Katie Venit
Katie Venit has been writing since the fifth grade when she and her friends passed around a composition notebook in which they took turns making up. But she didn’t know she wanted to be a writer for kids (the best of all audiences, as it turns out) until her son asked her to write a book about the solar system.
Katie has held quite a few jobs, from working at a barbeque catering company in Maryland to waiting tables at a beach in Delaware to teaching English in Japan. Now she lives in Wisconsin and works as an instructional designer helping college instructors put their courses online.
As a professional writer, Katie writes picture books and middle grade graphic novels, including Forts and Cassini’s Mission. Her nonfiction essays have appeare
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Kate Allen Fox
Kate Allen Fox is an award-winning children’s author from southern California. After working in public health, she combined her passions for science and the written word and began writing picture books that inspire wonder and curiosity about the natural world. Her debut picture book, Pando, A Living Wonder of Trees, was published by Capstone in 2021 and named one of the best books of the year by School Library Journal and Chicago Public Library and a finalist for the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award. Little, Brown will publish her second picture book, A Few Beautiful Minutes, in 2023, and Beaming Books will publish Solstice Wish in 2024. Her essays have appeared in several publications, including The New York Times and McSweeney’s. In addition to b
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Jackie Morera
Jackie Morera is a Cuban American author of books for young-at-heart readers. Born and raised in Miami, Jackie now lives with her family in Central Florida. She is a wife, mom, and wildlife lover who is never far from her animal familiar: currently, a floppy black Lab named Tanner. Outside of writing, Jackie enjoys talking to the bees, caterpillars, and butterflies that visit her pollinator garden, savoring pastelitos, and cozying up for a good nap. Jackie is an active member of Las Musas and a 2025 PB Rising Stars Mentor. Jackie is the author of TOGETHER WE REMEMBER, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación; ABUELO'S FLOWER SHOP, illustrated by Deise Lino; and more!
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Stephanie Gibeault
Stephanie Gibeault is a children’s author and award-winning freelance writer. As a former biologist and certified professional dog trainer, she loves writing about dogs and other animals. She is the author of Toby Tootles (Sleeping Bear Press, illustrated by Mary Sullivan), a funny picture book about social emotional learning with farting rabbits, and Can't Get Enough Dog Stuff (National Geographic Kids, co-authored with Moira Rose Donohue), a middle grade packed with canine trivia, jokes, activities, and expert interviews. And there are more books about animals to come including From Calculating Chimpanzees to Brainy Bees: Mathematical Abilities in Animals (Candlewick/MIT Kids Press, spring 2024, illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett), Making Sen
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Ann Marie Stephens
Ann Marie Stephens is the author of numerous picture books including the ARITHMECHICKS series, the CATastrophe! series, SO MANY BOOKS, and more. She is a retired, award-winning elementary teacher with over 30 years in the classroom. Ann Marie’s poetry and literacy work has been featured in Bon Appetit Magazine and on NPR. She is represented by Emily Mitchell at Wernick & Pratt Agency. Visit her at www.annmariestephensbooks.com
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David Shannon
David Shannon is the author and illustrator of many highly praised books for children. Born in Washington, D.C., he grew up in Spokane, Washington. He graduated from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, with a fine arts degree, and then moved to New York City. His editorial illustrations have appeared in The New York Times, Time, and Rolling Stone, and his artwork has appeared on numerous book jackets. Shannon is a passionate baseball fan and softball player. He and his wife now live in Los Angeles.
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David Shannon @ Scholastic -
Danna Zeiger
DANNA ZEIGER, Ph.D. is a former biology professor and researcher who enjoys finding ways to make STEM accessible. After rewriting her own rules, Danna is now a homeschooling mama and passionate children’s book author. As a young scientist, she was lucky to be mentored by the master rule-rewriter and subject of this book, Dr. Kathleen Friel. Danna lives in Massachusetts with her husband, three curious children, two pet chickens, and a bookcase always filled with the maximum number of checked-out library books. Rewriting the Rules is her debut book, and it has earned a starred review from School Library Journal. Learn more about Danna, her books, and her love of all things science at www.dannazeiger.com.
