Dr. Audrey Barbakoff is an author, librarian, and educator. Years of working in public libraries developed her love of joyful read-alouds that encourage positive interaction between children and their grown-ups. As a mom, she is passionate about passing down the vibrancy and diversity of Jewish humor, language, and stories. She also writes professional development books, chapters, and articles for librarians.
Her forthcoming board book, Mazel Toes! (The Collective Book Studio, 2025), celebrates generations of love for new babies with playful, Yiddish-inflected rhymes and sweet gestures for every part of the body, like a kiss on the keppie and a boop on the nose.
Audrey’s debut picture book, The Schlemiel Kids Save the Moon (The Collective Book Studio, 2024) features a hilarious and diverse modern-day twist on a Yiddish folktale. It was named one of the Best Books of the 2024 by the Bank Street College of Education. Kirkus called it “an enjoyable, rollicking read” and Foreword deemed it “a multicultural winner.”
Audrey lives with her family and a flock of chickens on a Puget Sound island. Find her at www.barbakoffbooks.com and @BarbakoffBooks on Instagram and Bluesky.
Author/poet/illustrator Federico Erebia is a retired physician. He received the 2024 Lambda Literary Exceptional New Writer Award. His debut novel, Pedro & Daniel (Levine Querido 2023), garnered numerous awards, starred reviews, and other commendations. His work is included in Just YA, an anthology.
He is on the SCBWI Impact & Legacy Fund’s steering committee, where he created a grant program for school librarians: In three years, his program has reached over 32K students. He is on the board of Read Your World, where he created The Pedro and Daniel Intersectionality Book Awards: Two annual prizes that recognize exceptional children’s books featuring intersectional protagonists. He is active in the Lambda Literary Writers in Schools program, and several other writing groups.
Federico is an avid woodworker. He and his husband live near Boston, Massachusetts, in the home he re-designed and renovated. Connect with him on his website or on Instagram.
Although Teddi Ahrens has a professional background in sociology and education, she has been writing since she was in grade school. She loves history, but her favorite stories and activities are with children–writing about them, reading with them, or creating arts and crafts with them. Her other love is traveling, especially exploring ancient sites wherever she goes and learning about the people and cultures found there.
Stephanie Wildman has authored six children’s books: Story Power! (co-authored with Simon Wildman Chung, illustrated by Estefanía Razo) (available October 2025). Miri’s Moving Day (2024) (co-author Adam Chang, illustrated by Dream Chen from Kar-Ben Publishing); Ghost Writer (2024)(co-author Cecilia Pópulus-Eudave, illustrated by Estefanía Razo; in Spanish as Escritor Fantasma), Breath by Breath (2024) (illustrated by Estefanía Razo; translated into Spanish as Respiro a Respiro by Cecilia Pópulus-Eudave); Treasure Hunt (2022) (illustrated by Estefanía Razo; translated into Spanish as Búsqueda del Tesoro by Cecilia Pópulus-Eudave); and Brave in the Water (2021) (illustrated by Jenni Feidler-Aguilar; translated into Spanish as Valiente en el Agua by Cecilia Pópulus-Eudave), all from Lawley Publishing. Stephanie became a Professor Emerita after serving as the John A. and Elizabeth H. Sutro Chair at Santa Clara Law where she directed the school’s Center for Social Justice and Public Service. Stephanie is a grandmother, mother, spouse, friend, good listener, and she can sit “criss-cross apple sauce” thanks to her yoga practice. Learn more about her at www.stephaniewildman.com.
Twins Flor and Roberto and big brother Luis return for another adventure. What does Luis have up his sleeve this time when the twins are bored? Discovering the thrill of storytelling, the twins craft a tale for their beloved Abuelito. Bonus content includes a road map for creating your own story along with craft activities.
Connect with Stephanie via her website, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.
Colombian poet, writer, translator, speaker, and publisher, lives in Florida. Founder of Proyecto de Escritura LuzDelMes, to create bridges of communication and collaboration between authors around the world.
For her service to the community, Mejia is the recipient of the Crystal Apple Award 2006, Virtues Christian Poetry Award 2015, Latino Book Awards for Best Translation English to Spanish, and Best eBook non-fiction 2016. Nominated for the Carmen Luisa Pinto 2016. Received Gremio Poético Colombiano, 2022, for Best International Colombian Author.
