For kids

Festival Staff / February 15, 2010

Interested in science? Scroll down to download the schedule for the Ventana Science Pavilion. The Pavilion will be filled with various activities and demonstrations. Fun for all ages!

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Children's Authors

Michael Buckley

Michael Buckley, children’s book writer, has been one busy guy recently. Michael is the author of the New York Times best-selling Sisters’ Grimm series (book 8 will be out in April) and the NERDS series, which debuted in September. He recently submitted the first draft to the second in the series, Dial M for Mama’s Boy, due out in the fall. Michael also is working on a picture book for young children.

In addition to writing children’s books, Michael is working on a new graphic novel, Hellfire Commando. As if that weren’t enough, Michael is co-creator for the still unnamed Cartoon Network show about two teenage robots, Thrasher and Blastus, who are a little too nice and don’t really fit in on their planet, Killglobe, and especially their high school.

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Four Funny Guys: Humor in Kids’ Books

Jon Scieszka
Adam Rex
Mac Barnett
Chris Gall

Jon Scieszka, Adam Rex, Mac Barnett, and David Shannon were recently part of the Guys with Books West Tour spanning the West Coast. All writers of humor books, the authors coined the phrase “Four Funny Guys” to describe themselves within the hilarity of their tour. Although David is not attending the festival, Chris Gall is joining the team in Tucson. No stranger to comedy, Chris spent four years as a stand up comedian preparing for this gig.

The link to their tour blog is here:

http://guyswithbooks.blogspot.com/

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Marge Pellegrino: Author and Teaching Artist

Books:
•Journey of Dreams published by Frances Lincoln Childrens Books 2009 - When their village is destroyed in the Guatemalan Civil War, Tomasa and her family, except her mother and brother, who have been taken by the authorities, begin the long trek north in search of somewhere they will be safe.
•Too Nice published by Magination Press 2002 – Fourth grader Amy’s learns from her grandfather that its sometimes better to stand up for herself, rather than just trying to be nice.
•My Grandma’s the Mayor published by Magination Press 1999 – Annie is unhappy that she has to share her grandmother, the mayor, with so many people, but when she helps out during a town emergency, Annie appreciates all that her grandmother does in the community.
•I don’t have an Uncle Phil anymore published by Magination Press 1999 - Following the unexpected death of his uncle, a boy travels to the funeral with his extended family and begins to think about what the event will mean for all of them.

Awards:
•2009 - Judy Goddard Young Adult Literature Award
•2007 – AZ Press Club Award
•2003 – Second Place Poetry, SandScript Literary Journal, Spring
•2002 – Writer’s Digest, Memoirs/Personal essay, honorable mention
•2002 – Southwest Writers grand prize Storyteller award and first place in
YA fiction.

Honors:
2008 - Marge won the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities’ Coming up Taller award for excellence in after school programming for her Word Journey’s program at the Pima County Public Library.

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Alma Flor Ada

•Award-winning author of numerous children’s books in both English and Spanish.
•Founder and First Editor in Chief of NABE, Journal of the National Association for Bilingual Education.
•Leading mentor and philosopher of bilingual education in the United States.
•Received her Ph.D. in Spanish Literature from the Pontifical Catholic University of Lima, Perú and did post-doctoral research at Harvard University as a Fellow of the Radcliffe Institute and a Fulbright Research Scholar.

•She has authored several reading programs: two Spanish reading programs: Cielo abierto (K-6) and Vamos de fiesta! (K-3); two English reading programs: Signatures (K-6) Collections (K- 6);a series; consultant for Relatos de la historia (1-5)a Spanish social studies program developed by Harcourt School Publishers.
•Among her most substantive contributions to the transmission of Hispanic culture to children are: Música amiga, a program for learning through songs, published by Del Sol Books; Puertas al Sol - "Pathways to the Sun," published by Santillana Latino poetry, Art, and Biographies for children, published by Santillana.

•A frequent speaker at national and international conferences, Dr. Ada also works in school districts with children, teachers and parents.
•Prolific translator.
•Active for many years in various professional associations including: IRA, International Reading Association; CRA, California Reading Association; CABE, California Association for Bilingual Education; USIBBY, US Branch of the International Board of Books for Young People.
•Knowing two languages has made the world richer for her.
•She believes that all children should be given the opportunity of learning two or more languages when they are young and can do so easily.
•Delighted that most of her books are published both in English and in Spanish.

