Presenters

A master teacher, professional storyteller and children’s musician, Anna Adler specializes in creating dynamic learning environments for children and adults. Anna leads events and classes for young children that are joyful and highly interactive, promoting music, movement, and literacy development. Anna also consults with childcare organizations, schools, parenting groups, local colleges, and community nonprofits to provide customized professional development and training services. An educator for over 30 years, Anna has taught at every level, from childcare programs and elementary schools, to colleges and adult education classes. Raised in a family of musicians and storytellers, Anna received formal training in piano, voice, and trumpet. Anna currently performs with the Ukuladies, a four-part Ukulele band!

Rick Agran began teaching at Otter Lake Conservation School (an experiential learning center he, himself, attended in 6th grade). He’s never been the same after seeing the whole world as a classroom. Rick grew up in Brookline, N.H. and studied writing, literature, teaching, psychology, filmmaking, weather, journalism, and sociolinguistics at Missouri School of Journalism, Sarah Lawrence College, and the University of New Hampshire. He has an MA in English and an MFA in Creative Writing. He is the author of two books: Pumpkin Shivaree and Crow Milk. He produces weekly radio about poetry and the literary arts at Central Vermont Community Radio, WGDR.org. He works as a teacher and audio documentarian with WGDR’s Indie Kingdom Youth Radio which teaches young people how to use their voices, gather news and images, and to craft poems, stories, and memoirs for radio. He presents for the Vermont and NH Arts Councils and the Children’s Literacy Foundation.

Kari Allen lives in New Hampshire where she is an author and a teacher. Her 6-book early reader series, Maddie and Mabel, has received three starred reviews and has been selected as a Bank Street Best Books of 2022, a Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2022, a Cybils Award finalist and a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard. Her book, The Boy Who Loved Maps (2022, Anne Schwartz Books/Penguin Random House), was a Bank Street’s Best Children’s Books of the Year selection, and her board book, Whose Prints? (2023, Little Simon/Simon & Schuster) received a starred review from School Library Journal, the 2023 Board Book Cybils Award, a Blueberry Honor Award, and was named a Bank Street’s Best Children’s Books of 2024. Kari has authored two Little Golden Books biographies: The Bee Gees and Julia Child. Passionate about literacy education and children’s literacy, Kari creates educator guides for authors and illustrators to encourage teachers and kids to interact with their books. When not writing or teaching, Kari might be found reading at the lake, beekeeping, or cooking for family and friends.

Jim Arnosky is the author and illustrator of over 100 books on subjects related to nature. He is also the illustrator of more than 40 other books written by various authors. He has been awarded the Christopher Medal, Orbis Pictus Honor, ALA Gordon Award, and Outstanding Science book awards from National Science Teachers Associations. Jim was born in New York City and raised in Pennsylvania. Since 1976, he and his family have lived in an old farmhouse in Vermont. Learn more about Jim; watch a clip of Jim’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author Series.

Marek Bennett, M.Ed., is a cartoonist, musician, and educator who leads Comics Workshops for all ages throughout New England and the world beyond! His graphic novel, The Civil War Diary of Freeman Colby, Volume 2, features the adventures of a NH school teacher in the Union Army, as well as the stories of the soldiers, nurses, writers, and refugees from slavery during the year 1863. The first book in the series, The Civil War Diary of Freeman Colby, was named a 2017 Great Graphic Novel for Teens by the Young Adult Library Services Association. Marek is also the author of several comics for the Vermont Folklife Center’s El Viaje project, the graphic novel Slovakia: Fall in the Heart of Europe, and the NH history webcomic “LIVE FREE AND DRAW!” Learn more about Marek; watch a clip of Marek’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author Series.

Elizabeth Bluemle is the author of several children’s books and co-owner of the Flying Pig Bookstore in Shelburne, VT. Before moving to Vermont, she worked as an editorial director for a small press in San Francisco, a hostess at a cafe in Oakland, a creative director at a book packaging company in New York City, an assistant teacher for first- and second-grade students, and a head librarian at a pre-K-8 school in New York City. Elizabeth studied English literature at the University of California Berkeley and holds a Master’s in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College.