Ten bilingual books published, Vanilla and Chocolate (2012), Grandma’s Treasure (2014), Poems, Thoughts and more (2015), Hazel Eyes (2010), Ojos Avellana (2016), Luz del mes (2018), Luz Del Mes Tri-Anthology (2019-2020), In Him, I Rest (2021) and The Purple Shell (2022).
Graduated from Colegio Mayor de Cundinamarca in Commerce and Foreign Language, A.S. in Travel Industry Management from Broward College, Obtained a bachelor’s degree in Humanities and Certificate in Women’s Studies from Florida Atlantic University. Obtained Master’s degree in Theology and Educational Ministry at Catholic International University, former CDU.
Read Your World Board of Trustees, and Ambassador Read to Me! Day.
Maritza writes to inspire others to be better people. Social Media: @luzdelmes ~ Website: www.luzdelmes.com
“The writing flows, the story moves, and the characters will win your heart.”
Mother and Yonsei daughter pair up to tell this middle-grade story of a girl’s survival in a Wyoming concentration camp during WWII. Fueled by their family’s long silence about their experiences in camp, J.C. and J.C² use actual events to introduce young readers to a hard time in history with delicate prose.
FINDING MOON RABBIT is recipient of the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award for best Young Reader’s Novel of 2022, and a recommended read by The Historical Novel Society.
J.C. Kato is recipient of the SCBWI Karen and Philip Cushman Award for Finding Moon Rabbit, a member of The Historical Novel Society, and participating activist for the Florida Chapter of Make Us Visible.
J.C.² is Yonsei and the proud daughter of hakujin, J.C. She is recipient of both the 2022 IPBA Benjamin Franklin Book Award for Young Readers, and Finalist in the Eric Hoffer Award for her debut novel, Finding Moon Rabbit. Aside from her fulltime gig of counting beans, she devours sci-fi books and devotes time to the study of Yoga, which works out when you’re really twisted.
Connect with these two amazing authors via their website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Eugenia Chu is a former attorney turned stay-at-home mom turned multi-award-winning and best-selling author. A proud Chinese-American, she lives in Miami with her husband, Bob, their son, Brandon, and their dog, Dash.
When Eugenia couldn’t find children’s books that reflected Chinese language and culture while raising Brandon, she decided to write them herself. Brandon remains the heart and inspiration behind all her stories.
Eugenia loves sharing her books with young readers and regularly presents at schools, libraries, museums, and festivals. A passionate storyteller and lifelong reader, she also enjoys traveling, yoga, and drinking more coffee than she probably should.
She is the author of seven books for children:
· Picture books: Brandon Makes Jiǎozi (餃子) and Brandon and Dash and the Case of the Missing Wánjù (玩具)
· Chapter books: Brandon Goes to Beijing – Běijīng (北京) and Brandon Goes to Hong Kong – Xiānggǎng (香港)
· Holiday books: Why We Celebrate Chinese New Year (formerly Celebrating Chinese New Year), Celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival, and Celebrating Dragon Boat Festival
She is also a contributing author to Once Upon a Plate – A Culinary Journey Through Stories.
Be the hero of your own story with Dorktales Storytime, the multi-award winning podcast for kids and their pop culture loving grownups. Enter their Once Upon a Time world where hosts, Jonathan Cormur and Mr. Reginald T. Hedgehog, take you on a journey of curiosity and acceptance. You’ll explore reimagined fairytales and fables with social emotional themes, discover inspiring stories of history’s hidden heroes, and experience imaginary tales of boundless possibilities.
Recognized by Common Sense Media as outstanding entertainment with an official seal for quality and impact. Common Sense Selections include age-appropriate media with the potential to spark family conversations, entertain families of all kinds, and have a positive, lasting effect on society.
Selected by Apple Podcasts for being the best of the best in the Kids & Family category. We are consistently selected for curated lists and featured collections.
Connect with Dorktales Storytime Podcast via their website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Josh Funk writes books for adults to read to children so that children fall in love with reading. His books include the Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast series, How to Code a Sandcastle, Dear Unicorn, Dear Dragon, My Pet Feet, the It’s Not a Fairy Tale series, Lost in the Library, and more. His books have sold more than half a million copies worldwide and been translated into a dozen languages. For more about Josh, visit joshfunkbooks.com and @joshfunkbooks on socials.