Books:
•"With Love, Little Red Hen"
•"Yours Truly, Goldilocks" (Atentamente ricitos de oro)
•"Dear Peter Rabbit" (Querido Pedrin)
•"Extra, Extra! News from the Hidden Forest"
•"My Name is Maria Isabel" (Me llamo Maria Isabel)
•"I Love Saturdays y Domingos"
•"Tales Our Abuelitas Told" (with F. Isabel Compoy)
•"Pio Peep –bilingual collection of traditional rhymes"(with F. Isabel Compoy)
•"Mama Goose – folklore collection" (with F. Isabel Compoy)

Some of her books for educators include:
•"Authors in the Classroom" (with F. Isabel Compoy)
•"Alma Flor Ada and You" – (Volume 1 and Volume 2)
•"A Magical Encounter."

Awards:
•CABE 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award.
•The 2000 Pura Belpre’Award from the American Library Association for "Under the Royal Palms."
•Best Books of the Year 2000, American Library Association, 2000, "Under the Royal Palms."
•2000 Laurate, San Francisco Public Library.
•1998, Once Upon a World Award, from the Simon Weisenthal Center, Musesum of Tolerance, Los Angeles, CA for "Gathering the Sun."
•1991 Christopher Award for "The Gold Coin."

Honors:
•Notable Book in the area of Language Arts, 1998, Under the Royal Palms: 1997, "Gathering the Sun."
•Pick of the List, American Booksellers Association:1997, "Gathering the Sun"; 1993, "Dear Peter Rabbit";1993, "The Gold Coin"; 1993, "My Name is Maria Isabel."
•One of the Best Books of the Year, Bank Street College, 1993, "The Rooster who went to His Uncle's Wedding."

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F. Isabel Compoy

•Award-winning author of numerous children’s books in the areas of poetry, theatre, stories, biographies, and art.
•Researcher and author of several books on the culture and civilization of the Hispanic world.
•Internationally recognized scholar devoted to the study of language acquisition.
•Songwriter and storyteller
•Her poetry has appeared in eleven anthologies published by Harcourt and Santillana.
•Poetry has been her way to communicate to children the wonder of life and words, the joy and magic of creativity.
•Co-author of books with Alma Flor Ada, including folktales, rhymes, biographies of important scientists, poets, artists, and leaders of the Hispanic world to honor their accomplishments.

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Patricia McKissack

•Award-winning author of over 100 books.
•She knew she wanted to be a writer by third or fourth grade.
•Became a teacher and then an editor at a small independent publisher.
•Noticed that there weren’t many children of color featured in children’s books in the 60’s and 70’s,and that Literature by for and about African Americans was very limited when she first started writing for children.
•In 1981, decided to write just one book, never intending to make it a lifetime career.
•She wrote her first book first book, "Paul Laurence Dunbar: A Poet to Remember," in 1972.
•She and her husband Fredrick L. McKissack (with whom she has co-authored numerous books) wanted to tell stories that connected them to themselves and to others through shared literary experiences.
•Believes the most important stories are the ones we learn in childhood.
•Grew up in the south in the 1950s during the Civil Rights Movement. She wrote about her school experiences in "A Friendship for Today."
•"Goin’ Someplace Special" is based on her childhood experiences at the Nashville Public Library, the only place in downtown Nashville that was integrated at the time.

Awards (but not limited to):
•"The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural," (illustrated by Brian Pinkney) Newbery Honor Book (1993), Coretta Scott King Author Award Winner (1993).
•"Mirandy and Brother Wind" Caldecott Honor Book (1989), Coretta Scott King Award Winner (for Illustration by Jerry Pinkey)(1989).
•"Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters"(with Fredrick L. McKissack Coretta Scott King Author Award Winner)(1995).
•"Let My People Go: Bible Stories Told by a Freeman of Color," (with Fredrick L. McKissack, illustrated by James E. Ransome), NAACP Image Award (1999).
•"Days of Jubilee: The End of Slavery in the United States" (with Fredrick L. McKissack).
•"Christmas in the Big House: Christmas in the Quarters" (with Fredrick L. Mckissack)
Coretta Scott King Award 1999) The Regina Award, The Jane Adams Children’s Book Award for Peace.

