Mirka Breen
Born and raised in Jerusalem, I now live and raise my own two angelic teens (Ha!) in California, dreaming up stories for my, and their, younger selves. My first contracted picture book was There's a Turkey at the Door, and The Voice of Thunder, a novel for middle grades, was released in 2012. To read more about Mirka, visit her web site.
Born and raised in Jerusalem, I now live and raise my own two angelic teens (Ha!) in California, dreaming up stories for my, and their, younger selves. My first contracted picture book was There's a Turkey at the Door, and The Voice of Thunder, a novel for middle grades, was released in 2012. To read more about Mirka, visit her web site.
Mark Ceilley
I’m happy to be a part of our writer’s group. I have been actively writing stories since 2005. I am an elementary school reading intervention teacher with previous experience teaching Pre-K, K, 1st, & 1st/2nd grades. I am published in Spider magazine. ( July/Aug. 2009) As an active member of SCBWI, I’ve attended state and national conferences. In January 2012, I graduated from Hamline University with an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. To read more about Mark, visit his web site.
I’m happy to be a part of our writer’s group. I have been actively writing stories since 2005. I am an elementary school reading intervention teacher with previous experience teaching Pre-K, K, 1st, & 1st/2nd grades. I am published in Spider magazine. ( July/Aug. 2009) As an active member of SCBWI, I’ve attended state and national conferences. In January 2012, I graduated from Hamline University with an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. To read more about Mark, visit his web site.
Tina Cho
Tina Cho is the author of Rice from Heaven (Little Bee Books 2018), Korean Celebrations (Tuttle 2019), My Breakfast with Jesus (Harvest House June 2020) and The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story (Penguin Random House's new Kokila imprint August 4, 2020). Tina writes for the educational and children’s markets. She lives in Iowa with her husband and two children while teaching kindergarten.
To learn more about Tina, please visit her blog. Twitter: @TinaMCho
Tina Cho is the author of Rice from Heaven (Little Bee Books 2018), Korean Celebrations (Tuttle 2019), My Breakfast with Jesus (Harvest House June 2020) and The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story (Penguin Random House's new Kokila imprint August 4, 2020). Tina writes for the educational and children’s markets. She lives in Iowa with her husband and two children while teaching kindergarten.
To learn more about Tina, please visit her blog. Twitter: @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, is scheduled to be 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, is scheduled to be 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
I have always loved reading and children’s literature, and taught elementary school for several years before pursuing my passion for writing. As a writer, I find inspiration in the antics of everyday life. My humorous poems, stories, articles and crafts have appeared in many publications including Highlights for Children, Cricket, Ladybug, Spider, Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse and Clubhouse Jr., FamilyFun, and Pack-O-Fun. I am the author of five picture books - Good Night, Ark (Zonderkidz. 2014) and Goodnight, Manger (Zonderkidz, 2015), both beautifully illustrated by Jane Chapman; Diva Delores and the Opera House Mouse (Sterling Children’s Books, 2018), illustrated by Rebecca Gerlings; Love is Kind (Zonderkidz, 2018), illustrated by Lison Chaperon; and Little Ewe: The Story of One Lost Sheep (Beaming Books, 2020), illustrated by Tommy Doyle. For more thoughts on writing and life, visit my blog: www.laurasassitales.wordpress.com or follow me on Twitter, Instragram and Facebook at Laura Sassi Tales.
I have always loved reading and children’s literature, and taught elementary school for several years before pursuing my passion for writing. As a writer, I find inspiration in the antics of everyday life. My humorous poems, stories, articles and crafts have appeared in many publications including Highlights for Children, Cricket, Ladybug, Spider, Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse and Clubhouse Jr., FamilyFun, and Pack-O-Fun. I am the author of five picture books - Good Night, Ark (Zonderkidz. 2014) and Goodnight, Manger (Zonderkidz, 2015), both beautifully illustrated by Jane Chapman; Diva Delores and the Opera House Mouse (Sterling Children’s Books, 2018), illustrated by Rebecca Gerlings; Love is Kind (Zonderkidz, 2018), illustrated by Lison Chaperon; and Little Ewe: The Story of One Lost Sheep (Beaming Books, 2020), illustrated by Tommy Doyle. For more thoughts on writing and life, visit my blog: www.laurasassitales.wordpress.com or follow me on Twitter, Instragram and Facebook at Laura Sassi Tales.
Trine Grillo
I have had too many different types of jobs to count, but nothing more rewarding than teaching kids to write and now writing FOR them myself. I have a few published stories and articles in children's magazines such as Boys' Life, Keys for Kids, Guardian Angel Kids, and Imagination Cafe. My first picture book is entitled I'm Not Afraid of That! I grew up in northern Illinois and spent as much time as I possibly could reading and browsing in the library. I now live in California with my husband. When I am not writing, I am figuring out creative ways to succeed as a "long-distance Grandma," to my six Grandblessings who are sprinkled across the western United States. Come and visit my website: www.trinegrillo.com or Instagram @trinegrillo
I have had too many different types of jobs to count, but nothing more rewarding than teaching kids to write and now writing FOR them myself. I have a few published stories and articles in children's magazines such as Boys' Life, Keys for Kids, Guardian Angel Kids, and Imagination Cafe. My first picture book is entitled I'm Not Afraid of That! I grew up in northern Illinois and spent as much time as I possibly could reading and browsing in the library. I now live in California with my husband. When I am not writing, I am figuring out creative ways to succeed as a "long-distance Grandma," to my six Grandblessings who are sprinkled across the western United States. Come and visit my website: www.trinegrillo.com or Instagram @trinegrillo
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Diane Kress Hower
An original member of Pens and Brushes, Diane started writing for children in 2006 after attending the Pacific North West Children's Writing Conference. She was working as a school counselor and observed a need for quality writing especially addressing diversity and underrepresented children and topics. Diane joined SCBWI in 2006 and is a PAL member. From 2011-2015, Diane performed the role of Local Area Event coordinator for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of SCBWI for the Western Slope of Colorado. Currently, Diane's role is the Non-Fiction Liaison for Oregon SCBWI. Her love of nonfiction began as a child raised in a home where nonfiction fiction was a staple. Diane has always loved the outdoors and science. She has received merit- based awards/scholarships for her writing and photography from organizations including Oregon SCBWI, Highlights Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Diane's photography has been published with the National Park Service. Appearing on both radio and television, Diane enjoys promoting children's literature. She participates in multiple critique groups. A retired school counselor and art/yearbook teacher, her leadership, and teaching skills support others grow their creativity bringing quality literature to all. |
