Jennifer Ward
Jennifer Ward is the author of more than 25 award-winning nonfiction and fiction books for children and adults.
Her books have been translated into many languages and featured in Martha Stewart's Living, Ranger Rick, on NPR, television's Animal Planet network, and on many popular blogs such as Soule Mama.
Most of Jennifer's books are inspired by science and nature and artfully combine elements of STEM & literacy.
She writes full-time from her home in Illinois where she lives with her husband and two dogs and is easily distracted by everything outside of her windows - particularly if it has feathers!
If you like author Jennifer Ward here is the list of authors you may also like
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Lola M. Schaefer
Lola M. Schaefer is an educator, writer, and gardener, and the author of many acclaimed books for children about math, art, science, technology, animals, and nature. She uses shovels, hoes, rakes, and scissors when she works in her garden. Lola M. Shaefer grew up in Indiana, and now lives in northern Georgia.
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Kim Ann
Kim Ann is an award-winning children’s author based in Southern California. All her life, Kim dreamed of writing fun, imaginative, and colorful books that would help young readers learn to use their imaginations and develop a love of stories. This dream came true! Kim has published many best-selling children’s books, including the popular Ruby the Rainbow Witch and Goldy the Puppy series. Kim recently decided to share her love of daily affirmations by co-authoring a new Quick Affirmation book and card series. She is always working on her next story and looks forward to sharing many more books with her readers. When Kim isn’t working on her publishing career, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and their dogs.
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Kim Ann is -
Wendell Minor
Wendell Minor was born and raised in the town of Aurora, Illinois. Drawing and painting have always been an integral part of his life, and after completing his studies at the Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida, Wendell began creating original designs for book publishers in New York City. His children's books have consistently exhibited his love for the land and environment.
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Illustrating books for naturalist authors Jean Craighead George and Diane Siebert, among others, he approaches his art by researching and experiencing each environment he illustrates. His travels have taken him from the tropical Everglades of Florida to Barrow, Alaska in the Arctic Circle, from the Midwest to the Grand Canyon in the Southwest, and thro -
Edward Jazz
Edward Jazz is an Art Director, musician, surfer & dad (of two wacky ones) from Southern California. Parenting a strong-willed child has inspired Jazz to write engaging and funny stories that will help parents and children work together and get along better! Learn more at kidsbooksrule.com and kidssongsrule.com.
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Leslie Barnard Booth
Leslie Barnard Booth writes lyrical picture books about science and nature. She is the author of One Day This Tree Will Fall and A Stone Is a Story, both of which were named Outstanding Science Trade Books by the National Science Teaching Association and Children's Book Council. Her next book, I Am We: How Crows Come Together to Survive, releases in fall 2025. Leslie lives in Portland, Oregon, with her family. Visit her at lesliebarnardbooth.com.
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Joanna Gaines
Joanna Gaines is co-owner, co-founder and lead designer of Magnolia Homes, and co-stars in HGTV’s Fixer Upper with her husband Chip Gaines. She is the mother of five and lives in Waco, Texas.
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Corey R. Tabor
Corey R. Tabor grew up in Wyoming, where he once spent the night in a cave by an underground waterfall. He now lives with his wife in Seattle, where he draws and reads and explores. Please visit him at coreyrtabor.com.
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from https://www.readbrightly.com/meet-ill... -
Julia Walton
Julia Walton received her MFA in creative writing from Chapman University. When she's not reading or baking cookies, she's indulging in her profound love of Swedish Fish, mechanical pencils, and hobbit-sized breakfasts. Julia lives in Huntington Beach, California, with her husband and daughter.
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Charlotte Gunnufson
Charlotte loves writing stories for kids! Her books include Hard Hat Hank and the Sky-High Solution, Dream Submarine and Halloween Hustle. Eight, Nine, Tengineers and School Spirits arrive in 2026. A former teacher, Charlotte frequently visits schools and libraries to entertain, encourage curiosity and get kids excited about science, nature and reading! She lives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she writes, hikes, plays word games and plants trees.
