2026 HCBF Archives - Page 6 of 8 - Hudson Childrens Book Festival

Groenink, Chuck

Groenink, Chuck

Chuck Groenink is an illustrator and more recently an author of picture books. He has worked with publishers in the US and Europe on over two dozen children’s books since 2010. He strives to make books that reflect his curiosity about the world we live in. www.chuckgroenink.com

Awards

Recipient of the Fiep Westendorp prize in the Netherlands. My most recent books have been awarded Junior Library Guild gold selections, and my book Full Moon Pups is a Dolly Parton Imagination Library selection.

3 Fun Facts

1. Despite my very American first name, I am in fact, from the Netherlands.
2. I almost always put one of my cats in any book I work on.
3. I can hypnotize a chicken.

Hood, Susan

Hood, Susan

Susan Hood is the award-winning author of many books for young readers, including ADA’S VIOLIN; ALIAS ANNA; HARBORING HOPE; THE LAST STRAW; LIFEBOAT 5; LIFEBOAT 12; SHAKING THINGS UP; and SPIKE, THE MIXED-UP MONSTER. Starting her career as an editor at Scholastic, Sesame Workshop, and Nick Jr. Magazine, Susan now writes books for kids ages 0-14. She’s published with Candlewick, HarperCollins, Penguin, Random House, and Simon & Schuster. Based in Connecticut, Susan loves to travel, play with her granddaughters, hike with her rescue dog, and spend summers sailing with her husband along the New England coast. Visit Susan at susanhoodbooks.com.

Awards

Susan is the recipient of the E.B. White Honor Award, two Christopher Awards, the Américas Award, the SCBWI Golden Kite Award, and the Bank Street Flora Stieglitz Straus Award, given to “a distinguished work of nonfiction that serves as an inspiration to young people.” ALIAS ANNA was named a 2023 Sydney Taylor Notable Book and was a finalist for the 2023 National Jewish Book Awards.

3 Fun Facts

1. I’ve sailed from Tortola to Bermuda to Connecticut on a 38′ boat. Three days out we lost our engine, navigation equipment, and lights!
2. My great-great-grandfather was a lighthouse keeper.
3. As a writer, I’ve gotten to meet some of my heroes–Ruby Bridges, Jane Goodall, and Arnold Lobel!

Shapiro, Esmé

Shapiro, Esmé

Esmé Shapiro is an acclaimed author and illustrator of books for children. Her previous picture books include Ooko, a finalist for a Governor General’s Literary Award; Alma and the Beast; Carol and the Pickle-Toad; My Self, Your Self; and Roy Is Not a Dog, co-created with her husband, Daniel Newell Kaufman. She also illustrated Yak and Dove by Kyo Maclear; Eliza: The Story of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton by Margaret McNamara; and A Garden of Creatures by Sheila Heti. Esmé lives in a castle in the Hudson Valley with her husband and their two princes. She will never say no to a slice of three-year-old cake. www.esmeshapiroillustration.com

Awards

Finalist for a Governor General’s Literary Award (Ooko). Exhibited with The Society of Illustrators. My Self, Your Self named one of the Best Children’s Books of the Year 2023 by The Bank Street College of Education.

1. I have eight ducks that like to eat spaghetti.
2. I am as tall as a shoebill stork!
3. If I were an animal, I would be a buffalo with a hat.

Lerangis, Peter

Lerangis, Peter

Peter Lerangis‘s books have sold nearly 7 million copies and been translated into 35 languages. His nine N.Y. Times bestsellers include the entire SEVEN WONDERS fantasy series and his 39 CLUES books. Recent books include BEASTIES, about five friends who become Central Park animals on a school field trip and THROWBACK, his exciting time-travel trilogy. He’s written many Junior Library Guild selections, and his YA novel SOMEBODY, PLEASE TELL ME WHO I AM won an ALA Schneider Award. He’s also performed on Broadway, run a marathon, rock-climbed in Yosemite during a 6.1 earthquake, and graduated Harvard with a degree in biochemistry. peterlerangis.com

Awards
ALA Schneider Award for best book depicting the disability experience; ALA Quick Picks; Multiple Junior Library Guild Awards; ALA Best Books; New York Public Library Best Books; Bank Street Library Best Books.

3 Fun Facts

1. My left pinkie has camptodactyly, which means it can’t straighten, and I have worked it into the plot of a book.
2. I sang and acted in a Broadway show.
3. The letters of my full name can be rearranged into Sergeant Peril.

