Author Archives - Page 3 of 25 - Hudson Childrens Book Festival

Rogers, Shannon C.F.

Rogers, Shannon C.F.

Shannon C.F. Rogers is an award-winning multiracial American writer of Filipinx and European descent. She studied writing at the University of New Mexico and Antioch University Los Angeles while serving as an educator, after-school program director, and lost mitten finder at schools in Albuquerque, Chicago, and NYC. She lives in Brooklyn, NY. https://www.shannoncfrogers.com/

Awards

2024 Asian/Pacific American Award for Young Adult Literature, NYPL’s Best Books for Teens 2023, A Junior Library Gold Standard Selection

3 Fun Facts

1. I have a red belt in Tae Kwon Do.
2. I’m a Saggitarius.
3. I love karaoke.

Wishingrad, Alysa

Alysa Wishingrad writes fantastical stories for young readers, tales that ask; is the truth really true? Her favorite stories are those that meld the historical with the fantastic, and that find ways to shine a light on both the things that divide and unite us all. She is the author of Between Monsters and Marvels and The Verdigris Pawn, which was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. Alysa lives in the Hudson Valley with her family and two demanding rescue dogs and a cat-shaped dog, who are either monsters or marvels, depending on the day. www.alysawishingrad.com

Awards

Starred Review SLJ, JLG GOld Standard Selection, DogEarred Book Box

3 Fun Facts

1. I’ve played a zombie in a horror movie.
2. My dogs are from Egypt.
3. I’ve lived in a haunted house.

Lazar, Tara

Tara Lazar- Street magic performer. Hog-calling champion. Award-winning ice sculptor. These are all things Tara Lazar has never been. Instead, she writes quirky, humorous picture books where anything is possible! taralazar.com

Awards

SCBWI Crystal Kite, SCBWI Golden Kite, Irma Black Book Award

3 Fun Facts

1. My wheelchair is “sky blue”.
2. I used to be a competitive figure skater.
3. My favorite food is tacos!

Ko, Christine

Ko, Christine

Christine J. Ko is an author, mother, practicing physician, and a Professor of Dermatology and Pathology at Yale University. Her debut children’s book, Sound Switch Wonder, was inspired by her son, Owen Whang, and was written to include more representation of deaf people and the spectrum and range of deafness. Christine lives with her husband and their daughter and son in New Haven, Connecticut. https://soundswitchwonder.com

Awards

SCBWI Virtual ShopTalk

3 Fun Facts

1. I read books out of page order.
2. I LOVE chocolate!
3. I also love the endorphin-rush of exercise.

Saks, Dan

Saks, Dan

Dan Saks is a musician, music educator and author. He has lived and taught in NYC, Mexico City, and Switzerland and has traveled the world as a performing musician. He is the creator and host of Noodle Loaf, a popular music education podcast for kids which has been awarded a Webby Honor and the Common Sense Media Seal of Approval. He is the author of a board book series celebrating diverse family experiences, (FAMILIES BELONG, FAMILIES CAN, FAMILIES GROW,) and a board book series about community (WE SHARE THIS SCHOOL, WE SHARE THIS EARTH, WE SHARE THIS NEIGHBORHOOD). www.noodleloaf.com

Awards

FAMILIES GROW – SLJ & Kirkus Starred Reviews, FAMILIES CAN – NCTE Notable Social Studies Book (2022), FAMILIES BELONG – Imagination Library, NOODLE LOAF – Common Sense Media Seal

3 Fun Facts

1. I’ve played banjo in Mexico.
2. I’ve played piano in Switzerland.
3. I’ve sang everyplace I’ve ever been.

Green, John Patrick

John-Patrick-Green-with-books-2—Gina-Gagliano

Green, John Patrick

John Patrick Green is a human with the human job of making books about animals with human jobs, notably the smash-hit graphic novel series InvestiGators. John is definitely a multiple New York Times-bestselling human author and not just a bunch of animals in a trench coat pretending to have a human job. With over a million copies of InvestiGators in print, John is a successful human being with only two hands and a normal amount of fur. He lives in a Brooklyn apartment that doesn’t allow animals other than the ones living in his head. https://investigatorsbooks.com

Awards

The InvestiGators are a New York Times best-selling series. His graphic novel Hippopotamister has won the Children’s Crown Gallery Award, and InvestiGators received the Denise McCoy Literacy Award 2022.

3 Fun Facts

1. I got my start making comics as a little kid, by selling drawings of Garfield in third grade.
2. I went to School of Visual Arts in NYC for graphic design, but while I was there I started self-publishing comics with a friend, Dave Roman, starting a fantasy series called Jax Epoch.
3. I work traditionally, meaning that I draw my comics with pencils and pens on paper.

Balouch, Kristen

Balouch, Kristen

Kristen Balouch has created almost a dozen books for children. She has collaborated on projects from exclusive designed toys and furniture for the Guggenheim Museum, fabric collections for Little House Cottons, fine art shows in New York City, and teamed with various licensing partners. Kristen splits her time between the Adirondacks and a tiny top-floor apartment in Brooklyn, New York. She likes cooking for friends and family, wandering to scout out good food, and being outside. www.kristenbalouch.com

Awards

Ezra Jack Keats Award, Charlotte Zolotow Commended, CCBC Best Book of the Year, Middle East Book Award, Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year, The Golden Kite Honor Award, Illustration Category.

3 Fun Facts

1. Kristen has a new puppy named Porter.
2. Kristen likes Chocolate.
3. Kristen does not like marshmallows.

Conklin, Melanie

MelanieConklin_AuthorPhoto_square—Melanie-Conklin

Conklin, Melanie

Melanie Conklin grew up in North Carolina and worked as a product designer before she began her writing career. She is the author of Counting Thyme, Every Missing Piece, A Perfect Mistake, Crushed (2024), and her debut picture book, When You Have to Wait (2024). Her books have won awards such as the International Literacy Association Teacher’s Choice Award, Bank Street Best Children’s Book, and nominations to six state reading lists. When she’s not writing, Melanie spends her time doodling and dreaming up new ways to be creative. She lives in New Jersey with her family. https://www.melanieconklin.com/

Awards

The International Literacy Association Teacher’s Choice Award, Bank Street Best Children’s Book, and nominations to six state reading lists.

3 Fun Facts

1. Before I started writing, I was a product designer. I’ve designed some strange things: eye-wash stations, label makers, baby incubators, and pencil cups.
2. I didn’t always want to be a writer! I’ve always loved books, but it took me a long time to write one of my own.
3. I hated middle school. My hair never cooperated, no matter how much hairspray I used!

Rex, Michael

Rex, Michael

Michael Rex has been writing and illustrating books for children since 1995. He has made over 50 books including the #1 bestseller “Goodnight Goon,” and the popular “Fangbone!” series, which has been made into an animated TV show. He also is the creator of “Eat Pete” and “Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots.” His newest graphic novel series, “Your Pal Fred,” is a feel-good comedy about the “nicest boy in the apocalypse.” Mr. Rex has a masters degree in Arts Education and travels the country visiting schools to talk about his work. He lives in Leonia, NJ with his wife, two teen sons and dog. https://www.instagram.com/fangbone_rex/

3 Fun Facts

1. I find writing harder than drawing.
2. I have two sons.
3. I have two dogs.

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