L Archives - Hudson Childrens Book Festival

Lee, Emeline

Lee, Emeline

Emeline Lee is an author of children’s literature. Her picture books include Bonnie’s Rocket (illus. Alina Chau; Lee & Low Books), a STEM-friendly story set during Apollo 11, and Gwei the Hungry Ghost (illus. Basia Tran; Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers), a whimsical story inspired by Chinese food and folklore. She studied English literature and environmental sustainability at Columbia University and lives in New Jersey. In her free time, Emeline enjoys hiking in nature, eating hot pot, and crocheting cozy things. Find her on social media at @EmelineLeeBooks. www.emelinelee.com

Awards

Bonnie’s Rocket (written by Emeline Lee, illustrated by Alina Chau, and published by Lee & Low Books 2022), 2023 Skipping Stones Honor Award, 2024 Yellowhammer Book Award Honors (by the Alabama School Library Association).

3 Fun Facts

1. I’m half Chinese and half Korean.
2. I love to crochet and make everything from stuffed animals to sweaters!
3. I’m a big fan of Star Trek (a Trekkie) and love sci-fi and fantasy stories in all forms.

Litwin, Megan

Litwin, Megan

Megan Litwin is the author of books for children like Gather Grateful; Twinkle, Twinkle, Winter Night; the Dirt and Bugsy early reader series…and more underway. A former classroom teacher with a Master of Arts in Children’s Literature from Simmons University, Megan considers growing lifelong readers to be her lifelong work. https://www.meganlitwinbooks.com/

Awards

Gather Grateful is a 2026 ALA Notable, CCBC Choice, and Golden Kite Award Finalist; Twinkle, Twinkle, Winter Night was a 2023 Massachusetts Book Award “Must-Read” and Crystal Kite Award Finalist (New England region); Dirt and Bugsy was a 2023 Cybils Award Finalist.

3 Fun Facts

1. I grew up in upstate NY with a dog, bunnies, goats, and chickens.
2. Once upon a time, I was terribly afraid of bugs – but now I write about them!
3. Fall is my favorite time of year.

Levine, Sara

Sara Levine_author photo – Monica Palenzuela

Levine, Sara

Sara Levine is a veterinarian, science educator, and award-winning picture book author of over a dozen books. Her titles, which include A Peek at Beaks, Hello Dog/Hello Human, and A Terrible Place for a Nest have received the AAAS/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books, Animal Behavior Society Award, and Mathical Book Prize. She is a native New Englander and currently lives in Stony Creek, Connecticut. www.saralevinebooks.com

Awards

Sara’s books have received multiple awards, among them: Utah Beehive Book Award, Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of the Year, Cook Prize honor book for best STEM picture book, AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books, Monarch Award Master List, Junior Library Guild selection, Animal Behavior Society Children’s Book Award, and Mathical Book Prize.

3 Fun Facts

1. She grew up on a farm with over 100 animals.
2. Sara is a veterinarian.
3. She taught at nature centers, including the Massachusetts Audubon Society for over 20 years.

Lewis, K.E.

KennethLewis-BazemoreStudios-scaled – Kenneth Lewis

Lewis, K.E.

K.E. Lewis is the author of Never Take Your Rhino on A Plane, Because of Dads, and appears in The Haunted States of America Anthology. Raised in Bishopville, SC, where the weather is hot and the accent thick, K.E. is a Carolinian through and through, gravitating towards good music, good food, and fascinating culture (and oh, good cake!) kelewis.world

Awards

The Sid Fleischman Humor Award

3 Fun Facts

1. Never Take Your Rhino on a Plane was sparked by a real (and awful) plane experience.
2. I’ve worked in museums creating dynamic cross-curricular experiences for children.
3. My plan is to get an African Grey parrot not only as my feathered friend, but also as my honest, talking, breathing sounding board.

Lindstrom, Carole

Carole Lindstrom is the author of the New York Times bestselling and Caldecott Award-winning We Are Water Protectors. She is Anishinaabe/Métis and is a proud member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe Indians. She was born and raised in Nebraska and currently makes her home in Maryland. carolelindstrom.com

Awards

Caldecott Award, Charlotte Huck Award, Jane Addams Children’s Book Award, Carter G. Woodson Award

3 Fun Facts

1. I have a cat with thumbs.
2. I loved stuffies and have a ton of them.
3. Sometimes I eat ice cream for lunch. 🙂

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.

Lukoff, Kyle

Kyle Lukoff is the author of many books for young readers. His debut middle-grade novel, Too Bright To See, received a Newbery honor, the Stonewall award, and was a National Book Award finalist. His picture book When Aidan Became A Brother also won the Stonewall, and his book Call Me Max has been banned in schools across the country. He has forthcoming books about history, unicycles, breakups, and lots of other topics. While becoming a writer he worked as a bookseller for ten years, and then nine more years as a school librarian. kylelukoff.com

Awards

2 Stonewall awards, 1 Newbery honor, 1 National Book Award finalist, 1 National Book Award long list.

3 Fun Facts

1. I love climbing trees!
2. I worked at five different Barnes and Nobleses in three different states
3. I really want to have a pair of sugar gliders as pets.

Love, Jessica

Jessica Love is the award winning author & illustrator of Julián Is a Mermaid, Julián at the Wedding and A Bed of Stars. She studied Visual Art at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and then Drama at The Juilliard School. She lived New York City for 15 years making plays, and now she lives in the Hudson Valley with her husband and son, and making books. jesslove.format.com

Awards

The Stonewall Book Award, The Ezra Jack Keats Award, The Bologna Children’s Book Fair Opera Prima Award, The Klaus Flugge Prize, a Society of Illustrators Silver Medal and the Golden Poppy Book Award.

3 Fun Facts

1. I am an actor, as well as an author/illustrator.
2. My first book, Julián is a Mermaid is now a feature length film, created by Cartoon Saloon in Ireland!
3. My studio is an old one-room school house that I heat with wood.

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!

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