Simon Brooks, an award winning British storyteller who has made New Hampshire his home, began spinning yarns in 1991 for school groups and families at youth hostels in the United Kingdom. In 2003 Simon became a children’s librarian and freelance storyteller in the Upper Valley. Simon likes to investigate, educate & fascinate with story, and he has recorded 5 CDs, four storytelling albums, and a retelling of the Epic of Gilgamesh, and has voiced numerous audio books. He is a published writer, poet, and photographer. Simon combines his passion for children’s literature and folklore to create fun programs, workshops, and keynotes for both children and adults. Simon’s always growing repertoire comes mainly from European folk and faerie tales, but also includes stories from other countries and cultures. Learn more about Simon by visiting his website, www.diamondscree.com and SimonBrooksStoryteller.com and his video about his work on Vimeo or watch a clip of Simon’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author Series. Simon also writes on Substack here: substack.com/@simonmbrooks.

Michael writes, performs, and presents educational programs with a strong focus on Earth stewardship, cultural diversity, science, and the arts. He has reached over 500,000 people in North America, Europe and the Middle East through his workshops, author visits, and engaging shows of storytelling, music and dance. Michael’s has been awarded the Teacher’s Choice Award, Aesop Prize (American Folklore Society), National Storytelling Association’s Brimstone Award for Applied Storytelling, Storytelling World Award, NAPPA Gold Award and Green Earth Honor Book Award. Michael has worked closely with many indigenous peoples. He is also a juried artist with the Vermont Arts Council and New Hampshire Council on the Arts. Watch a clip of Michael’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author’s Series.

Jason Chin combines imaginative storytelling with scientific information to create books that both enchant and educate. He is the recipient of a Caldecott Honor and Sibert Honor and the Orbis Pictus Award for Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon was also nominated for the Vermont Book Award. His other books include Nine Months, Pie is for Sharing, Water is Water, Redwoods, Gravity, and Island: A Story of the Galapagos. Jason grew up in Lyme, NH and studied illustration at Syracuse University. Learn more about Jason; watch a clip of Jason’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author Series.

John and Jennifer Churchman are the author/illustrators of the popular Sweet Pea & Friends picture book series. John draws on his talents as an artist, photographer, and farmer; he brings his stories to life with his enchanting photo-illustrations. As a writer, photographer and multimedia artist, Jennifer has loved telling and writing stories all her life. In their New York Times Bestselling Children’s Book The SheepOver, Jennifer and John bring their talents together to give voice to the stories of the animals that surround them and add boundless enjoyment to their lives. Two recent editions to the Sweet Pea & Friends series are Alpaca Lunch and The Easter Surprise. Learn more about the Churchmans; watch a clip of the Churchmans’ presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author Series.

Melissa Dassori is the author of J.R. Silver Writes Her World, which was an Owlcrate Jr. Book Club Selection, a Bank Street Best Book of the Year, and a Washington Post Kids Summer Book Club recommendation, and Greta Ever After, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection.

Melissa lives in New York City and Center Sandwich, NH with her husband and three daughters, with whom she especially likes to share books, spend time outside, eat ice cream, and travel.

Photo credit: Shulamit Photo + Video

Sarah Dillard studied art at Wheaton College and illustration at Rhode Island School of Design. Her author illustrated books include the popular Mouse Scouts series, the critically-acclaimed young graphic reader, Extraordinary Warren and its sequel, Extraordinary Warren Saves the Day. Her latest picture book I Wish it Would Snow was on the CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People list for 2019. It’s sequel I Don’t Like Rain will be released in the spring of 2020. Sarah doesn’t feel a day is complete without a walk in the woods, by her home on a mountain in Fayston, Vermont. She shares those walks with her husband and chocolate lab. Learn more about Sarah; see a clip from Sarah’s presentation for CLiF’s Virtual Author Series.

Hailing from Seattle Washington, Rajnii Eddins has been performing poetry and engaging diverse audiences for more than 20 years. First, as the youngest member of the African American Writers Alliance at 11 years old, then, as a polished youth performer at the Seattle Center, in bookshops, cafes, festivals, colleges and galleries. Rajnii is adept in engaging authentic youth voice from elementary to high school by utilizing creative expression and call and response to inspire young people to create their own pieces as well as further their love for wordplay and literacy. Watch a clip of Rajnii’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author’s Series.

