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.

Kara Kramer is an illustrator and mixed media artist living in Brooklyn, NY. She has illustrated several picture books including Make Meatballs Sing: The Life and Art of Corita Kent, Erno Rubik and His Magic Cube, and is author/illustrator of the interactive picture book Tell Me a Lion Story. She explores many mediums and loves being in the creative process. www.karakramer.com

Awards

Best Stem Books K-12 2025
2024 Junior Library Guild Selection
2022 Bologna Ragazzi Award Amazing Bookshelf Selection
2022 ALA Notable Children’s Book

3 Fun Facts

1. I love to ski because it feels like I am drawing with my feet in the snow.
2. I stink at whistling.
3. Can’t choose a favorite color, in love with too many!

DANIEL NEWELL KAUFMAN is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker whose documentaries and short films have played at SXSW, Tribeca and Cannes Lions film festivals. Raised in both Los Angeles and Vermont, Daniel’s life is driven by a deep curiosity and love of people. This is Daniel’s debut picture book. He lives with his wife and co-author, Esmé Shapiro, in an old farmhouse in the Hudson Valley.

3 Fun Facts

1. I’ve driven back and forth across the United States 10 times–once through a super storm.
2. My childhood cat lived to be 25 and used to ride on the back of my childhood dog.
3. The secret ingredient in my family’s chicken stew recipe is black currant jelly.

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.

Sylvie Kantorovitz 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 (ages 9-14) has been called “enchanting and witty” (School Library Journal). She is the creator of two series, also in comics format: MONTI AND LEO (ages 7-9) and PICKLE (ages 3-6). 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 selection. MONTI AND LEO is a Junior Library Guild selection. A NEW CAR FOR PICKLE is a Junior Library Guild selection and a Horn Book Summer Reading 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.

Jackie Azúa Kramer- Many lives ago I was born into a Puerto Rican and Ecuadorian loving family. Together we travelled to far away places.Now I’m an author, and wile away my time writing children’s picture books. What ties these all together are my dreams and imagination. Most of the time you’ll find me reading, watching old movies, globe trekking and whenever possible sharing laughter & food with my family. jackieazuakramer.com/

Awards

Bank Street College Best Children’s Books of the Year; Junior Library Gold Selection; Best Books Canadian Children’s Book Centre; Chicago Public Library-Best of the Best Books; Winner of Japan’s 31st Bronze Kembuchi Picture Book Award; Winner of 2021 SCBWI Crystal Kite Award; Silver Medal-Parents’ Choice Awards.

3 Fun Facts

1. I swam with dolphins.
2. I speak Spanish fluently.
3. I once worked as an actor.

Leslie Kimmelman is the author of more than fifty popular books for children, whose subjects range from the rainforest adventures of a bat and sloth, to a hot dog picnic Eleanor Roosevelt hosted for the king and queen of England, to the New York City marathon. lesliekimmelman.com

Awards

Five Sydney Taylor Honor and Notable Titles. Many state awards, such as the Charlotte award, given by the New York State Reading Association.

3 Fun Facts

1. I know the way to Sesame Street; I worked there for almost 25 years.
2. If I hadn’t been a children’s book author, I would’ve loved to be a wildlife photographer.
3. My cure for writer’s block (and everything else) is dark chocolate.

David A. Kelly gets to go to the moon, baseball stadiums, and football games for his job. David is the author of over thirty children’s books that have sold over 1.5 million copies, including his bestselling Ballpark Mysteries series in which cousins Kate and Mike visit MLB ballparks to solve mysteries, and the Football Mysteries series, in which they visit NFL stadiums. David’s latest picture book, Tee Time on the Moon, takes readers to the Moon with Alan Shepard as he hits two golf balls. For more information, visit www.davidakellybooks.com, or find him on X/Bluesky at @DavidAKelly, Instagram/Facebook at @DavidAKellyBooks .

Awards

New York Public Library Best Books for Kids, Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of the Year, Booklist Top 10 Sports Books for Youth, Library Media Connection Editor’s Choice, Maine Chickadee Award, Maryland Blue Crab Award, Missouri State Teacher’s Association Reading Circle selection.

3 Fun Facts

1. I once met baseball superstar Hank Aaron.
2. I used to wear a cowboy hat for my job.
3. I watched the last Space Shuttle take off in person.