WHODONUT? A thief is among us …. The newest Agatha Crispy book is here, and Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast have been invited to the very first reading on Holiday Eve! But when the lights go out and the book goes missinng, everyone becomes a suspect. As the party splits up to search the mansion, Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast team up once again. Will they be able to follow the clues and save the ending to the Miss Maple series, or will the culprit be at large forever?
Connect with Josh via his website, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
Frances Díaz Evans is a Latina educator and author. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Universidad del Este in Puerto Rico and a Master’s in Spanish Education (M.Ed.) from the College of Charleston in South Carolina. She is the founder of Discovering Español, an online platform dedicated to teaching Spanish to children, and a creator of educational resources focused on Hispanic/Latinx heritage, culture, and the Spanish language for K–6 students and homeschoolers.
Her deep love for teaching Spanish has guided her career, blending language education with cultural connection to make learning Spanish both enjoyable and meaningful. Frances teaches Spanish to elementary school students, including children from second-generation families who have stopped passing on the language. She helps them reconnect with their linguistic and cultural heritage.
She is the author of the newly released bilingual children’s book ¡Mis Superpoderes Bilingües! / My Bilingual Superpowers! (2025), and Coco, la cotorra puertorriqueña (2021), El Yunque Tropical Rainforest Bilingual Coloring & Activity Book: Discover El Yunque with Coco and Friends (2022), Coco the Puerto Rican Parrot (2023), and Coco, la cotorra [Adapted Version/Easy Reader] (2025)
For more information, visit francesdiazevans.com and discoveringespanol.com.
Gaia Cornwall loves to make picture books for kids. Her debut, JABARI JUMPS (Candlewick Press), was featured in People Magazine, The New York Times, was named a Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book, an Amazon Best Children’s Book of the Year, and was a 2017 NPR staff pick, among other accolades. Other titles include JABARI TRIES, THE BEST BED FOR ME, and illustrating A UNICORN CAME TO DINNER (Roaring Brook Press).
Her latest picture book, FAIRY WALK, (Candlewick Press) celebrates the magic of nature. Kirkus Reviews says, “Like music to the ear, the text dances, fairylike, off the tongue, demanding to be read aloud.”
Gaia lives in Connecticut with her family: a husband, two kiddos, and two dogs– who they suspect are real, live, muppets.
Eric is the founder of Little Go Getters and an Enterprise specialist; he helps individuals and organisations specialising in youth. Specifically, the disadvantaged to develop enterprising behaviours and skills. Eric’s passion is to help equip and foster an environment where individuals can reach their goals and define their own success. Little Go Getters is a group of collaborative international organisations and individuals passionate about helping youth grow into their full potential. Little Go Getters demonstrates this co-creation and collaboration by partnering with local organisations and individuals to develop localised, contextualised resources.
Maria Wen Adcock is a first-generation Chinese American writer and is also the author of “It’s Chinese New Year, Curious George” and “My Name Is Ai Lin.” She is the founder of the award-winning Bicultural Mama blog, and has appeared in Bloomberg News, HuffPost, and Newsday, and on The Dr. Oz Show. Maria is a board member of Multicultural Kid Blogs, an organization supporting diverse parenting bloggers, and the cohost of the annual event Read Your World Day. She lives on Long Island in New York. Visit Maria at www.MariaWenAdcock.com and follow her on Facebook (@MariaWenAdcockAuthor) and Instagram (@BiculturalMama).
Connect with Diana via her website, Facebook, Twitter, DeviantArt, Instagram, and YouTube
Connect with Gwen on Facebook, Twitter, or at gwenjacksonstories.com
Gea is passionate and creative, original ideas give her a jolt of energy.
A storyteller, marketeer, parent mentor, and artist with a passion and a mission. As the mother of a dyslexic son, she researched dyslexia better than an FBI agent would, and witnessed the dyslexia struggle and the gift it can be, upfront and personal. Gea volunteered as a parent mentor for the special education department of her local school district and is a dynamic dyslexia advocate. Over the years she saw many kids and their parents struggling to find out why the school wasn’t going well. Reason to write a children’s book that offers kids and families the opportunity to identify with the different characters, make visible the learning struggles some students go through, and bring dyslexia awareness to the community.
