Meet the Authors!
Charlotte Agell
Charlotte Agell is the author/illustrator of many books for children, as well as a handbook for educators. Charlotte’s award include the Maine Literary Award and the Lupine Honor. A longtime teacher, she is originally from Sweden.
Maryann Cocca-Leffler
Maryann Cocca-Leffler is an award-winning author and illustrator of over 70 books for children. Her New England roots have inspired many picture books, including "Clams All Year" and "Bus Route to Boston", as well as her debut middle grade mystery novel, "Heart Stones", which is set on the coast of Maine. Maryann’s passion for disability rights has inspired the award-winning books; "We Want to Go to School! The Fight for Disability Rights", co-authored with her daughter, Janine Leffler, and "Fighting for YES! The Story of Disability Rights Activist Judith Heumann". Recent books include, "Don’t Ask Cat", and "The Power of Yet". Maryann lives in Portland, Maine where she is working on her next book.
Melanie Conklin
Melanie Conklin is the author of Counting Thyme, Every Missing Piece, A Perfect Mistake, Crushed, and the picture book When You Have to Wait. Melanie grew up in North Carolina and worked as a product designer before she began her writing career. She lives in New Jersey with her family.
Katie Coppens
Katie Coppens teaches middle school science and writes STEM-themed books. Katie's been a finalist for a Maine Literacy Award for young people's literature in 2020, 2021, and 2022 and won the 2022 Ben Franklin Award (gold) and Nautilus Award (gold) for Young Adult nonfiction. She is currently a finalist from Maine for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
Russ Cox
Russ Cox was raised by a pack of crazed hillbillies in the backwoods of Tennessee. Without much in the way of modern conveniences, like television or running water, he spent his time drawing, whittling, and throwing dirt clods at his cousins. With the bulk of his life spent in Pennsylvania, he met his wife; became a graphic designer; played in punk, alternative, and surf bands; had two kids; and started his own illustration studio, Smiling Otis Studio (named after one of their enormous cats). Russ creates his art using digital software, primarily Clip Studio and other digital tools. He works in traditional mediums, often with a mixture of paper, pencil, pen & ink, gouache, and watercolor. Russ lives in Maine with his wife and three cats.
Betty Culley
Betty Culley is the award-winning author of young adult and middle grade novels. She’s an RN who worked as an obstetrics nurse and as a pediatric home hospice nurse. She lives in central Maine, where the rivers run through the small towns.
Shannon Doleski
Shannon Doleski was born and raised in Cazenovia, New York. After graduating from Niagara University with an English Education degree, Shannon was a teacher and swim coach all over the US. She is an ELA teacher and librarian in Maine. She lives in an old Victorian with her three children, a speckle-eared beagle, and an ornery dachshund. Her debut, Mary Underwater, was named a Best Book of the Year from New York Public Library.
Gail Donovan
Gail Donovan was fired from her first job in an ice cream shop for making the sundaes too big. She now works in a library and writes middle grade novels, including "Sparrow Being Sparrow," the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award winner "Finchosaurus," and "In Memory of Gorfman T. Frog," named to the New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing list. Donovan lives on the coast of Maine, where she jumps in the ocean all year round.
Samara Cole Doyon
Samara Cole Doyon is a poet, educator, and award-winning children’s book author living on unceded Wabanaki / Abenaki territory. She is a neurodivergent mother of neurodivergent children, continually learning more from her offspring than they could ever learn from her. She earned both a Lupine Award and an International Literacy Association Award for her debut picture book, Magnificent Homespun Brown (Tilbury House Publishers, January, 2020). Her second book, Magic Like That (Lee & Low Books, September, 2021), received a starred review from Kirkus and made the Bookstagang Best Picture Books of 2021 list. Samara works at Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance and resides with her husband, two children, and rescue pup in central Maine.
Deva Fagan
Deva Fagan (she/her) is the author of A Game of Noctis, Nightingale, The Mirrorwood and other books for young readers. She lives in Maine with her husband and her dog. When she’s not writing she spends her time reading, playing video games, doing geometry, and drinking copious amounts of tea.
Julie Falatko
Julie Falatko writes humorous books for children, including the picture book Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in This Book) and the Two Dogs in a Trench Coat chapter book series. She lives in South Portland, Maine.
Kevin Hawkes
Kevin Hawkes is the illustrator of over 50 picture and chapter books, including the New York Times bestseller, Library Lion. Kevin is a well-known speaker and presenter at many elementary schools around New England where he delights children with his quirky sense of humor and creative imagination. He enjoys riding his bike around his neighborhood and visiting tide pools at the beach.
