2026 HCBF Archives - Page 5 of 8 - Hudson Childrens Book Festival

Kantorovitz, Sylvie

Sylvie Kantorovitz grew up in France and now lives in the beautiful Hudson Valley. She is the creator of a middle-grade graphic-novel about her young years in France: SYLVIE (ages 9-14) “Enchanting and witty.” (School Library Journal). She is the creator of two series, also in comics format: MONTI AND LEO (ages 7-9) “Monti and Leo’s friendship radiates warmth throughout.” (Kirkus) and PICKLE (ages 3-6) “expressive characters… silly charm… certain to delight.” (Booklist). She is also the illustrator of the bestseller, WHEELS ON THE BUS, A RAFFI SONG TO READ. www.sylviekantorovitz.com

Awards

SYLVIE: Bank Street Best Book of the Year, Junior Library Guild selection.
MONTI AND LEO: Junior Library Guild selection, ALA’s Best Graphic Novels for Children.
PICKLE: Junior Library Guild selection, Horn Book Summer Reading 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. My favorite drink is carrot juice.

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 bird that is proud of being a dinosaur. 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. https://www.deborahfreedman.net

Awards

Multiple starred reviews, from Kirkus, Booklist, SLJ, PW, and others, National Book Festival featured Youth Title for CT, Junior Library Guild gold standard selections, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library selection.

3 Fun Facts

1. My first, favorite books were by my aunt, Mary Ann Hoberman.
2. We have books in every room of our house.
3. If you are in CT and see a license plate that says “KIDLIT”— that’s me!

Bontigao, Lynnor

Lynnor Bontigao is the author-illustrator of SARI-SARI SUMMERS, a nostalgic love letter to the Philippines and grandmothers, and includes a bonus sweet recipe. She is also the illustrator of many other picture books such as MILES AHEAD by Minh Lê (Spring 2026),THE WORLD’S BEST CLASS PLANT(2025 Giverny Award for Best Children’s Science Picture Book) by Liz Garton Scanlon & Audrey Vernick, and SEASHELL KEY chapter book series by Lourdes Heuer. She loves heartfelt stories paired with humor especially where relationships, culture, and food are intertwined. Lynnor lives in New Jersey with her family and 1 tiny dog. www.lynnorbontigao.com

Awards

WORLD’S BEST CLASS PLANT(One of Kirkus’ Best Picture Books 2023, 2025 Giverny Award for Best Children’s Science Picture Book, Kirkus & PW Starred Reviews), SEASHELL KEY Book 1 (Parents Magazine Best Summer Read), AT THE END OF THE DAY (A Junior Library Gold Selection).

3 Fun Facts

1. I enjoy watching KDramas.
2. My hands are always cold.
3. I wanted to design shoes when I was a kid.

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.

Parra, John

John Parra is an award-winning, best-selling artist, illustrator, author, and educator, widely recognized for his award-winning, Latino themed children’s picture books and commercial artwork. Passionate about art and literacy, he frequently speaks as a visiting author/artist at schools and literary conferences across the country. John currently resides in Queens, New York. https://www.johnparraart.com/

Awards

NYTimes/NYPL, Best Illustrated Children’s Books of the Year Award, Pura Belpre Honor Award, Golden Kite Award, Christophers Award, Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award, Américas Award.

3 Fun Facts

1. I used to play guitar in bands growing up.
2. My favorite holiday celebration is Dia de Muertos and Halloween.
3. My favorite baseball team is the Dodgers.

West,Tracey

Author Photo Fall 2025 – Tracey West, Author

West,Tracey

Tracey West is the author of the New York Times Bestselling series, Dragon Masters, as well as the new early reader series, Dragon Hill. Tracey has written more than 400 books, including lots of books about your favorite cartoons. She and her husband Billy live in the Western Catskills, where they operate a mobile children’s bookstore, the Dragon Wagon, and give away free books to kids. www.traceywest.com

Awards

Nominated for an Otter Award in 2024 and 2017. Nominated for a 2016 Sunshine State Young Readers (Junior) Award).

3 Fun Facts

1. If I were a Dragon Master I would connect with a Tree Dragon.
2. I have wanted to be an author since I was eight years old.
3. When I used to play Pokémon Go, I caught a Mew.