Author Archives - Page 2 of 32 - Hudson Childrens Book Festival

Stout, Shawn K.

author photo_Shawn Stout 2021 – Shawn Stout

Stout, Shawn K.

Shawn K. Stout is the author of many acclaimed books for young readers, including ANATOMY OF LOST THINGS and THE IMPOSSIBLE DESTINY OF CUTIE GRACKLE, which was a 2023 Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Book of the Year and a 2023-2024 nominee for the New Hampshire Great Stone Face Children’s Book Award. Shawn has an MFA in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts and lives with her family in Maryland. www.shawnkstout.com

Awards

MAKING PLANS FOR NIGEL BINTY — starred reviews from Kirkus and Booklist; THE IMPOSSIBLE DESTINY OF CUTIE GRACKLE — 2023 Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Book of the Year and a 2023-2024 nominee for the New Hampshire Great Stone Face Children’s Book Award.

3 Fun Facts

1. I have a menagerie of animals — 3 rescue dogs and 5 uppity chickens;
2. I have never been able to do a backward roll;
3. And I am distantly related (allegedly) to Maria von Trapp.

Kase, Lori Miller

Lori Miller Kase is an award-winning journalist, short story writer, essayist and young adult author. A life-long reader, she’s wanted to be an author since elementary school. But she is a procrastinator, so she did a lot of other kinds of writing before she finally got around to penning her first book. The Accident, her debut novel, was the 2024 YA finalist for The Tassy Walden Awards for New Voices in Children’s Literature. The mother of two grown children, Lori writes from Connecticut, where she lives with her husband, a bossy dog named Joey, and an ever-expanding collection of books. www.lorimillerkase.com

Awards

The Accident was the YA finalist for the 2024 Tassy Walden Awards for New Voices in Children’s Literature. I’ve also received several awards from the Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists for “Excellence in Journalism” and The Letter Review Prize for Short Fiction.

3 Fun Facts

1. I once had an article on the front page of The New York Times
2. My first publication was a poem called “I Saw a Whale,” featured in my elementary school newsletter when I was eight.
3. I had a brief stint as a keyboardist in a band called Suburbia

Beatrice, Jenna

Jenna Beatrice is a children’s author, lawyer, and mom. She began her legal career as a lawyer for children before becoming a litigator and a trustee of a children’s advocacy center. As an author, Jenna now shares the joy of reading with young children. Jenna lives in New Jersey with her husband and two young sons. jennabeatrice.com

Awards

Children’s Book Council’s 2024 Favorites Award (Children’s List), Shortlisted: Mrs. Laura Bush’s 2023 Summer Reading List,Shortlisted: 2024 Redbud Read-Aloud Book Award Masterlist, Featured in The Washington Post.

3 Fun Facts

Jenna Loves:
1. Hiking
2. Baking
3. Baseball (Go Yankees!)

Ruths,Mitali Banerjee

Ruths,Mitali Banerjee

Mitali Banerjee Ruths was born in New York, grew up in Texas, and now lives in Montreal. She is the award-winning author of The Party Diaries early chapter book series, The Inside Scouts early reader series, as well as picture books Archie Celebrates Diwali and Archie Celebrates an Indian Wedding. A proud desi kid at heart, Mitali draws inspiration from South Asian culture, writing the books she wanted to read growing up.
https://www.mitaliruths.com/en/books-pd

Awards

New York Public Library, Chicago Public Library, and the Canadian Children’s Book Center chose The Party Diaries as one of the Best Books of 2023; every book in the series has been a JLG gold selection; The Party Diaries was also named as a 2024 Sunshine State Young Readers Award (SSYRA Jr) in Florida.

3 Fun Facts

1. Mitali is Bengali American and grew up in Houston, Texas.
2. Her dog Tux is a bulldog poodle mix who has appeared in two of her books.
3. Mitali has done a lot of interesting jobs. She has worked as a babysitter, an ice cream seller, and even a medical doctor. Now, she’s an author!

Macias, Maryann Jacob

Maryann Jacob Macias‘s second picture book, NISHA KNOWS BEST, recently published by Dial Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House in February 2026, has received positive reviews from Booklist and Kirkus Reviews. Her debut picture book, TÉO’S TUTU, was named an Amazon Best Book of 2021 for 3-5 year olds; a 2022 Notable Social Studies Trade Book by the National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council; and a 2023 Rainbow List book by the American Library Association, and received positive reviews from School Library Journal, Horn Book, and Kirkus Reviews. www.maryannjacobmacias.com

Awards

TÉO’S TUTU was named an Amazon Best Book of 2021 for 3-5 year olds; a 2022 Notable Social Studies Trade Book by the National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council; and a 2023 Rainbow List book by the American Library Association.

