Aixa is donating a fiction picture book manuscript critique, bilingual and rhyme welcome!

To thank our prize donors, please make sure to write reviews of their books and/or request their books from your local library!

Monica Acker is the author of Brave Like Mom (Beaming Books, 2022), an educator, and a mom. She loves spoonfuls of peanut butter and using her brain to bring ideas to life. 

www.monicaacker.com 

Monica will critique a non-rhyming picture book manuscript up to 600 words. 

To thank our prize donors, please make sure to write reviews of their books and/or request their books from your local library!

Kailei Pew is a wife, mother, and children's book author represented by Emily Forney of Bookends Literary. She loves to write books that help kids see they can do anything they set their minds to. Upcoming books include: THE MONSTER ABOVE THE BED (Illustrated by Steph Lew, Clarion/Harper, Fall 2023) I SEE COLOR (With Valerie Bolling, Illustrated by Laylie Frazier, HarperKids, Winter 2024) KID MADE (Illustrated by Shannon Wright, F& F/Macmillan, Spring 2024) Learn more at kaileipewbooks.com 

Kailei is donating a winners choice of a query critique or a 30 minute Ask Me Anything call.

To thank our prize donors, please make sure to write reviews of their books and/or request their books from your local library!

Kim Larson’s debut picture book Goat's Boat Won't Float releases in the fall of 2024 (Little Press). She was a #PBParty finalist in 2022 and 2023. In 2021, she won the Ann Whitford Paul Award for most promising picture book manuscript. https://kimalarson.com/  

Kim is donating a non-rhyming fiction picture books critique (less than 600 words).

To thank our prize donors, please make sure to write reviews of their books and/or request their books from your local library!

Heather Bell (she/they) is an author/illustrator and a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. They love to portray diverse characters and get especially excited for any story that reveals the world from a new or different perspective. Heather is the illustrator of Mac and Cheese and the Personal Space Invader (Spork, 2020), Why is Mommy Crying? -explaining early pregnancy loss to young children (River Grove Books, 2021), and the upcoming picture book Simply Skye (Amicus, 2023). Heather is represented by Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary Agency. 

https://heatherbellbooks.com/ 

Heather is donating a copy of Simply Skye (US only) and a manuscript or dummy critique (fiction).

To thank our prize donors, please make sure to write reviews of their books and/or request their books from your local library!

Valerie Bolling is passionate about creating stories in which all children can see themselves and feel seen and heard, valued and validated. She is the author of five picture books (LET’S DANCE!, TOGETHER WE RIDE, TOGETHER WE SWIM, RIDE, ROLL, RUN: TIME FOR FUN!, and BING, BOP, BAM: TIME TO JAM!) and RAINBOW DAYS, a Scholastic Acorn early reader series. A graduate of Tufts University and Columbia University, Teachers College, Valerie has been an educator for 30 years and is an active member of the kidlit community – teaching picture book classes (independently and for the Highlights Foundation), serving as a mentor, and presenting at conferences. Valerie lives in Connecticut with her husband where they enjoy traveling, hiking, reading, going to the theater, and dancing. 

https://valeriebolling.com 

Valerie is donating a 20-minute AMA phone call. She says, "Ask whatever questions you have about writing and the publication journey, and I'll do my best to answer." 

To thank our prize donors, please make sure to write reviews of their books and/or request their books from your local library!

Brigitta Blair (she/they) is an author-illustrator of books that explore disability, physical impairment, and identity with a touch of humor. CRAMMING, her debut MG graphic novel about her and her family's experiences with scoliosis, comes out in 2027 with Little Brown. She's also a STEM aficionado, having designed the Scrivener Standard Comic Script template, working as a video game developer, and speaking (and geeking) about tech tools at SCBWI conferences, the Children's Book Academy, and Kids Comics Unite. 

https://brigittablair.com/ 

Brigitta is donating winner's choice selection of a query letter critique, portfolio critique, or the first 10 pages of a graphic novel or picture book. (The first 10 pages can be a manuscript or dummy with illustrations and text.)

To thank our prize donors, please make sure to write reviews of their books and/or request their books from your local library!

