Mirka Breen
Mirka Breen was born and raised in Jerusalem, Israel. In first grade, Mirka discovered story books. Books seemed to convey some deep truths and ask very good questions. She kept lots of books by her bedside, the way some keep their favorite stuffed animals. In the 8th grade, Mirka won a national essay award in Israel. She wrote about how man’s landing on the moon may affect mankind’s romantic notions about it. It didn’t seem to affect it at all, which was a great relief to her. In a way, the die was cast then. Some day she would grow up to write stories for children. Mirka lives in California. She shares her home and anchor with her husband, three adopted cats, and two rapidly maturing children who visit now and then. When not weeding, cooking or cleaning, Mirka writes stories. (Full disclosure— writing every week day.) Two of her stories were traditionally published, one picture book and one award-winning novel for pre-teens. Visit Mirka’s website at www.mirkabreen.com
Mirka Breen was born and raised in Jerusalem, Israel. In first grade, Mirka discovered story books. Books seemed to convey some deep truths and ask very good questions. She kept lots of books by her bedside, the way some keep their favorite stuffed animals. In the 8th grade, Mirka won a national essay award in Israel. She wrote about how man’s landing on the moon may affect mankind’s romantic notions about it. It didn’t seem to affect it at all, which was a great relief to her. In a way, the die was cast then. Some day she would grow up to write stories for children. Mirka lives in California. She shares her home and anchor with her husband, three adopted cats, and two rapidly maturing children who visit now and then. When not weeding, cooking or cleaning, Mirka writes stories. (Full disclosure— writing every week day.) Two of her stories were traditionally published, one picture book and one award-winning novel for pre-teens. Visit Mirka’s website at www.mirkabreen.com
Mark Ceilley
Mark Ceilley earned his MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University. Mark is the co-author of CINDERELLIOT with Rachel Smoka-Richardson, published in 2022 by Running Press Kids. He has taught Pre-K, Kindergarten, First and Second grades and is currently a reading interventionist. In his free time, Mark enjoys traveling, cooking, theater productions, and yoga. Mark lives in St. Paul, MN with his husband. Visit Mark’s website at: www.MarkCeilley.com
Mark Ceilley earned his MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University. Mark is the co-author of CINDERELLIOT with Rachel Smoka-Richardson, published in 2022 by Running Press Kids. He has taught Pre-K, Kindergarten, First and Second grades and is currently a reading interventionist. In his free time, Mark enjoys traveling, cooking, theater productions, and yoga. Mark lives in St. Paul, MN with his husband. Visit Mark’s website at: www.MarkCeilley.com
Tina Cho
Tina Cho is the author of Rice from Heaven: The Secret Mission to Feed North Koreans (Little Bee Books 2018), Korean Celebrations (Tuttle 2019), My Breakfast with Jesus: Worshipping God around the World (Harvest House 2020), The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story (Kokila/Penguin Random House 2020), and God’s Little Astronomer (Waterbrook Multnomah 2024) + 1 more from Waterbrook. Her lyrical middle grade graphic novel, The Other Side of Tomorrow, debuts from Harper Alley in 2024. After living in South Korea for ten years, Tina, her husband, and two kids reside in Iowa where Tina also teaches kindergarten. To learn more about Tina, please visit her blog. Twitter & IG: @TinaMCho
Tina Cho is the author of Rice from Heaven: The Secret Mission to Feed North Koreans (Little Bee Books 2018), Korean Celebrations (Tuttle 2019), My Breakfast with Jesus: Worshipping God around the World (Harvest House 2020), The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story (Kokila/Penguin Random House 2020), and God’s Little Astronomer (Waterbrook Multnomah 2024) + 1 more from Waterbrook. Her lyrical middle grade graphic novel, The Other Side of Tomorrow, debuts from Harper Alley in 2024. After living in South Korea for ten years, Tina, her husband, and two kids reside in Iowa where Tina also teaches kindergarten. To learn more about Tina, please visit her blog. Twitter & IG: @TinaMCho
Rosanne Kurstedt