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Visit her website for kid-friendly activities and educator guides, funny book trailers, get-up-and-move videos, and fascinating ocean animals in action. Get in touch! Charlotte is keen to promote literacy and meet young readers at schools, libraries, bookstore and festivals! -
Terry Fan
Terry Fan received his formal art training at Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto, Canada. His work is a blend of traditional and contemporary techniques, using ink or graphite mixed with digital. He spends his days (and nights) creating magical paintings, portraits, and prints. Terry is the cocreator of The Night Gardener, It Fell from the Sky, and Lizzy and the Cloud. Born in Illinois, he now lives in Toronto.
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Abby Hanlon
Abby Hanlon is the author and illustrator of Dory Fantasmagory, a series of chapter books for five to nine year olds, published by Dial/Penguin Random House. The first book in the series was named a Best Book of the Year by Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and Parent's Magazine. It won a Golden Kite Honor for Fiction and is an American Library Association Notable Book. The sequel, Dory and The Real True Friend won a 2015 Cybil award. The books have been translated in twenty-four languages and are Junior Library Guild selections.
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Abby has a bachelor's from Barnard College and a master's degree in childhood education from the City College of New York. Abby has taught creative writing and first grade in the New York City public school system. Her de -
David Bowles
David Bowles is a Mexican American author and translator from south Texas. He has written several award-winning titles, most notably THEY CALL ME GÜERO and MY TWO BORDER TOWNS
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His work has also been published in multiple anthologies, plus venues such as The New York Times, Strange Horizons, School Library Journal, Rattle, Translation Review, and the Journal of Children’s Literature.
Additionally, David has worked on several TV/film projects. In 2019, he co-founded the hashtag and activist movement #DignidadLiteraria, which has negotiated greater Latinx representation in publishing. He is presently the president of the Texas Institute of Letters. -
Rachel Bright
Rachel is a writer of words, drawer of pictures and champion of silver linings. She exhibits widely, writes tirelessly and frequently creates slightly unhinged characters.
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Her written work includes children’s stories and poems, clever advertising copy and lots of other stuff besides. Her illustrative work is a smorgasboard of giant, hand-printed poems, mind-bogglingly detailed gouache illustrations and a cacophony of quirky prints and etchings.
She explores the lovliness of words and the magic of pictures, revelling in a world of jam-eating miniature bears and other made-up animals.
Her work aims to capture a free way of thinking - one which makes you feel anything is possible, a feeling all too easily lost with the end of childhood. When we’r -
Heather L. Montgomery
Heather L. Montgomery writes about science and nature for kids. Her subject matter ranges from snake tongues to spider silk to snail poop. With a B.S. in Biology and a M.S. in Environmental Education, Heather's passion for nonfiction comes out in her writing and presentations. When she is not writing, Heather can be found climbing a tree, hiking to a waterfall or paddling a river. Learn more about her books at www.HeatherLMontgomery.com.
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Jen Arena
Jen Arena is lucky to have been surrounded by great children’s books her whole life. As a teenager, she worked at a children’s-only indie bookstore in Pennsylvania, and after graduating from college, she made her way to New York City, where she found a job in children's book publishing. Since then, she’s written many books for kids. She recently left New York and now lives in Florida, surrounded by sunshine, palm trees, and really weird birds.
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Susie Ghahremani
Susie Ghahremani is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design. Susie independently designs a whimsically illustrated stationery and gift brand titled Boygirlparty®, one of Etsy's most popular shops.
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Her debut as author-illustrator -- STACK THE CATS -- was named Best Book of the Year by both Kirkus and Amazon! A Kirkus starred review declared it "a book that can expand children's thought processes." ALA Booklist says her new book is -- BALANCE THE BIRDS -- "a sophisticated mathematical concept... made easily and enjoyably understandable."
Susie’s newest picture book will be the first to touch on her Iranian heritage: MEMORY GARDEN, written by her mother Zohreh (Godwin Books/Macmillan, 2024) is a multigenerational tale that uses a girl’s -
Jory John
Jory John is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and two-time E.B. White Read-Aloud Honor recipient.
