P Archives - Hudson Childrens Book Festival

Probert, Tim

Tim Probert is an author and illustrator. He is the creator of Lightfall, an all ages fantasy adventure graphic novel series. He has illustrated the D&D Dungeon Academy series, as well as several other books. Tim was also an art director at the animation studio Nathan Love for ten years, working on all sorts of short form projects. He lives in upstate New York with his wife Jodi and their two cats. https://timprobert.com

Awards

Harvey Award Nominee – Best Book and Best Children’s Book
Kirkus Reviews ‘Best Book’ for Lightfall Book 1, all three books received starred reviews
Junior Library Guild Selection for all three Lightfall books
Nominated for the ‘Russ Manning Most Promising Newcomer Award’ at the 2023 Eisner Awards at San Diego Comic Con

3 Fun Facts

1. I live in a straw bale house with only a wood stove for heat
2. My favorite comic is ‘Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind’ by Hayao Miyazaki
3. My cats, Beau & Thor, are the inspiration for the characters Boisenberry & Snore in Lightfall

Pullen, Mark David

Mark David Pullen is the author of the middle-grade series The Oasis Chronicles. His debut novel, The Oasis King, was released in February of 2023. Mark combines his love of science fiction and fantasy with action and adventure to create wholesome, fast-paced stories the entire family can enjoy together. Mark lives in Upstate New York with his wife, two children, and crazy old hound dog, Toby. www.theoasisking.com

Awards

PenCraft Literary Award Winner, NYS Book Festival Honorable Mention, Outstanding Creator Award- Winner

3 Fun Facts

1. Loves to cook.
2. Avid Outdoorsman.
3. 90s video games are the best!

Parra, John

John Parra is an award-winning artist, illustrator, author, and educator, best known for his Latino themed children’s picture books. https://www.johnparraart.com/

Awards

CSMCL’s Best Multicultural Books of 2024, Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, NY Society of Illustrators, Original Art Show Selection, “Starred Review” Kirkus Review

3 Fun Facts

I like to play guitar, travel, and eat good food.

Preller, James

Preller, James

James Preller lives in Delmar, NY, and has been publishing books for young readers for almost 40 years. His books are suitable for readers from PreK to Young Adult, and include series such as Jigsaw Jones and Scary Tales, as well as these individual titles: Bystander, Upstander, Blood Mountain, and Six Innings. His newest middle-grade title, Shaken (2024), centers around a 7th-grade soccer player, Kristy Barrett, who suffers from post-concussion syndrome. Preller enjoys visiting schools, hoping to inspire a love of reading and writing. www.jamespreller.com

Awards

James Preller has received many accolades over the years, including a YALSA, and ALA NOTABLE, and New York Public Library’s Best Books for Reading and Sharing, numerous State Awards and Junior Library Guild Selections.

3 Fun Facts

1. James Preller loves hiking.
2. James Preller loves baseball.
3. James Preller loves reading.

Primiano, Jay

Primiano, Jay

Jay Primiano is a poet, performer and most recently, children’s book author. Like his co-author, John Rocco, Jay Primiano was raised on fishing boats. He started working on a commercial lobster boat when he was eleven years old and still has a deep connection to the waters of Rhode Island, where he spends much of his free time teaching his daughters how to catch dinner. He lives in Jamestown, Rhode Island. Visit his web site!

3 Fun Facts

1. “My favorite time to write is in the morning; early in the morning before it really feels like morning and it still seems like night time. It is at this time that I can relate best to my characters; tough working people with much to prove after the sun rises.”
2. “I still hold a full ‘Principal Effort shell-fishing license’ and I often work as a professional clam-digger on Narragansett Bay. Working in the fishing industry satisfies my need for exercise, desire to continually discover and my interest in the lives of the people in the business of defying nature every day.”
3. “I was a professional soccer coach at the University of Rhode Island for thirteen years; coaching the URI Men’s Soccer team while they participated in the Atlantic -10 Conference in the NCAA’s Division I. And as a result of this experience, I’ve traveled to fourteen different countries.”