Randee Eddins is both the Founder and former Executive Director of the African American Writers Alliance and the co-founder and Arts Administrator for The Poetry Experience. She is an accomplished Writing Workshop Facilitator to both youth and adults, a Master StoryTeller and a published author and lecturer, and author of 4 books – The BabyGetter and Other HomeFolk Tales, One Touch Blue, I’m Possibility and Poems by Randee Eddins, which was published when she was just 16. Se is currently working on series of children books showing children of color as the protagonists so they can see themselves in a more positive light.

Matt Forrest Esenwine is a NH-based author of a dozen children’s books including the Kirkus-starred Flashlight Night (Astra Young Readers, 2017), included on Encyclopedia Britannica’s list of “11 Children’s Books That Inspire Imagination;” the NCTE-Notable A Universe of Rainbows: Multicolored Poems for a Multicolored World (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2025); and I Am Today (POW! Kids Books, 2022), recipient of the 2023 NH State Literary Award for Outstanding Children’s Literature.

Meanwhile, his poetry can be found in anthologies like The National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry(N.G. Children’s Books, 2015) and the Donald Hall tribute, Except for Love (Encircle, 2019), as well as ‘Highlights’ magazine. Connect with Matt and order personally-signed books at MattForrest.com; watch a clip of Matt’s pr

Katy Farber is an author and Assistant Professor of Education at Saint Michael’s College. Katy has over 20 years of public education experience, including 19 years as a teacher and teacher leader, and four as a professional development coordinator at the University of Vermont’s Tarrant Institute for Innovative Education. Katy has authored or co-authored four books about education, a picture book called Salamander Sky (McSea Books), and a middle grade novel called The Order of the Trees. Katy regularly writes for education, parenting and environmental websites, and presents at state and national conferences. Her debut fiction for adults is called The Board and will be published by Blackstone Publishing.

Terry Farish writes picture books and young adult novels. Her books include the award-winning novel in verse, The Good Braider and a Bank Street Book of Outstanding Merit, Luis Paints the World. Most recently she wrote Joseph’s Big Ride, “A joyful, upbeat tale,” Kirkus Reviews writes, “that takes a positive perspective on an immigrant child’s first encounters.” Visit her blog on books from many cultures, Rabbit in the Moon. Terry also coordinates New Hampshire Humanities’ literacy program for English learners, Connections. Learn more about Terry; watch a clip of Terry’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author Series.

Karen Gross is an author, artist and educator whose children’s and adult books message the power of the possible and dreaming big. An expert in trauma and its impact on learning and psychosocial success, her Lucy’s Quest book series about a multiracial heroine, which is being re-released in a second edition in Fall 2025, is trauma sensitive. Several of her children’s books have been translated into Spanish, a language she speaks fluently. She has also authored a children’s poetry book and a wordplay book, both of which contain fun activities. When she reads, often in costume, she uses props, puppets, music and art to bring stories to life and engage readers/listeners as participants. Learn more about Karen and watch a clip of Karen’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author Series.

John Steven Gurney is the author and illustrator of the picture book Dinosaur Train and the Fuzzy Baseball series of graphic novels. He is the illustrator of more than 150 books for children, including these popular chapter book series: The A to Z Mysteries, The Calendar Mysteries, The Bailey School Kids, and Big Apple Barn. John also works as a caricature artist and does illustrations for games and puzzles. He lives in Brattleboro, VT and teaches at Kutztown University in Kutztown, PA. John has shared his experiences and his work with school children in 31 states and 5 countries. John enjoys cycling, pickleball and cross country skiing (he’s not that good at any of these activities, but he enjoys them). Learn more about John; watch a clip of John’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author Series.

Mat Heagerty is a graphic novel writer, rad dad, and all around chipper dude living in Vermont. Mat is dyslexic, and struggled a bunch in school, now he writes comedic middle grade books like ‘Lumberjackula’, ‘Martian Ghost Centaur’, ‘Unplugged and Unpopular’ & the forthcoming ‘Indoor Kid’. Mat has taught at Boise State University and regularly travels the country talking to elementary and middle school students about the strengths of learning disabilities and creative collaboration.

Geof started writing poems when he was 17, and hasn’t grown up since. He has published five collections of poems, and four books of nonfiction, three of which address strategies for teaching writing, including A Portfolio Primer: Teaching, Collecting, and Assessing Student Writing and Today You Are My Favorite Poet: Writing Poems with Teenagers. In recent years, Geof has become active as a slam poet, coaching young people and adults as they write and perform their poems. Learn more about Geof, watch a clip of Geof’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author Series.