Megan Lacera grew up in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio, with a book always in her hands. After graduating from Boston University with a bachelor’s in journalism and a master’s degree in business management, she became a writer, creative director, and creator of characters and worlds for entertainment companies like American Greetings, Hasbro, and Goldieblox. She later formed her own creative company where she creates original content and consults on marketing, social media, and strategic direction for start-ups and large toy and entertainment corporations. Megan’s picture book debut, Zombies Don’t Eat Veggies!, received a starred review from Kirkus, won multiple awards and was selected for SAG-AFTRA’s Storyline Online platform, where it has over 6 million views.​ Her second book, THE WILD ONES w/Jorge Lacera, is due in 2024. She is repped by John Cusick at Folio Jr. 

www.studiolacera.com 

Megan Lacera is donating a picture book critique OR 30 minute Ask-Me-Anything phone call/Zoom.

To thank our prize donors, please make sure to write reviews of their books and/or request their books from your local library!

Diana Murray is the author of over twenty five children's books, including UNICORN NIGHT, an Amazon Best Book of the Year from the bestselling UNICORN DAY series, and GOODNIGHT, VEGGIES, a Jr. Library Guild Selection. Her poems have appeared in many magazines and anthologies. Diana grew up in New York City and still lives nearby with her husband, two mer-children, and a dog who loves trips to the beach. 

http://www.dianamurray.com 

Diana is donating a glittery hardcover copy of Mermaid Day! (US only) 

To thank our prize donors, please make sure to write reviews of their books and/or request their books from your local library!

Melissa Coffey is the author of FRIDGE-OPOLIS, illustrated by Josh Cleland (Little Bee Books, 2022). She spent 20+ years writing professionally for grown-ups before discovering her passion writing for kids. She loves creating stories that garner giggles, expand horizons and inspire action and emotion. Melissa lives with her family in Austin, Texas. Visit her at melissacoffey.com. 

Melissa is donating a fictional picture book manuscript critique of up to 500 words OR a 30-minute "Ask the Author" anything Zoom, winner's choice! 

To thank our prize donors, please make sure to write reviews of their books and/or request their books from your local library!

Sandra Nickel is an award-winning author of picture books. She holds an MFA in writing for children and young adults and has presented workshops 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. 

https://sandranickel.com/ 

Sandra is donating a picture book manuscript critique, both fiction and nonfiction are welcome! 

To thank our prize donors, please make sure to write reviews of their books and/or request their books from your local library!

Laura Gehl is the award-winning author of more than forty books for young readers, including board books, early readers, picture books, and middle grade nonfiction. Her books include ONE BIG PAIR OF UNDERWEAR, MY PILLOW KEEPS MOVING, APPLE AND MAGNOLIA, THE HIKING VIKING, GRANDPA'S WINDOW, and CLIMATE WARRIORS. Laura lives in Maryland with her husband and four kids, where she loves to walk in the woods and eat ice cream. 

www.lauragehl.com 

Laura is donating a winner's choice selection of a signed, personalized book from one of her five books (US only).

To thank our prize donors, please make sure to write reviews of their books and/or request their books from your local library!

Laura K. Zimmermann is a college professor by day and children’s writer by night. She has a PhD in developmental psychology and has published numerous academic articles as well as nonfiction stories in children’s magazines. MUSHROOM RAIN is her first picture book. When she's not writing, Laura can be found teaching and conducting research at Shenandoah University or wandering through nature with her Goldendoodle, Tivy. You can find Laura online at laurakzimmermann.com and on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest at @LauraK_PBwriter. 

Laura is donating a critique of a non-rhyming picture book under 750 words. 

To thank our prize donors, please make sure to write reviews of their books and/or request their books from your local library!

Tammi Sauer, a former teacher and library media specialist, is a full-time children's book author who presents at schools and conferences across the country. She has 36 published picture books. Tammi's books have received awards, earned starred reviews, made lists, been developed into musicals, and been translated into many different languages. Most importantly, kids really like her books! To learn more about Tammi and her books, please visit tammisauer.com and follow her on Twitter at @SauerTammi and Instagram at @tammisauer. 

Tammi Sauer thinks this contest is all kinds of special! In honor of zombie manuscripts everywhere, she is giving away a signed copy of her latest book. ALL KINDS OF SPECIAL, illustrated by Fernando Martin, celebrates home, family, kindness, and community. Disclaimer: no zombies appear in this book. (Will ship to US address only.) 

