Author Archives - Page 2 of 25 - Hudson Childrens Book Festival

Hooper, Don P.

Hooper, Don P.

Don P. Hooper is a writer and filmmaker of Jamaican heritage (and a programmer in a former life). His short story “Got Me a Jet Pack” is part of the New York Times bestselling anthology Black Boy Joy. His directing work has been featured in the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, the New York Television Film Festival (award winner), the New York City Horror Film Festival, the New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival (award winner), and more. He does voice-over in video games and documentaries. True True is his debut novel. www.donphooper.com

Awards

True True received a starred review by Publisher’s Weekly, who wrote, “Hooper presents valuable lessons on the healing power of community, forgiveness, and sharing one’s truth.”
“BIPOC youth will find resonance here; privileged audiences, perhaps, need this most of all.” —School Library Journal, starred review of Audio Book.
Black Boy Joy was an instant New York Times bestseller and received 5 starred reviews.

3 Fun Facts

1. I’m a voice over actor, who has voiced several commercials.
2. I received a martial arts scholarship to college.
3. I was once part of a team that designed solar cars and made dogs play soccer.

Ekster, Carol Gordon

Ekster, Carol Gordon

Carol Gordon Ekster grew up in Brooklyn, New York. After graduating from Boston University and getting a Master’s degree in reading and language she was a passionate elementary school teacher for 35 years. At the end of her career she began writing unexpectedly. Carol is a member of SCBWI, 12×12, The Writing Barn’s Courage to Create, and part of the group blog, Writers’ Rumpus. When Carol is not immersed in her writing life she might be doing yoga, walking or biking. You can find out more about her books and writing life here: https://carolgordonekster.com.

Awards

Where Am I Sleeping Tonight?-A Story of Divorce, Boulden Publishing, 2008, was a finalist for About.com’s Readers’Choice Awards for Best Children’s Book for Single Parent Families, 2012. Ruth the Sleuth and the Messy Room, Character Publishing, 2011, received the Children’s Literary Classics Seal of Approval in July 2013. Before I Sleep: I Say Thank You, 2015, Pauline Books and Media, was a finalist for the ACP Excellence in Publishing Awards 2016 and a third place winner in the Catholic Press Association awards in the children’s book category, 2016. And You Know What?, Clavis Books, 2017, was a CLEL Bell Picture Book Awards Nominee for Talk (2018) and an SCBWI Crystal Kite Award finalist 2018 in the New England region. Some Daddies was a finalist for the SCBWI Crystal Kite Awards 2022 in the Northeast Region.

3 Fun Facts

1. I was a 4th grade teacher for 35 years.
2. My daughter and grandson live in Italy.
3. My favorite books from childhood was the Nancy Drew series.

Oakes, Colleen

Colleen Oakes is the bestselling author of books for both teens and adults, including the acclaimed Queen of Hearts series, The Black Coats, Wendy Darling, and the upcoming Eleven Houses. Her work has been featured in the HuffPost, Entertainment Weekly, the Denver Post and more. The Second Favorite Daughters Club is her first middle grade novel. Colleen recently moved to Connecticut with her husband and son and is eager to explore New England. When not lurking in the back of a coffee shop or planning a trip, she surrounds herself with lovely humans, true crime podcasts and two golden retrievers. She is currently at work on her memoir and an adult thriller. You can visit her webpage at colleenoakes.org or visit her on Instagram at @colleenoakes.

Awards

Colleen’s work has been featured in the HuffPost, Entertainment Weekly, the Denver Post and more.

3 Fun Facts

1. I have a ghost in a jar tattoo.
2. I hate hate hate pickles.
3. Starting this summer, I am trying to visit all the lighthouses in New England.