Born in Hong Kong and raised in Philadelphia, Jannie Ho moved to New York to study illustration at Parsons School of Design. She was a designer and an art director for children’s book publishers before becoming an author/illustrator. Her author/illustrated books include Bear and Chicken, Happy Chinese New Year, The Lost Mitten, Pumpkin and Beetle, and more including illustrations for the Fry Guys series. Her artwork also appears in magazines, toys, crafts and digital media. With a passion for visual storytelling and sequential art, she runs comic workshops for kids of all ages in libraries, conferences, and schools. Jannie lives with her family in Framingham, MA and is available to present in Southern NH.

Amy Huntington began painting in kindergarten by using the ends of her pigtails for brushes. She drew castles, sleds, and her siblings with the chicken pox. In the summer, she wrote poems while tucked in the branches of her favorite tree. After college she settled in Vermont, exhibiting her paintings in various New England galleries. As a new mother she fell in love with picture book illustration. Now she makes lots of drawings and writes lots of words. Some turn into picture books. Her most recent books are How to Make a Mountain, with illustrations by Nancy Lemon; Frankie Gets a Doggie; Look and Listen; Monsters, Like Us; Nine: A Book of Nonet Poems, by Irene Latham; and Fresh-Picked Poetry: A Day at the Farmers’ Market, by Michelle Schaub.

Marty Kelley is a recovering second grade teacher who writes and illustrates books for kids. His latest titles include Almost Everybody Farts, the Molly Mac series, and Santa’s Underwear. Marty lives in New Hampshire with his wife, two children, and three chickens. Learn more about Marty.

Natalie Kinsey-Warnock grew up on a farm in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom where her Scottish ancestors settled 200 years ago. The inspiration for her books comes from her childhood on that farm and her true family stories. She is the author of 20 books, including the picture books The Bear That Heard Crying, Nora’s Ark, and From Dawn till Dusk and the young adult novels The Canada Geese Quilt, As Long As There Are Mountains, and Gifts from the Sea. Learn more about Natalie; watch a clip of Natalie’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author Series.

Writer for children—reader forever…that’s Vivian Kirkfield in five words. Her bucket list contains many more words – but she’s already checked off skydiving, parasailing, and going around the world in less than 80 days. A former educator, Vivian inspires budding writers during classroom visits and shares insights with aspiring authors at conferences and on her blog where she hosts #50PreciousWords and #50PreciousWordsforKids. Her nonfiction narratives bring history alive for young readers and have received the Silver Eureka, Social Studies Notable Trade Book, Best STEM Book K-12, Bank Street College of Education Best Book, and Junior Library Guild Selection. Her newest book is One Girl’s Voice: How Lucy Stone Helped Change the Law of the Land, illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon (Calkins Creek/Astra Books for Young Readers, February 2025).

A poet, storyteller, educator and photographer, Marv Klassen-Landis is the author and illustrator of Jump, Children, Jump and the co-author of Please Talk with Me. He writes poetry and fiction for children and adults, and leads workshops, school residencies, and family poetry events. As the founding creative writing specialist at Dartmouth Health from 2009 to 2022, Marv offered patients, families and staff writing and storytelling activities and workshops and was involved in research into the health benefits of the arts. Learn more about Marv; watch a clip of Marv’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author Series.

Jo is the author of several books for young readers spanning from picture book to young adult, including Ear Worm!, Someone’s Gonna End Up Crying, and See You At Harry’s. She has a master’s degree in children’s literature. Some of her awards include two SCBWI Crystal Kite Awards; A New York Times Editor’s Pick and Notable Book; the PEN New England Children’s Book Discovery Award; YALSA’s Best Fiction for Young Adults; International Reading Association’s Young Adult Choices List; and Bank Street College’s Best Books for Children (Outstanding Merit). Watch a clip of Jo’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author’s Series.

Carrie Kruck writes books for kids, including Iggy Who Breathes Fire (illustrated by Erika Meza; 2024) and Alfred Blooms (illustrated by Carmen Mok; 2025). She grew up in Canada, worked as a psychologist in Australia, and now lives in New Hampshire with her husband, two kids, and a delightful assortment of owls, foxes, and bears (oh my!). When not writing, Carrie works in the field of neuropsychology and has a special interest in the power of story to affect memory, learning, and self-awareness. She believes storytelling is an essential tool for understanding ourselves and the world around us, and is passionate about sharing that message with kids everywhere!