Rosanne L. Kurstedt, Ph.D., has been an educator for over 20 years, supporting learners of all ages. She is the author of several books and professional development guides for teachers, including Teaching Writing with Picture Books as Models (Scholastic, 2000) and a series entitled 100+ Growth Mindset Comments (Newmark Learning, 2017). Rosanne loves picture books and anything kid-lit so she volunteers as the Assistant Regional Advisor for the New Jersey chapter of the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators. Her first book Karate Kid (Running Press Kids, 2019) was released in 2019 and her second book And I Thought About You was released in 2022. Rosanne is the founder of The Author Experience (www.TheAuthorExperience.org), a 501(c)(3) organization committed to the transformative power of sharing stories. In collaboration with students, families and educators, TAE provides sustainable literacy-based experiences that build a culture of literacy—one that elevates connections and delivers lasting impact. Rosanne lives in New Jersey with her family, including their dog Dorothy (who looks just like Toto). Follow Rosanne here: Twitter @rlkurstedt, @TheAuthorExp
Website LKurstedt, The Author Experience Facebook RLKurstedt, Children’s Author, The Author Experience Instagram @TheAuthorExp
Rosanne L. Kurstedt, Ph.D., has been an educator for over 20 years, supporting learners of all ages. She is the author of several books and professional development guides for teachers, including Teaching Writing with Picture Books as Models (Scholastic, 2000) and a series entitled 100+ Growth Mindset Comments (Newmark Learning, 2017). Rosanne loves picture books and anything kid-lit so she volunteers as the Assistant Regional Advisor for the New Jersey chapter of the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators. Her first book Karate Kid (Running Press Kids, 2019) was released in 2019 and her second book And I Thought About You was released in 2022. Rosanne is the founder of The Author Experience (www.TheAuthorExperience.org), a 501(c)(3) organization committed to the transformative power of sharing stories. In collaboration with students, families and educators, TAE provides sustainable literacy-based experiences that build a culture of literacy—one that elevates connections and delivers lasting impact. Rosanne lives in New Jersey with her family, including their dog Dorothy (who looks just like Toto). Follow Rosanne here: Twitter @rlkurstedt, @TheAuthorExp
Website LKurstedt, The Author Experience Facebook RLKurstedt, Children’s Author, The Author Experience Instagram @TheAuthorExp
Mary Morgan
I was born in Chicago and grew up in Kansas City. My summers were spent in Tulsa with my Grandmother where I first took art classes at the Philbrook Art Gallery and later was an assistant art teacher. There I could do what I loved, draw! My grandmother always encouraged my art with trips to the ballet and art museums. She also let me keep all kinds of animals to draw from: mice, guinea pigs, chicks and even a small bat. My father’s nightly readings of Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little and the Wind in the Willows also inspired me. I was so charmed by these stories I knew I wanted to create books too. After studying art at the Kansas City Art Institute and the Instituto de San Miguel de Allende in Mexico; I worked as an illustrator at Hallmark cards for ten years. My first book was published in 1987. In the past twenty years I have illustrated over forty books, many of which I also wrote: from Jake Baked a Cake, Sleep Tight Little Mouse to my most recent book, Dragon Pizzeria. I am now working on an early reader for Holiday House that I wrote and am now illustrating called Pip Sits. To see Mary's books, visit her web site.
I was born in Chicago and grew up in Kansas City. My summers were spent in Tulsa with my Grandmother where I first took art classes at the Philbrook Art Gallery and later was an assistant art teacher. There I could do what I loved, draw! My grandmother always encouraged my art with trips to the ballet and art museums. She also let me keep all kinds of animals to draw from: mice, guinea pigs, chicks and even a small bat. My father’s nightly readings of Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little and the Wind in the Willows also inspired me. I was so charmed by these stories I knew I wanted to create books too. After studying art at the Kansas City Art Institute and the Instituto de San Miguel de Allende in Mexico; I worked as an illustrator at Hallmark cards for ten years. My first book was published in 1987. In the past twenty years I have illustrated over forty books, many of which I also wrote: from Jake Baked a Cake, Sleep Tight Little Mouse to my most recent book, Dragon Pizzeria. I am now working on an early reader for Holiday House that I wrote and am now illustrating called Pip Sits. To see Mary's books, visit her web site.