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Carrie A. Pearson
Carrie A. Pearson writes award-winning books that spark curiosity and help readers fall in love with nature, science, and the hidden wonders around them. As an early childhood educator, she brings big ideas to life—whether exploring forest canopies, trailblazing women in STEM, or tiny animal embryos—inviting you to see the world in a whole new way.
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Her nonfiction titles include Watch Them Grow: The Fascinating Science of Animal Beginnings, (Junior Library Guild gold), Virginia Wouldn’t Slow Down! The Unstoppable Dr. Apgar and Her Life-Saving Invention (JLG gold, School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, starred review), Stretch to the Sun: From A Tiny Sprout to the Tallest Tree On Earth (California Reading Association Eureka! Silver Hon -
Lynn Street
Lynn is a science-inspired author sharing lively STEAM stories with young readers. She loves concepts that cross disciplines, and personal narratives set against a sea of facts. Her passion is writing for curious observers who want to discover the wonders of their world.
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Her debut, THE BLUE JAYS THAT GREW A FOREST (Peachtree, 2025), is illustrated by Anne Hunter. This lyrical nonfiction picture book explores the symbiotic relationship between blue jays and oak trees.
PLEASE, NO FEATHERS IN YOUR HATS! FLORENCE MERRIAM BAILEY AND BIRDWATCHING’S BEGINNINGS (Peachtree, 2027), illustrated by Anne Lambelet, is a picture book biography about the author of the first modern birding guide, who helped save millions of her feathered friends by changing t -
Christina Shawn
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I am a wisdom-seeker, a wonder-weaver, and a magic-believer. What thrills me the most is writing about it all.
I am an author, Reading Specialist, Literacy Coach, English teacher, and mom of 3.
My first book, Lucas Plays, is about the magic of the music that is inside us all.
I have two traditionally published picture books releasing in 2025. There's Always Room for More (Maydani, Chronicle Books, March 2025)
and
No Love Potion (Miller-Gass, The Little Press, Sept 2025)
Find out more about these books and updates on new publications at ChristinaShawn.com -
Marc J. Kuchner
Friendly neighborhood astrophysicist and book lover here.
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I earned a Ph.D. in astronomy in 2001 from Caltech. I’ve worked as an astrophysicist for Harvard, Princeton and NASA. Then, a few years later, younger scientists started asking me to mentor them. But I didn’t know how. So I collected all the advice I could and turned it into my first book: Marketing for Scientists: How to Shine In Tough Times (Island Press 2011).
Now I have two fascinating children, so I write books for them–and any other children that might wander by. My first experiment with kidlit is the new Cosmic Collisions series (MIT Kids). These books challenge you to hypothesize what will happen when two astronomical objects slam together. Read on, watch the collision unfold -
Ann McCallum Staats
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A former educator with a master's degree in education, Ann McCallum Staats is an award-winning author. Her book "Fantastic Flora: The World's Biggest, Baddest, and Smelliest Plants" (Candlewick/ MIT Kids Press) shares how some of the weirdest plants survive and thrive. She is also the co-author with astronaut Karen Nyberg of "A Quilt of Stars," releasing Fall, 2026. When she's not writing, Ann travels, mentors, and connects with audiences. Find out more at www.annmccallumbooks.com or on Instagram @annmsbooks or other social media. -
Christine Van Zandt
I'm a children's picture book author Christine Van Zandt and freelance editor at Write for Success Editing and Author Coaching Services.
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Milkweed for Monarchs
A Brief History of Underpants -
Alison McGauley
Alison McGauley is a special education teacher, author, and mom. She aims to create books with big heart for little readers.
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As a person living with chronic illness, Alison is passionate about writing stories that speak to children and caregivers who are impacted by illness or disability. She also loves creating books that feature humor, SEL, and the natural world.
