Prizes

Prizes  2025

Ivan Taurisano is an Associate Editor at Abrams, specializing in children's books. He focuses on licenses and intellectual property, including novelty books, board books, graphic novels, and select MG and YA titles. He is particularly interested in kid-centric, humorous, action-packed stories. You can connect with him on X @IvanTaurisano and on Instagram @ivantaurisano.Ivan Taurisano is an Associate Editor at Abrams, specializing in children's books. He focuses on licenses and intellectual property, including novelty books, board books, graphic novels, and select MG and YA titles. He is particularly interested in kid-centric, humorous, action-packed stories. You can connect with him on X @IvanTaurisano and on Instagram @ivantaurisano.

Please thank Ivan by following on social media and sharing his wish list.

Find Ivan's Wishlist here

IG: @ivantaurisano X: @IvanTaurisano

Kim-Hoa Ung is a Chinese American author-illustrator and amigurumi artist. She enjoys creating stories that explore family relationships, friendship, empathy, culture and heritage, and immigrant life. She is a lover of all things kawaii and inspirational. When Kim-Hoa 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.  

Please thank Kim-Hoa for her donation by ordering and/or requesting that your local library purchase Kim-Hoa's picture book A GIFT FOR NAI NAI. Other ways to thank Kim-Hoa are reviewing and/or sharing about her picture book A GIFT FOR NAI NAI.

Find Kim-Hoa's books on her website here.

@AutumnLeaflet on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and Threads

DK Ryland is a children’s book author and illustrator who resides in San Diego, CA with her awesome husband, brilliant two kids, and many many pets. Her titles include Giraffe is Too Tall for This Book, Giraffe’s Book is Missing a Story, Have you Seen My Acorn?, and The Dangerous Alphabet Book. 

Please thank DK for her donation by checking out her website at dkryland.com/resources-for-writers for free resources all about ideating and drafting picture books.  Other ways to thank DK are ordering and/or requesting that your local library purchase her books.

Find DK's books on her website here.

@dkryland - instagram

Sara Andrea Fajardo is a Peruvian-American storyteller and educator. She writes books that celebrate her mixed heritage and Andean roots. Sara has worked as a photojournalist, a multimedia storyteller for humanitarian and agricultural research organizations across Africa and Latin America. She holds degrees from Sarah Lawrence College and the University of Missouri-Columbia, but her favorite diploma was given to her when she was 11, after completing the sixth grade at Alisal Elementary in Salinas, California. The proud product of bilingual education, Sara now works as a first grade dual immersion teacher in Novato, California. 

Please thank Sara for her donation by ordering and/or requesting that your local library purchase her books Crack Goes the Cascarón illustrated by Rocio Arreola Mendoza and Alberto Salas Plays Paka Paka con la Papa illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal. Other ways to thank Sara are reviewing and/or sharing about her books.

Find Sara and her books here

@safajarwrites

Rebecca Gardyn Levington is a children’s book author, poet, and journalist with a particular penchant for penning both playful and poignant picture books and poems – primarily in rhyme. She is the author of WHATEVER COMES TOMORROW (which has been translated into 9 languages and is the winner of a Crystal Kite Honor and a Northern Lights Book Award), BRAINSTORM!, AFIKOMAN, WHERE’D YOU GO?, LITTLE DREIDEL LEARNS TO SPIN, WRITE HERE, WRITE NOW and I WILL ALWAYS BE... (4/15/25!) with seven additional rhyming picture books forthcoming. Rebecca writes reviews and conducts author interviews monthly for the Picture Book Builders blog. Her award-winning poems and articles have appeared in numerous anthologies, newspapers, and magazines. She lives with her family in Summit, N.J., where she enjoys bouncing on a mini-trampoline, playing Mah Jongg, and eating chocolate-peanut butter ice cream (although not usually at the same time!). Find out more and sign up for Rebecca’s monthly newsletter at www.RebeccaGardynLevington.com.