Michelson, Richard

photo by Doug Anderson – Richard Michelson

Michelson, Richard

RICHARD MICHELSON’s children’s books have been named among the Ten Best of the Year by The New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and The New Yorker; and among the Best Dozen of the Decade by Amazon.com. Michelson has received a National Jewish Book Award, and two Sydney Taylor Gold Medals from the Association of Jewish Libraries. Other credits include two Massachusetts Book Award Honors, three Skipping Stones Multicultural Book Awards, three Junior Library Guild Gold Medals, and an International Reading Association Teacher’s Choice Award. Michelson owns R. Michelson Galleries which represents many of the country’s premier illustrators. www.RichardMichelson.com

Awards

National Jewish Book Award, Sydney Taylor Gold Medal, New York Times Ten Best Books of the Year, Publishers Weekly Ten Best Books of the Year, Amazon.com Best Dozen Books of the Decade.

3 Fun Facts

1. I founded R. Michelson Galleries which was the first fine art gallery in the country to feature children’s book illustrations.
2. I published 4 new books published in 2025, though one was sold 6 years ago, one 4 years ago, one 3 years ago, and one 2 years ago. .
3. When I was having dinner with my good friend Leonard Nimoy (who I wrote a picture book about) someone approached our table and asked for MY autograph.

Lehman, Barbara

Lehman, Barbara

Barbara Lehman was born in Chicago, attended Pratt Institute, and is now based in the Hudson Valley. Her illustrations have been in exhibitions at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, The Art Institute of Chicago and the Central Children’s Room of the New York Public Library and she has shared her books with children at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Her New York Times bestseller THE RED BOOK was awarded a Caldecott Honor. www.barbaralehmanbooks.com

Awards
Some honors that my books have received: Caldecott Honor, New York Times Bestseller List, Premio Andersen [Italy], ALA Notable books, Junior Library Guild Selections, CCBC Best Books of the Year, Kirkus Best Children’s Books, New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, Parent’s Choice Gold, Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year, The Horn Book Fanfare list.

3 Fun Facts

1. I learned to ride a unicycle in childhood.
2. I also learned to juggle.
3. No, I did not run away to the circus….

Funk, Josh

Josh Funk is a software engineer and the author of books like the Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast series, How to Code a Sandcastle, Dear Unicorn, Dear Dragon, My Pet Feet, the It’s Not a Fairy Tale series, Lost in the Library, and more. His books have sold more than half a million copies worldwide and been translated into a dozen languages. He has presented (and virtually presented) at over 950 schools and libraries in the last decade since his first book was released. For more about Josh, visit joshfunkbooks.com and on social media at @joshfunkbooks.

