Author Archives - Page 5 of 32 - Hudson Childrens Book Festival

Poblocki, Dan

Dan Poblocki is an author of mystery, horror, and adventure novels for young people. He is the co-author with Neil Patrick Harris of the #1 New York Times bestselling series The Magic Misfits (writing under the pen-name Alec Azam). Most recently, his books My Brother’s Butt is Haunted, Tales to Keep You Up at Night, More Tales to Keep You Up at Night, and Jackson Bright in the Spotlight have been entertaining and inspiring kids all over the world. danpoblocki.com

Awards

ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults, Texas Bluebonnet Master List, Kentucky Bluegrass Reader’s Award, Iowa Children’s Choice Award.

Fun Facts

1. I have a phobia of sharks.
2. Growing up, I lived in a haunted house.

Stokes, Mason

YA debut author Mason Stokes is a professor of English at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, where he teaches African American literature and queer fiction. In addition to his scholarly writing, Stokes is the author of the adult novel Saving Julian and the personal essay “Namesake,” which was selected by Jonathan Franzen for inclusion in the 2016 edition of Best American Essays. masonstokes.com

Awards

Starred review of ALL THE TRUTH in Publishers Weekly; Positive reviews in Kirkus, Booklist, School Library Journal, Forward Reviews, and Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books; author interview on WAMC’s The Roundtable

3 Fun Facts

1. I used to be a drummer.
2. I spent most of my adult life telling myself I would never write a novel.
3. According to my partner, I mispronounce any word beginning with “wh.”

Karas, G. Brian

Karas, G. Brian

G. Brian Karas is an artist and author best known for his work in children’s picture book illustration. His work has received numerous awards, including honors from the American Library Association, the New York Times and starred reviews from major publications. He lives in the Hudson Valley of New York where he enjoys working in his studio, being outdoors and spending time with his family. gbriankaras.com

Awards

New York Times Best Illustrated, Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor,ALA Notable Book,Please Touch Museum Annual Book Award, Louisiana Young Readers’ Choice Award

3 Fun Facts

1. I like to cook (and eat!) all kinds of food but my favorites are pizza and donuts.
2. I like to dance though I’m a terrible dancer.
3. I like scary movies.

Harper, Janelle

Janelle Harper is a Bronx native who proudly carries her New York accent wherever she goes. Janelle’s artistic work is inspired by city life and the diverse experiences of the African Diaspora. She comes from a long line of educators and has spent nearly two decades teaching dance in NYC public schools. As a children’s author, Janelle is passionate about representation and hopes to create stories that make children fall more in love with themselves. When she’s not thinking about her next book, Janelle is at home enthusiastically playing along with TV game shows like The Price Is Right. https://www.janelleharperauthor.com

Awards

Starred reviews from Kirkus Review, Horn Book and Publishers Weekly, Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, Black Caucus ALA Best of the Best 2024, The Best Children’s Books of the Year 2025 Edition, 2025 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People.

3 Fun Facts

1. My favorite animal is a unicorn.
2. My lucky number is 13.
3. I’ve visited 5 of the 7 continents (Australia and Antarctica are on my bucket list).

Gholson, AJ

Gholson, AJ

We are the parents of 3 energetic, entertaining and emotional children. The inspiration for the books comes from them. We watch the struggles our children deal with and remember those same challenges. We try to think of tools that have helped us in life and demonstrate them to our children. nylahversus.com

Fun Facts

1. Anthony also writes and directs short films.
2. Nylah is the name of our only daughter

Davila, A.M.

Davila, A.M.

A.M. Davila writes post-apocalyptic and dystopian fiction for both a YA and adult audience. When not writing, she teaches Social Studies to high school students in New York. The worlds she creates are at once both fantastical and eerily plausible. Her characters may seem familiar because, as a teacher and observer of humanity, Davila creates characters based on life. Each could be someone you know. Davila resides with her husband, two daughters, and lap dog in the Hudson Valley and enjoys traveling and enjoying the outdoors when she can. www.amdavila.com

3 Fun Facts

1. I was inspired to write this book while stuck in a torrential downpour outside of a church on my way to work.
2. One of the characters is inspired by a former student.
3. The dog is inspired by my neighbor’s dog and we now consider him to be famous!

