2013 Book Festival Authors and Illustrators

Michael Northrop's first novel, Gentlemen, earned him a Publishers Weekly Flying Start citation for a notable debut, and his second, Trapped, was named an ALA/YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, an ALA/YALSA Readers' Choice List selection, and an Indie Next List selection. His recent middle-grade novel, Plunked, was hailed as "pitch-perfect" by School Library Journal and "kid-smart" by USA

American Library Association/YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, ALA/YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, Indie Next List selection, Publishers Weekly Flying Start

1. I was a senior editor at Sports Illustrated Kids magazine for eight years.
2. I was born and raised in Salisbury, CT, a short trip from Hudson.
3. I have been stung by bees more than a hundred times in my life, including 75+ times when I stepped on a yellow jacket nest as a kid.

Nancy Marie Payne is a professional storyteller who specializes in historical pieces from the mid 1800s.  A retired educator, she performs in schools, festivals, and community events.  She has been telling stories of the Orphan Trains for over 15 years.  How I Came to Dowagiac: Memories of an Orphan Train Rider is the first story she had transferred to literary form.  Many of her stories are told in the first person.  She says, "I find that doing so adds reality to the story and allows me to delve more deeply into the characters."

1. I am a professional storyteller and know lots of stories.
2. I love to snowshoe.
3. I lead groups of people on nature walks.

Helen worked in a children's bookstore and was a children's book editor....but, sadly, she never worked in a candy store. She has written several books for young readers - and not all about candy. She now writes full time in New York City, where she lives with her husband and two daughters. Visit her online at www.helenperelman.com

1. I worked in an ice cream store.
2. I love jelly beans.
3. I have twin 7 year old daughters.

I currently live in Poughkeepsie with my husband and our three children. I graduated from Marist College in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

I've always wanted to write a children's book, so once my kids were in school, I decided to write my first book, "The Great Penguini"! Since my book has been published, I've enjoyed visiting elementary schools to talk with children about being an author. 

My children and their imaginations were my greatest inspiration, and I know they have more ideas for the next book!

1. I have 3 kids who all inspired me to write my book.
2. I don't like the cold weather, but I refuse to leave NY.
3. I love to read, write and draw.

Shelley Rotner is an award-winning author and photo-illustrator of over thirty children's books. Her most recent books include:  Homer, Dogs Don't Brush Their Teeth, Shades of People, Body Actions! , Yummy!, I'm Adopted!

Ms Rotner is also a noted free-lance photojournalist, whose work has appeared in Time Magazine, National Geographic's World Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler, Outside Magazine, Food and Wine Magazine and GoNomad.

She has traveled extensively for UNICEF documenting programs about children, women health and education.

Currently, Ms Rotner is working on a collection of large hand-painted photographs that capture beautiful and sacred places she has discovered in her travels.

Body Actions- NSTA best of 2012

Dogs Don't Brush Their Teeth! Top Ten by TIME Magazine

Shades of People- Oprah's Book Club and ALA recommended

1. I can stand on my head.
2. I skipped  kindergarten.
3. I photographed about 500 different dogs for my dog books.

Author, Adam Rubin works as a creative director at Firstborn Multimedia. He has been involved in the Chicago theater scene, doing alternative comedy at The Annoyance and improv at iO Chicago. Rubin has appeared in several commercials, doing a flying somersault catch in a White Sox ad and falling off a roof for the Lotto. His theater background comes out in full force during author events where he solicits suggestions from the audience while Daniel draws a monster of their design. Rubin and Salmieri treat their audiences to an engaging mix of reading and comedy. He lives in New York, NY. Visit Adam at www.whothehell.com

Illustrator bio: Daniel Salmieri is an artist and illustrator who graduated from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York, constantly drawing and painting images of ninja turtles, dinosaurs, and fighter jets. (Not in the same scene...) He lives in Brooklyn, NY. Visit Daniel at www.danielsalmieri.com

Anita Sanchez grew up on the rocky coast of Cape Ann, the setting of The Invasion of Sandy Bay. To find out what life was like in a Massachusetts fishing village in 1814, she explored the town by lantern light, climbed the rigging of a fishing boat, and learned to clean fish. She also loves wildflowers, especially dandelions (don't call them weeds!) and authored The Teeth of the Lion: The Story of the Beloved and Despised Dandelion.

I was lucky enough to do a fund-raiser reading at Toad Hall--a wonderful independent bookstore that stands right on the very spot where the British landed during the Invasion of Sandy Bay (which is a true story.)

1. I love to ride camels.
2. I love dandelions.
3. I love poison ivy.

Born into a family of medical types and creatives, Kate found herself drawing with her 3 siblings ‘round the kitchen table , wile anxiously awaiting the Brady Bunch. A life of artistic adventure brought her to school in New York city, where she earned a BFA in Fashion design from Parsons School of Design.  Her education in 3d design has resulted in wedding dress design and construction, costuming, sculpting snow caves, drawing, painting, creating posters for events and inventing ideas and art of all sorts. Franko is her first and only book at this date, but not for long!

1. I’m a lefty
2. I build snow caves that lots of people can walk around in.
3. My next book “Year of the Creature” is under construction and will have 365 drawn creatures based on people and born from my brain.

Doug Snelson is the author of The Fable of the Snake Named Slim, his second children's book.

What makes you different makes you special. The Fable of the Snake Named Slim, in the tradition of Aesop's Fables, is a tale of courage, individuality, acceptance and self worth.

Doug believes children's books should be fun, interactive, and educational. Children and adults should be at play as much as possible.  Play has two qualities--awe and concentration. Awe is the ability to see the beauty and wonder of life in anything and everything. Concentration is a focus on the joy of experiencing simple, everyday activities.

Doug holds a BS in Communications from Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Communications as well as a MA in Communications from William Paterson University. Doug served as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps.

1. I am an excellent juggler.
2. I once swam 24 hours in a pool without stopping to rest.
3. I served as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps.