Author Archives - Page 19 of 25 - Hudson Childrens Book Festival

Collier, Bryan

Collier, Bryan

In 1989, Bryan Collier received a B.F.A from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. He then became the assistant director then director of a self- taught painting studio for children called the Harlem Horizon Art Studio located at the Harlem Hospital Center, NYC.

After a seven year persuit to make children’s books,Collier published, “Uptown” in which he both wrote and illustrated and won the coretta Scott King Award and the Ezra Jack Keats Award. Bryan Collier went on to win four Caldecott Honors for, Martin’s Big Words, Rosa, Dave the Potter, and Tromebone Shorty as well as winning nine CSK Awards and Honors for such books as Visiting Langston, Freedom River, Rosa, Martin;’s Big Words’ Knock, Knock, Uptown, I, too,am America, Dave the Potter and Tromebone Shorty. In 2014, Bryan Collier was the U.S nominee for the Hans Christian Anderson Award. www.bryancollier.com

Udell, Dan

New York State author Dan Udell has that kind of life that embraces all things of the mind and soul — music, writing, photography, science, technology and the wonders of nature. He earned degrees in physics and mathematics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, offered his talent as a writer with IBM (science, technology and photoessays and videography presentations for historic events), and curated art exhibitions as well as being the featured artist in many solo photographic exhibitions.

Talbott, Hudson

Hudson Talbott is the author/illustrator of 27 books for young readers. His first book, “We’re Back”, was made into a feature length film by Steven Spielberg. His second book,”Into the Woods” was a collaboration w/ composer Stephen Sondheim, based on his Broadway musical. His book with author Jacqueline Woodson, “Show Way”, also became a musical, premiering at the Kennedy Center and now touring the country. His most recent book,”A Walk In the Words”, his memoir of how he overcame his dyslexia through art, won the ALA Schneider Award for books addressing learning challenges. www.hudsontalbott.com

Awards

“Show Way” – Newbury Honor Book, “Leonardo’s Horse” – ALA Notable, “A Walk In The Words” – ALA Schneider Family Award.

3 Fun Facts

1. I was in an elephant stampede in Africa while doing research for my book “Safari Journal”.
2. I was traveling with a jungle doctor in the Amazon Rainforest doing research for my book “Amazon Diary” when the motor on our dugout canoe lost power and we had to drift through headhunter territory.
3. I was on the original album cover of the Village People, creating the role of the cowboy.

Ferry, Beth

Beth Ferry is the author of numerous picture books for children including The Scarecrow, Swashby and the Sea, and the New York Times bestseller, Stick and Stone. She lives with her family by the beach in New Jersey where she finds inspiration in the salty air. In addition to writing picture books, Beth also writes graphic novels for emerging readers. You can learn more at bethferry.com.

Awards

NY Times Bestseller, Amazon Best Book of the Year

3 Fun Facts

1. I have a pet cactus named Henry
2. I only grow pumpkins in my garden
3. I have a bulldog named Chaucer who eats all the pumpkins I grow.

Hirsch, Jeff

Hirsch, Jeff

Jeff Hirsch is originally from Richmond Virginia and now lives in Beacon, NY. He wrote The Eleventh Plague, The Darkest Path and Black River Falls. His peanut butter chocolate chip cookies will renew your faith that there is something good and holy in this barbaric world. www.jeff-hirsch.com

Apple, Jon

Apple, Jon

Jon Apple is an artist and illustrator living in Bethlehem, Pa. He is versed in every method and medium imaginable. From greetings cards to editorial cartoons, from posters to portraiture, from fine art to PhotoShop. The eye’s the limit.

3 Fun Facts

1. I can write backwards and forwards simultaneously
2. I do impressions.
3. I can cross one eye at a time.

Wan, Joyce

Award-winning author-illustrator, Joyce Wan, designed her first greeting card when she was in first grade for a city-wide greeting card design contest. The design won first place and was subsequently sold through a major department store chain. Twenty years later, that design would inspire a line of greeting cards and eventually a design studio called Wanart. She has now published over 30 books for children including the best-selling You Are My Cupcake. Her books have sold a combined total of over 1 million copies worldwide. www.wanart.com

Awards
– 2019 Cybils Award Board Book Finalist (Dream Big)
– 2020 ALA Amelia Bloomer Book List (Dream Big)
– Mills-Tannenbaum Award for Children’s Literacy from Reach Out and Read of Greater New York

3 Fun Facts

1. Self-taught artist
2. Studied architecture in college
3. Favorite hours of the day to work are 12am – 3am

Teitelbaum, Michael

Teitelbaum, Michael

MICHAEL TEITELBAUM has been a writer of children’s books for more than twenty years. His fiction work includes The Scary States of America, 50 short stories, one from each state, all about the paranormal, published by Delacorte. His non-fiction work includes Jackie Robinson: Champion for Equality, published by Sterling. His latest book is The Very Hungry Zombie: A Parody, done with artist extraordinaire Jon Apple, published by Skyhorse. www.facebook.com/TheVeryHungryZombie

3 Fun Facts

1. I have never eaten a brain….for lunch.
2. I’m not afraid of Zombies. I just…Ahhhhhhhhhh—
3. I have a big heart…just don’t tell the Very Hungry Zombie!

Calkhoven, Laurie

Calkhoven, Laurie

Laurie Calkhoven has never swallowed a frog, knocked over a rabbit hutch, or sung too loud in music class. She is the author of more than 50 books for young readers, including the G.I. Dogs series and You Should Meet Kids Who are Saving the Planet. www.lauriecalkhoven.com

Awards
– Beacon of Freedom Award
– Bank Street Best Books
– Northern Lights Book Award

3 Fun Facts

1. love to learn random presidential facts (like my character Roosevelt).
2. I have never swallowed a frog.
3. My birthday is the same day as Harry Potter’s!

Alexander, Heather

Alexander, Heather

Heather Alexander is the author of more than forty books for children. Her non-fiction titles include: Life On Earth lift-the-flap series, A Child’s Introduction to Natural History, Who is Hillary Clinton?, A Child’s Introduction to Greek Mythology, and A Child’s Introduction to Art, which received the Silver Medal Parent’s Choice Award. Her fiction titles include: The Amazing Stardust Friends series, Ever After High, and Wallace and Grace Take the Case (coming in May 2017). Before turning to writing, Heather edited over 100 children’s fiction series, including the bestselling Goosebumps. Heather lives in New Jersey with her husband and two daughters. www.heatheralexanderbooks.com

3 Fun Facts

1. Before I became an author, I was the editor of R.L. Sine’s Goosebumps and Fear Street series.
2. I love to read the obituaries!
3. My little white dog sleeps under my desk while I write.