Please thank Rebecca for her donation by ordering and/or requesting that your local library purchase Rebecca's picture books especially her book that comes out on April 15th: I WILL ALWAYS BE... Other ways to thank Rebecca are buying her other books or reviewing and/or tweeting about her books.

Find Rebecca's website and her books here.

IG: @rebeccagardynlevington, Twitter/X: @WriterRebeccaGL, Bluesky: @rebeccaglevington, Facebook: @WriterRebeccaGL

Aixa Pérez-Prado is an author/illustrator, translator, sensitivity reader and university professor who has lived in several different countries, and draws inspiration for her stories and illustrations from diverse locations. Her passion is writing and illustrating books that give diverse children a chance to see their multilayered identities represented through stories that resonate with heart and humor. Aixa writes in Spanish and English and enjoys mixing languages in her prose. Similarly, she loves illustrating by employing different techniques in a whimsical mixed media collage style. Her kidlit publications are CITY FEET (Reycraft, 2023), OUR WORLD: ARGENTINA (Barefoot Books, 2023), and MERCEDES SOSA: THE VOI’CE OF THE PEOPLE (Lee & Low 2024).  Aixa is represented by Joyce Sweeney from the Seymour Agency.

Please thank Aixa by ordering and/or requesting her books at your local library. Other ways to thank Aixa are to check out and share on social media about her Latinx sensitivity reading and translation services.

Find City Feet here.

Find Our World: Argentina here.

Find Aixa's Latinx sensitivity reading and translation services here.

insta: @aixasdoodlesandbooks

Writer for children—reader forever…that’s Vivian Kirkfield in five words. Her bucket list contains many more words – but she’s checked off skydiving, parasailing, and going around the world in less than 80 days. A former educator, Vivian inspires budding writers during classroom visits and shares insights with aspiring authors at conferences and on her blog where she hosts the #50PreciousWords International Writing Contest and the #50PreciousWordsforKids Writing Challenge. Her nonfiction narratives bring history alive for young readers and have received accolades including the Silver Eureka, Social Studies Notable Trade Book, Best STEM Book K-12, Bank Street College of Education Best Book, and Junior Library Guild Selection.

Please thank Vivian by checking out her critique & editing services on her website. Other ways to thank Vivian are to review and/or sharing about her books.

Find Vivian's books and website here

Bluesky: @viviankirkfield.bsky.social, Facebook: @vivian.kirkfield, Instagram: @viviankirkfield/, Twitter/X: @viviankirkfield

Valerie Bolling is an award-winning author/educator who 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 seven picture books, including SCBWI Crystal Kite Award winner, LET’S DANCE!; Kirkus Prize Finalist, TOGETHER WE SWIM; and Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, I SEE COLOR. She’s also written a Scholastic Acorn early reader series, RAINBOW DAYS and a book for teachers, GOAL SETTING IN THE WRITING CLASSROOM: BUILDING STUDENT AGENCY, INDEPENDENCE AND SUCCESS. 

A graduate of Tufts University and Teachers College, Columbia University, Valerie was an educator for 30 years and currently teaches picture book classes (independently and for the Highlights Foundation and Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance) and presents at conferences. Valerie enjoys teaching both students and adults and inspiring them to write their own stories. She lives in Connecticut with her husband where they enjoy traveling, hiking, reading, going to the theater, and dancing. linktr.ee/ValerieBolling

Find Valerie's website and books here

Please thank Valerie by leaving book reviews for I SEE COLOR, TOGETHER WE SWIM, and BING, BOP, BAM. Other ways to thank Valerie are to check out her school visits and picture book classes on her website.