Michalak, Jamie

Jamie Michalak is a former editor and the author of many children’s books. Her titles include the multiple-star reviewed NIKI NAKAYAMA: A CHEF’S TALE IN 13 BITES, co-written with Debbi Michiko Florence and illustrated by Yuko Kato-Jones; DAKOTA CRUMB: TINY TREASURE HUNTER and DAKOTA CRUMB AND THE SECRET BOOKSHOP: A TINY TREASURE HUNT, illustrated by Kelly Murphy; the FRANK AND BEAN early reader series, illustrated by Bob Kolar; the JOE AND SPARKY early readers series, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz; and COME ON IN: THERE’S A PARTY IN THIS BOOK!, illustrated by Sabine Timm. www.jamiemichalakbooks.com

Awards

Children’s Book Council 2023 Favorites Award Winner, Florida SSYRA Jr Award Nominee, Cybils Award Finalist, Junior Library Gold Standard Selection, Amazon Best Book of the Year, Kirkus Best Book of the Year, Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year, Bankstreet Best Book of the Year, Library of Congress 52 Great Reads for Kids, CBC Notable Social Studies Book, Mighty Girl Book of the Year, Louisiana Young Readers’ Choice Award, Sakura Medal Nominee, Panda Award Shortlist, Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee.

3 Fun Facts

1. By day, I’m a writer at a toy company. One of my jobs is naming toys.
2. My best friend is my dog, Lucy Caboose.
3. I love to go surfing with my son (although we’re not very good at it!).

Newman, Robin

Raised in New York and Paris, Robin Newman is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College and the City University of New York School of Law. She was a practicing attorney and legal editor, but prefers to write about witches, mice, pigs, and peacocks. Author of the award-winning Wilcox & Griswold Mystery Series and several picture books, she’s a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, National Writing Project’s Writers Council, Bank Street Writers Lab, PEN America (CYAB), and Read Alliance’s Advisory Council. She lives in New York with two spoiled dogs. For more information, visit www.robinnewmanbooks.com.

Awards

THE CASE OF THE MISSING CARROT CAKE (A Wilcox & Griswold Mystery), earned a Kirkus Starred Review, was selected a Kirkus 2015 Best Middle-Grade Book, and is currently an Amazon Teachers’ Pick. Wanda Sykes also recorded an animated reading of the book for the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Storyline Online. HILDIE BITTERPICKLES NEEDS HER SLEEP was selected an American Booksellers Association’s 2016 ABC Best Books for Young Readers. The CASE OF THE POACHED EGG (A Wilcox & Griswold Mystery) was a 2019 IPPY Silver Medalist for Juvenile Fiction. DON’T CALL ME FUZZYBUTT! was a 2022 IPPY Bronze Medalist for picture books (7 & under).

3 Fun Facts

1. I am frequently confused with my identical twin sister who also happens to work in publishing.
2. Am amazed that almost 7 million people have viewed Wanda Sykes’ reading of THE CASE OF THE MISSING CARROT CAKE.
3. I’m a total foodie (as are my two spoiled Spaniels). So, it’s no surprise that food seems to seep into much of my writing.

Berger, Carin

Carin Berger is the award-winning author and illustrator of almost a dozen picture books for children, including The Little Yellow Leaf, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book, All of Us, and Finding Spring. She is also the illustrator of Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant by Jack Prelutsky and Are We Pears Yet? by Miranda Paul. She and her family divide their time between NYC and Cupcake, their home, in the Hudson Valley. Carin spends all of her spare time tending her garden. Cupcake makes an appearance in and was the inspiration for In the Night Garden. http://www.carinberger.com/

Awards

New York Times Best Illustrated Book (The Little Yellow Leaf)

3 Fun Facts

1. My house in Hillsdale appears in the book.
2. I really do have a hoot owl in my garden.
3. The cat in the book is inspired by my daughter’s cat, Cosy.