Chen, Sylvia

Chen, Sylvia

Born and raised in Queens, New York, Sylvia Chen has also lived and worked in Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Paris, and Tokyo, and now resides in Essex County, New Jersey. As an Asian American children’s book author, she recently celebrated her debut picture book TRICKY CHOPSTICKS (illustrated by Fanny Liem and published by Atheneum/Simon & Schuster) and her newest picture book SPARKLES FOR SUNNY: A Lunar New Year Story (illustrated by Thai My Phuong and published by Flamingo Books/Penguin Random House). Sylvia loves crafting picture books that spark kids’ interest in STEAM and creative thinking. https://www.sylviaichen.com/

Awards

SPARKLES FOR SUNNY was featured as a 2026 January/February Kids’ Indie Next List Pick by the American Booksellers Association. In addition, TRICKY CHOPSTICKS was the 2025 Crystal Kite Award Winner (Atlantic Division) and was also awarded for the 2025 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People (Kindergarten to Fifth Grade category), by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) and the Children’s Book Council (CBC). TRICKY CHOPSTICKS was also chosen as the recommended Elementary picture book for May in the National Education Association (NEA)’s Read Across America for 2025-2026.

3 Fun Facts

1. I love making DIY costumes and crafts when I have a good chance to create them.
2. I like sneaking secret meanings into my books.
3. And I really enjoy drinking boba tea!

Seales, Stephanie

Stephanie Seales is the California-born daughter of Panamanian immigrants and a children’s literature expert. Her debut picture book My Daddy Is a Cowboy (Abrams, 2024), illustrated by C.G. Esperanza, received a Caldecott Honor, Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award, and six starred reviews. Stephanie is passionate about community and equity and understands the power of story, following Toni Morrison’s advice in writing the books she wants to read. She dreams and creates with her magical canine companion, Pan, near the water in the Hudson Valley, New York. www.stephanieseales.com

Awards

Caldecott Honor; Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award; Publishers Weekly Best Books 2024; The Horn Book Fanfare 2024; New York Public Library Best Books 2024; Six starred reviews

3 Fun Facts

1. I love dogs, especially my sweet Pomeranian, Pan (my next book, Jodie Doesn’t Love Dogs, is about dogs!).
2. I’ve been writing stories since I was 5 years old and the first story I remember writing was inspired by The Land Before Time (dinosaurs are so cool!).
3. I never stopped reading kids books and have a master’s degree in Children’s Literature, so it’s extra cool to be an author now!

Anta, Julio

Anta, Julio

Julio Anta is the writer of many graphic novels including the Eisner Award-nominated Frontera, This Land Is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story, Home and Sí, Se Puede: The Latino Heroes Who Changed the United States.

Julio was born and raised in Miami, Florida and currently resides in New York City. julioanta.com

Awards

Children’s Book Council’s Young Adults’ Favorites Award, Eisner Award nominee, New York State Council on the Arts grant.

3 Fun Facts

1. Even though Spanish is my first language, I get a lot of anxiety about making mistakes when I speak.
2. My 10 year old son inspired the main character in Speak Up Santiago.
3. I have a Dachshund named Noodle!

Lemon, J.S.

Lemon, J.S.

J. S. Lemon grew up outside of Philadelphia, and chances are, so did you. She spent most of her childhood worrying about hair removal and trying to make people laugh. Even though middle school was quite a while ago, it still sits right beneath her skin. Lemon was the first girl, on both sides of her family, to graduate college, and she did so while wearing an “I’m with stupid” T-shirt under her gown. She has been an animal psychic, a mime coach, and a spokesperson for the Crocs Evening Wear Collection—all without leaving her home. Most days you can find her gossiping with her dog and writing until her thumbs ache. Her hobbies include doodling, listening to smooth ‘70s music, and dodging invitations to go hiking. She does a pretty good Cher impression. jslemonbooks.com

3 Fun Facts

1. I was an artist for years before writing my first novel.
2. My “real” age is 12. What about you?
3. I can play “fake piano”- I make it up and it sounds like the saddest movie soundtrack you’ve ever heard.