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Jory's work includes the #1 New York Times bestselling picture book, The Good Egg, and the #2 New York Times bestselling picture book, The Bad Seed, both illustrated by Pete Oswald. He is also the author of the popular picture books, Penguin Problems and Giraffe Problems, both illustrated by Lane Smith, the award-winning Goodnight Already! series, illustrated by Benji Davies, the New York Times bestselling Terrible Two series, the recent picture books Quit Calling Me a Monster! (with Bob Shea), Can Somebody Please Scratch My Back? (with Liz Climo), and the international bestseller, All my friends are dead, among many other books for both -
Matt de la Peña
Matt de la Peña is the New York Times best-selling, Newbery-medal-winning author of six young adult novels and four picture books. Matt received his MFA in creative writing from San Diego State University and his BA from the University of the Pacific, where he attended school on a full athletic scholarship for basketball. de la Peña currently lives in Brooklyn, NY. He teaches creative writing and visits high schools and colleges throughout the country.
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Visit Matt at: mattdelapena.com -
Marla Frazee
Marla Frazee was awarded a Caldecott Honor for All the World and A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever and the Boston Globe Horn Book Award for Picture Book for The Farmer and the Clown. She is the author-illustrator of Roller Coaster, Walk On!, Santa Claus the World’s Number One Toy Expert, The Boss Baby, and Boot & Shoe, as well as the illustrator of many other books including The Seven Silly Eaters, Stars, the NYT bestselling Clementine series, and God Got a Dog. Marla has three grown sons, a Little Free Library in her front yard, and a studio in her back yard under an avocado tree.
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Melissa Stewart
Melissa Stewart is the award-winning author of more than 180 science and nature books for children. She offers a wide range of programs for schools, libraries, nature centers, and conferences. www.melissa-stewart.com"
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Laura Joffe Numeroff
Laura Joffe Numeroff is the NYT best-selling author of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, What Mommies/Daddies Do Best and Raising a Hero. She was born in Brooklyn, New York and graduated from Pratt Institute. Laura grew up as the youngest of three girls, surrounded by art, music, and books. An avid animal lover, Laura has always wanted to write a book about service dogs. She now lives in Los Angeles, California.
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Jess M. Brallier
Jess M. Brallier (born May 31, 1953) is a publisher, author, and web publisher. Brallier has authored or co-authored 31 books, including Lawyers and Other Reptiles. He is currently Publisher and General Manager of Family Education Network (a part of Pearson), an online publisher for: parents, teachers, and reference readers.
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In 1992, Brallier founded the children’s publishing imprint, Planet Dexter (Penguin), which published a number of best-selling books and secured scores of book club, electronic, foreign, TV/video, exhibit, serial, and merchandising licenses.
Of the 30+ published books that Brallier authored, half are adult titles and half children’s books.
Brallier won book publishing's LMP Individual Achievement Award in recognition of hi -
Helen Ketteman
author and mother of two grown sons. Texas, where she lived for 9 years, is one of her favorite places and several of her books are set there. She, her husband, and their two cats currently live in Sanibel Island, Florida--where plenty of armadillos live, too.
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James Russell
I am the author of the best-selling Dragon Brothers Trilogy of children's books (The Dragon Hunters, The Dragon Tamers and The Dragon Riders) and the best-selling, middle-grade novel series The Dragon Defenders (The Dragon Defenders, The Dragon Defenders – Book Two: The Pitbull Returns, The Dragon Defenders - Book Three: An Unfamiliar Place, The Dragon Defenders - Book Four: All Is Lost and The Dragon Defenders - Book Five: The Grand Opening.
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I launch my first book for adults, entitled 'Mine - A Surfing Odyssey on North Sentinel Island' on June 1, 2021.
I live in Auckland with my wife and two young sons. -
Jess M. Brallier
Jess M. Brallier (born May 31, 1953) is a publisher, author, and web publisher. Brallier has authored or co-authored 31 books, including Lawyers and Other Reptiles. He is currently Publisher and General Manager of Family Education Network (a part of Pearson), an online publisher for: parents, teachers, and reference readers.
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In 1992, Brallier founded the children’s publishing imprint, Planet Dexter (Penguin), which published a number of best-selling books and secured scores of book club, electronic, foreign, TV/video, exhibit, serial, and merchandising licenses.
Of the 30+ published books that Brallier authored, half are adult titles and half children’s books.
