Author Archives - Page 11 of 32 - Hudson Childrens Book Festival

Rex, Michael

Rex, Michael

Michael Rex has been writing and illustrating children’s books since 1995. He is the creator of over 50 books, including the #1 Bestseller, and Halloween favorite “Goodnight Goon,” and its follow up “We’re Going on a Goon Hunt.” His picture books include “Eat Pete” and the popular “Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots.” His current graphic novel series “Your Pal Fred” is about the nicest boy in the apocalypse, and in 2017 his Fangbone graphic novels were turned into an animated TV show. He loves traveling the country to visit schools and talk about his work with students of all ages, has a Master’s degree in Arts Education, and also taught high school art for three years in the Bronx. He lives with his wife, two sons and a dog in Leonia, NJ. https://www.instagram.com/fangbone_rex/?hl=en

Awards

Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots was on 12 state reading lists.

3 Fun Facts

1. I like to stay up very, very late.
2. I can draw really, really fast.
3. I like to wear hats.

Lavin, Nanette Torchia

Nanette Torchia Lavin, a Hudson native, attended Greenport Elementary and Hudson High. As a social worker in a preschool for the past 25 years, she knows how children connect with food. No suitcase is required for Nanette’s debut, Recipe Road Trip, Cooking Your Way Across the USA. This book was created out of her love of travel, cooking, and children. Nanette lives in Lynbrook, New York with her daughter, Emma, and their three-year-old Wheaten Terrier Maddie. www.kitcheninkpublishing.com

Awards

A fantastic Kirkus review “A colorful celebration of food and culture—children will delight in cooking (and eating) their way around the nation”- Wonderful five star reviews including profile on Net Galley and a bulk sale to the Junior Library Guild (JLG).

3 Fun Facts

1. Born and raised in Hudson, NY
2. Children’s yoga teacher
3. Won a Today Show costume contest and the prize was a trip to Harry & Meghan’s royal wedding in London

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.

Ralli, Jessica

Ralli, Jessica

Jessica Ralli is the coordinator of early literacy programs at Brooklyn Public Library where she develops and manages creative initiatives for children 0-5. She has taught in schools, museums and libraries, and lives in Brooklyn with her partner and two children. Jessica is currently co-authoring the award-winning, critically-acclaimed First Conversations series published by RISE X Penguin Workshop. firstconversations.com

Awards

ALA Notable Book (2021), Notable Social Studies Book for Young People (2022), 2023 ALA RISE Booklist, Kirkus Best Book of the Year 2021, Bank Street Book Committee Best Book of the year 2022 & 2023 (more reviews and honors listed here: https://www.jessicaralli.com/childrens-books)

3 Fun Facts

1. I love eggs and often make TikTok videos devoted to them:)
2. I adore Hermit Crabs!
3. I grew up in a school (that my mom ran in our home).

Raff, Anna

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Raff, Anna

Anna Raff is an award-winning illustrator of many books for children including PARTY ANIMALS, IF I WERE A KANGAROO, YOU MAKE ME SNEEZE! Her book THE DAY THE UNIVERSE EXPLODED MY HEAD was a Kirkus Best Book of the Year and New York Public Library Best Book. Anna is on the faculty of the School of Visual Arts in the MFA Illustration as Visual Essay Program and Illustration Summer Residency. She lives in New York City, where there are reportedly five rats per human resident.  www.annaraff.com

Awards

Kirkus Best Book of the Year; NY Public Library Best Book; Starred Reviews from Publishers Weekly, Booklist; Society of Illustrators: Original Art

3 Fun Facts

1. I can juggle.
2. Orange is my favorite color.
3. I’m allergic to cats and dogs, but I LOVE them!

Tarpley, Natasha Anastasia

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Tarpley, Natasha Anastasia

Natasha Anastasia Tarpley is an acclaimed author and children’s media creator. Her beloved, bestselling picture book, I Love My Hair! is a staple on national school and library reading lists. She is also the author of a new picture book series, Keyana Loves… Other titles include the award-winning picture book, The Me I Choose To Be, and the social-justice themed middle grade mystery, The Harlem Charade. Natasha is also the writer and Co-Creator of the award-winning children’s narrative podcast, Opal Watson: Private Eye, and is currently developing new children’s television and podcast series. https://natashatarpleywrites.com

Awards

My books have appeared on Bank Street, Kirkus, and multiple library “Best Book” lists; National Endowment for the Arts fellowship recipient; City of Chicago Esteemed Artist Awardee; We Need Diverse Books Mentor; Zürich James Joyce Foundation Research Fellowship, Zürich, Switzerland; Regional Finalist, White House Fellow Program; PEN Foundation Prize for Multicultural Literature

3 Fun Facts

1. I love to sing and take multiple dance breaks while I write
2. I run marathons
3. I love to travel and explore new places (I speak German and can only use it when I travel)

Larsen, Mylisa

Larsen, Mylisa

Mylisa Larsen has been telling stories for a long time. This has caused her to get gimlet-eyed looks from her parents, her siblings and, later, her own children when they felt that certain stories had been embellished beyond acceptable limits. She now writes children’s books where her talents for hyperbole are actually rewarded. She is the author of the picture books All Of Those Babies, How To Put Your Parents To Bed, If I Were A Kangaroo and Ho Ho Homework and the novels Playing Through The Turnaround and Quagmire Tiarello Couldn’t Be Better. She has lived in eight states and two countries and has loved things about all of them. Right now, she lives in upstate New York near one of the Finger Lakes where she loves the water and the trees and the old libraries. https://www.mylisalarsen.com/

Awards

Playing Through The Turnaround-starred reviews in Kirkus and Publishers Weekly
If I Were A Kangaroo-chosen by Raising Readers to be distributed to 11,000 kids in Maine
If I Were A Kangaroo-selected for Imagination Library selection in 2018 and 2019

3 Fun Facts

1. I grew up on a farm
2. I’ve lived in eight different states and in Brazil.
3. I have a dog named Sophie who is convinced that pirates are trying to break into the house at all hours.

Sell, Chad

Sell, Chad

Chad Sell is an author and cartoonist originally from central Wisconsin. His children’s books include The Cardboard Kingdom, Doodleville, and The Stupendous Switcheroo. Chad lives in Connecticut. www.chadsellcomics.com

Awards

2020 Maine Student Book Award
2020 Nēnē Award for Best Graphic Novel
2019 Dwayne McDuffie Award for Kids’ Comics

3 Fun Facts

1. I love video games!
2. I’m weirdly good at croquet.
3. I love cats.

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!

Cummins, Lucy Ruth

Lucy Ruth Cummins is an author, illustrator, and art director of children’s books. Her author-illustrated books include “Stumpkin,” “Vampenguin,” and “Our Pool.” She is also the illustrator of “Truman,” written by Jean Reidy, and the author of “Sleepy Sheepy,” illustrated by Pete Oswald, among others. She lives with her little family in Brooklyn, New York.

Awards

Governor General’s Award shortlist, Publisher’s Weekly Best Book, New York Times best book, NPR best book, Irma Black Honor book.

3 Fun Facts

1. I am the youngest of six children
2. I have met the president
3. I prefer pie to cake.