Madison, Megan Pamela Ruth

Madison, Megan Pamela Ruth

Megan Pamela Ruth Madison, Ph.D. is a lifelong student of Black feminism and early childhood education. She grew up in Northern Michigan, and now lives on Lenape land in Harlem. With Jessica Ralli, Dr. Madison co-authors “First Conversations,” a series of award-winning board books on topics like gender, consent, bodies, love, grief, justice, and disability. Their debut book, Our Skin: A First Conversation about Race, has sold more than 100,000 copies and is being used to support anti-racist teaching and caregiving around the world. They are both proud members of Jews for Racial and Economic Justice. Ceasefire NOW! https://www.firstconversations.com/

Awards

Bank Street Los mejores libros infantiles en Español, Bank Street Best Books, Rise: A Feminist Book List, “Read with Pride” Book Pick, Kirkus Best Book, Parents Magazine Best Book, School Library Journal Best Book, National Council for the Social Studies Notable Book, ALA Notable Book and a bunch of starred reviews.

3 Fun Facts

1. I love being Black and queer.
2. I danced ballet when I was a kid.
3. It took me a long time to learn how to read.

Miller-Lachmann, Lyn

Lyn Miller-Lachmann is the author of the YA historical novel Torch (Carolrhoda Lab, 2022), winner of the 2023 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Young Adult Literature and a 2022 Booklist Editors’ Choice. She wrote the picture book Ways to Play (Levine Querido, 2023), illustrated by Gabriel Alborozo, and co-authored with Zetta Elliott the middle grade verse novel Moonwalking (FSG, 2022). Her nonfiction includes a biography of Temple Grandin in the She Persisted chapter book series and Film Makers: 15 Groundbreaking Women Directors (co-authored with Tanisia Tee Moore). Her YA historical novel in verse Eyes Open will be published by Carolrhoda Lab in spring 2024. https://lynmillerlachmann.com

Awards

Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Young Adult Literature (Torch) Booklist Editors’ Choice, 2022 (Torch) Kirkus Best Books of 2022 (Torch and Moonwalking) Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books + Outstanding Merit, 2023 (Torch and Moonwalking) New York Public Library Best Books of 2022 (Moonwalking) Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection (Eyes Open, Torch, and Moonwalking).

3 Fun Facts

1. I’ve built a giant LEGO town that includes many buildings I’ve designed myself.
2. I used to live in Portugal.
3. I used to DJ weddings and parties but sold my equipment when I moved to New York City.

Terese, Ali

Ali Terese writes funny and heartfelt middle grade and YA stories. FREE PERIOD (Scholastic – March 2024) is her debut novel. It is a story of friendship and period equity complete with laugh-out-loud shenanigans, delightfully disgusting desserts, and some world-changing crafts. Visit Ali online for book bonuses, giveaways, and resources like discussion guides, recipes, craftivism projects, and more at aliterese.com.

3 Fun Facts

1. Searching for sea shells is my favorite way to spend the day.
2. I make the world’s best eggplant parmigiana.
3. I can twirl pens in both hands simultaneously and am thus doubly annoying when I drop them.

Rafer, Angeli

Angeli Rafer is a Filipino-American illustrator and comic artist based in the diner capital of the world (AKA New Jersey). She is a self-taught digital artist, with a passion for telling stories about everyday magic — from cooking and first crushes to cute animals and bad puns. Her first graphic novels include Ghosts Don’t Eat Potato Chips (The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids #3) and Dragons Don’t Cook Pizza (The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids #4). Her work also appears in several anthologies: Hellcat Press’ Screams Heard Round the World, Dark Lady Returns, and the Sequential Artist Workshop’s Rhythms. https://angelirafer.com/

3 Fun Facts

1. I love to draw cute dogs and have drawn over 200 daily dog doodles as an art challenge from 2016 to 2017.
2. I practiced kendo–the modern Japanese martial art based on kenjutsu that uses shinai (bamboo swords) and bogu (protective armor)—for 6 years, and now practice archery for fun.
3. I worked on an archeology dig site in Italy and learned how to reconstruct Roman vases for a museum display.