3 Fun Facts

1. I color my hair blue-black (like Wonder Woman but it doesn’t quite show!).
2. I could live on mangoes (seriously, no other foods necessary).
3. I have a hard time remembering human names but I ALWAYS remember dog names.

Bingham, Winsome

Bingham, Winsome

Winsome Bingham is an author of books for teenies, toddlers, tweens, and teens. In her previous life, she was a teacher and freedom-protector in the U.S. Army. She is the author of the award-winning books, SOUL FOOD SUNDAY, THE WALK, MISSING MOMMA, LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL, and THE TABLE (co-written with Wiley Blevins). www.binghamwrites.com

Awards

New York Times Best Book of the Year, Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor (SOUL FOOD SUNDAY) , International Literary Award, Award Medal National Book for a Global Society, NPR Book of the Day, Connecticut Book Award, Jane Addams Peace Prize Shortlist, too many to list.

3 Fun Facts

1, I fought in war.
2. I’ve visited 47 states.
3. I shook the hands of 3 U.S Presidents.

Buckley, Michael

Michael_Buckley_dana_gallagher_005 – Michael Buckley

Buckley, Michael

Michael Buckley is the NY Times bestselling author of The Sisters Grimm series and N.E.R.D.S., as well as the National bestsellers Undertow, and The Weirdies. Executive producer and writer of Apple TV’s The Sisters Grimm animated series. www.Michaelbuckleywrites.com

Awards

The Washington State Children’s Choice Award. The Hawaiian Children’s Choice Award. Several starred reviews. Audible best of 2025 and 2024.

3 Fun Facts

1. I used to sing in a punk rock band.
2. I have a TV show on Apple that stars my childhood crush.
3. I have a west highland terrier named Friday.

Finison, Carrie

Carrie_Finison_headshot – Carrie Finison

Finison, Carrie

Carrie Finison writes children’s books with humor and heart that are fun to read aloud. Her books include Dozens of Doughnuts and the sequel, Plenty of Pancakes; Don’t Hug Doug, an ALA Notable Children’s Book; Even Steven: A Book About Sharing; Lulu & Zoey: A Sister Story; Hurry, Little Tortoise, Time for School; Pigs Dig a Road; and Touch a Truck Day, a lift-the-flap board book. She lives in the Boston area. Visit her at www.carriefinison.com, or follow on social media @CarrieFinison.

Awards

Plenty of Pancakes – Kids’ Indie Next List selection, Jan/Feb 2026, Even Steven – Junior Library Guild gold standard selection; starred review in School Library Journal, Don’t Hug Doug – ALA Notable Children’s Book; Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year; Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year; Kirkus and Publishers Weekly starred reviews, Dozens of Doughnuts – Junior Library Guild selection.

3 Fun Facts

1. Favorite doughnut: Glazed.
2. Favorite pancake topping: Maple syrup and fresh berries.
3. Fun fact that makes no sense: I don’t like chocolate and mint together in anything EXCEPT Girl Scout Thin Mints, which I love.

Jackson, Colter

Jackson, Colter

Colter Jackson is a person who likes to make things. Stories (both for children and grown up children.) Drawings. Popcorn. Friends. Lists. Lemonade from the most stubborn and sour of lemons. Above all things, she likes to make trouble. But only the good kind.

She is the author-illustrator of the picture books WE ARE THE FIREFLIES (forthcoming), SLEUTH OF BEARS, EVERYDAY BRAVE, THE RHINO SUIT and ELEPHANTS MAKE FINE FRIENDS. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Epoch, Tin House and elsewhere. She lives in New York City. www.colterjackson.com

Awards

Kirkus Review & School Library Journal Starred Review

3 Fun Facts

1. I have a soft spot for tomatoes from a garden,
2. Dolly Parton,
3. And thunderstorms.

Brown, Keith Henry

Keith Henry Brown Author potrtait jpeg – Keith Henry Brown

Brown, Keith Henry

Keith Henry Brown is an award-winning author, illustrator, and designer whose career spans comics, fine art, design, and education. A former Marvel Comics illustrator and Parsons School of Design alumnus, he has published watercolor artwork widely and later became a creative director, often inspired by his lifelong passion for jazz. Brown has designed for institutions such as Blue Note Jazz Club and Jazz at Lincoln Center, and created album covers for renowned jazz artists. He now teaches at Parsons and lives in Brooklyn. His acclaimed children’s books include Birth of the Cool and Because of You, John Lewis. His forthcoming book, Pushing Hope, will be published by Astra Publishing. www.keithhbrown.com

Awards

School Library Journal STARRED REVIEW, Best Books of 2025: Named as one of the best books of the year in the “Gr 9 Up” (High School) category by School Library Journal. Horn Book Fanfare 2025: Selected for the Horn Book’s annual “Fanfare” list, which highlights the year’s best books for children and young adults.

3 Fun Facts

1. Lives in Brooklyn.
2. Jazz fanatic.
3. Movie lover.