2024 Children’s Authors
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Artie Bennett dreamed of being an author. His dreams came true with the publication of The Butt Book, now a classic children’s book beloved by all. He is also the author of an inspiring, humorous picture-book biography of a hapless, though much-adored, horse, The True Story of Zippy Chippy: The Little Horse that Couldn't, which won the Magnolia Book Award. Artie has written other acclaimed hilarious rhyming picture books: Poopendous!, his “number two” book; Peter Panda Melts Down!, an adorable departure from derrières and doo; the explosively funny Belches, Burps and Farts - Oh My! and What's Afoot! Your Complete, Offbeat Guide to Feet, guaranteed to knock your socks off. He lives in Brooklyn, New York, where he spends his time moving his car to satisfy the stringent demands of alternate-side-of-the-street parking. HuffPost says: “It appears there is no topic Mr. Bennett can’t make funny and educational.
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Rachelle Burk writes fiction and nonfiction books for kids. Her newest releases include: The Story of Taylor Swift, Space Torah: Astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman’s Cosmic Mitzvah (with an afterword by the astronaut. Kirkus Starred Review), A Mitzvah for George Washington, She’s a Mensch! Jewish Women Who Rocked the World, Matzah Ball Chase, and A Gift of Life: A Story of Organ Donation & Transplant. Rachelle enjoys inspiring children with her School Author Visit Programs.
Learn more at rachelleburk.com
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Ann Magee is an elementary school educator, children’s writer, and lifelong learner. She lives in NJ, is mom to three grown children, and is an active member of SCBWI. Stories that especially interest her are ones of unknown, yet significant people and historical events as well as ones that reveal the positive ways people (and children) impact the environment. Her debut picture book, Branches of Hope: The 9/11 Survivor Tree, was published in May 2021 with Charlesbridge
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Nancy Viau is the author of twelve books for kids ages 2-12. A former teacher and librarian, she’s a kid-at-heart who loves to present interactive assembly programs, writing workshops, and story times. Join her in celebrating her latest picture book, Splish, Splash! First to Last, a rollicking under-the-sea adventure that introduces ordinal numbers (first, second, etc.) using charming illustrations and a predictable rhyming pattern. Her 2022 book, Pruett and Soo, explores intergalactic friendships and how a simple change can change the world. Nancy lives in New Jersey, and when not reading or writing, she hikes, bikes, and travels wherever her frequent flyer miles take her.
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Timothy Young has had a long career doing all kinds of interesting and fun stuff. He’s been an animator, puppet maker, toy designer, sculptor, art director, and graphic designer. His career highlights include being an animation model-maker for Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, designing and building Muppets for Jim Henson Productions, and sculpting the first-ever Simpsons toys. He even invented a pool toy, the Chicken Fight Game. Tim is the author/illustrator of 15 picture books including Do Not Open The Box, The Angry Little Puffin, I’m Going To Outer Space!, and the highly acclaimed I Hate Picture Books! He has also illustrated books for other authors and he recently published his first chapter book, Mac and the Millstone of Time, which is set in the Old Wye Mill on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. He has visited schools all over the country and he lives with his family in Easton, MD.
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Julie Gonzalez is a picture book author and former teacher who is always eager to get kids excited about reading. She likes to visit schools, book festivals, libraries, and bookstores. Her favorite place to be, however, is the woods, where she runs, hikes, and talks to the animals. Her most recent book is Pajamarama!, a bouncy ode to jammies and dreams. She currently lives in New York and dreams up her best ideas in pajamas.
Visit her at juliegonzalez.com.
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Award-winning author Laurie Wallmark writes picture book biographies of women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) as well as fiction. Her books have earned six starred trade reviews, been chosen as Junior Library Guild Selections, and received awards such as Outstanding Science Trade Book, Best STEM Book, Cook Prize Honor Book, Crystal Kite Award, Mathical Honor Book, and Parents’ Choice Gold Medal. Her titles include Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine, Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code, Rivka's Presents, Code Breaker, Spy Hunter, The Queen of Chess, and Dino Pajama Party. Laurie has an MFA in Writing from VCFA and is a former software engineer and computer science professor.
You can find Laurie online at lauriewallmark.com.
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Colleen is a children’s book author/illustrator. Her books include Lilla’s Sunflowers (Sky Pony Press), A Promise Stitched In Time (Schiffer Publishing), A Home Again (Two Lions), and Love Made Me More (Two Lions). A Home Again has been translated into seven languages along with English. Colleen was very excited to see her Chinese translation of A Home Again endorsed by the Taiwanese pop star, Peggy Hsu! Love Made Me More was selected to be included in The Pizza Hut Book It! program and garnered a star review from School Library Journal. Her upcoming book, tentatively titled Little Star will be published by Apples and Honey Press.
Colleen works as an editor at Reedsy.com and teaches classes on picture book writing. She is also involved in her local chapter of the SCBWI, and is on the council of the Rutgers University Council on Children’s Literature. This past October she gave the opening presentation as their Success Story.
Colleen is a graduate of Rutgers University and works from her Cherry Hill, NJ studio with her canine assistant, Sage.