When she’s not teaching, reading, or writing, Alison adventures in local forests and trails with her family. She resides in Ontario, Canada, with her partner, two daughters, and Ragdoll cat. -
Jolene Gutiérrez
Jolene Gutiérrez grew up on a farm in northeastern Colorado, surrounded by animals, plants, and history. Now, she lives with her family and a variety of animals in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. She is an award-winning neurodivergent teacher librarian and has been working with neurodivergent learners at Denver Academy since 1995. She’s a wife of 25+ years and mama to two young adults, three dogs, two cats, and an ever-rotating variety of other rescue animals. Jolene is an active member of SCBWI and The Authors Guild, part of the KidLitCollective and Picture Book Gold groups, and a co-creator of #KidlitZombieWeek. Jolene is represented by agent Kaitlyn Sanchez of Bradford Literary. She’s a contributor to If I Could Choose a Best Day: Poems of
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Eric Barclay
Eric Barclay is the author/illustrator of I CAN SEE JUST FINE (Abrams Appleseed) and SHEEP DOG AND SHEEP SHEEP (Harper Collins). He's also the illustrator of My PET WANTS A PET by Elise Broach, which was selected as Parents Magazine's Best Picture Book of 2018. Eric lives in Texas and wears cowboy boots.
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Jackie Morera
Jackie Morera is a Cuban American author of books for young-at-heart readers. Born and raised in Miami, Jackie now lives with her family in Central Florida. She is a wife, mom, and wildlife lover who is never far from her animal familiar: currently, a floppy black Lab named Tanner. Outside of writing, Jackie enjoys talking to the bees, caterpillars, and butterflies that visit her pollinator garden, savoring pastelitos, and cozying up for a good nap. Jackie is an active member of Las Musas and a 2025 PB Rising Stars Mentor. Jackie is the author of TOGETHER WE REMEMBER, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación; ABUELO'S FLOWER SHOP, illustrated by Deise Lino; and more!
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Gabriela Orozco Belt
Gabriela Orozco Belt is a children’s book author who lives in a small town in the Mojave Desert. Inspired by her experiences of growing up bilingual and bicultural, she writes stories for children so they can see themselves in books. Gaby’s debut picture book, Only for a Little While, serves to soften and process the feeling of being uprooted and see change as a temporary difficulty that families can get through with mutual support. When not teaching, writing, or reading, she can be found spending time with her husband, three children, and extended family.
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Kirsten Pendreigh
Kirsten Pendreigh is a children’s author and poet from Vancouver.
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Her books include: MAYBE A WHALE (a JLG Gold Standard and Horn Book Fanfare Book),
WHEN A TREE FALLS (a PW Starred Review), WHAT FISH ARE SAYING (a SLJ Starred Review) and LUNA'S GREEN PET (a Today Show best book pick).
Kirsten’s poems are found in Canadian literary magazines and anthologies including Best Canadian Poetry 2021. Kirsten is a former CBC and NPR journalist. -
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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Katie Furze
KATIE FURZE is a children’s author from Aotearoa New Zealand who loves science and nature and has a master's degree in creative writing. Katie writes children’s non-fiction and fiction including picture books, short stories, articles, plays, early readers, and novels.
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Her books include PEKAPEKA, SECRET FOREST BAT (2025), RURU, NIGHT HUNTER (2024), and TUATARA, A LIVING TREASURE (2023) with illustrator Ned Barraud and from Scholastic NZ. You can also read her work in The New Zealand School Journal, or The School Magazine in Australia. When she's not reading or writing, Katie enjoys hiking, yoga, gardening, travelling and scuba diving.
Read more about Katie at https://www.katiefurze.com/ -
Nathan Christopher
Nathan Christopher is a former child and aspiring adult who enjoys spreadsheets and—perhaps more useful to his writing aspirations—making people laugh. He pens his stories (and his letters to Santa) in Windsor, Canada, where he lives with his wife and children—who ensure endless material and a conveniently sleepless schedule for writing.
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Christina Shawn
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I am a wisdom-seeker, a wonder-weaver, and a magic-believer. What thrills me the most is writing about it all.