Hacking the Code. The Ziggety Zaggety Road of a Dyslexic Kid
Written by Gea Meijering and illustrated with more than 80 illustrations by Mads Johan Øgaard (he is dyslexic)
Revealing the heart of an upbeat, boisterous fifth grader working hard to hack the reading code.
Hacking the Code is a fun, friendship-centered story that shows how every brain works differently, and how we all have different strengths. This relatable, illustrated chapter book, brings to life the journey of a dyslexic kid in a story that highlights perseverance, creativity and, the power of true friendship. Hacking the Code is available as an audiobook to make it accessible to all types of learners. Targeted for children ages 6 – 12, adults also cherish the book and everyone learns from the empowering fun-to-read story. A free Lesson Plan & Activity Guide is downloadable on www.icarepress.com.
The Paperback, Hardcover and Ebook are available on Amazon. The audiobook on many apps such as Audible, Chirp, Kobo, Scribd, Audiobooks, iTunes and more.
You can follow and get in touch with Gea on @hacking.the.Code Instagram and Facebook.
Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett is the founder of Miss Panda Chinese, host of the Playful Chinese podcast, and the Chinese language consultant for the dual-language seasons of “Word Party” on Netflix. Through her teaching and writing, she fosters curiosity, empathy, and respect among learners worldwide. She has collaborated with libraries, schools, and corporate partners since 2005, reaching hundreds of children, families, and professionals to enrich their language and cultural experiences. Co-author of the award-winning Little Bun: A Bilingual Storybook About Feelings, Amanda shares inclusive, language-rich stories. As a Board Member at ReadYourWorld.org, she is dedicated to promoting global literacy and cultural awareness. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.
Ismée Williams is an award-winning author of books about multicultural characters that pack an emotional punch. Ismée’s work includes young adult novels Water in May, This Train Is Being Held, and picture book, Abuelo, the Sea, and Me. Ismée is also an editor and contributor of the YA anthology, Boundless: Twenty Voices Celebrating Multicultural and Multiracial Identities. Ismée has been an invited speaker at The Virginia Festival of the Book, The Miami Book Fair, The NYC Teen Author Festival, The Southern Kentucky Book Festival, The Texas Book Festival and The Bronx Book Festival among others. Ismée is a co-founder of the Latinx Kidlit Book Festival as well as a pediatric cardiologist in New York City where she lives with her family. She is the daughter of a Cuban immigrant and grew up listening to her abuelo’s bedtime stories. Follow her on Twitter and IG @IsmeeWilliams and her website: ismeewilliams.com.
Karin Fisher-Golton is a freelance children’s book editor, working with independent authors and small publishers, and the author of the newly released middle-grade time-travel novel, The Clock and the Boulder; the award-winning board book My Amazing Day: A Celebration of Wonder and Gratitude; retellings of folktales for a reading program; and poems in several anthologies. She is a regular reviewer for the Sydney Taylor Shmooze blog and on the Board of Advisors of Read Your World. Read more about her work at www.karinfisher-golton.com.
BOOK RIOT lists THE LAST CHERRY BLOSSOM as one of “30 Fascinating Historical Fiction Books for Middle School Readers – October, 2018″
Yuriko was happy growing up in Hiroshima when it was just her and Papa. But her aunt Kimiko and her cousin Genji are living with them now, and the family is only getting bigger with talk of a double marriage! And while things are changing at home, the world beyond their doors is even more unpredictable. World War II is coming to an end, and Japan’s fate is not entirely clear, with any battle losses being hidden from its people. Yuriko is used to the sirens and the air-raid drills, but things start to feel more real when the neighbors who have left to fight stop coming home.
When the bomb hits Hiroshima, it’s through Yuriko’s twelve-year-old eyes that we witness the devastation and horror.
Kathleen Burkinshaw is a Japanese American author and the daughter of a Hiroshima survivor residing in Charlotte, NC. She’s a wife, mom, and owns a dog who is a kitchen ninja. She has presented her mother’s experience in Hiroshima to middle and high schools for the past 9 years. Writing gives her an outlet for her daily struggle with chronic pain from Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy(RSD). The Last Cherry Blossom (Sky Pony Press,2016), is now a United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs Resource for Teachers and Students. And is recently nominated for the NC School Library Media Association YA book award and 2019-2020 VSBA, 2018& 2016 Scholastic WNDB Reading Club selection, and Finalist for NC Sir Walter Raleigh Fiction Award, 2018 Sakura Medal, Japan, and SCBWI Crystal Kite Award (Southeast region).
