Kyra Teis is a children’s book author and illustrator and a creator of joyful adventures. With her signature colorful digital collages, Kyra invites kids into a world where imagination knows no bounds. Her playful style and vivid illustrations spark creativity and wonder, making her books beloved by little readers and big dreamers alike. She lives and works in Niskayuna, NY, and can be seen most weekends cheering on the sidelines of her daughter’s soccer games.  www.kyrateis.com

Awards

Sometimes When I’m Worried (2023), Kirkus Star. Sometimes When I’m Bored (2022), Kirkus Star and Kirkus Best Indie Books of 2022. Klezmer! (2021), Kirkus Star.

3 Fun Facts

1. I love to sew.
2. I enjoy improv.
3. I am the person who eats the licorice jellybeans.

Sophie Taylor is an indie children’s author based in upstate New York. When she’s not writing stories, she’s feeding her chickens, cuddling her cat, and teaching kids, teens, and creative adults how to write and create worlds of wonder. https://heymoonpress.com/

Awards

For “What Cats Dream About” a book I put out last year. Amazon Best Seller, Top 10 in cat books during first month.
Currently: Top 100 in Baby & Toddler Bedtime & Dreaming Books, Top 100 in Children’s Cat Books (Kindle Store), Top 100 in Cat, Dog & Animal Humor

3 Fun Facts

1. My furry friend is a cat named Dorian Wilde Gray, who’s as mysterious and adventurous as his literary namesakes.
2. When I was a kid growing up in Texas, I dazzled audiences with my trick horseback riding skills, like a modern-day cowboy!
3. When I’m not spinning tales for kids, I’m delving into the realms of science fiction and fantasy, conjuring up worlds filled with intergalactic adventures and magical quests.

Ali Terese writes funny and heartfelt middle grade and YA stories. FREE PERIOD (Scholastic – March 2024) is her debut novel. It is a story of friendship and period equity complete with laugh-out-loud shenanigans, delightfully disgusting desserts, and some world-changing crafts. Visit Ali online for book bonuses, giveaways, and resources like discussion guides, recipes, craftivism projects, and more at aliterese.com.

3 Fun Facts

1. Searching for sea shells is my favorite way to spend the day.
2. I make the world’s best eggplant parmigiana.
3. I can twirl pens in both hands simultaneously and am thus doubly annoying when I drop them.

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)

Christian Trimmer is the author of numerous books for children, most recently THE GOOD HAIR DAY (art by J Yang), WOMBAT, THE RELUCTANT HERO (art by Rachel Gyan), and WHAT ARE YOU? (art by Mike Curato). When he’s not writing stories, he’s editing them, most recently for MTV Books. He lives in Hillsdale, New York, with his husband. Learn more at christiantrimmer.com.

Awards

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2023 (THE GOOD HAIR DAY)
Starred Reviews for THE GOOD HAIR DAY, SNOW PONY & THE SEVEN MINIATURE PONIES, and TEDDY’S FAVORITE TOY
Keystone to Reading Book Award (SIMON’S NEW BED)

3 Fun Facts

1. When I was 11, I broke my left thumb doing the shuttle run in gym class.
2. My favorite book when I was young was THE GIRL WHO OWNED A CITY by O.T. Nelson, a story in which all the adults in the world are gone.
3. I learned to drive stick shift in a Porsche (it wasn’t mine).

JENNIFER THERMES is a map illustrator and the award-winning author and illustrator of many books for children, including her most recent picture book, Horse Power: How Horses Changed the World (Abrams, 2021). Jennifer loves to weave maps throughout her stories in order to give readers a sense of geography and place. She is fascinated by the big picture of history and how it connects the past with our lives today. www.jenniferthermes.com

Awards
NCTE Orbis Pictus Honor Book, Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, Norman A. Sugarman Children’s Biography Award Honor Book, starred reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, School Library Journal, and Shelf Awareness.

3 Fun Facts

1. I loved to draw as a kid, but mostly only drew horses!
2. I adore cats. Dogs are pretty cool, too.
3. My favorite pizza topping is anchovies. (For real. They are delicious.)

Hudson Talbott is the author/illustrator of 27 books for young readers. His first book, “We’re Back”, was made into a feature length film by Steven Spielberg. His second book,”Into the Woods” was a collaboration w/ composer Stephen Sondheim, based on his Broadway musical. His book with author Jacqueline Woodson, “Show Way”, also became a musical, premiering at the Kennedy Center and now touring the country. His most recent book,”A Walk In the Words”, his memoir of how he overcame his dyslexia through art, won the ALA Schneider Award for books addressing learning challenges. www.hudsontalbott.com

Awards

“Show Way” – Newbury Honor Book, “Leonardo’s Horse” – ALA Notable, “A Walk In The Words” – ALA Schneider Family Award.

3 Fun Facts

1. I was in an elephant stampede in Africa while doing research for my book “Safari Journal”.
2. I was traveling with a jungle doctor in the Amazon Rainforest doing research for my book “Amazon Diary” when the motor on our dugout canoe lost power and we had to drift through headhunter territory.
3. I was on the original album cover of the Village People, creating the role of the cowboy.