Alexandra S. D. Hinrichs
Alexandra S. D. Hinrichs is the author of fiction and nonfiction picture books, including The Lobster Lady, The Traveling Camera, I Am Made of Mountains, and The Pocket Book. Her books have won awards such as Maine’s Lupine Award and Wisconsin’s Outstanding Achievement Award. They have also been featured on news outlets such as CBS News and the Washington Post, and on lists that include A Mighty Girl and CCBC Choices. Before becoming a full-time author, Alex worked in school, public, and academic libraries, as well as at American Girl as a historical researcher. She lives in Bangor, Maine with her husband, their three wild sons, and two tame cats.
Jannie Ho
Jannie Ho is the author/illustrator of THE LOST MITTEN, HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR, and BEAR AND CHICKEN. She is also the illustrator of FRY GUYS 2- BATTER OF THE BANDS, a young graphic novel series. Jannie is the creator of SUPER CHICKEN AND SHELLY, a regularly featured comic in Highlights for Children High Five Magazine. With a passion for visual storytelling and sequential art, she runs comic workshops for kids in libraries and schools. Jannie lives near Boston, MA with her family.
Fran Hodgkins
Fran Hodgkins grew up in Massachusetts, where she attended college to study journalism. She knew she wasn't going to be a very good reporter, but has found her niche as a children's book author. She lives in Rockport, Maine, with her family, including a dog, three cats, and a cranky rabbit.
Jamie Hogan
Jamie Hogan is the award-winning illustrator of THE LOBSTER LADY and OH, CHICKADEE and the illustrator/author of SKYWATCHER. She lives on Peaks Island.
Neesha Hudson
Neesha grew up on the coast of Maine where she spent most of her time drawing, painting, and playing in the woods. Her latest picture book, THE BEST FLOWER EVER! (Dial June 13, 2023) is a companion to TURTLE IN A TREE (Dial 2021) and is about learning to appreciate what you have with the help of friends. She is also the illustrator of WALK YOUR DOG (Putnam 2018), and has illustrated for Parragon, Ladybug, Babybug, Learning A-Z, among others. When not in the studio, Neesha enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, their two children, dogs, and chickens.
Jennifer Richard Jacobson
Jennifer has spent three decades writing award-winning fiction and nonfiction for children. Amongst her titles are picture books: THIS IS MY ROOM (NO TIGERS ALLOWED) and OH, CHICKADEE!; chapter books: Andy Shane series and Twig and Turtle series; middle grade novels: SMALL AS AN ELEPHANT, PAPER THINGS, THE DOLLAR KIDS, CRASHING IN LOVE; and young adult novels: THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF WHY I HATE HER and STAINED. She lives in mid-coast Maine with her husband.
Anna Jordan
Anna E. Jordan (she/her) has an MFA from the Writing for Children and Young Adults program at Vermont College of Fine Arts and was the recipient of the 2013 PEN New England Susan P. Bloom Children’s Book Discovery award. Her debut middle-grade novel, SHIRA AND ESTHER’S DOUBLE DREAM DEBUT (Chronicle Books, 2023) centers Jewish joy. She is a member of SCBWI and the DC Children’s Book Guild. She teaches fifth grade, lives in the DC area with her cat Rothko, and is in search of the tastiest Knish. Connect with her on social media @annawritedraw.
George Jreije
George Jreije ("jer-age") is the Arab American author of the Shad Hadid children’s fantasy series, the upcoming Bashir Boutros fantasy series, as well as the upcoming graphic novels, Tarik's Bazaar Adventure and Lilo and the League of Librarians, all with HarperCollins. He has also written short stories in collaboration with UNICEF.
Sashi Kaufman
Sashi Kaufman writes books for children and young adults. She is a middle school teacher who lives in Cumberland, Maine with her family. She is also an amateur trash picker.
Angela Kunkel
Angela Burke Kunkel is the author of Digging for Words: José Alberto Gutiérrez and the Library He Built (Random House/Schwartz & Wade, 2020), an ALA-ALSC Notable Children’s Book and winner of both the Américas Award and International Latino Book Award. She is also the author of Penguin Journey (Abrams Appleseed, 2021) and Make Way: The Story Robert McCloskey, Nancy Schön, and Some Very Famous Ducklings (Random House Studio, 2023). Her most recent book is World More Beautiful: The Life and Art of Barbara Cooney (Random House Studio, August 2024). Angela lives with her family in Vermont, where she works as a school librarian.
