The Creators
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Members of Picture Book Scribblers are authors, illustrators, or author/illustrators whose picture books are being released in 2021, 2022, and beyond. To learn more about us and where you can find us on social media, check out our bios below.
Kate Allen Fox
Kate Allen Fox is an award-winning children’s author from southern California. After working in public health, she combined her passions for science and the written word and began writing picture books that inspire wonder and curiosity about the natural world. Her debut picture book, Pando, A Living Wonder of Trees, was published by Capstone in 2021 and named one of the best books of the year by School Library Journal and Chicago Public Library and a finalist for the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award. Little, Brown will publish her second picture book, A Few Beautiful Minutes, in 2023, and Beaming Books will publish Solstice Wish in 2024. Her essays have appeared in several publications, including The New York Times and McSweeney’s. In addition to being a writer, Kate is a speaker, arts educator, and homeschooler.
Find her online at kateallenfox.com
Twitter @kateallenfox
Instagram @kateallenfox
Sophia Gholz
Sophia Gholz is an award-winning children's book author, music lover and magic seeker. Sophia enjoys writing fiction with humor and heart. When writing nonfiction, she pulls on her love of science and her strong family background in ecology. Since 2017, Sophia has helped oversee the Henry L. Gholz SEEDS National Field Trip Endowment for The Ecological Society of America, funding ecological field experiences for students from diverse backgrounds. She is also a founding board member of KidLiteracy.org, a nonprofit organization focused on early literacy initiatives. Previously, Sophia worked as an advertising copywriter and made a career working with visual artists in New York City. Sophia’s debut book, The Boy Who Grew a Forest: The True Story of Jadav Payeng, received the Florida State Book Award Gold Medal, a Eureka! Nonfiction Honor Award and was named a 2020 Green Earth Honor Book. Sophia's newest title, Jack Horner: Dinosaur Hunter (Sleeping Bear Press) chronicles the life of world-famous paleontologist, Jack Horner, and will be available Fall 2021. When she’s not writing from her home base in Florida, you can find Sophia reading a book, making art or exploring the great outdoors with her family.
For more, visit Sophia online with the links below:
Website: www.SophiaGholz.com
Twitter: @SophiaGholz
Instagram: @SophiaGholz
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/sophiagholzauthor
Lauren Kerstein
Lauren Kerstein is an author and psychotherapist. She is a Jersey girl at heart who currently lives in Colorado with her husband, their two dragons...er, daughters, and their rescue dogs. She is represented by Deborah Warren with East West Literary Agency. Lauren's debut: ROSIE THE DRAGON AND CHARLIE MAKE WAVES (Illustrated by Nate Wragg/Two Lions) splashed into bookstores in 2019. The companion volume, ROSIE THE DRAGON AND CHARLIE SAY GOOD NIGHT (Illustrated by Nate Wragg/Two Lions), snuggled into bookshelves September 1, 2020. HOME FOR A WHILE (Illustrated by Natalia Moore/Magination Press) moved into bookshelves February 2, 2021. Lauren also writes books in her field about sensory challenges, emotion regulation, and flexible thinking. Lauren is one of the founders of #ReVISIONweek, a judge with Rate Your Story, runs a critique business, and is a long-time member of 12x12 and SCBWI. Her writing goals are simple. Read voraciously. Embrace feedback. Grow each day. Work hard. Be passionate. Write courageously. Touch children’s hearts. Visit her at www.LaurenKerstein.net, on Twitter @LaurenKerstein, Instagram @LaurenKerstein, or Facebook. You can also follow her blog at: https://laurenkerstein.wordpress.com/.
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Find out more about Lauren at:
Ellen Leventhal
Ellen is an educator and author in Houston, TX. Her writing often contains universal themes to which children can relate--even if the thoughts occasionally come from talking cows or lambs. Ellen is the co-author of DON'T EAT THE BLUEBONNETS and the author of LOLA CAN'T LEAP. She has been published in magazines and newspapers as well as in short story and poetry anthologies. Her latest book, A FLOOD OF KINDNESS from WorthyKids/Hachette Book Group releases in spring of 2021. Ellen loves school visits, and when visiting schools, she coordinates and supports literacy programs as well Ellen's best days are when she can interact directly with students and spread her love of literacy and kindness.