Brallier won book publishing's LMP Individual Achievement Award in recognition of hi -
April Martin
April Martin is a mother, military spouse, and teacher. While teaching her first grade class she wanted to create a fun way to teach her students about the months of the year... that’s where her very own name gave her an idea! She realized she could create characters named after the months of the year that her students could know and love. Time went by, LOTS of time, but her characters were still in her thoughts. Now, a mother herself, she wanted to finally bring the Calendar Kids® to life. April knew all along the vision she had for her books and began to learn everything she could about writing and illustrating. April is a self-taught illustrator and always encourages others to explore new creative outlets. You never know, you could be ju
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Toni Collier
Toni Collier is the founder of a global women’s organization called Broken Crayons Still Color and helps women process through brokenness and get to healing and hope. Toni is a speaker, host of the Still Coloring podcast, and author of several books: Don't Try This Alone, Brave Enough to be Broken, and a children's book, Broken Crayons Still Color. Toni is teaching people all over the globe that you can be broken and still worthy, or feel unqualified and still be called to do great things.
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Lola M. Schaefer
Lola M. Schaefer is an educator, writer, and gardener, and the author of many acclaimed books for children about math, art, science, technology, animals, and nature. She uses shovels, hoes, rakes, and scissors when she works in her garden. Lola M. Shaefer grew up in Indiana, and now lives in northern Georgia.
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Julie Hedlund
Julie Hedlund is an award-winning children's book author. Her latest book is OVER, BEAR! UNDER, WHERE? (Philomel, 2021). SONG AFTER SONG: THE MUSICAL LIFE OF JULIE ANDREWS (Little Bee Books, 2023) releases September 5, 2023. She is also the author of, MY LOVE FOR YOU IS THE SUN, and A TROOP IS A GROUP OF MONKEYS. reading, writing, or traveling, Julie is busy writing more books and visiting with the kids who read them at schools and libraries.
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L.E. Carmichael
L. E. Carmichael is a multi-award-winning author of more than 20 books for young readers. A former wildlife geneticist and life-long questioner, she uses facts to reveal truths about nature, the environment, and the human condition. Whether educational nonfiction or whimsical flights of fancy, Lindsey’s books encourage critical thinking and cultivate a sense of wonder. Her work empowers young readers to dig deep, to dream and discover, to seek social justice, and to protect our planet.
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Lindsey loves beaches, platypuses, and reading fairy tales by firelight. She lives in Ontario with her husband and the ghost of a six-toed cat. lecarmichael.ca -
Robert Frank Hunter
Robert Frank Hunter is a London based illustrator. Working on a range of projects in both print and moving image, he is keen to keep applying his work to new disciplines. Robert currently works from Lighthouse Studios in east London and is represented by Everyone Agency and Fillin Global.
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Barbara Bash
Barbara Bash grew up in Barrington, Illinois and has worked for many years as a calligrapher, illustrator and teacher of book arts and botanical drawing. She currently lives in upstate New York.
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Aaron Zenz
Aaron Zenz is the author and illustrator of The Hiccupotamus. He is the illustrator of 9 additional children's books as well.
Aaron lives in West Michigan. In addition to writing and illustrating, he also frequently visits schools and libraries where he inspires kids to read and write through fun, interactive programs."
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Uma Menon
Uma Menon is a 20-year-old writer and advocate from Winter Park, Florida. She is the author of My Mother’s Tongues (Candlewick Press, 2024), Our Mothers’ Names (Candlewick Press, 2025), and Hands for Language (Mawenzi House, 2020). She currently studies Public and International Affairs at Princeton University. Learn more at www.theumamenon.com.
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Frances Backhouse
Frances Backhouse is a veteran freelance journalist who has written for Audubon, New Scientist, Canadian Geographic and numerous other magazines. Her training and experience as a biologist inform her environmental writing, including her books about owls and woodpeckers. Her other three books reflect her ongoing fascination with Klondike gold rush history.
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Esther Pia Cordova
Esther Cordova is an accomplished author with a passion for storytelling. Known for her captivating children's picture books, including the bestseller I Can't Do That, Yet, which has sold over 90,000 copies, she has delighted young readers with tales that inspire wonder and imagination.
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Now, with her debut young adult dystopian novel, Convergence, she brings her unique voice to a new audience, blending gripping narratives with thought-provoking themes. Esther currently lives in Austin with her husband, son, and toy poodle, Baxter. -
Julia Walton
Julia Walton received her MFA in creative writing from Chapman University. When she's not reading or baking cookies, she's indulging in her profound love of Swedish Fish, mechanical pencils, and hobbit-sized breakfasts. Julia lives in Huntington Beach, California, with her husband and daughter.