Instagram: @valeriebollingauthor   Bluesky: @valeriebolling.bsky.social  Facebook: @ValerieBollingAuthor  Twitter: @valerie_bolling

Jolene Gutiérrez is an award-winning neurodivergent teacher librarian who has been working with neurodivergent learners at Denver Academy since 1995. Jolene writes for young readers and hopes her books will help some readers feel seen and will help others learn and grow in compassion. Her books have been printed in 9 countries and 8 languages. Jolene is an active member of SCBWI, part of the KidLitCollective group, and a co-creator of #KidlitZombieWeek and Picture Book Gold. Jolene is represented by agent Kaitlyn Sanchez and is a contributor to If I Could Choose a Best Day: Poems of Possibility and the author of Unbreakable: A Japanese American Family in an American Incarceration Camp (2026, co-authored with Minoru Tonai), Mamiachi and Me: My Mami’s Mariachi Band (co-authored with her son Dakota), The Ofrenda That We Built (co-authored with her daughter Shaian), Too Much! An Overwhelming Day, the Stars of Latin Pop series, Bionic Beasts: Saving Animal Lives with Artificial Flippers, Legs, and Beaks, and Mac and Cheese and the Personal Space Invader. Find her online at www.jolenegutierrez.com or on Facebook, Bluesky, Instagram, or Threads @writerjolene. 

Please thank Jolene by ordering and/or requesting her books at your local library. Other ways to thank Jolene are to review and/or sharing about her books.

Find Jolene's website and books here

Facebook: @writerjolene Instagram: @writerjolene  Bluesky:  @writerjolene.bsky.social

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, head of creative development, and creator of characters and worlds for entertainment companies like American Greetings, Hasbro, and Goldieblox. She later formed her own creative company, where she created original content and consulted 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 7 million views.​

Her second book, The Wild Ones, is out now and has received multiple rave reviews.

Jorge Lacera was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, and grew up in Miami, Florida, drawing in sketchbooks, on napkins, on walls, and anywhere his parents would let him.

After graduating with honors from Ringling College of Art and Design, Jorge began working as a visual development and concept artist for major gaming studios and entertainment companies.

As a big fan of pop culture, comics, and monster movies, Jorge rarely saw Latinx kids as the heroes or leads. He is committed to changing that, especially now that he has a son. He is a co-founder of #LatinxPitch (www.latinxpitch.com). In addition to his co-created book with Megan, Jorge is also the illustrator of Xo, Exoplanet (written by Deborah Underwood), Pruett and Soo (written by Nancy Viau) and the upcoming Fairy Fixers graphic novels (written by Deborah Underwood).

Jorge is also a creative leader in games and entertainment!

Please thank Megan and Jorge by ordering and/or requesting their books at your local library. You can also thank them by reviewing and/or sharing their books.

Find the Lacera's website and books here

Insta: @jorgelaceracreates @authormeganlacera

Combine humor with picture books. Stir in a children’s illustrated biography. Add in a pinch of nonfiction writing, and a dash of educational curriculum creation…and Voila! You have author, Ciara O’Neal. This mother of seven is also a, librarian, book blogger, SCWBI member, and a purveyor of puns. She plots world domination with a donut in each hand. 

https://ciaraoneal.weebly.com/

Twitter: @Ciaralovesbooks 

Please thank Ciara for her donation by purchasing or requesting your library purchase her books.

Find Ciara's books here.

Other ways to thank Ciara would be to review her books, follow her on social media, or share about her books on social media.

Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez is a mom, wife, math teacher, picture book author, and an agent with Bradford Literary Agency. She is also the co-creator and co-host of the Spring Fling Kidlit Contest, the creator of the Kidlit Fall Writing Frenzy Contest, and one of the co-hosts of Kidlit Zombie Week with her critique group 6 Ladies and a MANUSCRIPT. In her free time, she loves to play soccer, binge-watch TV shows, and, of course, read. Especially when her husband and daughter cozy up so they can all read together.

Please thank Kaitlyn for her donation by checking out and sharing (with your friends and/or on social media) about her critique services: Critiques with Kaitlyn. 

Other ways to thank Kaitlyn would be to buy or review her clients' books, which can all be found here: https://kaitlynleannsanchez.com/literary-clients/. 

Find Kaitlyn's website here

IG/Twitter/Facebook: @KaitlynLeann17, Bluesky: @kaitlynleann17.bsky.social 

Don't forget to share all the ways you're supporting these amazing prize donors by posting here: https://x.com/KaitlynLeann17/status/1770890247255249376?s=20