Find out more about Ellen at:
Dane Liu
Dane Liu has always loved writing. She writes when she’s happy and when she’s not. She writes to make sense of things. She writes the way a swimmer swims or a chef cooks. She writes every day. Often Dane thinks in Chinese. (She was born in China.) Mostly she thinks in English. (Dane moved to the U.S. as a preteen.) Sometimes, she thinks in French. (She lived in Canada and studied for a period in Quebec). Today Dane writes, thinks, plays, and reads in Portland, Oregon, where she and her family live in the company of giant Douglas firs. Her debut picture book FRIENDS ARE FRIENDS, FOREVER (Godwin Books/Macmillan) comes out Fall 2021.
Annelouise Mahoney
Annelouise Mahoney is originally from Massachusetts, now living in Southern California with her husband, two daughters, and a little bunch of rescued pets. Her stories are inspired by the curiosities and wonder of the the little things around her. Before diving into the world of children’s books, Annelouise worked in T.V. animation painting backgrounds for studios such as Dreamworks, DIC Animation, Sony, Media Vision, and Saban Entertainment. Her debut picture book, JULIUS and MACY: A VERY BRAVE NIGHT is scheduled to release spring 2021 with Amazon/Two Lions.
Find out more about Annelouise at:
Website: www.WoodlandAbbey.com
Instagram: @Annelouise_mahoney
Tracy Marchini
Tracy Marchini is thrilled to spend most of her time immersed in children's books as both a Literary Agent and author. Her debut picture book, Chicken Wants a Nap, received a starred review from Kirkus and was a 2019 Bridge to Reading Picture Book nominee. Princesses Can Fix It! (Page Street Kids, 2021) is based on her favorite fairytale as a child - The Twelve Dancing Princesses - but with a STEM twist! She holds an M.F.A in Writing for Children from Simmons College and a B.A. in English from Binghamton University.
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Find out more about Tracy at:
Website: www.tracymarchini.com
Twitter: @tracymarchini
Instagram: @tracymarchini
I’ve dreamed of becoming a writer since I was a kid. I now spend my days editing words for grown-ups and my nights doing what I’ve always wanted to do… writing books for children.
(Of course, when I was a kid, I also dreamed of becoming a circus clown, a farmer, an architect, the proprietor of an insect museum, a scientist, a restaurant owner, and a number of other things. So I was bound to end up doing something I could say I always dreamed of.)
I’ve lived in Connecticut, Indiana, London, New York, and New Jersey, and I now call Pennsylvania my home. I live halfway between Philly and Amish country with my husband, two kids, two cats, and one very energetic dog (who wants desperately to be friends with the cats, who aren’t quite as interested).
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Find out more about Joan at:
Charlotte Offsay
CHARLOTTE OFFSAY was born in England, grew up in Boston, and currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two small children. Through her work, Charlotte hopes to make children laugh, to inspire curiosity, and to create a magical world her readers can lose themselves in time and time again.
Charlotte is the author of The Quiet Forest, illustrated by Abi Cushman (Paula Wiseman Books, 2024), Challah Day, illustrated by Jason Kirschner (Holiday House, 2023), A Grandma’s Magic, illustrated by Asa Gilland (Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2022), The Big Beach Cleanup, illustrated by Kate Rewse (Albert Whitman, 2021), and How to Return a Monster, illustrated by Rea Zhai (Beaming Books, 2021).
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You can find Charlotte on Twitter and Tiktok at @COffsay and on Instagram at @picturebookrecommendations.
Charlotte is represented by Nicole Geiger of Full Circle Literary.
