Picture Book & Early Reader Presenters

More presenters will be added in the weeks to come.
The detailed session schedule will be available in late August.

 

Picture Book & Early Reader Presenters

 
 

Sophie Blackall

Sophie Blackall is the bestselling and two-time Caldecott medal-winning artist behind Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear, Hello, Lighthouse and Farmhouse. She is also the proprietor of Milkwood, a creative retreat for children’s book makers. She lives between Brooklyn and a farm in upstate New York.

Photo Credit: Matt Carr

www.sophieblackall.com

In her funniest book yet, two-time Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall captures the astonishing spectacle of a child imagining life as a horse. And with a book jacket adorned with glitter, this romp really sparkles!

 

Unfortunately, Christopher Denise is no longer able to attend the 2023 Festival.

 

Christopher Denise

Christopher Denise spent much of his childhood in Shannon, Ireland, exploring castles and dreaming of great adventures. He is the illustrator of many critically acclaimed books for young readers, including Anika Aldamuy Denise’s Bunny in the Middle, Alison McGhee’s Firefly Hollow, Rosemary Wells’s Following Grandfather, and Anne Marie Pace’s Groundhug Day, as well as several in Brian Jacques’s award-winning Redwall series. Knight Owl marks his author-illustrator debut, and was the recipient of a Caldecott Honor. Christopher lives with his family in Rhode Island.

Photo Credit: TK

www.christopherdenise.com

A determined Owl builds strength and confidence in this medieval picture book about the real mettle of a hero: wits, humor, and heart. 

 

Steve Light

Steve Light is the creator of many picture books, including Have You Seen My Dragon?, Have You Seen My Monster?, and Road Trip! A Whiskers Hollow Adventure, which School Library Journal described in a starred review as “a near-perfect story that invites children to look at its pages and make connections.” Among his board books are Black Bird Yellow Sun; Mama Tiger, Tiger Cub; and Up Cat Down Cat. About this book, he says, “As a child singing ‘The Itsy Bitsy Spider,’ I always wondered: Why does the spider go up the waterspout, not once—but twice?” He lives in New York City.

www.stevelightart.com

Why did Itsy Bitsy make his famous journey? With a dose of warmth and whimsy, Steve Light’s remarkable, intricate artwork spins a backstory of unexpected friendship.

 

Carole Lindstrom

Carole Lindstrom is the author of the New York Times bestselling and Caldecott Award-winning We Are Water Protectors. She is Anishinabe/Métis and is a proud member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe Indians. She was born and raised in Nebraska and currently makes her home in Maryland.

www.carolelindstrom.com

From New York Times bestselling picture book author Carole Lindstrom and illustrator Bridget George comes Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior, an inspiring picture book biography about two Indigenous Rights Activists, Josephine Mandamin and Autumn Peltier.

 

Bridget George

Bridget George is an illustrator and children's book author living in London, Ontario with her son Noah and guinea pig Albus. She was born in Sarnia, Ontario, raised on the Anishinaabe nation of Kettle and Stony Point, and she belongs to the bear clan. Her debut picture book was It's a Mitig! which centers around introducing the Anishinaabe language to children with the use of nature.

www.bridgetgeorge.com

From New York Times bestselling picture book author Carole Lindstrom and illustrator Bridget George comes Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior, an inspiring picture book biography about two Indigenous Rights Activists, Josephine Mandamin and Autumn Peltier.

 

Unfortunately, Fabio Napoleoni is no longer able to attend the 2023 Festival.

 

Fabio Napoleoni

Fine artist Fabio Napoleoni is the creator of Dragonboy, a character based on his son, and the character Marcenivo, which he began drawing during the many months his infant daughter was battling a life-threatening heart condition. Fabio has also used his art in his seven years working with troubled and abused children before becoming a full-time artist. He has long been inspired by the multicultural street graffiti of New York City, as well as the colorful landscapes of Maine. Born in Puerto Rico, he now lives in Florida.

Photo Credit: Thomas Spravka

www.fabionapoleoni.com

Join a curious, imaginative, playful little boy and his band of lovable stuffed-animal friends on a nighttime adventure full of wonder and surprises.