To thank our prize donors, please make sure to write reviews of their books and/or request their books from your local library!

Josh Funk is a software engineer and the author of books like the Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast series, the upcoming Dear Unicorn (out 9.19.23), the ​It's Not a Fairy Tale series, the How to Code with Pearl and Pascal series, the A Story of Patience & Fortitude series, Dear Dragon, My Pet Feet, and more. For more information about Josh Funk, visit him at www.joshfunkbooks.com and on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook at @joshfunkbooks. 

https://www.joshfunkbooks.com/ 

Josh is donating a signed copy of one of any of his books, winner's choice. (US only)

To thank our prize donors, please make sure to write reviews of their books and/or request their books from your local library!

Maria Antonia writes both picture books and middle grade novels. Her short stories have been published in various children’s magazines such as Spider, Storytime, and Clubhouse Jr. She enjoys combining heart and humor in her manuscripts. In addition to being a writer, Maria is also a photographer who loves capturing everyday wonder. 

http://mariaantoniawrites.com/ 

Maria is donating a winner's choice critique of either: short story critique for a magazine submission (Fiction, up to 1000 words) or PB (Fiction, up to 1000 words) or MG critique (first chapter).

To thank our prize donors, please make sure to write reviews of their books and/or request their books from your local library!

Melissa Trempe has swum with sharks and hiked a volcano, but her greatest adventure is writing! Her debut picture book, LADYBUG LAUNCH: Inspired by a True Story of Chinitas in Space, is coauthored with Natalia Ojeda and illustrated by Manuela Montoya and releases with Simon & Schuster in 2024. She loves writing both fiction and nonfiction with humor and heart. Learn more about her at www.melissatrempe.com, on Twitter @melissa_trempe, and Instagram @melissatrempe.author. 

http://www.melissatrempe.com 

Melissa is donating a picture book critique for fiction (less than 700 words) or nonfiction (less than 1,000 words). Word count does NOT include back matter or art notes. 

To thank our prize donors, please make sure to write reviews of their books and/or request their books from your local library!

Kim-Hoa Ung is a Chinese American author-illustrator and amigurumi artist. When she is not creating stories, you can find her crocheting pieces for art shows, sending snail mail, and making arts and crafts with her kids. She lives with her family in Southern California. A Gift for Nai Nai is her debut picture book. 

http://kimhoaung.com 

Kim-Hoa is donating a picture book manuscript or dummy critique, or a copy of her debut book that comes out this December (US only).

To thank our prize donors, please make sure to write reviews of their books and/or request their books from your local library!

Ana Siqueira is a Spanish-language elementary teacher and an award-winning children's book author based in Tampa, Florida. Before Bella's Recipe for Success (Beaming Books 2021) and If Your Babysitter is a Bruja (S&S 2022), and Abuela’s Super Capa/ La Supercapa de Abuela (HarperCollins 2023) she published children's books in Portuguese in Brazil and in Spanish for the foreign language educational markets. Some other books are BOITATA: THE FIRE SNAKE (Capstone 2023), OUR WORLD BRAZIL (Barefoot 2023), ROOM IN MAMI’S CORAZON (HarperCollins 2024), LA MALA SUERTE IS FOLLOWING ME (Charlesbridge 2024), and others.

anafiction.com

Ana is donating a fiction picture book manuscript critique (non-rhyming 800 words or less and note: Ana's not the best fit for quiet manuscripts) 

To thank our prize donors, please make sure to write reviews of their books and/or request their books from your local library!

C.K. Malone (they/them) is a bigender neurodiverse human being. They are the author of A COSTUME FOR CHARLY illustrated by Alejandra Barajas and the forthcoming ALL SOULS' SONG ('24) illustrated by Shelly Swann. 

https://www.carlislemalonebooks.com/ 

Winner's choice of released or TBR: 2 PBs, 2 GRs, 2 MGs, 2 YAs, OR a $50 gift card to Bookshop.org. Winner also receives a query critique of any age range/genre. 

To thank our prize donors, please make sure to write reviews of their books and/or request their books from your local library!