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As an author and speaker, Annette Whipple celebrates curiosity and inspires others through her words. She challenges people to live with curiosity, wait with wonder, and raise readers in a world of screens. She is the author of more than a dozen children’s books including The Laura Ingalls Wilder Companion: A Chapter-by-Chapter Guide (Chicago Review Press), Whooo Knew: The Truth about Owls (Reycraft Books), and Quirky Critter Devotions (Tyndale). However, the people who know Annette best think of her as a wife and mom, former teacher, nature lover, chocolate chip cookie baker (and sometimes burner), people-loving introvert who lives in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
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Rachelle Burk writes fiction and nonfiction books for kids. Her newest releases include: The Story of Taylor Swift, Space Torah: Astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman’s Cosmic Mitzvah (with an afterword by the astronaut. Kirkus Starred Review), A Mitzvah for George Washington, She’s a Mensch! Jewish Women Who Rocked the World, Matzah Ball Chase, and A Gift of Life: A Story of Organ Donation & Transplant. Rachelle enjoys inspiring children with her School Author Visit Programs.
Learn more at rachelleburk.com
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Nancy Viau is the author of twelve books for kids ages 2-12. A former teacher and librarian, she’s a kid-at-heart who loves to present interactive assembly programs, writing workshops, and story times. Join her in celebrating her latest picture book, SPLISH, SPLASH! FIRST TO LAST, a rollicking under-the-sea adventure that introduces ordinal numbers (first, second, etc.) using charming illustrations and a predictable rhyming pattern. Her 2022 book, PRUETT AND SOO, explores intergalactic friendships and how a simple change can change the world. Nancy lives in New Jersey, and when not reading or writing, she hikes, bikes, and travels wherever her frequent flyer miles take her.
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Nancy Viau is the author of twelve books for kids ages 2-12. A former teacher and librarian, she’s a kid-at-heart who loves to present interactive assembly programs, writing workshops, and story times. Join her in celebrating her latest picture book, SPLISH, SPLASH! FIRST TO LAST, a rollicking under-the-sea adventure that introduces ordinal numbers (first, second, etc.) using charming illustrations and a predictable rhyming pattern. Her 2022 book, PRUETT AND SOO, explores intergalactic friendships and how a simple change can change the world. Nancy lives in New Jersey, and when not reading or writing, she hikes, bikes, and travels wherever her frequent flyer miles take her.
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Julie Gonzalez is a picture book author and former teacher who is always eager to get kids excited about reading. She likes to visit schools, book festivals, libraries, and bookstores. Her favorite place to be, however, is the woods, where she runs, hikes, and talks to the animals. Her most recent book is PAJAMARAMA!, a bouncy ode to jammies and dreams. She currently lives in New York and dreams up her best ideas in pajamas.
Visit her at juliegonzalez.com.
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Award-winning author Laurie Wallmark writes picture book biographies of women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) as well as fiction. Her books have earned six starred trade reviews, been chosen as Junior Library Guild Selections, and received awards such as Outstanding Science Trade Book, Best STEM Book, Cook Prize Honor Book, Crystal Kite Award, Mathical Honor Book, and Parents’ Choice Gold Medal. Her titles include ADA BYRON LOVELACE AND THE THINKING MACHINE, GRACE HOPPER: QUEEN OF COMPUTER CODE; RIVKA’S PRESENTS; CODE BREAKER, SPY HUNTER; THE QUEEN OF CHESS; and DINO PAJAMA PARTY. Laurie has an MFA in Writing from VCFA and is a former software engineer and computer science professor.
You can find Laurie online at lauriewallmark.com.
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Colleen is a children’s book author/illustrator. Her books include Lilla’s Sunflowers (Sky Pony Press), A Promise Stitched In Time (Schiffer Publishing), A Home Again (Two Lions), and Love Made Me More (Two Lions). A Home Again, has been translated into seven languages along with English. Colleen was very excited to see her Chinese translation of A Home Again endorsed by the Taiwanese pop star, Peggy Hsu! Love Made Me More was selected to be included in The Pizza Hut Book It! program and garnered a star review from School Library Journal. Her upcoming book, tentatively titled Little Star will be published by Apples and Honey Press.
Colleen works as an editor at Reedsy.com and teaches classes on picture book writing. She is also involved in her local chapter of the SCBWI, and is on the council of the Rutgers University Council on Children’s Literature. This past October she gave the opening presentation as their Success Story.
Colleen is a graduate of Rutgers University and works from her Cherry Hill, NJ studio with her canine assistant, Sage.
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As an author and speaker, Annette Whipple celebrates curiosity and inspires others through her words. She challenges people to live with curiosity, wait with wonder, and raise readers in a world of screens. She is the author of more than a dozen children’s books including The Laura Ingalls Wilder Companion: A Chapter-by-Chapter Guide (Chicago Review Press), Whooo Knew: The Truth about Owls (Reycraft Books), and Quirky Critter Devotions (Tyndale). However, the people who know Annette best think of her as a wife and mom, former teacher, nature lover, chocolate chip cookie baker (and sometimes burner), people-loving introvert who lives in Chester County, Pennsylvania.