2026 HCBF Archives - Page 4 of 8 - Hudson Childrens Book Festival

Poblocki, Dan

Dan Poblocki is an author of mystery, horror, and adventure novels for young people. He is the co-author with Neil Patrick Harris of the #1 New York Times bestselling series The Magic Misfits (writing under the pen-name Alec Azam). Most recently, his books My Brother’s Butt is Haunted, Tales to Keep You Up at Night, More Tales to Keep You Up at Night, and Jackson Bright in the Spotlight have been entertaining and inspiring kids all over the world. danpoblocki.com

Awards

ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults, Texas Bluebonnet Master List, Kentucky Bluegrass Reader’s Award, Iowa Children’s Choice Award.

Fun Facts

1. I have a phobia of sharks.
2. Growing up, I lived in a haunted house.

Harper, Janelle

Janelle Harper is a Bronx native who proudly carries her New York accent wherever she goes. Janelle’s artistic work is inspired by city life and the diverse experiences of the African Diaspora. She comes from a long line of educators and has spent nearly two decades teaching dance in NYC public schools. As a children’s author, Janelle is passionate about representation and hopes to create stories that make children fall more in love with themselves. When she’s not thinking about her next book, Janelle is at home enthusiastically playing along with TV game shows like The Price Is Right. https://www.janelleharperauthor.com

Awards

Starred reviews from Kirkus Review, Horn Book and Publishers Weekly, Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, Black Caucus ALA Best of the Best 2024, The Best Children’s Books of the Year 2025 Edition, 2025 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People.

3 Fun Facts

1. My favorite animal is a unicorn.
2. My lucky number is 13.
3. I’ve visited 5 of the 7 continents (Australia and Antarctica are on my bucket list).

Chen, Sylvia

Chen, Sylvia

Born and raised in Queens, New York, Sylvia Chen has also lived and worked in Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Paris, and Tokyo, and now resides in Essex County, New Jersey. As an Asian American children’s book author, she recently celebrated her debut picture book TRICKY CHOPSTICKS (illustrated by Fanny Liem and published by Atheneum/Simon & Schuster) and her newest picture book SPARKLES FOR SUNNY: A Lunar New Year Story (illustrated by Thai My Phuong and published by Flamingo Books/Penguin Random House). Sylvia loves crafting picture books that spark kids’ interest in STEAM and creative thinking. https://www.sylviaichen.com/

Awards

SPARKLES FOR SUNNY was featured as a 2026 January/February Kids’ Indie Next List Pick by the American Booksellers Association. In addition, TRICKY CHOPSTICKS was the 2025 Crystal Kite Award Winner (Atlantic Division) and was also awarded for the 2025 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People (Kindergarten to Fifth Grade category), by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) and the Children’s Book Council (CBC). TRICKY CHOPSTICKS was also chosen as the recommended Elementary picture book for May in the National Education Association (NEA)’s Read Across America for 2025-2026.

3 Fun Facts

1. I love making DIY costumes and crafts when I have a good chance to create them.
2. I like sneaking secret meanings into my books.
3. And I really enjoy drinking boba tea!

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.

Newman, Robin

Raised in New York and Paris, Robin Newman is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College and the City University of New York School of Law. She was a practicing attorney and legal editor, but prefers to write about witches, mice, ants, and peacocks. Author of the award-winning Wilcox & Griswold Mystery Series and several picture books, she’s a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, National Writing Project’s Writers Council, Bank Street Writers Lab, PEN America (CYAB), and Read Alliance’s Advisory Council. She lives in New York with two spoiled Spaniels. For more information, please visit www.robinnewmanbooks.com

Awards

The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake earned a starred review and was selected a 2015 best-middle grade book from Kirkus Reviews. Who’s Writing This Story?! was selected a 2025 Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year.

3 Fun Facts

1. I am frequently confused with my identical twin sister.
2. I grew up in New York and Paris.
3. As a child, Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans was my all-time favorite book. I loved the book so much that I named my dog after the character of Madeline. P.S. My dog’s name was also a tribute to the yummy French cookies, Madeleines.

Terese, Ali

Ali Terese Author Photo for Application – Alexis Gorton

Terese, Ali

Ali Terese is a middle grade and YA author who writes funny and heartfelt stories including FREE PERIOD (Scholastic – 2024) and VOTE FOR THE G.O.A.T. (Aladdin / Simon & Schuster – 2025). Her work has been longlisted for the National Book Award, received starred reviews in School Library Journal and Publishers Weekly, an Audiofile Magazine Earphones Award, a Kids’ Indie Next selection, and spots on the American Library Association’s RISE list, the Chicago Public Schools Battle of the Books, Texas Lone Star Reading List, Garden State Teen Book Award List, and DC Three Stars Book Award List. Visit Ali online for book bonuses, giveaways, and resources like discussion guides, recipes, and craftivism projects at aliterese.com.

Awards

National Book Award Longlist; Judy Lopez Memorial Award Honor Book; Texas, New Jersey, & DC state reading lists; YALSA Amazing Audio Books, ALA Rise Feminist Booklist; SLJ’s Teen Librarian Toolbox Favorite; starred reviews in Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal; Audiofile Earphones Award.

3 Fun Facts

1. My dream is to find a fossil some day.
2. Crochet is my favorite craft.
3. I love audiobooks.

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.