I am an author, Reading Specialist, Literacy Coach, English teacher, and mom of 3.
My first book, Lucas Plays, is about the magic of the music that is inside us all.
I have two traditionally published picture books releasing in 2025. There's Always Room for More (Maydani, Chronicle Books, March 2025)
and
No Love Potion (Miller-Gass, The Little Press, Sept 2025)
Find out more about these books and updates on new publications at ChristinaShawn.com -
Suzy Levinson
Suzy Levinson is a children’s author and poet whose work has been featured in numerous anthologies and magazines. ANIMALS IN PANTS (Abrams) is her debut picture book–length poetry collection. Her next, DINOS THAT DRIVE (Tundra Books), will hit shelves in 2025. She lives in New York.
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Christine Alemshah
Christine Alemshah (she/her) is a biracial Filipina-American children’s author and classically trained vocalist; she is the author of Bea’s Balikbayan Box of Treasures. Christine writes children’s picture books championing innovation and celebrating multiculturalism, often with musical or percussive vibes. She hopes readers will see themselves in the stories she writes. Christine studied psychology and music, earning a bachelor of arts degree from Whittier College. When not writing, Christine enjoys singing karaoke and reading with her husband and two daughters under cozy blankets at their Lake Forest, California, home. Find out more about Christine at christinealemshah.com.
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A.J. Irving
A.J. Irving grew up in Boise, Idaho, writing stories and daydreaming about becoming an author. Now, she writes picture books and poetry beneath an old elm tree in Salt Lake City. A.J. is the author of Dance Like a Leaf, The Wishing Flower, and The Bi Book (Knopf BFYR, May 2025).
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As a children’s author and former bookmobile librarian, A.J. is passionate about inspiring kids to love books. When she’s not reading, writing, or dancing, she enjoys exploring Utah with her husband, two children, and their English bulldogs. Learn more at www.ajirving.com -
Kelly Crull
Kelly Crull is the author of a parenting book, Becoming Dad , a children's book, Clara Has a Baby Brother, and a parenting blog, spaindad.com, which was one of Google's top-ranked "baby blogs," syndicated by a number of online dad networks and featured as a link at Glamour.com. He has been featured as a new voice in parenting in various La Leche League newsletters, The Father Life magazine, AttachmentParenting.com and DIYFather.com. His parenting videos have appeared on Good Morning America, The Today Show, Slate.com, Marca.com and have received YouTube's "Top 50 Videos of the Week" award. Kelly is originally from Iowa. He lives with his wife and two children in Madrid, Spain.
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Download a significant chunk of Kelly's most recent book, Beco -
Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic
Stephanie has done a few things in life. She has sold women shoes and frozen yogurt as well as smelly, expensive body lotion and smellier, even more expensive cheese. She has worked on a Jacques Pepin cooking show and been a cookbook editor. She has written about books, food, parenting, TV, vampire dating habits, cocktail trivia, and picky eating.
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She has lived in Washington, D.C., Minneapolis, Ann Arbor, England, Boston, and San Francisco.
She has attended a swank ball at University of Cambridge with Prince Charles (not that he was her date or anything just that he was also invited) and rebuilt trails with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.
Now she writes children's books surrounded by a few kids, a few cats, and one husband. She lov -
Ann D. Koffsky
Ann D. Koffsky is the author and illustrator of 40+ books, including Ping Pong Shabbat, (Little Bee) and the Kayla & Kugel series, (Apples and Honey Press). Several of her books have been PJ library selections, and her book Noah’s Swimathon received a Sydney Taylor notable designation from the Association of Jewish Libraries.
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Ann is represented by agent Joyce Sweeney at The Seymour Agency. -
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Christine Alemshah
Christine Alemshah (she/her) is a biracial Filipina-American children’s author and classically trained vocalist; she is the author of Bea’s Balikbayan Box of Treasures. Christine writes children’s picture books championing innovation and celebrating multiculturalism, often with musical or percussive vibes. She hopes readers will see themselves in the stories she writes. Christine studied psychology and music, earning a bachelor of arts degree from Whittier College. When not writing, Christine enjoys singing karaoke and reading with her husband and two daughters under cozy blankets at their Lake Forest, California, home. Find out more about Christine at christinealemshah.com.
