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

Castaldo, Nancy

Castaldo, Nancy

Award-winning STEM author Nancy Castaldo has written dozens of books about our planet from the Hudson Valley. While the research and photography for her books have taken her worldwide, from the Galapagos to Russia, her new releases focus on the Hudson River — picture book WHALES IN THE CITY and middle-grade RIVERKEEPER.
Nancy loves sharing her adventures with her readers. She believes that we all have the ability to make a difference and always instills that theme in her books. She strives to inform, empower, and inspire her readers. www.nancycastaldo.com

Awards

Her books have earned many awards and accolades, including the Green Earth Book Award, two Crystal Kite awards, NSTA Best STEM Book, Eureka Silver Honors, and many Junior Library Guild Gold Selections. Nancy is also the recipient of the NYS Outdoor Education Association’s Art and Literary Award for the body of her work.

3 Fun Facts

1. Nancy loves all animals – no favorites!
2. If I could only eat one thing on a desert island, it would be pizza. Of course, the toppings would vary.
3. I’ve always lived in the Hudson Valley, not far from the Hudson River.

Dee, Barbara

Dee, Barbara

Barbara Dee is the award-winning author of fifteen middle grade novels which have been named to many best-of lists, including the Washington Post’s Best Children’s Books, ALA Notable Children’s Books, ALA Rise: A Feminist Book Project List, School Library Journal’s Best Middle Grade Books, and the ALA Rainbow List Top Ten. Her books have earned several starred reviews and have appeared on numerous state awards lists as well. A former teacher and lawyer, Barbara is a co-founder of the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival. Nothing to See Here, her first book with Scholastic, will publish October 20, 2026. www.BarbaraDeeBooks.com.

Awards

2024 recipient of the Rip Van Winkle Award, given by the School Library Media Specialists of Southeastern New York, for “outstanding contribution to the world of children’s literature”, 2024 NCTE National Day of Writing Featured Author, Winner of New Jersey’s Garden State Book Award (Grades 6-8) (Violets Are Blue), ALA Notable Book (Maybe He Just Likes You), ALA Rise: A Feminist Book Project List (Maybe He Just Likes You), ALA Rainbow List Top Ten (Star-Crossed), Washington Post‘s Best Children’s Books of the Year (Maybe He Just Likes You), School Library Journal’s Best Books of the Year (Haven Jacobs Saves the Planet and Violets Are Blue), Bank Street Best Children’s Books (multiple books), Junior Library Guild (multiple books)

3 Fun Facts

1. My rescue dog Junie was named after Junie B. Jones.
2. My cat Saffy was named after the title character in Saffy’s Angel by Hilary McKay.
3. I’m a diehard Yankees fan.

Bennett, Artie

Bennett, Artie

Artie Bennett is delighted to share The Tenth Man: A Miracle of Jewish Faith and Friendship in New Orleans, his moving, new nonfiction picture book, with young readers. It’s a book brimming with heart and humor. He is also the author of the classic kids’ book The Butt Book, The True Story of Zippy Chippy: The Little Horse That Couldn’t, which won the Magnolia Book Award, given by the children of Mississippi, Poopendous!, Peter Panda Melts Down!, Belches, Burps, and Farts—Oh My!, and What’s Afoot! Your Complete, Offbeat Guide to Feet. He lives in Brooklyn, New York, where he spends his time moving his car to satisfy the stringent demands of alternate-side-of-the-street parking. http://www.artiebennett.com/

Awards

The True Story of Zippy Chippy: The Little Horse That Couldn’t,The Magnolia Book Award (Mississippi),A CCBC Choice,A Horse Lover’s Guide to Staying Inside Children’s Book from America’s Best Racing, A Picture-Book Biography You Need to Know About Citation from Imagination Soup,
A Gift Guide Great Book for the Book Lover in Your Life from The Bookworm Sez.

The Butt Book, Reuben Award Winner for Book Illustration, Best Feel-Good Children’s Book (HuffPost), A New York State Assembly/NYPL Suggested Reading Title, A Starred Review from the Horn Book Guide.

Belches, Burps and Farts—Oh My! A World Science Festival Selection, A Kentucky Bluegrass Award Nominee for Informational Text. A Pragmatic Mom Best Nonfiction Book for Kids, A HuffPost (One of) 26 Entertaining and Educational Books for Back-to-School Season.

