Author Archives - Page 11 of 30 - Hudson Childrens Book Festival

Rosswood, Eric

Eric Rosswood is a multi-award-winning author whose broad body of work centers around family, authenticity, diversity, hope, and strength. His best selling parenting books focus on the LGBTQ+ journey to parenthood and have helped couples around the world start their own families. His latest picture book, STRONG, featuring the world’s first and only openly gay professional strongman, won a 2023 Stonewall Honor from the American Library Association. www.EricRosswood.com

Awards
Stonewall Honor Book (2013)
WINNER – Best Parenting/Family/Relationships book – IAN Book of the Year Awards (2017)
WINNER – Best Parenting book – Readers’ Favorite Book Awards (2017)
WINNER – Best LGBTQ Non-Fiction book – International Best Book Awards (2017)
AWARD-WINNING FINALIST International Book Awards (2017)

3 Fun Facts

1. Once participated in a giant pillow fight flash mob with hundreds of other people.
2. Climbed to the top of Mount Fuji.
3. Stayed the night in a hotel made out of ice. Even the bed was made out of ice!

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.

Kramer, Jackie Azúa

Kramer, Jackie Azúa

Jackie Azúa Kramer- Many lives ago I was born into a Puerto Rican and Ecuadorian loving family. Together we travelled to far away places.Now I’m an author, and wile away my time writing children’s picture books. What ties these all together are my dreams and imagination. Most of the time you’ll find me reading, watching old movies, globe trekking and whenever possible sharing laughter & food with my family. jackieazuakramer.com/

Awards

Bank Street College Best Children’s Books of the Year; Junior Library Gold Selection; Best Books Canadian Children’s Book Centre; Chicago Public Library-Best of the Best Books; Winner of Japan’s 31st Bronze Kembuchi Picture Book Award; Winner of 2021 SCBWI Crystal Kite Award; Silver Medal-Parents’ Choice Awards.

3 Fun Facts

1. I swam with dolphins.
2. I speak Spanish fluently.
3. I once worked as an actor.

Ford, JR & Vanessa

JR (he/him) and Vanessa (she/her) Ford are nationally-respected advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and specifically transgender youth. Their advocacy has been featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, The Boston Globe, NPR’s All Things Considered and Good Morning America. They are members of the Human Rights Campaign’s Parents for Transgender Equality Council and authors of the award-winning book, Calvin (Penguin, 2021). Vanessa is also the co-author of the upcoming book “Educate, Affirm, Include and Interrupt: Creating Spaces Where Transgender Students Thrive ( Jossey-Bass 2024). They live with their two children, one of whom is trans, in the Boston Massachusetts area. www.jrandvanessaford.com

Awards

2022 Lambda Literary “Lammy” Award for Best Children’s /Middle Grade Book

3 Fun Facts

1. Vanessa loves public speaking
2. JR is a podcast connoisseur
3. JR and Vanessa met in 2005 and it was “love at first sight”.

Sullivan, Lauren

Lauren Sullivan is an artist and filmmaker based in Los Angeles, CA. Though she produces video content full time, her creative pursuits span nearly every medium, from pastry to pencil to Procreate. She is the illustrator of Bears Don’t Share, an immersive and action-packed story written by Rick Bobrick. In her free time, Lauren loves making fresh pasta, hiking in the greenest parts of Southern California she can find, and visiting her hometown of Tacoma, Washington. www.laurensullivanartworks.com

3 Fun Facts

1. I’m learning to play the banjo.
2. You may have seen my hands in cooking videos before. They have over 2 billion views on Facebook!
3. I love the Pacific Northwest (especially the weather).

Agna, Gwen

Agna, Gwen

Gwen Agna has been an educator for over 45 years, most recently the principal of the Jackson St. Elementary School in Northampton, MA. She was trained in early childhood education and strove to promote the principles of child and human development in elementary school classrooms. She did her undergraduate work at Nottingham University College of Education, Nottingham, UK. and has a master’s in education from Antioch New England Graduate School She recently received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Smith College in Northampton, MA. She was awarded a Fulbright Memorial Teacher scholarship to study in Japan. She was born in Myanmar and lived in Haiti as a child. She has travelled extensively in Asia and Europe. She taught preschool and kindergarten in schools in Ohio, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. She served as the Northampton Public Schools’ Early Childhood and Civil Rights Coordinator in the late 80’s and 90’s. In this position, she worked to incorporate social justice, anti-bias, and anti-racism in all aspects of classroom practice.

She continued this work as the leader of the Jackson St. School. Recently retired, she is, as an elder, exploring all ways to share her knowledge and experience as well as to keep learning from humans of all ages. She is dedicated to making the world a safe and happy one for all children. She lives in Northampton with her husband, Tom Marantz, has two children, and two grandchildren.

3 Fun Facts

1. I own a 1960 Morris Minor Traveller which is being converted to electric.
2. I have a teapot collection – 127 of them.
3. I’m known as “Nama” to my two granddaughters, ages 2 and 10.

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.

Yuksel, M.O.

Yuksel, M.O

M.O. Yuksel is an award-winning author of several acclaimed picture books, including In My Mosque, One Wish: Fatima al-Fihri and the World’s Oldest University, Ramadan Kareem, Sami’s Special Gift: An Eid al-Adha Story, and The Prince of Stars: Ulugh Beg’s Quest to Map the Stars and Seasons. Her books, honored with accolades like the Orbis Pictus Honor, ALA Notable, Junior Library Guild Gold Standard, and TLA Topaz Nonfiction Gem Award, celebrate diversity and offer rich insights into Muslim traditions that inspire readers of all ages. www.moyuksel.com.

Awards

Her books have won several awards, including American Library Association Notable Book, a School Library Journal Best Book, and a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection, Cooperative Children’s Book Center Best Choice, Notable Books for a Global Society, Anna Dewdney Honor Book, English Association Nonfiction Picture Book Award, Texas Library Association Topaz Nonfiction Gem Award, and Virginia Readers’ Choice Award, National Council of Teachers of English Orbis Pictus Recommended Book, an American Library Association Rise Honoree, a Children’s Book Council Notable Social Studies Trade Book, Nerdy Book Club Award for Best Nonfiction Picture Book, and School Library Journal Best Nonfiction Book.

3 Fun Facts

1. She lived on three continents and crossed two multiple times in one day! (Hint-hint: Istanbul, Türkiye, the city that spans two continents).
2. She speaks three languages – English, Turkish, Uzbek, and understands several – Spanish, Azeri, Kazak, Kyrgyz, Turkmen, Uyghur.
3. If she had her way, she’d eat dessert first at every meal (but don’t tell her kids!).

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.

Rogers, Kheris

Kheris Rogers is an author and CEO of the widely known apparel brand and social movement “Flexin’ In My Complexion.” Born in 2006 in Los Angeles, California, Rogers started Flexin’ In My Complexion after years of bullying in school because of her dark skin complexion. At just 10 years old, she became the world’s youngest designer to ever showcase at New York Fashion Week. Her clothing line has been worn by celebrities such as Whoopi Goldburg, Lupita N’yongo, Lena Waithe, and Alicia Keys. flexininmycomplexion.com

Awards
Teen Vogue 21 Under 21, InStyle Magazine’s Badass 50 list, and honored by the Princess Diana Organization

3 Fun Facts

1. Kheris is a Leo, youngest designer to ever showcase at New York Fashion Week and is a teen entrepreneur