S Archives - Hudson Childrens Book Festival

Berne, Jennifer

Berne, Jennifer

Jennifer Berne is the award-winning author of ON A BEAM OF LIGHT: A Story of Albert Einstein and CALVIN CAN’T FLY: The Story of a BookwormBirdie. She grew up in New York City where she was active in dance and theater as a child. She studied art and design, worked for Andy Warhol at “The Factory.” After a successful career in advertising, Jennifer began writing for Nick Jr. Magazine and writing books about the subjects she loves most – our amazing universe and the people who discover its secrets. She lives in a house she designed in the rolling hills of Columbia County, NY. www.jenniferberne.com

ON A BEAM OF LIGHT AWARDS:
New York Times – Editors’ Choice
Best Children’s Books of the Year – Kirkus Reviews
NPR – 2013’s Great Reads
Horn Book – Best Non-Fiction Books of 2013
Eric Carle Museum “Best of the Best” 2014
Bank Street College of Education – 2014 Best Books of the Year

3 Fun Facts

1. I lived on a sailboat for 2 years, with my husband and our cat.
2. I love to eat pomegranates.
3. I write my books on paper first. I only use a computer for editing.

Davis, Jacky

Jacky-Davis-and-David-Soman-author-photo

Davis, Jacky

Jacky and David, are the creators of the New York Time’s Best-Selling LADYBUG GIRL series. They live with their two children and rescue dog in Rosendale, NY. www.ladybuggirl.com

3 Fun Facts

1.Our dog, Pico, is a very messy drinker.
2. Ladybug Girl is based on our daughter who is now 16, and Bumblebee Boy is based on our 14 year old son.
3. If you ask David he’ll share his trade secret- of how to draw a tutu.

Soman, David

Jacky and David, are the creators of the New York Time’s Best-Selling LADYBUG GIRL series. They live with their two children and rescue dog in Rosendale, NY. www.ladybuggirl.com

3 Fun Facts

1.Our dog, Pico, is a very messy drinker.
2. Ladybug Girl is based on our daughter who is now 16, and Bumblebee Boy is based on our 14 year old son.
3. If you ask David he’ll share his trade secret- of how to draw a tutu.

Raschka, Chris

Raschka, Chris

Chris Raschka has made more than sixty books for children, including Yo! Yes?, Five for a Little One, and A Ball for Daisy. His work has earned one Caldecott Honor and two Caldecott Awards, the Ezra Jack Keats Award and has been selected five times for the New York Times Best Illustrated Books List. He lives in New York City.

3 Fun Facts

1. Wednesday is oatmeal day at our house.
2. The names of my last four cats have all begun with the letter A.
3. I once gave private art instruction

Simon, Seymour

Simon, Seymour

Seymour Simon (@SeymourSimon), whom the New York Times called “the dean of the [children’s science] field,” is the author of over 300 highly acclaimed science books, more than seventy-five of which have been named Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). He has introduced tens of millions of children to a staggering array of subjects, and says: “I’m more interested in arousing enthusiasm in kids than I am in teaching the facts. The facts may change, but that enthusiasm for exploring the world will remain with them for the rest of their lives.” www.seymoursimon.com

3 Fun Facts

1. Seymour Simon’s cat was named “Newty Fruity,” after the great scientist Sir Isaac Newton.
2. Seymour grew up with identical twin sisters who often tried to fool people by switching identities. The only person they could not trick was their little brother, Seymour. He always knew which was which!
3.Seymour Simon is working on a new book about DINOSAURS, which is going to be full of fascinating new information. Did you know there is a new dinosaur species being discovered nearly every week?!

Stolarz, Laurie Faria

Laurie Stolarz is the author of eighteen young adult novels, including the Dark House series, the Touch series, Project 17, and Bleed, as well as the bestselling Blue is for Nightmares series. With over a million books sold worldwide, Stolarz’s titles have been translated into thirty languages, developed into podcast series, and optioned for TV. Her most recent title is The Last Secret You’ll Ever Keep, a companion book to Jane Anonymous, which was named a 2020 Best Book by Kirkus and included on several state and award lists. Additionally, Stolarz is a producer and scriptwriter for Fictionz, a podcast company focused on creating narrative series based on fiction. www.lauriestolarz.com.

Awards

Awards (partial list):
For Jane Anonymous:
New England Book Award Finalist, 2021, Best Fiction Nominee, American Library Association, 2021, Texas Tayshas List, Texas Library Association, 2021, South Carolina Book Award Finalist, 2021, Missouri Gateway Award Finalist, 2022, Kirkus Reviews, Best Books of 2020, Silver Award in the category of Scripted Fiction, for the podcast script, by the Signal Awards.

For the Blue is for Nightmares series of books (which has sold 750K copies) Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, 2005, American Library Assn., Blue is for Nightmares, Top Ten Teen Pick Nominee, 2004, American Library Assn., Blue is for Nightmares, Top Ten Teen Pick Nominee, 2004, American Library Association, White is for Magic, COVR Award Finalist, 2006, Silver is for Secrets,Quill Award Finalist, 2005, Silver is for Secrets, IPPY Award Finalist, 2005, Red is for Remembrance.

For the Touch series of books (which has sold 500K copies): Texas Tayshas List, Texas Library Association, 2010, Deadly Little Secret, Teens@Random, Favorite Book of 2009, Deadly Little Lies, Gold Star Award, TeensReadToo.com, 2009, Deadly Little Lies, Children’s Book Council, Teen Book of the Year Nominee, 2010, Deadly Little Lies.

For Welcome to the Dark House: Seattle Picks: Teen/Horror & Thrillers List, 2018, Popular Paperback, American Library Association, 2017

3 Fun Facts

1. I’m currently learning French.
2. I relax while watching reality TV.
3. I have a dog named Rumpelstiltskin.

Sheinkin, Steve

Sheinkin, Steve

A former textbook writer, Steve is now making amends by writing history books kids and teens actually want to read. Recent titles include Bomb, The Port Chicago 50, Most Dangerous, The Notorious Benedict Arnold, Lincoln’s Grave Robbers, and the newest, Undefeated. His books have won numerous awards, including a Newbery Honor, the Siebert Medal, and the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults. www.stevesheinkin.com

3 Fun Facts

1. I love to draw comics
2. I make Lego movies with my kids
3. I didn’t realize I liked history till I was about sixteen

Sheinmel, Courtney

Sheinmel, Courtney

COURTNEY SHEINMEL is recovering attorney, chocolate-lover, mac & cheese expert, and the author of over a dozen highly celebrated books for kids and teens, including the young readers’ series, Stella Batts, the middle grade series, the Kindness Club, and the young adult novel, Edgewater. Courtney served as a judge on the national level for the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, and she received a National Scholastic Outstanding Educator Award for her work as a writing instructor at Writopia Lab. You can find Courtney on Twitter at @courtneywrites, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/courtneysheinmel, or her website: www.courtneysheinmel.com

3 Fun Facts

1. I can do a headstand for a really long time.
2. I always give my family members socks on Jan 1 – new socks to start the year off on the right foot!
3. I have never chewed gum.