In April 2020 NHK World-Japan, an international news station based in Japan did a short segment on The Last Cherry Blossom in both Japanese and English. The English segment was on its Newsroom Tokyo TV program and the Japanese segment was on its Today’s 2020 TV program. Listen to both programs HERE.
The Japanese translation from Holp Shuppan Publishing released August 12, 2022. The audiobook version (English) of The Last Cherry Blossom (Dreamscape Media) released on September 27, 2021.
Learn more about Kathleen through her Blog – Creating Through the Pain or connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.
Tami Lehman-Wilzig is an award-winning author of 16 Jewish content picture books, three of which came out in 2025:
– On the Wings of Eagles
– Rembrandt’s Blessing
– The Henna Helper
Her award-winning titles include: SOOSIE, The Horse That Saved Shabbat; Keeping The Promise; Nathan Blows Out the Hanukkah Candles; Passover Around the World and Green Bible Stories for Children. She is also the creator of a unique, digital story/lesson plan series entitled Shabbat Around the World.
PJ Library has selected five of her books for its English speaking market, has translated three of her books into Spanish and one of her books into Russian for those language markets.
Tami has been living in Israel for forty-eight years, along with her husband and sons. When she’s not writing stories she’s creating glass and ceramic art, going on photography shoots, or texting with her tween and teen
grandchildren.
Tami enjoys making virtual author visits, and in-person visits when she can.
To find out more about Tami or to contact her on her website, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
Singer, Songwriter, Author and Educator DARIA (Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou) has spent almost four decades performing and sharing world music in the USA and around the world. Hailed as “an ambassador of song” she has represented the USA in Seville Spain’s World Expo and been featured in the Huffington Post for her musical work with children around the world. The Christian Science Monitor commented: “When Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou makes music, the world listens – literally!”
Author of over 400 educational resources from her award-winning Teacher’s TPT site, DARIA’s first formally published book is BEAUTIFUL RAINBOW WORLD, a book whose dazzling images of multicultural and mixed race children are matched with the lyrics of this song which is popular around the world as well as in the USA. Her latest book is THE MAGIC OF PYSANKY, A UKRANIAN EGG COLORING BOOK. In January 2026 she will be doing a benefit with this book for NOVO UKRAINE, with 50% of profits being donated to this verified charity for every sale of the book and the book download.
Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
Nancy Tupper Ling is a children’s author, poet, book seller and librarian. Her latest books are Bless the Earth with co-editor, June Cotner, and Hearts in My Pocket. Along the way her work has received various honors including the Writer’s Digest Grand Prize, Delaware Diamond Award, Northern Lights Book Awards, and a Golden Scroll Award Finalist.
Connect with Nancy via her website, Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube.
Teresa Ho Robeson is an Asian Pacific American Librarians Association Picture Book Award-winning author of fiction and nonfiction books on science and her own culture, as exemplified by her debut QUEEN OF PHYSICS: HOW WU CHIEN SHIUNG HELPED UNLOCK THE SECRETS OF THE ATOM to WHO SMASHED HOLLYWOOD BARRIERS WITH GUNG FU? BRUCE LEE and CLEAR AND BRIGHT: A CHING MING FESTIVAL STORY. She has seven more books slated to release over the next few years.
Besides actually writing, Teresa also teaches about writing (nonfiction, graphic novels, etc.) at Highlights, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Inked Voices, and more. She, her scientist husband, younger child, and a flock of unruly chickens live a mostly self-sufficient lifestyle on a mini-farm in southern IN. Teresa is also an artist and surface pattern designer.
Connect with Teresa at her website, Bluesky, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Crystal Z. Lee is a bilingual (English and Chinese) writer who divides her time between California, Taiwan and Singapore. She writes novels, poetry and picture books. She is the author of Pei’s Pineapple Cakes, Mei’s Mermaid Mission, Kai the Dancing Butterfly, A Unicorn Named Rin, and a novel titled Love and Other Moods. Her books have been lauded by Kirkus Reviews, PopSugar.com, TheEveryMom.com, etc. Her poetry was recently included in the UK anthology, Tabula Rasa. Visit her on Instagram @crystal.z.lee and at https://www.crystalzleeauthor.com.