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Jeffrey Ebbeler
JEFFREY EBBELER is a New York Times best selling illustrator. He has illustrated and occasionally written over 60 books for young readers. His published work includes picture books, middle grade and chapter books, and graphic novels.
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Ken Baker
I live in Utah, but I grew up in the California Bay Area. When I'm not reading and writing books, I spend my time with my family boating, wakeboarding, snowboarding, swimming, camping, and watching my children play sports. I also enjoy playing basketball, windsurfing, scuba diving, exercising at the gym, and coaching my children in the different sports they play.
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Jennifer Jones
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Once Upon a Dance
Terrel is a dance educator and storyteller who believes in the transformative power of movement. Through her passion project, Once Upon a Dance, she’s published 42 interactive children’s books that weave whimsical stories with joyful movement.
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With her daughter—a former Pacific Northwest Ballet Professional Division student—as the featured ballerina, Terrel brings movement into storytime, encouraging creativity, confidence, and self-expression in young readers.
Each book invites kids to stretch, twirl, leap, and imagine alongside positive characters—from dancing cats to ballerina zombies. Whether reading with a caregiver or moving along in the classroom, children are gently guided to explore feelings, movement, and connection through play.
Onc -
Corinne Fenton
Corinne Fenton has established a reputation for writing beautiful picture-book histories of animals whose lives have become legendary.
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Her award-winning books include:Queenie: One Elephant's Story, The Dog on the Tuckerbox and Bob the Railway Dog. Her titles Little Dog and the Christmas Wish and One Christmas Eve, were chosen as themes for the Myer Christmas Windows. -
Laura Alary
Many years have passed since Laura used to make her own books with manila paper, mucilage and crayons. Nowadays her books look much more professional, but the process of creating them is as much fun as it always was!
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In her writing , Laura draws upon her background in Classics, theology and biblical studies, as well as her long-standing interest in ancient history, folklore, mythology, and science.
Her books are meant to teach and to entertain, but most of all, to encourage children to wonder about the world and to ask really big questions.
Laura's books include: All the Faces of Me (Owlkids, 2023); Here: The Dot We Call Home (Paraclete Press, 2022); Sun in My Tummy (Pajama Press, 2022); The Astronomer Who Questioned Everything (Kids Can Pre -
Pam Calvert
I'm a children's author--have six picture books and some easy readers. More picture books on the way! My newest picture book is BRIANNA BRIGHT BALLERINA KNIGHT!
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Patricia Hubbell
Patricia Hubbell has been writing poetry since she was eleven years old.
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In 1998, her Wrapping Paper Romp was selected as a Parents Magazine Book of the Year.
Patricia Hubbell lives with her husband, Harold Hornstein, in Easton, Connecticut, the small town where she was born.
Remembering how much their children and grandchildren loved to bounce when they were very young prompted her to write Bouncing Time. "Bouncing is one of the joyous things little kids do," she says. "It reflects their constant enthusiasm." -
Viviana Garófoli
Viviana Garofoli was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she currently lives with her husband, Sergio and two daughters, April and Emma. Over the last 15 years, she has illustrated over 20 children's book and contributed many editorial and textbook illustrations in Argentina and Puerto Rico. In her spare time, Viviana enjoys working in her garden, tending to her orchids.
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Heather L. Montgomery
Heather L. Montgomery writes about science and nature for kids. Her subject matter ranges from snake tongues to spider silk to snail poop. With a B.S. in Biology and a M.S. in Environmental Education, Heather's passion for nonfiction comes out in her writing and presentations. When she is not writing, Heather can be found climbing a tree, hiking to a waterfall or paddling a river. Learn more about her books at www.HeatherLMontgomery.com.
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Uma Menon
Uma Menon is a 20-year-old writer and advocate from Winter Park, Florida. She is the author of My Mother’s Tongues (Candlewick Press, 2024), Our Mothers’ Names (Candlewick Press, 2025), and Hands for Language (Mawenzi House, 2020). She currently studies Public and International Affairs at Princeton University. Learn more at www.theumamenon.com.
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