Poopendous! A Bright Horizons Notable Book in the Humorous Books for Children Category, A Book Vine for Children Growing Green Book.

3 Fun Facts

1. I’ve always been a good speller and was proud as a boy that I could spell “pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis,” the biggest word around! I would amaze my friends with my prowess.
2. I played Little League baseball and taught myself to switch-hit in emulation of my boyhood idol, Mickey Mantle.
3. I swim every weekday and get some of my best book ideas while doing my laps.

Mojica, Barbara Ann

Mojica, Barbara Ann

Barbara Ann Mojica, M.A. S.A.S., S.D.A is a historian and retired educator. Her educational career spans more than forty years, serving as a teacher, special educator, principal, and school district administrator. Barbara writes monthly historical articles for the Columbia Insider under the banner “Passages.” Using the whimsical Little Miss History character to narrate her book series, Barbara hopes to educate, entertain, and inspire children to learn about historical people and places. Little Miss History’s antics make reading nonfiction a fun-filled adventure for all ages. She firmly believes, “If you don’t know your history, you don’t know what you’re talking about.” https://LittleMissHISTORY.com

Awards

The Little Miss HISTORY book series has garnered dozens of awards, including B.R.A.G. Medallions, International Book Excellence Awards, International Readers’ Favorite Awards, Eric Hoffer, Independent Author Network Book of the Year, and Purple Dragonfly Awards.

3 Fun Facts

1. I turn history into adventures for kids.
2. I love visiting the real places from my books.
3. I write to help kids think for themselves so they can feel strong and confident.

Maldonado, Torrey

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Torrey Maldonado is an acclaimed author and educator whose work impacts middle grade, young adult, and elementary school literature. He approaches thirty years teaching and has been celebrated by two NYC Chancellors as a top culturally responsive educator. Named “Best Books of the Year” by NPR, The Washington Post, Oprah, and The NY Times, Hands, What Lane?, Tight, and Secret Saturdays are inspired by his and his students’ lives. They’re praised for their authenticity about friendship, family, and choices. Torrey contributes to anthologies alongside celebrated authors. Children’s literature celebrates his 2025 debut picture-book, Just Right, and upcoming picture-books Little Artist and Uncle. Learn more at torreymaldonado.com

Awards

Hands, What Lane?, Tight, and Secret Saturdays,“Best Books of the Year” by NPR, The Washington Post, Oprah, and The NY Times.

3 Fun Facts

1. In third grade, I got hooked to comics. By fourteen, I had 200 comics. Then came my cat, Snow White. Cute name: a Disney princess. She could’ve been a villain. She destroyed my collection—peeing and clawing my 200 down to 50. Do you know what it’s like to see your favorite superheroes smell like cat pee? Ever since, my dream superpower isn’t flying—it’s time-control because I’d pause pets mid-pee to save others from losing valuables to cat-chaos. Oh, I’d love super-speed too.

2. Scrabble! How does a word-game get my heart pumping like an athlete? I love Scrabble so much that it’ll be at my signing table. See if you can beat me. I enjoy losing as much as I do winning. New to the game? I’ll teach you or you can bring someone to tag-team against me.

3. As a tween, I spent a month taping my ears to my head with black electrical tape because I thought that would shrink them or something. Spoiler alert: it didn’t. The good news? People say my head finally grew into my ears. I guess my ears were ahead of their time?

Rotner, Shelley

Shelley Rotner is an award-winning author and photo-illustrator of over sixty children’s books. Her most recent books include LOVE IS A BIG FEELING, FAMILIES, SHADES OF PEOPLE, ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE, and NATURE SPY GUIDE. LET’S CAMP! Coming 3/26. Her books capture real kids trying to make sense of their world.
Her two latest books that she will discuss today with her co-author Gwen Agna, are TRUE YOU-A GENDER JOURNEY and FINDING HOME-WORDS FROM KIDS SEEKING SANCTUARY —recipients of the Junior Literary Guild gold award.
She has traveled extensively for UNICEF documenting programs about children, women, health and education. www.shelleyrotner.com

Awards

Junior Library Guild gold medals, New York Public Library top 100 books of the year.

3 Fun Facts

1. I can stand on my head.
2. I do yoga every day.
3. I enjoy talking to kids more than grown-ups.