Laura Sassi
Laura has always loved reading and children’s literature, and taught elementary school for several years before pursuing her passion for writing. As a writer, she finds inspiration in the antics of everyday life. Her humorous poems, stories, articles and crafts have appeared in many publications for children including Highlights for Children, Cricket Media, and Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse and Clubhouse Jr. Laura’s the author of multiple books for young children including including the best-selling Goodnight, Ark, which was a 2015 Christian Book Award Finalist; Goodnight, Manger; Love Is Kind, which was a 2020 Anna Dewdney Read Together Award Honor Book; Little Ewe and Bunny Finds Easter. Her newest title, Happy Birthday Christmas Child is out with two more, My Tender Heart Bible and My Tender Heart Prayer Book on the way in 2023. For more thoughts on writing and life, visit Laura’s blog: www.laurasassitales.wordpress.com or follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at Laura Sassi Tales.
Laura has always loved reading and children’s literature, and taught elementary school for several years before pursuing her passion for writing. As a writer, she finds inspiration in the antics of everyday life. Her humorous poems, stories, articles and crafts have appeared in many publications for children including Highlights for Children, Cricket Media, and Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse and Clubhouse Jr. Laura’s the author of multiple books for young children including including the best-selling Goodnight, Ark, which was a 2015 Christian Book Award Finalist; Goodnight, Manger; Love Is Kind, which was a 2020 Anna Dewdney Read Together Award Honor Book; Little Ewe and Bunny Finds Easter. Her newest title, Happy Birthday Christmas Child is out with two more, My Tender Heart Bible and My Tender Heart Prayer Book on the way in 2023. For more thoughts on writing and life, visit Laura’s blog: www.laurasassitales.wordpress.com or follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at Laura Sassi Tales.
Trine Grillo
Trine has had too many different types of jobs to count, but nothing more rewarding than teaching kids to write and now writing FOR them. She has published stories and articles in children’s magazines such as Boys’ Life, Keys for Kids, Guardian Angel Kids, and Imagination Cafe. Her first picture book is entitled I’m Not Afraid of That! Trine grew up in northern Illinois and spent as much time as possible reading and browsing in the library. She now works part time in her local library, keeping a pulse on what books young people are interested in. She lives in Idaho with her husband with all of her kids and grandkids nearby. Visit her website: www.trinegrillo.com and Instagram @trinegrillo
Trine has had too many different types of jobs to count, but nothing more rewarding than teaching kids to write and now writing FOR them. She has published stories and articles in children’s magazines such as Boys’ Life, Keys for Kids, Guardian Angel Kids, and Imagination Cafe. Her first picture book is entitled I’m Not Afraid of That! Trine grew up in northern Illinois and spent as much time as possible reading and browsing in the library. She now works part time in her local library, keeping a pulse on what books young people are interested in. She lives in Idaho with her husband with all of her kids and grandkids nearby. Visit her website: www.trinegrillo.com and Instagram @trinegrillo
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Diane Kress Hower
Diane is an author/illustrator/photographer. Currently, she is the nonfiction liaison for the Oregon chapter of SCBWI and a happily retired school counselor and art teacher and special educator. From childhood on, Diane has been passionate about the great outdoors. She considers the Pacific Northwest her home and playground. She really does hug trees. In addition to her love for creating children’s literature, Diane enjoys her dogs. As a school and private practice counselor, she worked with Stanley, her therapy dog with kids through adults. Now, she is training Winston in a specialized area known as nose work. Diane has received multiple merit-based awards for writing, illustration, and photography from SCBWI, Highlights, The National Park Service, and The National Endowment For The Arts.Visit her website at www.dkhowerwrites.com Checkout her creative side on our illustrator page. |