Books:
•"Flossie and the Fox"
•"The All-I’ll-Ever-Want Christmas Doll"
•"A Friendship for Today"
•"Stitchin’’ and Pullin’: A Gee’s Bend Quilt"
•"A Song for Harlem"
•"Abby Takes a Stand"
•"Porch Lies"

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Lisa Yee

•"Absolutely Maybe," was her first young adult title.
•Born and raised near Los Angeles.
•As a kid, loved reading, opening brand new boxes of cereal (to get the prize), and riding the teacups at Disneyland.
•Has been an inventor, a hand model, the creative director of Magic Pencil Studios, a strategic creative company. and was a writer/producer at Walt Disney World.
•What she loves most is writing.
•In addition to her novels, her writing assignments have included labels for cans of refried beans and a speech for the President of the United States. Plus, she’s penned her own newspaper entertainment column, written TV and radio commercials, menus that have been read by millions, jingles for waffles, and television specials for Disney.
•She loves to read and has a huge collection of Winnie-the-Poohs.
•Lives with her husband, two children, and Labradoole in California.

Books:
•"Millicent Min, Girl Genius"
•"Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time"
•"So Totally Emily Ebers"
•"Good Luck, Ivy"
•"Absolutely Maybe"
•"Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally)"

Awards:
•Winner of the Sid Fleischman Humor Award for her debut novel "Millicent Min, Girl Genius."
•"Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time" takes place during the same summer as Millicent Min, but from Stanford's point of view. It won the Chinese American Librarian Association Best Book of the Year Award and was named an ALA Notable Book. So Totally Emily Ebers rounds out the trilogy.

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Mark Teague

•Best selling children’s book author and illustrator.
•Illustrator of more than 20 picture books for young children, including the bestselling series "How Do Dinosaurs"…by Jane Yolen. ("How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?," "How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You?," "How Do Dinosaurs Clean Their Rooms?," and "How Do Dinosaurs Count to Ten?")
•Author/Illustrator of several books including the "Dear Mrs. LaRue" picture books. "Pigsty," and "Funny Farm."
•Also the illustrator of Cynthia Rylant's "Poppleton" series for beginning readers.
•His first picture book was, "The Trouble with the Johnsons," which he wrote while designing window displays for Barnes and Noble in New York City.
•Although he's never had formal training in art or writing, his books are well-loved by children, especially "Dear Mrs. LaRue" and "One Halloween Night."
•Never took any formal art classes. Taught himself to draw.
•“Overall, illustration is easier than writing,” said Teague, who uses acrylic gouache to create his fantasy worlds. “It’s kind of meditative. With writing, I really have to concentrate. But it’s very rewarding to me when a story comes together well.”
•Finds inspiration in his daily life.
•Lives with his family in upstate New York.

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Mac Barnett

•"Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem"
•"Guess Again"
•"The Brixton Brothers"

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Ying Chang Compestine


•"Revolution is Not a Dinner Party"
•"A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts"
•"Boy Dumplings"
•"The Real Story of Stone Soup"
•"D is for Dragon Dance"

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Joy Harjo

•In "For a Girl Becoming" Joy Harjo creates a poetic tale of the joys and lessons of a girl’s journey from birth to adulthood.
•"The Good Luck Cat" is a wonderful tale of good things happening when you pet 'the good luck' cat.
• Joy is an enrolled member of the Muscogee Tribe
•Lead vocalist and saxophone player for the band Poetic Justice (http://www.joyharjo.com/Home.html)
•Won the Lila Wallace Reader’s Digest Fund Writer’s Award
•Poet, playwright, children’s author
•Co-wrote the script for the movie A Thousand Roads produced by Mandalay Entertainment.

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Matthew Holm

•The "Babymouse" series, written by Matt’s sister, Jennifer Holms (a Newberry Honor winner), and illustrated by Matt, is about a sassy young mouse who vividly dreams of and imagines adventure and excitement.
• "Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf: A Year Told Through Stuff" uses everyday 'stuff' (diary, refrigerator notes, cards, IM messages, etc.) to tell a story that combines honesty and humor to create a believable and appealing voice.
• Matt spent eight years writing about kitchens (among other topics) for Country Living Magazine.
•Wrote "Gray Highway: An American UFO Journey," a book where Matt went to all of the UFO site 'just to see.'
•Matt resides in Portland, Oregon.

