Grant, Shauna J.

Grant, Shauna J.

With a love for all things pink and magical, Shauna J. Grant is a New York Times Best-Selling cartoonist who creates cuteness! She is the creator of the early readers graphic novel series Mimi and the first Black artist to work on Scholastic’s Baby-Sitters Club Little Sister graphic novels. Shauna specializes in stories that focus on emotions, empathy, and finding magic in oneself. Her diverse, bubbly, anime-inspired comics have been published by Scholastic, First Second, and IDW. Born and raised in New York City, Shauna now resides in Newburgh, NY with her magical puppy Sugarpaws, drawing comics that people of all ages can fall in love with.

Awards

New York Times Bestseller, USA Today Bestseller

3 Fun Facts

1. Sailor Moon inspired Shauna to become a cartoonist!
2. Shauna has a lifelong love of pink.
3. While cute things are her favorite, she really enjoys spooky movies!

Neal, Christopher Silas

Neal, Christopher Silas

Christopher Silas Neal is an award-winning author and illustrator of picture books including the Over and Under series with author Kate Messner, which was praised for its “stunning retro-style illustrations” (New York Times). He makes books that feature animals, shapes, science, friendship and silliness, and strives to create diverse and inclusive characters that reflect the kids and parents who read his books. Neal’s author debut titled “Everyone” was praised by Publisher’s Weekly as “simple, honest, lyrical”. His board book series (Animals Colors, Animal Shapes) received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and Kirkus. He speaks about his books, the art making process, and his career at schools, conferences, libraries and book festivals across the country. Neal is a Mexican/European-American artist who lives with his wife and two boys in Brooklyn, NY.

Awards

Silver Medal From the Society of Illustrators, E.B. White Read Aloud Award, Golden Kite Award, Marion Vannett Ridgway Award, ALSC Notable Children’s Books, SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books, Charlotte Zolotow Award

3 Fun Facts

1. I’m a former drummer
2. I’m a self-taught artist
3. I was an only child.

Colon, Justin

Colón, Justin

Justin Colón is a NY-based children’s author and SAG-AFTRA actor. His picture books include The Quacken, The Zombees, Impossible Possums, Impossible Possums, and Vampurr. He travels the country throughout the year, presenting at dozens of schools. You can learn more about him at justincolonbooks.com.

Awards

July/August 2024 Kid’s Indie Next Pick
B.C. Canada’s Surrey Book Award (Winner)
Florida’s Sunshine State Young Readers Award, Jr. (Winner)
Kentucky’s Bluegrass Award (Winner)
Tennessee’s Volunteer State Book Award (Winner)
Utah’s Beehive Award (Winner)
Indiana’s Read Aloud Indiana, Primary Award (Current Nominee)
Indiana’s Young Hoosier Award (Current Nominee)
Kansas’s Bill Martin, Jr. Picture Book Award (Current Nominee)
Nebraska’s Golden Sower Award (Current Nominee)
Oklahoma’s Redbud Read-Aloud Award (Past Nominee)
THE ZOMBEES: Starred review from School Library Journal.

3 Fun Facts

1. I have kneeled above a live, full-size alligator.
2. I have jumped out of an airplane three times.
3. I bet I would beat you in Mario Kart!

Lukoff, Kyle

Lukoff, Kyle

Kyle Lukoff is the author of many books for young readers. His debut middle-grade novel, Too Bright To See, received a Newbery honor, the Stonewall award, and was a National Book Award finalist. His picture book When Aidan Became A Brother also won the Stonewall, and his book Call Me Max has been banned in schools across the country. He has forthcoming books about language, unicycles, breakups, and lots of other topics. While becoming a writer he worked as a bookseller for ten years, and then nine more years as a school librarian. kylelukoff.com

Awards

Two National Book Award finalists, one Newbery honor, two Stonewall awards

3 Fun Facts

1. I used to be a librarian!
2. I’ve worked in eight different bookstores.
3. I like foraging for edible wild plants.

LaRocca, Rajani

LaRocca, Rajani

Rajani LaRocca was born in India, raised in Kentucky, and now lives in the Boston area, where she practices medicine and writes award-winning books for young readers, including the Newbery Honor winning middle grade novel in verse, Red, White, and Whole. She’s always been an omnivorous reader, and now she is an omnivorous writer of fiction and nonfiction, novels and picture books, prose and poetry. She finds inspiration in her family, her childhood, the natural world, math, science, and just about everywhere she looks. Learn more about Rajani and her books at www.RajaniLaRocca.com.