Norene Paulson
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Norene Paulson loves words. As a former language arts teacher, she was fortunate to share that love with middle school students in a rural Iowa school district for almost twenty years. Now, Norene writes books about friendship, acceptance, and inclusion. She is the author of BENNY'S TRUE COLORS, Macmillan/2020, WHAT’S SILLY HAIR DAY WITH NO HAIR? Albert Whitman/2021, and NILA'S PERFECT COAT, Beaming Books/2023. Norene lives on an acreage with her husband and rescue pup, Ellie. When she isn’t reading or writing, you will find her playing—you guessed it! —word games.​
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Find out more about Norene at:
Kirsten Pendreigh
Kirsten Pendreigh is a children's author and poet from Vancouver. Her debut picture book LUNA'S GREEN PET (illustrated by Carmen Mok) was a Quill and Quire Best Book of the year in 2022 and is a Today Show pick for Best Books for 4-year-olds. MAYBE A WHALE, Kirsten's second picture book, comes out in Fall 2023 with Groundwood Books and is illustrated by Crystal Smith. Kirsten has a nonfiction book out in 2025 with Chronicle Books. Kirsten’s poems are found in multiple Canadian literary magazines and anthologies including BEST CANADIAN POETRY 2021. Before writing for children, Kirsten worked as a journalist and documentary producer with NPR and CBC.
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Find out more about Kirsten at:
Website: www.kirstenpendreigh.com
Twitter: @kpiependreigh
Instagram: @kirstenpendreigh
Jocelyn Rish
Jocelyn Rish is a writer and filmmaker who never imagined her cheeky sense of humor would lead to a book about animal butts. When she's not researching fanny facts, she tutors kids to help them discover the magic of reading. Jocelyn has won numerous awards for her short stories, screenplays, short films, and novels and lives in South Carolina with her booty-ful dogs.
Find out more about Jocelyn at:
Website: www.jocelynrish.com
Twitter: @JocelynRish
Instagram: @jocelynrish
Sita Singh
Sita Singh was born and raised in India, and moved to the United States in 1999. She currently lives in South Florida with her husband, three children, and an immensely cute and curious dog. An architect in the past, Sita now writes heartwarming picture books with a South Asian backdrop. When she isn’t writing, she can be found trying new recipes in the kitchen, experimenting with food photography, walking with her dog, or movie marathoning with her family.
Sita’s 2021 book was BIRDS OF A FEATHER, which is about finding strength in the things that make us different, and beauty in all its forms. It was published by Philomel Books and illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman. Her next book is MANGO MEMORIES, which is about an Indian girl harvesting mangoes with her family and wondering, as she listens to everyone’s favorite “mango memory,” if she’ll find one of her own. It will be published in Summer 2024 by Random House/Anne Schwartz Books, and will be illustrated by Nabi H. Ali.
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Find out more about Sita at:
Website: www.singhsita.com
Twitter: @sitawrites
Instagram: @sitawrites
Nicholas Solis
Nicholas Solis is an author-illustrator and an award-winning elementary teacher with a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Instruction, as well as in Educational Administration. In 2018, he was the recipient of the Walter Dean Myers Grant from We Need Diverse Books and is currently a writing fellow at The Writing Barn in Austin. He has taught students all over the globe—from Tanzania to Texas—and there’s one thing he’s learned from his world travels: kids are kids everywhere you go. His debut picture book, THE STARING CONTEST, comes out fall of 2020 with Peter Pauper Press.
Find out more about Nicholas at:
Website: www.nicholassolis.com
Twitter: @teachsolis
Instagram: @teachsolis
Meera Sriram
Meera Sriram grew up in India and moved to the U.S in 1999. An electrical engineer in the past, she now enjoys writing for children, leading early literacy initiatives, and advocating for diverse bookshelves. Meera is the author of picture books THE YELLOW SUITCASE and A GIFT FOR AMMA. She has also co-authored several kids’ books in India. And her upcoming 2021 titles incude BETWEEN TWO WORLDS and DUMPLING DAY. Meera believes in the transformative power of stories and likes to write on people, places, and experiences less visible in children’s literature.