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Suse MacDonald

•"Shape by Shape"
•"Alphabet Animals"
•"Alphabatics"
•"Fish Swish"
•"Splash Dash"

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Asma Mobin-Uddin

•In the award winning books "A Party in Ramada," "The Best Eid Ever," and "My Name is Bilal," Dr. Mobin-Uddin writes with sensitivity to children about what it means to be Muslim in America.
•Dr. Mobin-Uddin is a practicing pediatrician in Ohio
•Born in Pakistan, she attended public grade schools, a Catholic high school, and received her degrees from Ohio State University
•She is president of the Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

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Jon Scieszka

•"Trucktown Series"
•"Guys Read"
•"Knucklehead"
•"Robot Zot"
•"Truckery Rhymes"

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James Owen

•James began writing with a self-published comic book series Starchild (24 issues).
•His first book in the "The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica: Here There be Dragons" has a film contract with Warner Bros.
•At one time his drawing hand was crushed in an accident. Undeterred, he laid out the work with his left hand while other artists finished it for him.
•James Owen creates his imaginary world at his studio in Taylor, Arizona.

Books:
•"Hey There"
•"Be Dragons"
•"The Search for the Red Dragon"
•"The Indigo King"
•"The Shadow Dragons"

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Adam Rex

•"Frankenstein Takes the Cake"
•"Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem"
•"Guess Again"
•"The True Meaning of Smekday"

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Chris Gall

•"There's Nothing to Do on Mars"
•"Dinotrux"
•"Dear Fish"

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Sheri Sinykin

•"Giving Up the Ghost"

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Maxwell Eaton

•Max writes and illustrates the "Max and Pinky" series about the very light mystery adventures of Max and Pinky (a very intelligent pig).
•On NPR (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17809602) he shares that 'he began sketching the characters of Max and Pinky on bar napkins while he was working as a ski bum in Colorado.' Several thousand 'doodles' led to his eventual characters.
•He was a very young fan of "Calvin and Hobbes."
•Matt, the illustrator, is colorblind. He puts the vivid color into his work with the help of a computer and his art director at Knopf.
•New books in the works are a book titled "Two Dumb Ducks" and the series "The Flying Beaver Brother."
•Max is a Tucson resident.

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Frank Beddor

•Beddor is the CEO of the production company Automatic Pictures, and wrote the novels "The Looking Glass Wars," "Seeing Redd and ArchEnemy" as the first three of his "The Looking Glass Wars" series which is a reworking of "Alice in Wonderland."
•Frank Beddor is a former world champion freestyle skier, a film producer, actor, stuntman, and author.[1] He produced "There's Something About Mary" and "Wicked."
•He is currently developing the story to the film adaptation of the board game "Monopoly", directed by Ridley Scott. (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2009/11/a-monopoly-movie-the-story-behind-the-roll-of-the-dice-.html)

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Chris Eboch

•Chris Eboch is the author of the popular children’s "Haunted" series.
•"In The Well of Sacrifice" Chris takes middle grade readers to Mayan Guatemala in the ninth century.
•Chris has written biographies of Jesse Owen and Milton Hershey (of chocolate fame).
• She is the sister of screenwriter Douglas J. Eboch ("Sweet Home Alabama").
•She resides in New Mexico, enjoying the outdoors.

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Rafael Lopez

•"Book Fiesta!: Celebrate Children's Day/Book Day; Celebremos El día de los niños/El día de los libros," illustrated by Rafael López, is the 2009 Pura Belpré Illustrator Award winner.
•Has designed a number of stamps for the U.S. Post Office in his trademark 'fusion of strong graphic style and magical symbolism.'
• He has created murals with children in San Diego as part of his belief of promoting 'children's art with lack of fear and no boundaries.' – (http://rafaellopezstudio.blogspot.com/2009_05_01_archive.html).
•Created 3 paintings for Oprah Winfrey and her schools in South Africa (http://rafaellopezstudio.blogspot.com/2009/03/linking-children-to-books-languages-and.html).

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S. D. Nelson

•He wrote and illustrated the children’s book, "A Quiet Hero: The Story of Ira Hayes," about Ira Hayes, an Akimel O'odham, who was one of the six men who raised the flag on Iwo Jima.
•He wrote and illustrated the just released children’s book, "Black Elk’s Vision," told through Black Elk’s (1863-1950) voice, spanning his life from childhood to adulthood.
•He also illustrated "Crazy Horse’s Vision" by Joseph Bruchac.
•Mr. Nelson resides in Flagstaff.
•Nelson’s artwork appears on book jackets, greeting cards, and CD covers, and his paintings are held in both private and public collections.

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Media
	Tucson Festival of Books Authors and Illustrators School Visits Updated 6 months ago
	Tucson Festival of Books and Young Writer’s Competition Updated 6 months ago
	Ventana Science Pavilion Schedule Updated 6 months ago