. www.noodleloaf.com

Awards

Books – ALA Reading Pick, Amazon Editor’s Pick, NCTE Notable Social Studies Book, SLJ and Kirkus Starred Reviews // Noodle Loaf – Webby Honor and Common Sense Media Seal of Approval.

3 Fun Facts

1. I prefer to get there by bike.
2. I’m always trying to get people to make music with me.
3. I’m working on a creating a card game that I hope you’ll try.

Balkan, Gabrielle

Have the itchy symptoms of poison ivy ever made you feel blerg? Ever wondered what happens when an Argentinosaurus drops a Number Two? Curious about what the cauldron ingredient “eye of newt” really is? If so, you and the fact-lover Gabrielle Balkan have GOT to talk. Gabe writes award-winning illustrated non-fiction that delights readers ages 0-10 with curious facts about dinosaurs, medicine, witches, the USA, and lots more. When she’s not puzzling over how to explain complex topics to readers, Gabe loves visiting classrooms and brainstorming with kids. Visit her at www.gabriellebalkan.com and @gabriellebalkan.

Awards

Everyone has something to say about *What a Map Can Do*! It is an addition to Curriculum Associates’ Core ELA K-6 Program, an ALA Notable Book, part of the Library of Congress National Book Festival Great Reads Youth List, and a Chicago Public Library Best Book.

3 Fun Facts

1. I once sat on a cactus, by mistake.
2. I have licked a dino coprolite on a dare.
3. I love reading choose-your-own-path books…and want to try writing one some day.

Roxas, Isabel

Isabel Roxas is an author & illustrator creating books for young readers. Born in Manila, Philippines, Isabel was raised on luscious mangoes, old wives’ tales, and monsoon moons. She is now based in New York City, completing the third installment of her award-winning graphic novel series The Adventures of Team Pom. She has received recognition from the Society of Illustrators, a Fulbright Scholarship and was the 2024 Katowitz-Radin Artist-in-Residence at the Brooklyn Public Library. https://studioroxas.com/

Awards/Honors
2024 Katowitz-Radin Artist-in-Residence at the Brooklyn Public Library, Bank Street Book Committee Best Children’s Book of the year 2022, 2023 2024, Golden Kite (2023) ALSC Notable Book (2021), Junior Library Guild Selection (2021), Society of Illustrators Original Art Show (2022, 2021).

3 Fun Facts

1. I always trip myself while walking.
2. I can’t resist a crane claw machine. Even though I am absolutely terrible at playing it and have NEVER won a toy, I am forever hopeful.
3. I enjoy collecting facts about pigeons. Did you know? It is a misconception that they dirty animals. They actually like to groom themselves and bathe often, especially during the summer months.

Bolling, Valerie

Valerie Bolling is an author/educator from Connecticut who is passionate about creating stories in which all children can feel seen, heard, valued, and validated. She’s the author of eight books for children, including LET’S DANCE! (SCBWI Crystal Kite Award winner); TOGETHER WE SWIM (2023 Kirkus Prize Finalist); I SEE COLOR (Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection); and a Scholastic Acorn early reader series, RAINBOW DAYS. Sharing her books with children and inspiring them to write their own stories brings Valerie immense joy! valeriebolling.com

Awards

SCBWI Crystal Kite Award, Kirkus Prize Finalist, Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection.

3 Fun Facts

1. I started writing poems (rhyming sentences) in first grade.
2. I’ve traveled to five of the seven continents.
3. I’m allergic to peanuts, cats, and nail polish.

Rissi, Anica Mrose

Anica Mrose Rissi is the award-winning author of more than a dozen books for kids and teens, including picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and YA. Her essays have been published by The Writer and The New York Times, and she plays fiddle in and writes lyrics for the band Owen Lake and the Tragic Loves. Anica grew up on an island in Maine and spent many years in New York City, where she worked as a cheesemonger and book editor. She currently lives in central New Jersey with her very good dog, Sweet Potato. Learn more at anicarissi.com.

Awards

Honors include the Maine Literary Award, the Paterson Prize for Books for Young People, New Jersey State Council on the Arts Individual Artist Fellowship Finalist, YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers, Horn Book Fanfare Best Books of the Year, CCBC Choices best-of-the-year list, Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year, Texas Library Association’s Tayshas Reading List and 2×2 Reading List, Read ME’s Featured Middle Grade Read, multiple foreign translations and starred reviews, and Junior Library Guild Selection.

3 Fun Facts

1. Loves writing scary stories, but gets easily spooked.
2. Plays the violin in an electro-country band called Owen Lake and the Tragic Loves.
3. Lives with a very good dog named Sweet Potato.

Miller, Kayla

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.