Karen Leggett Abouraya grew up in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, surrounded by writing and books: her father was a journalist and her mother a school librarian. Karen was an award-winning broadcast journalist for more than two decades. She began reviewing and discussing children’s books on ABC WMAL Radio in Washington, D.C. She has also reviewed children’s books and interviewed authors for the Washington Post, New York Times, the Baltimore Sun, Children’s Literature, Washington Parent and others. She is a widely published freelance author and actively involved in disability advocacy in her home state of Maryland. Karen graduated from Brown University (international relations) and met her Egyptian husband in Washington. They have two grown children and two grandsons, are active in many cultural exchange initiatives and have been lucky enough to visit Egypt many times – especially Alexandria, her husband’s hometown.
Elly Swartz is the award-winning author of seven middle grade novels: Finding Perfect, Smart Cookie, Give and Take, Dear Student, Hidden Truths, Same Page and Almost True (2027). Swartz’s books reflect her commitment to raising awareness about mental health and neurodiversity. Her debut novel, Finding Perfect, was named one of the Best Children’s Books About Mental Health by the Child Mind Institute, Dear Student was recommended by Parents Magazine and won the PA State Award for Middle Grade, and Hidden Truths received starred reviews from Kirkus and School Library Journal, was a Kirkus Best Books of 2023, an Amazon Best Book for November, an Amazon Editors’ pick, and has been nominated for state awards in MA, MO, and NJ. Her most recent novel, Same Page, was recommended by The NY Times.
Swartz lives in Massachusetts and is happily married with two grown sons, a grandson, and two pups. Connect with her at ellyswartz.com, on Twitter @ellyswartz, and on Instagram, Bluesky, or Threads @ellyswartzbooks.
Robbin Miller wrote her first picture book, “Playgroup Time,” to promote inclusion and friendships for young children ages 0-2 years old. Her book tells the story of her son, EJ, meeting a new friend who cries on his first day of playgroup. Through a few itty bitty mishaps and adventures, EJ demonstrates how much fun the playgroup is to his new friend.
In 2016, Robbin published her second book, “Three Best Friends,” based on a true story of a child with a mobility impairment who was able to join his friends on an inaccessible playground. The main character endures humiliation in the playgroup after it opens and learns the true meaning of friendship after being bullied.
In 2017, Robbin published her memoir, “Breaking Barriers: A Girl’s Dream to Play Little League Baseball with Boys.” A true story of enduring boos, jeers, and put-downs after crossing the diamond to play Little League with boys in 1975. This was the first year girls were allowed to play Little League with boys.
In 2019, Robbin and her son, 9-year-old EJ, published their first picture book together, called “The Stay.” It is a loving story of adopting Woody after a twist of fate. This book has sold many copies around the world. The second installation from this series, “The Runaway,” is the day after adopting Woody. EJ and his mother go on a frantic search to find Woody on a hot, steamy July day.
In 2020, during COVID, Robbin and EJ co-wrote “Sammy’s Special Hanukkah.” A heartfelt story of finding a creative way to celebrate Hanukkah during COVID with twists and turns and remembrance.
Lisa Stringfellow writes middle grade fiction and is an educator integrating literacy and social justice. She is the author of two books for young readers, Kingdom of Dust and A Comb of Wishes, HarperCollins/QuillTree Books. Rep @lindsaydauld. Connect with Lisa on her website, Bookshop.org, and on Instagram.
Shifa Saltagi Safadi is the author of the Middle Grade verse novel KAREEM BETWEEN (Putnam 2024, winner of the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature), the AMINA BANANA chapter books (Putnam 2025), picture book THE GIFT OF EID (Holiday House 2025), and three published picture books (SPELL IT LIKE SAMAR, HEAVEN AT MAMA’S FEET, and PEPPERONI, PITCHES, and OTHER PROBLEMS) with indie Muslim publisher Ruqaya’s Bookshelf. Shifa is a Syrian American Muslim author and ELA teacher with a passion for reading and writing and reviews books on her bookstagram @muslimmommyblog. She can be found online at www.shifasafadi.com.
Dr. Kimberly A. Gordon Biddle (she/her) of Pink Pearl Writing is an Emeritus Professor of Child and Adolescent Development (Developmental Science) and the author of four textbooks, three picture books, and middle grade novels currently in revision. Her work centers the emotional and developmental lives of children, especially those from underrepresented communities, with care, authenticity, and insight.