Amy Makechnie is the author of the critically acclaimed middle grade novels The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair (recently optioned for a television series) and Ten Thousand Tries, both of which received multiple starred reviews and have been on numerous state and “best of” book lists. Her most recent novel, The McNifficents was New Hampshire’s 2024 Great Reads for Kids selection for the National Book Festival in Washington D.C. A former Anatomy and Physiology teacher, Amy also loves teaching, presenting, and writing about the human body. She lives in New Hampshire with her family and two miniature schnauzers. Stay in touch by visiting amymakechnie.com and subscribing to her newsletter, Lit with Amy Makechie.

Duncan founded CLiF in 1998 and served as Executive Director to 2023. His lifelong interest in words, languages, and teaching inspired his successful career as a consultant, freelance writer, teacher, radio commentator, and founder of local nonprofit organizations. He has given a few thousand literacy and storytelling presentations to children and parents throughout New Hampshire and Vermont. Duncan has an MBA from the Tuck School at Dartmouth College, and worked for seven years as a management consultant in Boston. Duncan is also active in local environmental and civic campaigns. He lives in Waterbury Center, VT with his wife and golden retriever Yoshi. Watch a clip of Duncan’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author’s Series.

Connecting young readers to quality children’s literature is Marilyn’s passion. She has held Storytime at her public library, chaired the all-volunteer library in her children’s elementary school and was the proprietor of a children’s bookshop. She has led workshops for homeschool groups, day care providers and college students in Early Childhood Education programs. Currently, Marilyn is the youth librarian at her local public library, the Pope Memorial Library in Danville, Vt. Now, an award-winning children’s book author, she enthusiastically presents to young readers and encourages them to write their stories, the ones only they can tell.

Christy Mihaly writes for young readers because she believes that our best hope for the future is raising kids who love to read. She has written about 40 books, and especially enjoys nonfiction. Her book America’s Founding Myths … and What Really Happened, comes out just in time for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. And in 2026 she’ll also publish Music and Silence, a picture book biography of the great cellist Pablo Casals. Other popular picture books include Hey, Hey, Hay! (A Tale of Bales and the Machines That Make Them) and WATER: A Deep Dive of Discovery. A former lawyer, Christy has penned numerous books about democracy, among them Free for You and Me, The Supreme Court and Us, and Our Congress. She is also a published poet and loves writing poetry for—and with—kids. She lives in Calais, Vermont. Learn more about Christy; watch a clip of Christy’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author Series.

Erin E. Moulton is the author of middle grade and young adult novels: Flutter, Tracing Stars, Chasing the Milky Way and Keepers of the Labyrinth, as well as the editor of the YA anthology Things We Haven’t Said: Sexual Violence Survivors Speak Out. When she isn’t writing or editing, she can be found teaching writers of all ages, working at the library, or co-hosting the YA book-loving podcast, Teen Title Talk. Watch a clip of Erin’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author’s Series.

Melissa Perley is a professional cellist, teacher, farm and award winning author. Concerts have included solo performances with acclaimed international pianist Vladimir Odinakikh. As an educator Perley maintains a full private teaching studio. She has worked with The Green Mountain Youth Symphony since 2003 and is the lead low-string adjudicator for the Vermont All State Music Festival. Perley’s first children’s book, The Violin Family, won the 2021 Indie Discovery Award for a children’s book and was named a 5-star Reader’s Favorite. She also published a follow-up children’s book The Violin Family Plays New Music (2025). Perley lives in Vermont with her husband Paul where they own Paul Perley Cellos and Too Fewe Farm.

Gina Perry is the author and illustrator of many books for children and is a frequent illustrator for Highlights and High Five magazines. A graduate of Syracuse University, she worked in animation for television and games before finding the right fit in children’s books. Her newest picture book, THE KING OF BOOKS (July 2025), is a funny story about a tiger who does all the wrong things with his books, until his friends gracefully show him the way. Gina lives with her husband, two teens, and Hank the pug on the Seacoast of New Hampshire. Learn more about Gina; watch a clip of Gina’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author Series.

Eric Pinder is the author of If All the Animals Came Inside and other books for children. His first picture book, Cat in the Clouds, was inspired by working as a weather observer for seven years atop Mount Washington. Eric has an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts and teaches creative writing at the New Hampshire Institute of Art. He lives in moose country in Berlin, New Hampshire. Learn more about Eric; watch a clip from Eric’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author Series.

