Author Archives - Page 4 of 25 - Hudson Childrens Book Festival

Kantorovitz, Sylvie

Kantorovitz, Sylvie

Sylvie Kantorovitz was born in Casablanca, Morocco, grew up in France, and now lives in the beautiful Hudson Valley. She is the author-illustrator of SYLVIE, a middle-grade graphic-novel about her young years in France. SYLVIE has been called “enchanting and witty” (School Library Journal), “a delightful graphic-novel memoir of artistic coming-of-age for children ages 8-14.” (Wall Street Journal). Her latest book, also a graphic novel, is MONTI AND LEO, A NEWCOMER IN POCKETVILLE. She is also the illustrator of the bestseller, WHEELS ON THE BUS, A RAFFI SONG TO READ. www.sylviekantorovitz.com

Awards

SYLVIE is a Bank Street Best Book of the Year and a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection. MONTI AND LEO is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard 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. I have learned a new word: knolling. I love the practice of knolling the treasures I bring back from nature walks.

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 WORLD RAT DAY, IF I WERE A KANGAROO, YOU MAKE ME SNEEZE!, and the forthcoming PARTY ANIMALS. Her book THE DAY THE UNIVERSE EXPLODED MY HEAD was a Kirkus Best Book of the Year and New York Public Library Best Book., and her science picture book collaboration with author David A. Adler has garnered rave reviews from children and educators alike. www.annaraff.com

3 Fun Facts

1. I am an avid birder
2. I love to cook
3. My favorite color is orange.

Tarpley, Natasha Anastasia

Tarpley Author photo_NJ_1-Natasha-Tarpley

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 character that is almost too shy to appear in its own book. 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.

Awards

Multiple starred reviews and state awards lists
Junior Library Guild gold standard selection
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Kirkus Best Books, Booklist Editor’s Choice
Society of Illustrators “The Original Art”
Parents’ Choice Gold Award
Crystal Kite Award
Indie Next List, Amazon Books of the Month
Best Books on Huffington Post, Buzz Feed, Chicago Public Library & NYPL
CLA Notable Books, Bank Street Books

3 Fun Facts

1. In school, I studied architecture, not illustration! But now I prefer making books for kids to buildings.
2. I live in a fantastically playful and colorful house.
3. I love meeting readers—so please stop by my table and say hello!

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.

Baker, Jennifer

Jennifer Baker is a publishing professional of 20 years, the creator/host of the Minorities in Publishing podcast, and a faculty member of the MFA program in Creative Nonfiction at Bay Path University and a writing consultant at Baruch College. Jennifer is also the editor of the short story anthology Everyday People: The Color of Life (Atria Books, 2018) and the author of the YA novel Forgive Me Not (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2023). Her fiction, nonfiction, and criticism has appeared in various print and online publications. Her website is: jennifernbaker.com.

Awards

Jennifer Baker’s essay “What We Aren’t (or the Ongoing Divide)” was listed as a Notable Essay in The Best American Essays 2018. She received a 2017 NYSCA/NYFA Fellowship and a Queens Council on the Arts New Work Grant for Nonfiction Literature. In 2019, she was named Publishers Weekly Superstar for her contributions to inclusion and representation in publishing. Forgive Me Not was listed by New York Public Library as a “Best Books for Teens 2023,” included on the Texas Library Association’s 2024 TAYSHAS Reading List, and Electric Literature’s “Best Novels of 2023.”

3 Fun Facts

1. Jennifer is an amateur baker who has won local competitions.
2. Jennifer is an active cyclist and a big fan of NYC’s new bike lanes.
3. Jennifer’s biggest goal is to travel to every country in Asia and eat all the things!

Bontigao, Lynnor

Lynnor Bontigao is a Philippine-born author-illustrator. Her debut as an author-illustrator, SARI-SARI SUMMERS, is a nostalgic love letter to the Philippines and grandmothers with a bonus sweet recipe. She also illustrated THE WORLD’S BEST CLASS PLANT(one of Kirkus Reviews’ 2023 Best Picture Books) written by award-winning authors Liz Garton Scanlon & Audrey Vernick. Lynnor loves stories where family relationships, culture, and food are intertwined. Lynnor Bontigao lives in NJ with her family and 1 tiny dog.

Awards
Lynnor is the recipient of the 1st annual 2020 SCBWI Tomie dePaola Professional Development Award, the 2020 Kweli/SCBWI Emerging Voice Award, and the 2021 Kweli Sing the Truth! Mentorship. PRAISE FOR SARI-SARI SUMMERS(Candlewick 2023)

Lively text provides an engrossing picture of the Philippines. . . thoughtful portrayals of Filipino customs along with speech bubbles featuring both Tagalog and English lend an authenticity. Bontigao’s debut brims with heart-warming delight as the loving intergenerational relationship between Nora and her lola making ice candy shows how food brings a community together. —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Delectable. . . This sweet summer tale has Tagalog words interspersed throughout the dialogue, mostly terms of endearment that reflect the cozy relationships with family and the community. . . . Like a sari-sari store, brimming with joy and heart. —Kirkus Reviews

Readers get to share Nora’s eagerness as they are treated to a two-page spread depicting colorful, delectable items stacked neatly on the store shelves. . . . This sweet story of intergenerational love will resonate with many readers. —Booklist

This is a love letter to grandparents who live far away and the special bond that develops when grandchildren get to spend time with them. . . . The illustrations, digitally created, capture the busy street where the store is located as well as the love shared between Nora and her lola. . . . Celebrating the special bond between a child and an older relative, along with the setting and language details of the Philippines, makes this a highly recommended title. —School Library Journal

Familial bonds burnish Bontigao’s affectionate solo debut in this empowering intergenerational tale featuring a child’s creative problem-solving. . . . Digital art mimics colored pencil and pastel textures, and standout images portray a bustling community, the shop’s myriad contents, and the feel of hot days in this story of how thoughtful entrepreneurship can serve and delight. —Publishers Weekly

3 Fun Facts

1. I ❤️ watching KDramas,
2. I am learning to play the ukulele
3. I am terribly afraid of caterpillars.