The most exciting aspect of writing is creating something out of nothing. You start with a blank screen and a mind bursting with ideas eager to fill up your page. Sometimes the words literally flow from my mind to my fingers to the page instantaneously. Other times I methodically create as I go. I am the author of two picture books and six history non-fiction books. I enjoy giving hands-on presentations to elementary school children that correlate with the topics in my books. I come dressed in period costume and bring up to a hundred artifacts children can handle. www.authortalk.org I am most proud of my debut picture book “50 Wacky Things Animals Do,” which won three awards: 1) 2018 Children’s and Teen Choice Book Awards; 2) 2018 ILA-CBC Children’s Choices list, a cooperative project of the International Literacy Association (ILA) and the Children’s Book Council (CBC); and 3) 2018 ASJA’s Annual Writing Awards (American Society of Journalists and Authors) for Children/Young Adult Nonfiction.
Joe Rhatigan is a writer and editor who lives with his wife and children in Asheville, North Carolina. He has written many acclaimed and award-winning books for children, including White House Kids, Alice in Wonderland: Down the Rabbit Hole, Alice in Wonderland: The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and People You Gotta Meet Before You Grow Up!
The Walter Foster Jr. Creative Team develops fun and imaginative books and kits for children of all ages. Encouraging learning and exploring, Walter Foster Jr. titles cover a wide range of subjects, including art, transportation, history, craft, gardening, and more.
Hi there! I’m Heidi! I make picture books, chapter books, and nonfiction for kids with curious minds and kind hearts. I believe books have the power to make us all feel a little less alone, and the best ones leave room for the reader’s imagination. Whether it’s a poetic picture book, a zippy early reader, or a kid-friendly take on the physics of time travel, my books are philosophical and filled with quirky tidbits, playful language, and lots of heart.
Carles Ballesteros is a Spanish-born illustrator living and working in Santiago, Chile. He is a member of the Professional Association of Illustrators of Catalonia (APIC). Ballesteros uses a mixture of traditional drawing skills and digital techniques to create his work. He is also the illustrator of Building Machines and other titles in the Changing Faces series, including I Love You, Elephant!, Is That Your Dad?, Don’t Wake the Tiger!, and Meet Happy Bear.
Celeste Aires was born in San Juan, Argentina, a town by the Andeans. She grew up in a house with a big garden, two dogs and a little sister. She always loved drawing, painting, sculpting, writing and she always had a big imagination. In 2011, she moved to Buenos Aires to study Animation Direction and became a professional illustrator. She loves mid-century modern styles, geometrical shapes, adventure tales, chocolate, mountains, being outdoors, animals and plants. She also loves learning new things, so she’s always doing workshops and courses, such as silkscreen, letterpress, poster design, character design, among others.
Lisa Perrett began life as an Art Director in Corporate Advertising. Heeding the siren song of clean living and a clear presence of mind, she struck out on her own, diving head first into the land of the little people. Crediting a charmed life, she has since resided in the joys of childhood, illustrating for kid’s media and designing imaginative branding for businesses along with embarking on four-year adventure, designing a super fantastic toy and candy store called Robot Candy Co. Inspired daily by her two daughters, with whom she resides along with her husband David in the forever young city of Charleston, SC.
Marta Sorte is a freelance illustrator who lives in Florence. After graduating in Bergamo in graphic design, she moved to Florence to attend the International School of Comics; that’s where she discovered the wonderful world of illustration and the fine art of making comics. After various leaks from Italy, she fell madly in love with French art and children’s illustration. She currently works with various companies, as well as commissioned illustrations, logos, storyboards, and infographics.