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Lourdes Heuer
Lourdes Heuer is a children's author, poet, translator, and college professor.
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She holds an MFA in Writing from the Vermont College of Fine Arts and is Associate Professor of English at Broward College.
She currently lives in South Florida with her husband, son, and many dogs. -
Susan Edwards Richmond
Susan Edwards Richmond explored the history of the Harvard Shaker Community while poet-in-residence at the Fruitlands Museum. Her poems have appeared in numerous journals and anthologies. She has taught writing at the Shirley Medium Correctional Facility, located on the site of another former Shaker community, and is currently on the faculty at Clark University. Her interest in the intersection of art and nature is reflected in her work with Wild Apples: a journal of nature, art, and inquiry. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Massachusetts, where she enjoys hiking and birdwatching.
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Matthew Forsythe
Matthew Forsythe is an author and illustrator living in Los Angeles.
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His first book, Pokko and the Drum, won the Charlotte Zolotow Honor for picture book writing and his second book, MINA, was a Governor General Awards finalist.
He was also a designer on several animated shows including Adventure Time, The Midnight Gospel and the Oscar-nominated film, Robin Robin. -
Eileen Rajala Meyer
Eileen Rajala Meyer writes children's picture books and poetry.
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Elizabeth Everett
Elizabeth spent 16 years as a classroom teacher before venturing into writing. She has taught elementary school, middle school, high school, and at the collegiate level where she worked with adults pursuing teacher certification.
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Inspired by her energetic youngster and his love for books, she took her background in education and meshed it with his childhood interests. The result was edu-tainment in the form of children's books!
She currently lives in Colorado with her family where they love spending time outdoors. -
Carrie Kruck
Carrie Kruck was born and raised in Canada, studied and worked as a psychologist in Australia, and now lives in New England with her husband, two kids, and a delightful assortment of owls, foxes, and bears (oh my!). She loves swimming in lakes, snowshoeing in forests, and growing food in her garden, but you can mostly find her staring out the window with a cup of coffee (aka writing) or at www.CarrieKruck.com.
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Lisa Tolin
Lisa Tolin (she/her) is a longtime journalist and picture book author. Her debut picture book, How to Be a Rock Star, illustrated by Daniel Duncan, publishes in 2022.
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Jessica Shaw
Hi! I'm the author of picture books THE GREAT COOKIE KERFUFFLE (Mathical Honor Book '24) & ALICE ALONE (releasing March '25!) as well as NF books for children and young adults.
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**Pre-K teacher ** Picture book writer ** SCBWI member ** I'm all about #kids #kidlit #animals #plants #kindness
Please visit me at: https://www.authorjessicashaw.com/
for fun, free bonus content/printable activities created for The Great Cookie Kerfuffle! -
Dano Moreno
Dano Moreno started writing for kids when he became a father. When not writing, Dano enjoys time with his family and works as a public health advocate. He lives in Oregon with his husband and son and is represented by Charlotte Wenger.
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Danielle Sharkan
Danielle Sharkan is a former teacher with a background in history, politics, and languages. She has degrees in Political Science and Jewish Studies as well as Middle Eastern Studies and Secondary Education, and taught ESL for ten years. Having grown up in the Chicago suburbs, she now lives with her family in Boulder, Colorado. You can find her on Twitter at @DaniraeShark.
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Alison Pearce Stevens
Alison Pearce Stevens was a science professor until life took her overseas, at which point she started writing about science and nature for kids, because she’s an educator at heart and had to find new ways to share cool things with the world's most curious people. Alison writes lots of fun nonfiction: articles, picture books, and middle grade books. All of her work is inspired by a love of science and nature. Rhinos in Nebraska (Godwin Books/Henry Holt BYR) was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection and won three Nebraska Book Awards. Animal Climate Heroes (Henry Holt) and Detective Dogs are on the Case (Holiday House) release in 2024. You can learn more about Alison at apstevens.com.