Rajani LaRocca
Rajani LaRocca was born in India, raised in Kentucky, and now lives in the Boston area, where she practices medicine and writes award-winning books for young readers, including the Newbery Honor winning middle grade novel in verse, Red, White, and Whole. She’s always been an omnivorous reader, and now she is an omnivorous writer of fiction and nonfiction, novels and picture books, prose and poetry. She finds inspiration in her family, her childhood, the natural world, math, science, and just about everywhere she looks.
Christy Mihaly
Christy Mihaly writes for young readers because she believes that our best hope for the future is raising kids who love to read. She especially enjoys nonfiction, and has written more than 35 books, including picture books Hey, Hey, Hay! (A Tale of Bales and the Machines That Make Them); WATER: A Deep Dive of Discovery; and Patience, Patches! A former lawyer, Christy has penned numerous books about democracy. Her featured book is the timely informational picture book, OUR CONGRESS, illustrated by Doruntina Beqiraj. Christy also loves writing poetry for—and with—kids. She lives in Vermont where she enjoys walking in the woods and playing cello (though not simultaneously).
Anica Mrose Rissi
Anica Mrose Rissi is the award-winning author of more than a dozen books for kids and teens, including picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and YA. Her most recent books are the spooky story collection HIDE AND DON'T SEEK: AND OTHER VERY SCARY STORIES and the middle grade novel WISHING SEASON, which is set on the Maine island where Anica grew up. Anica plays fiddle in and writes lyrics for the band Owen Lake and the Tragic Loves, and spends a lot of time with her very good dog, Sweet Potato. Find out more at anicarissi.com and follow @anicarissi on Instagram.
Casey Robinson
Casey W. Robinson grew up in Maine and used to keep a shoebox of favorite words and phrases under her bed. She now lives with her family just west of Boston, in a yellow house overflowing with books. When she’s not writing, Casey manages book events for her local indie bookseller. Her debut picture book, Iver & Ellsworth, was a finalist for the Crystal Kite Award and Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award. Her latest picture book, Small Things Mended, is a Kids’ Indie Next Pick.
Melissa Stewart
Melissa Stewart has written more than 200 science books for children, garnering such awards as the Sibert Honor, AAAS/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books, eighteen NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students, two Green Earth Book Awards, and three ALA Notables. While gathering information for her books, she has explored tropical rain forests in Costa Rica, gone on safari in East Africa, and swum with sea lions in the Galapagos Islands. Melissa is a popular presenter at schools and libraires, and her highly-regarded website features a rich array of nonfiction reading and writing resources.
Tui T. Sutherland
Tui T. Sutherland is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Wings of Fire series, the Menagerie trilogy, and the Pet Trouble series, as well as a contributing author to the bestselling Spirit Animals and Seekers series. In 2009, she was a two-day champion on Jeopardy! Her favorite books include Nimona, by N.D. Stevenson, Sal and Gabi Break the Universe, by Carlos Hernandez, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, by Grace Lin, and Among Others, by Jo Walton. She lives in Massachusetts with her family and two very patient dogs. To learn more about Tui’s books, visit her online at www.tuibooks.com.
Matt Tavares
Matt Tavares is the author-illustrator of the New York Times best-selling picture book Dasher and its sequel Dasher Can't Wait for Christmas, as well as Red and Lulu and several sports biographies, including Becoming Babe Ruth and Growing Up Pedro. He is also the illustrator of Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by Jeff Gottesfeld, The Gingerbread Pirates by Kristin Kladstrup, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, and Over the River and Through the Wood, among many other picture books. Matt Tavares lives in Maine.
Wendy Ulmer
Wendy is a former music and English teacher and has written nine books for children and youth. Wendy has received the Teacher's Choice Award from Learning Magazine and the SCBWI Spark Award. She lives in Arrowsic, ME.
Chris Van Dusen
Chris Van Dusen is the award-winning author/illustrator of “The Circus Ship” and “BIG TRUCK Little Island.” and the illustrator of the bestselling Mercy Watson series. He is the recipient of the Lupine Award and the Katahdin Award for lifetime achievement.
Chris lives on the coast of Maine.
Alysa Wishingrad
Alysa Wishingrad writes fantastical stories for young readers, tales that ask; is the truth really true? Her favorite stories are those that meld the historical with the fantastic, and that find ways to shine a light on both the things that divide and unite us all. She is the author of Between Monsters and Marvels, a Golden Kite Finalist, which was featured on the 2024 ALA Summer Reading list, and The Verdigris Pawn, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. Alysa lives in the Hudson Valley with her family and two demanding rescue dogs, who are either monsters or marvels, depending on the day. Alysa invites you to visit her at www.AlysaWishingrad.com Twitter @agwishingrad Instagram @alysawishingradwrites