Awards

A Celebration of You, 2026 *Starred Review* from School Library Journal.
My Pet Feet, 2024-25 Sunshine State Young Readers Award Jr. Title, 2024-25 Young Hoosier Picture Book Award Nominee, 2023 Massachusetts Book Award Must-Read Picture Book, 2023 Official March Book Madness Picture Book Bracket Champion, 2023 Funniest Book for Kids Andie Award Winner (via Anderson’s Bookshops), 2022 Kids’ Indie Next List Selection (Sep/Oct),2022 August Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA) Read This Next! Title.
Dear Unicorn, 2023 Kids’ Indie Next List Selection (Sep/Oct).
Dear Dragon, 2018-19 Missouri Association of School Librarians (MASL) Show Me Readers Award Nominee, 2018-19 Indiana Library Federation (ILF) Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee, 2017-18 Maine Chickadee Award Nominee, 2017 Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year, 2017 International Literacy Association (ILA) Teacher’s Choice Reading List, 2017 SCBWI New England Crystal Kite Finalist, 2016 *Starred Review* from Kirkus, 2016 Nerdy Book Club Award.
Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast, 2016 SCBWI New England Crystal Kite Finalist, 2016 Barnes & Noble National Storytime Selection on 1/2/16, 2015 Nerdy Book Club Award.
The Case of the Stinky Stench, 2017 Summer Indie Kids’ Next List Selection, 2017 Goodreads Choice Awards Best Picture Book of the Year Semifinalist.
Mission Defrostable, 2018 Fall Indie Kids’ Next List Selection.
Short & Sweet, 2020 Fall Indie Kids’ Next List Selection, 2020 *Starred Review* from School Library Journal.
The Great Caper Caper, 2022 Kids’ Indie Next List Selection (Nov/Dec).
Attack of the Scones, 2024 Kids’ Indie Next List Selection (Sep/Oct).
Whodonut? A Holiday Mystery, 2025 #1 Kids’ Indie Next List Selection (Sep/Oct).
How to Code a Sandcastle, 2019 ALSC El día de los niños / El día de los libros Selection, 2019 International Literacy Association (ILA) Teacher’s Choice Reading List, 2018 Smithsonian Ten Best Children’s Books, 2018 Summer Indie Kids’ Next List Selection.
It’s Not the Three Little Pigs, 2025 Indiana Library Federation (ILF) Upper Elementary Read Aloud List.
It’s Not Little Red Riding Hood, 2022-23 Missouri Association of School Librarians (MASL) Show Me Readers Award Nominee,2022 Iris Award Shortlist,
2021 Kids’ Book Choice Award Nominee for Favorite Early Reader Series, 2021 Kids’ Book Choice Award Nominee for Best Picture Book Duo.
It’s Not Hansel and Gretel, 2020-21 Michigan Great Lakes Great Books Grades 2-3 Honor Winner,2020 International Literacy Association (ILA) Children’s Choice Reading List.2020 Wisconsin State Reading Association (WSRA) Picture This Recommendation List, 2019 Goodreads Choice Awards Best Picture Book of the Year Semifinalist.
It’s Not Jack and the Beanstalk, 2018 Wisconsin State Reading Association (WSRA) Picture This Recommendation List.
Lost in the Library: A Story of Patience and Fortitude, 2020 Mississippi Magnolia State Award Short List, 2020 Wisconsin Golden Archer Award Nominee.

3 Fun Facts

1. I once pet-sit for an elephant.
2. I’ve been to outer space.
3. I lie a lot.

Stewart, Melissa

Stewart, Melissa

Melissa Stewart has written more than 200 science books for children. Her work has been translated into more than a dozen languages and garnered such awards as the Sibert Honor, AAAS/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books, eighteen NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students, two Green Earth Book Awards, and three ALA Notables. Melissa is a popular presenter at schools and libraries, and her highly-regarded website features a rich array of nonfiction reading and writing resources. www.melissa-stewart.com

Awards

Sibert Honor, AAAS/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books, eighteen NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students, two Green Earth Book Awards, and three ALA Notables.

3 Fun Facts

1. I’ve watched hippos, elephants, and zebras trek across the African savanna while riding in a hot air balloon in Kenya.
2. I’ve swum with sea turtles and sea lions in the Galapagos Islands.
3. I walked within inches of a deadly fer-de-lance snake while exploring a tropical rain forest in Costa Rica.

Kimmelman, Leslie

Leslie Kimmelman is the author of more than 50 popular books for children, and was a longtime children’s book editor. At Sesame Workshop, she was one of the creators of Julia, an autistic character on the Street. She lives in Westchester County, NY. lesliekimmelman.com

Awards

Write On, Irving Berlin! won the Charlotte Award from the New York State Reading Association. Hot Dog! Eleanor Roosevelt Throws a Picnic won a Eureka Award from the California Reading Association. Everybody Says Shalom was a Sydney Taylor Honor Book; several others were Sydney Taylor Notable Books.

3 Fun Facts

1. I worked at Sesame Street for more than 25 years, and was on a first name basis with Elmo, Cookie Monster, Julia, and friends.
2. When I read the Anne of Green Gables books in fourth grade, I was such a fan that I officially changed my middle name from “Ann” to “Anne.”
3. If I weren’t a writer, I’d want to be a wildlife photographer.

Bruel, Nick

Nick Bruel is the creator of the NY Times Bestselling “Bad Kitty” series. He lives in Pleasantville, NY with his wife Carina, their son Caron, their dog Skyler, and their sometimes-good-sometimes-bad cats Rose and Noodles. nickbruel.com

Awards

2007 Buckaroo Book Award—Children’s (Winner)
2011 Beverly Cleary Children’s Choice Award (Winner)
2009 North Carolina Children’s Book Award—Picture Book (Winner)

3 Fun Facts

1. Nick’s favorite superhero is the original Captain Marvel/Shazam.
2. Nick’s favorite Pokemon is Jifflypuff.
3. Nick’s favorite TV show is “Bob’s Burgers”.