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Chad Otis
Chad is the author & illustrator of OLIVER THE CURIOUS OWL, A LITTLE FERRY TALE, and THE BRIGHT SIDE. He's also the illustrator of CUDDLE MONKEY, and COLD TURKEY.
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Chad spent part of his formative years living on a school bus that zig-zagged its way from Iowa to California. Then he got a BFA in Design from the University of Washington and spent years working with Disney, Nickelodeon, Mattel, Hasbro, and others as a game designer, creative director and animator for digital content before coming to picture books. Chad thrives on heartfelt, humorous stories - with unique, vibrant characters at their core.
Chad lives at the edge of the Rocky Mountains in Idaho (in a house without wheels) - with his wife Cathy and their Cockapoo, Riley. -
Patricia Newman
Writing for children is the hardest thing I’ve ever done—the field is intensely competitive. But I write because I can’t imagine not writing. I write for myself and for the kids who read my work. I write for the joy of seeing a kid sitting in the front row at a school visit, hand stretched high to answer my questions. I write for the kid who tells me he already owns one of my books and has read it 15 times.
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Kelly Crull
Kelly Crull is the author of a parenting book, Becoming Dad , a children's book, Clara Has a Baby Brother, and a parenting blog, spaindad.com, which was one of Google's top-ranked "baby blogs," syndicated by a number of online dad networks and featured as a link at Glamour.com. He has been featured as a new voice in parenting in various La Leche League newsletters, The Father Life magazine, AttachmentParenting.com and DIYFather.com. His parenting videos have appeared on Good Morning America, The Today Show, Slate.com, Marca.com and have received YouTube's "Top 50 Videos of the Week" award. Kelly is originally from Iowa. He lives with his wife and two children in Madrid, Spain.
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Download a significant chunk of Kelly's most recent book, Beco -
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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Suzy Levinson
Suzy Levinson is a children’s author and poet whose work has been featured in numerous anthologies and magazines. ANIMALS IN PANTS (Abrams) is her debut picture book–length poetry collection. Her next, DINOS THAT DRIVE (Tundra Books), will hit shelves in 2025. She lives in New York.
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Lisa Brown
LISA BROWN is the bestselling illustrator and/or author of a growing number of books, including How to Be, The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming, and Baby Mix Me a Drink. She draws the Three Panel Book Review cartoon for the book section of the San Francisco Chronicle. Lisa lives in San Francisco with her son and her husband, who is rumored to be Lemony Snicket.
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Jacqueline Alcántara
Jacqueline Alcántara is a freelance illustrator and educator spending her days drawing, writing, walking her dogs and planning her next adventures. She is fueled by dance music, carbs and coffee. Jacqueline studied Secondary Art Education and taught high school art and photography before transitioning to illustration. She is also an adjuct professor of illustration at Columbia College Chicago.
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Harriet Ziefert
Harriet Ziefert grew up in North Bergen, New Jersey, where she attended the local schools. She graduated from Smith College, then received a Masters degree in Education from New York University.
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For many years, Ziefert was an elementary school teacher. She taught most grades from kindergarten to fifth grade. "I liked it," she said, but she stopped teaching when she had her own sons. When her children were older, Ziefert wanted "a bigger arena" for her work. She went to work at a publishing company, Scholastic in New York City, developing materials for teacher's guides for kindergarten language arts and social studies programs.
"About twelve years ago," says Ziefert in a 1995 interview, "I tried to get a job as an editor, but no one would hire -
Nathan Christopher
Nathan Christopher is a former child and aspiring adult who enjoys spreadsheets and—perhaps more useful to his writing aspirations—making people laugh. He pens his stories (and his letters to Santa) in Windsor, Canada, where he lives with his wife and children—who ensure endless material and a conveniently sleepless schedule for writing.