Cedar Pruitt is a children's author with many stories to share, from board books to early readers to middle grade novels. Represented by literary agent Mary Cummings of Great River Literary, Cedar is an active participant in the writing community. She has presented at the National Conference for Teachers of English and shared her work and love of poetry with children in schools, libraries and bookstores nationwide. Her debut book, FIRE FLIGHT: A WILDFIRE ESCAPE (illustrated by Chiara Fedele; Capstone, 2024) was named a Best Children's Book of the Year by Bank Street College of Education. Her forthcoming book is titled WHAT MARCEL FOUND: THE INCREDIBLE DISCOVERY OF THE LASCAUX CAVE PAINTINGS (illustrated by David Litchfield; Beach Lane Books, Simon & Schuster, 10/13/26). She holds an M.Ed. from Harvard University and lives in New England with her family.

Jan Reynolds is a writer and photographer who just can’t get far enough away from it all. Jan has been from the highest to the lowest, from the hottest to the coldest on earth to get her material for her books. Jan set many world records for climbing and skiing, then went on to live with an indigenous tribe on each continent, for her Vanishing Cultures series. She is always on the go and brings her real-life adventures alive in the form of books for kids. She is author of the Vanishing Culture Series, which includes Mongolia, Sahara, Far North, Himalaya, and Down Under. Jan is working on her book about the Lion Queens with Lee and Low publishers inn New York City for fall 2019. Learn more about Jan, watch a clip of Jan’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author Series.

Rebecca Rule is a writer, humorist, storyteller, host for ten years of NH Authors on NHPBS, currently host of Our Hometown, also on NHPBS. On that show, residents tell stories of what makes their town special. She hasn’t visited every town in New Hampshire to tell and collect stories but she’s working on it. She is the author of fourteen books for children and adults. Her books for children are The Iciest Diciest Scariest Sled Ride Ever!, N is for NH, and Who Loves Blueberries? (Spring 2026).

Rebecca Rupp, a scientist turned writer, is the award-winning author of both fiction and nonfiction books for kids, among them The Dragon of Lonely Island, Octavia Boone’s Big Questions, The Waterstone, and After Eli. She does science-, history-, and literature-related camps, workshops, and presentations for kids at schools and public libraries; is a speaker for the Vermont Humanities Council; and a book reviewer for Publisher’s Weekly. She also maintains a blog of book lists and resources for parents, educators, and homeschoolers. Learn more about Rebecca; watch a clip of Rebecca’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author Series.

Ted Scheu is a former elementary school teacher and the author of I Froze My Mother and Other Seriously Funny Family Poems and I Tickled My Teachers. He loves to perform his work, get kids giggling, and to teach writing to children through hands-on poetry workshops. He is often introduced as a fourth grader stuck in a grown-up’s body. Ted’s poetry for children is happily lurking in six collections of his own and in over two dozen anthologies world-wide. Ted’s super-fun-going-to-bed picture book Night-night, Body, Beaver’s Pond Press, 2022, is guaranteed to send both listeners and the reader instantly to sleep. Watch a clip of Ted’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author’s Series.

Carolyn is a children’s book author and journalist. Her first book for children, HOLD THIS!, was recognized with a silver medal Moonbeam award. In addition to picture books, Carolyn writes middle grade novels and creative nonfiction.

Daryl is a cartoonist and teacher currently living in Vermont. She graduated with a B.A. in Art History and Visual Art from Barnard College in 2012, and received an MFA in cartooning from the Center for Cartoon Studies in 2018. She has taught comics workshops for children, teens, and adults at schools, libraries, and museums all throughout New England, and has enjoyed expanding her reach through virtual classes on Zoom. Daryl was nominated for an Ignatz Award for Promising New Talent in 2014, and their first graphic novel, EXITS (Koyama Press, 2016) was nominated for an Eisner Award. In addition to published comics and graphics, Daryl is the creator of the comic book How We Read: A Graphic Guide to Literacy.