A proud alumna of Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education, Kimberly was honored with the Excellence in Education Alumni Award in 2018 for her impactful contributions to the field. Through all of her writing—academic and creative—she remains committed to illuminating the experiences of children with dignity, love, and truth.
She is excited to be represented by Deborah Warren at East West Literary Agency. She also works with How Now Booking to schedule readings, signings, and other events.
Sylvia Liu grew up with books and daydreams in Caracas, Venezuela. Once an environmental attorney protecting the oceans, she now spins stories about nature, strong girls, and the intricacies of family and friendship. Her books include Stealing the Score (2026), Near and Deer (2024), Hana Hsu and the Ghost Crab Nation (2022), Manatee’s Best Friend (2021), and A Morning with Grandpa (Lee & Low New Voices Award winner). Sylvia co-runs the kid lit resource website Kidlit411 and lives in Virginia with her family and a fluffy cat.
Lisa Chong grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area where she still lives today. She is a mom who spent many years interacting with kids as a parent volunteer in her son’s charter school when he was growing up. She introduced a program, Reading with Animals, which encouraged less–proficient and reluctant readers to practice and strengthen their desire to read. She enjoys creativity and made year end slide shows for the school as well as lead a class each year to create the yearbook.
When Words Have Power is her first traditionally published book. It explores the power of words while dealing with sensitive topics such as bullying, race, culture and microaggressions. When Words Have Power helps children learn about this complex issue in an easily digestible and relatable way.
Through beautiful full-page illustrations and vignettes, Henry, our protagonist, learns a valuable lesson about the effects that microaggressions and undesired nicknames can have on people. Henry and his classmates would frequently call one of their peers a nickname based on his physical appearance. Because he wasn’t using insulting words, he’s under the impression that it’s all a game. However, following a similar encounter in which his Chinese-American mother is now on the receiving end of such commentary, he begins to understand that words have power and can be harmful when used carelessly. Even if they aren’t explicitly said with the intention of hurting someone, they can affect someone’s feelings. – Youth Services Book Review
She is also the author of the self-published book, I am NOT a Bear, which was featured at the San Francisco Zoo’s Teddy Bear Festival in 2013. Illustrated by a 13 year old student, this story helps you learn some interesting facts about different animals while appreciating the importance of not making premature assumptions about others.
Connect with her on her website: lisachongbooks.com
Nadine Presley is a Syrian Canadian author and literacy educator. Her debut The City of Jasmine (Harper 25’) is inspired by the beauty of her hometown, that she’s held in heart ever since she left Damascus over a decade ago, and now she gets to share it with the world. She is also the author of forthcoming picture books: A Ramadan Night (S&S 26’), and Where There is Love (Harper 26’) and more. Nadine now resides with her husband and three boys in Canada. With a passion for anti racism work and promoting pride for Arab Muslim heritage, she is also a speaker for children, youth and adults. Her favorite things in the world are big hugs, kind words, and delicious Syrian food.
Connect with her via her website, Instagram, and Bluesky.
Natasha Yim is the author of twelve children’s books including her new picture book Luna and the Case of the Missing Mooncakes (Charlesbridge Publishing, 2025), a follow up to Luna’s Yum Yum Dim Sum (Charlesbridge Publishing, 2020) in the Storytelling Math series, and her first board book, No School for Me! (Change is Hard), part of Charlesbridge Publishing’s Chicken Soup for the Babies’ Soul series. Her most popular book Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas (Charlesbridge Publishing, 2014), was a Junior Library Guild and Scholastic Book Club selection. Natasha has also released three books with Disney and Disney/Pixar: Mulan’s Lunar New Year, Like Mother, Like Daughter and Penguin Random House’s Little Golden Book Lightyear. She also enjoys delving into facts, research, and cultural diversity for nonfiction projects such as the picture book Lunar New Year (Words & Pictures, Quarto Books, 2023), and children’s magazines, “Highlights for Children”, “Appleseeds”, “Faces”, and “Muse”. Natasha grew up in Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong and loves to write about people and cultures from around the world.
Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Debbie Zapata, LCSW, is an award-winning children’s author whose picture books celebrate diverse characters and inclusion, including a protagonist with Down syndrome in her book Up and Adam (Kids Can Press). Her 2025 release, Isabel’s Birthday Surprise (Magination Press), is a heartfelt story about the power of wishing, described by Kirkus as “a warm and uplifting reminder that love and creativity are what make celebrations truly special.” She is also the author of Abuela’s Letter (Magination Press), a NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Recommended Book. Look for her upcoming title, A Taxi for Everyone: How Roy Velásquez Fought for Equality (Little Bee Books), releasing July 21, 2026, a compelling picture book biography about courage and justice. Connect with Debbie at debbiezapata.com or on Instagram @debbiezapata.author.
Shirin has lived on three continents and sees herself as a global citizen. Through sharing stories from her heritage, she hopes to inspire an appreciation for all the diversity of our beautiful planet. A member of SCBWI since 2010, Shirin is represented by Saba Sulaiman of Talcott Notch Literary Agency.
Connect with her on her website, Instagram, and X.
Veronica Appleton is the creator of Appleville Books, a collection of children’s stories reflecting the everyday life of multicultural families. In 2016, Journey to Appleville, one of the first stories released from the collection, shares a tale of friendship and goal setting for all families. Veronica has visited more than 10 elementary schools and daycares to share the power of literacy.
When Veronica is not working on new children’s stories, she serves as a Professor of Intercultural Communications and Organizational Communications at DePaul University. Veronica completed her undergraduate education at Purdue University, graduate education at DePaul University and currently pursuing a doctoral degree in organizational behavior and leadership at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with significant research interests in organizational/workplace culture, employee engagement, and diversity management.
Veronica has been featured in Diversity Journal’s Top Professionals in Higher Education, FOX Chicago News, Chicago Woman Magazine, Story Monsters Ink Magazine, WCIU Now. Chicago received the Relationship Advocate Award from Chicago’s Perspective Charter Schools, received the Champion of Growth Award from Coalesce Chicago, named the 2017 Chicago Scholars 35 Under 35 Young Leaders Making an Impact Award, received a nomination for the 2016 Jay Walter Thompson Bill Sharp Advertising Award, received the 2017 #Redefine Possible Women’s Leadership Award from the Chicago Sky Basketball Team, named Crain’s Chicago 20intheir20’s, and the 2017 DiversityMBA Magazine’s Top 100 under 50 Emerging Leaders Award. Veronica is a native Chicagoan.
Journey to Appleville is also available on Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, and Apple iBooks.
Connect with Veronica via her website, X, Facebook, and Instagram
Michael Genhart, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in San Francisco, CA. He is the author of numerous picture books – covering themes such as bullying, friendship, homelessness and compassion, uniqueness, LGBTQ+families, and multicultural families. He lives with his family in Marin County.
Michael’s latest book is EDIE FOR EQUALITY: EDIE WINDSOR STANDS UP FOR LOVE – Edie Windsor set out to correct a great injustice in this country and won! She sued the US government, and her victory made it official – that married same-sex couples had to be treated the same as married heterosexual couples. Her case paved the way for federal recognition of same-sex marriage and changed history in this country! Teacher’s guide from publisher Lee & Low: https://www.leeandlow.
Michael’s books also include SPANISH IS THE LANGUAGE OF MY FAMILY –To prepare for the school Spelling Bee en Español, young Latine boy gets a much-needed boost from his cherished Abuela. During their lessons together, she shares stories from her childhood, when the “rule at school was ‘English only.’ ” Activities tied to the book: https://holidayhouse.
and MAY YOUR LIFE BE DELICIOSA – Abuela shows her nieta, Rosie, how to make a delicious tamale and along the way she shares what ingredients are important to make a delicious life.
as well as THEY’RE SO FLAMBOYANT – A flamboyance of flamingos flies into town looking very pink, proud and pretty. The other bird groups don’t know what to make of them. A story of judging others turns into an opportunity to look inward at one’s own biases.
Connect with Michael via his website, Facebook, X, and Instagram.
Camelia Kuhn is a retired teacher based in Florida with her husband Brandon. She was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and grew up in Puerto Rico. From an early age, she found a love for reading through her loving mother, who told her children’s stories that inspired her to write her first tale: “The Golden Seahorse.”
She is also the author of “The Duckling in Boots”
She has been a presenter at numerous schools and book festivals.
Among her favorite hobbies are reading, writing, cooking, and spending time with her family. It is her greatest desire that her stories reach the imagination of children and instill a love of reading from an early age.
Connect with Camelia on Facebook and Instagram.