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Sandra Nickel
Sandra Nickel is an award-winning author of picture books. She holds a Master of Fine Arts and has presented workshops on writing for children and young adults throughout Europe and the United States. She is honored to be the winner of a Christopher Award, the winner of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators Crystal Kite Award, a finalist for the Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction for Younger Readers, a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection honoree, and a Charlotte Huck Award Recommended author.
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Amanda Davis
Amanda Davis is a teacher, artist, writer, and innovator who uses her words and pictures to light up the world with kindness. After losing her father at a young age, Amanda turned to art and writing as an outlet. It became her voice. A way to cope. A way to escape. And a way to tell her story. She was thus inspired to teach art and pursue her passion for writing and illustrating children's books. Through her work, Amanda empowers younger generations to tell their own stories and offers children and adults an entryway into a world of discovery. A world that can help them make sense of themselves, others, and the community around them. A world where they can navigate, imagine, and feel inspired—over and over again. When she’s not busy creatin
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Mike Thaler
Mike Thaler, born in Los Angeles, started his professional career drawing cartoons for adults. A children's book editor saw one of his cartoon stories in a national magazine and encouraged Mike to try writing for children. His first attempt met with success, and "The Magic Boy" was published in 1961.
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Mike has produced over 220 published books and is known as “America’s Riddle King.” He has also been called “The Court Jester of Children’s Literature.”
Mike Thaler lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife Patty. He gladly welcomes all invitations to do church and school programs, and other book events.
Mike travels each year throughout the world helping children and teachers create their own stories, riddles, and books. He writes and teaches with -
John Sullivan
Librarian Note:
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There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name. -
Colleen Paeff
Colleen Paeff is the award-winning author of The Great Stink: How Joseph Bazalgette Solved London’s Poop Pollution Problem. A lifelong Californian, she received a Bachelor’s Degree in set design for theater from California State University Fullerton, before becoming a bookseller, preschool teacher, and newspaper columnist. (She never did become a set designer!) Eventually, she figured out how to roll books, kids, and writing into a career as a children’s book author, and now she gets to share her enthusiasm for books and learning by visiting with students both at home and abroad. Colleen is a Robert F. Sibert Honor recipient and winner of the Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction Text for Young Readers. She lives in Los Angeles, CA with her husb
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Zoey Abbott
Zoey Abbott is a graduate in Women’s Studies and History from Smith College. She spent four years living and painting in Japan. She currently lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband, kids and a large dog named Carrots.
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A.J. Irving
A.J. Irving grew up in Boise, Idaho, writing stories and daydreaming about becoming an author. Now, she writes picture books and poetry beneath an old elm tree in Salt Lake City. A.J. is the author of Dance Like a Leaf, The Wishing Flower, and The Bi Book (Knopf BFYR, May 2025).
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As a children’s author and former bookmobile librarian, A.J. is passionate about inspiring kids to love books. When she’s not reading, writing, or dancing, she enjoys exploring Utah with her husband, two children, and their English bulldogs. Learn more at www.ajirving.com -
Kris Coronado
A journalist since she was a teen, has a proven track record of exploring captivating subjects for outlets such as the Washington Post. She was inspired to write Lighthouse Ladies when she came across an old newspaper article mentioning a woman lighthouse keeper off the coast of Maine. Intrigued, she dove in deep.
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Kris lives in Richmond, Virginia, with her husband and two daughters, who now love visiting lighthouses on family vacations. -
Moniza Hossain
Moniza Hossain is a Singaporean author who writes books full of magic and wonder for children. When she’s not busy writing, she teaches English literature and paints dragons.
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Katie Furze
KATIE FURZE is a children’s author from Aotearoa New Zealand who loves science and nature and has a master's degree in creative writing. Katie writes children’s non-fiction and fiction including picture books, short stories, articles, plays, early readers, and novels.