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Find out more about Meera at:
Website: www.meerasriram.com
Twitter: @meeratsriram
Instagram: @meera.sriram
Shannon Stocker
Shannon Stocker is a writer, singer/songwriter, and fierce advocate for those who are differently-abled and/or chronically ill. She is the author of upcoming picture books LISTEN: HOW EVELYN GLENNIE, A DEAF GIRL, CHANGED PERCUSSION (coming from Dial/Penguin UK in April, 2022), WARRIOR (Sleeping Bear Press, 2023), and her 2019 debut CAN U SAVE THE DAY (Sleeping Bear Press). She’s a frequent contributor to the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. The proud word nerd lives in Louisville, KY, with her husband, two children (including one cancer warrior and one with ADHD), and stash of hidden dark chocolate. Shannon currently serves as SCBWI social co-director for Louisville and is a 12x12 ninja. Cool facts: Shannon survived medical school, a coma, and once performed two songs, including one original, as part of an opening act for Blake Shelton. She’s also proud to announce that LISTEN was recently selected by the JLG as a book club pick. Shannon is represented by Allison Remcheck of Stimola Literary Studio.
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Find out more about Shannon at:
Website: https://www.shannonstocker.com/
Brittany Thurman
Brittany J. Thurman holds a Master of Fine Arts in Dramatic Writing from Carnegie Mellon University. She is a graduate of Kingston University, London, England, where she studied theater. Brittany is a former children’s specialist and museum educator where she read hundreds of stories to thousands of kids across the country.
Brittany’s picture book, Fly, illustrated by Anna Cunha, is published by Caitlyn Dlouhy Books/Simon and Schuster, and debuted on January 11th, 2022. Fly, a story about a young girl who pursues her dream of double Dutch, received a star review from School Library Journal, was featured at the 2022 National Book Festival, selected to represent the state of Kentucky for the Library of Congress Center for the Book, ‘Great Reads from Great Places’, and adapted with musical accompaniment by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, plus more.
Brittany is co-author of Fearless: Boulevard of Dreams, by Mandy Gonzalez and her forthcoming titles include Forever and Always (2024), illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice, The First Library: The True Story of the First Library By and For Black America (2025), illustrated by Cozbi Cabrera, and Come Catch a Dream.
Brittany lives in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, where she holds tight to her elders, her roots, and her childhood home. When she isn't writing, you can catch her walking along Louisville’s waterfront, traveling, admiring art and spending plenty of time with her family.
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Find out more about Brittany at:
Website: www.brittanythurman.com
Twitter: @janeebrittany
Instagram: @britjanee
Anne Wynter
Originally from Houston, Anne is an author and playwright who currently lives in Austin, TX with her husband, her two children, and her cat. Her debut picture book, EVERYBODY IN THE RED BRICK BUILDING - illustrated by Oge Mora - was named a Boston Globe Best Book of 2021 and a Booklist 2021 Editors' Choice Book. Her new board books - HANDS ON! and ONE BIG DAY - are both illustrated by Alea Marley and were released in January 2022. Her fourth book - NELL PLANTS A TREE - is illustrated by Daniel Miyares and will be published in early 2023. To learn more or say hi, follow Anne on Instagram (@anne_wynter) or visit annewynter.com.
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Find out more about Anne at:
Website: www.annewynter.com
Instagram: @anne_wynter
Helen H. Wu
Helen H. Wu is a children’s book author and illustrator, as well as a translator and publisher. She is the author of TOFU TAKES TIME, illustrated by Julie Jarema (Beaming Books, 2022) and LONG GOES TO DRAGON SCHOOL, illustrated by Mae Besom (Yeehoo Press, 2023). Helen is the Associate Publisher of Yeehoo Press, a San Diego based children’s book publisher. Being fascinated by the differences and similarities between cultures, Helen loves to share stories that can empower children to understand the world and our connections. Born and raised in Hefei, China, Helen moved to the US in her 20s. Currently, she resides in sunny Southern California, with her family and two kids.
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Learn more about Helen at
Twitter at @HelenHWu
Instagram at @HelenHWu.