Awards
Newbery Honor, Walter Dean Myers Award, New England Book Award, Mathical Award, and more

3 Fun Facts

1. I love comic books
2. My favorite ice cream is banana
3. I love to travel

Preller, James

Preller, James

James Preller is a local writer (Troy, NY) who has been widely published since his first book in 1986. His Scary Tales books have been especially popular at Hudson Chldren’s Book Festival. He has 7 new books coming out in 2027.  www.jamespreller.com

Awards

YALSA, ALA Notable, Bank Street Best of the Year, NYPL Best Books, Cybils, etc.

3 Fun Facts

1. James Preller loves his dog Echo
2. James Preller loves Bob Dylan
3. James Preller loves Mets.

Bildner, Phil

Bildner, Phil

Phil Bildner is the New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty-five books for young people including the NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Honor-winning middle grade novel, A High Five for Glenn Burke, the inaugural Margaret Wise Brown Prize-winning Marvelous Cornelius, and the Lambda Literary Award-winning, Glenn Burke, Game Changer. He is also the author of the critically acclaimed middle grade Rip & Red series as well as the picture books Twenty-One Elephants and The Soccer Fence. His latest book is the much-anticipated, mixed format upper middle grade novel, Too Big to Say, co-created by Mike Curato. www.philbildner.com

Awards

NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Honor (A High Five for Glenn Burke), Margaret Wise Brown Prize (Marvelous Cornelius), Lambda Literary Award (Glenn Burke, Game Changer)

3 Fun Facts

1. I’ve traveled to 49 of the 50 states.
2. I’ve attended the Super Bowl, the World Series, and the NBA Finals.
3. I’ve been bitten by a lion.

Mack, Jeff

Mack, Jeff

Jeff Mack is the award-winning author and illustrator of more than fifty books for young readers. His titles include Good News Bad News, Hush Little Polar Bear, Duck in the Fridge, and Bear Hair. He also created the non-fiction books, Time To Make Art and What’s A Museum?. He has illustrated James Howe’s Bunnicula and Friends, Eve Bunting’s Hurry Hurry, and Michael Brumm’s Cryptid Club graphic novel series. He travels nationally and internationally visiting schools and libraries to share his love of books with young readers. Jeff lives in Western MA. Visit him at www.jeffmack.com.

Awards

2012 Texas 2 x 2 Awards for Frog & Fly, Good News Bad News, and Cindy Moo
2013 Penn State Award for Family Literacy for Frog & Fly
2013 Best Books of the Year from NY Public Library for AhHa!
2013 Junior Library Guild Selection for Frog & Fly
2022 Junior Library Guild Selections for Dog Gets A Pet and We Are Up A Tree

3 Fun Facts

1. When I was a kid, my goal in life was to invent robots that served free cups of tomato soup.
2. After college, my first art job was to make copies of old paintings for a museum.
3. I once played the trumpet on a stage with some famous jazz musicians. Even though I wasn’t a good trumpet player, it was still fun.

Grabenstein, Chris

Grabenstein, Chris

CHRIS GRABENSTEIN is the multiple award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the LEMONCELLO, MS. PENNYPICKLE, WONDERLAND, HAUNTED MYSTERY, SMARTEST KID, and DOG SQUAD series for young readers. He co-authored the acclaimed SHINE! and the super silly early reader chapter book series STINKY’S STORIES with his wife J.J. Grabenstein as well as over three dozen fast paced and funny page turners with James Patterson including the I FUNNY, JACKY HA-HA, TREASURE HUNTERS, and MAX EINSTEIN series. Chris and J.J. live in New York City with two cats, one dog, and lots of ideas.

Awards:

There are quite a few. Most of them are listed here: https://chrisgrabenstein.com/awards-and-press/

Fun Facts:

1. Chris used to do improvisational comedy with Bruce Willis and Robin Williams.
2. His 7th grade teacher told him he would make his living as a writer one day.
3. He won his first writing award by winning an essay contest in the 5th grade.

The Hudson Children’s Book Festival is a 501c3 charity.

Hudson Children’s Book Festival, Inc., established in 2009 in the historic City of Hudson, NY, strives to create, nurture and sustain a culture of literacy in partnership with our community and schools in Hudson and the surrounding areas. The mission is to foster a love of reading by connecting children with world-class authors and illustrators at the annual free festival and special school and community events. Since 2024, Hudson Children’s Book Festival is a 501(c)3 charity. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

 

This free, public event fosters a love of reading as families meet and greet world-class creators of books for children of all ages

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