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Her books include PEKAPEKA, SECRET FOREST BAT (2025), RURU, NIGHT HUNTER (2024), and TUATARA, A LIVING TREASURE (2023) with illustrator Ned Barraud and from Scholastic NZ. You can also read her work in The New Zealand School Journal, or The School Magazine in Australia. When she's not reading or writing, Katie enjoys hiking, yoga, gardening, travelling and scuba diving.
Read more about Katie at https://www.katiefurze.com/ -
Gabriela Orozco Belt
Gabriela Orozco Belt is a children’s book author who lives in a small town in the Mojave Desert. Inspired by her experiences of growing up bilingual and bicultural, she writes stories for children so they can see themselves in books. Gaby’s debut picture book, Only for a Little While, serves to soften and process the feeling of being uprooted and see change as a temporary difficulty that families can get through with mutual support. When not teaching, writing, or reading, she can be found spending time with her husband, three children, and extended family.
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David Zeltser
David Zeltser is the author of Lug: Dawn of the Ice Age and its sequel, Lug: Blast from the North. These novels satirize humanity’s response to climate change and have been praised by Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, and Al Gore, who called the first book “a great combination of humor and powerful insight.”
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His debut picture book, Ninja Baby (Chronicle Books, illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Diane Goode), was a runner-up for the Magnolia State Book Award, featured in USA Today, and received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, which called it “a funny and pitch-perfect story.” His more recent picture books include Codzilla (HarperCollins, illustrated by Jared Chapman) and The Night Library (Random House, illustrated by Raul Colón) -
Zeke Peña
Zeke Peña is a Xicano storyteller and professional doodler from El Paso, TX, the Sun City. Sundust, his author-illustrator debut is a love poem to desert culture and people. Zeke received the Ezra Jack Keats and the Pura Belpré Illustration Honors for My Papi Has a Motorcycle; and the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award for his illustrations in Photographic: The Life of Graciela Iturbide. He also illustrated the NY Times Best-Selling Miles Morales Suspended: A Spider-Man Novel,. He is currently drawing more books in his tiny studio in NW Arkansas.
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Christopher Willard
Published novels: Sundre and Garbage Head. Chapbook: Ship of Theseus. Shorter works have have appeared in Salon, World Literature Today, Canadian Verse 2, Third Wednesday, Ranfurly Review, Ars Medica, Ukula, Coffee House Press, Broken Pencil, Sobriquet, and in the anthologies Can’t Lit: Fearless Fiction; Double Lives: Reinventing & Those We Left Behind; and Poet to Poet: Poems Written to Poets and the Stories that Inspired Them. My writing often takes place under the watchful eyes of my cats, Squeaky and Twinkle. I currently teach at the Alberta College of Art and Design.
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Calvin Alexander Ramsey
Calvin Alexander Ramsey is a playwright, photographer, and painter. He adapted one of his plays for print as Ruth and the Green Book, illustrated by Floyd Cooper. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Marta Magellan
Marta Magellan was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and has lived in Miami, Florida since the age of seven. She taught Composition, Creative Writing, and Survey of Children’s Literature at Miami Dade College, where she was a full professor and award-winning adviser to Miambiance, the campus literary arts magazine. She has written travel articles for magazines and newspapers but her love for children and profound interest in nature has produced several award-winning children’s books about wild animals, many in collaboration with her brother, Mauro Magellan, an illustrator who has produced work for Albert Whitman, Pelican Press, Scholastic, among others. She has also written children's books for the educational market and a few travel articles
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Poonam Mistry
My name is Poonam Mistry and I am a freelance Illustrator currently living in the UK.
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My style incorporates my love of nature and explores the relationships between pattern, shapes and colour creating beautifully intricate illustrations. Being brought up surrounded by Indian fabrics, paintings and ornaments have heavily influenced my work. Folklore tales and stories of Hindu Gods and Goddesses have been a rich source of inspiration in a number of my illustrations. My pieces are predominantly hand drawn with alterations made using PhotoShop. Currently I am working on a selection of children’s books. -
Sarah Howden
Sarah Howden is a children's book author and editor best known for her 5-Minute Stories for Fearless Girls collection. She lives in Toronto with her husband and daughter.
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