Tamara Ellis Smith is a children’s book author who writes middle grade fiction and picture books. Her middle grades novel Another Kind of Hurricane was a Vermont Book Award finalist, and her picture books Here and There and Grief is an Elephant are used in classrooms and libraries as resources for kids dealing with tough life issues. Tam is a graduate of New York University’s Playwriting MFA program, as well as Vermont College of Fine Arts’ Writing for Children and Young Adults program. She lives in Richmond, Vermont with her family and loves to run on the river trail with her dog and bake (and eat) anything that combines chocolate and peanut butter.

Ever since she can remember, naturalist and writer Susie Spikol has always looked for where nature and story meet. Her love of nature didn’t start with science. It grew out of a rich diet of fairy tales and legends. While out searching for fairies, gnomes, and other magical creatures, she remembers being charmed by fireflies and enchanted by snails. Over the course of her 30-year career as an award-winning naturalist, she has taught thousands of children, parents, and teachers and given hundreds of public talks at nature centers, schools, colleges, universities, libraries, and conferences. When not catching frogs with preschoolers, tracking bobcats with middle-schoolers, or hawk-watching with her own three children, Susie tucks away to time to write. Her first children’s book, The Animal Adventurer’s Guide, came out in 2022. Her new book, Forest Magic for Kids, coming out in April 2025, will be followed by her Book of Fairies in September 2025.

Lindsey Stoddard was born and raised in Vermont. She taught middle school English in New York City for ten years and received her MFA in Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her debut middle grade novel, JUST LIKE JACKIE, was an Indies Introduce and an Indies Next Top 10 pick for Winter ’17-18, a Junior Library Selection, and is on the 2019 Dorothy Canfield Fisher List. Her second novel, RIGHT AS RAIN, is a Junior Library Guild selection, and the New York Times quotes that the novel’s “exploration of grief’s grip on a family rings true and tender.” Watch a clip of Lindsey’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author’s Series.

Lisa Stringfellow writes middle grade fiction and has a not-so-secret fondness for fantasy with a dark twist. She is the author of two books for young readers, KINGDOM OF DUST and A COMB OF WISHES, which Newbery Award–winning author Kelly Barnhill called “one of the most promising works of fiction in a long time.” Lisa writes for her twelve-year-old self, the kid waiting to be the brown-skinned hero of an adventure, off saving the world. Her work often reflects her West Indian and Black southern heritage. Lisa is a middle school teacher and lives in Boston, Massachusetts, with her children and bossy cat. She is available to do presentations in Southern NH.

Steve Swinburne is an author and photographer who has published more than thirty nonfiction books for young readers. Steve holds a BA degree in biology and English from Castleton State College in Vermont. He has worked as a park ranger in a number of national parks and has traveled to Africa, Borneo, the Caribbean, and Yellowstone National Park for book projects. His most recent title is Sea Turtle Scientist from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Steve makes his living traveling, writing, photographing, and visiting schools to share his adventures with students and teachers. He lives in Vermont with his wife Heather, and their two dogs, Scout and Jem. Learn more about Steve; watch a clip of Steve’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author Series.

Lorian Tu is an author and illustrator of books for children. A former art teacher and special educator, her work is informed by the wonder and joy that children bring. A lover of nature, animals, good food, and good friends, Lorian’s work celebrates this beautiful world we live in together. Her books include: My Ancestors and Me (coming in 2026); We Are a Song, written and Illustrated by Lorian Tu (Harper Collins); Stay Through the Storm, by Joanna Rowland illustrated by Lorian Tu (Beaming Books); Everybody Has a Body, by Molli Jackson Ehlert illustrated by Lorian Tu (MacMillan); The Rice in the Pot Goes Round & Round by Wendy Wan-Long Shang illustrated by Lorian Tu (Scholastic); and more!

Linda is the author of the picture books, including Mouse was Mad, chapter books such as Hound Dog True and A Crooked Kind of Perfect plus the series about Max.She was the marketing manager of Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena, CA for ten years. During that time, she also ran a summer writer’s workshop series. Her experiences listening to the workshop’s guest authors, illustrators, and editors inspired her to begin writing picture books for children. Learn more about Linda; watch a clip of Linda’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author Series.

Jon and Pamela (J&P) Voelkel are the author-illustrators of the Jaguar Stones books, a series of Maya-themed adventures set in present-day Central America. The fast-paced, funny stories center on the friendship between a city boy and a jungle girl – a mirror image of Jon’s wild childhood in Latin America and Pamela’s altogether tamer upbringing in an English seaside town. To research the Jaguar Stones, they have explored over forty Maya sites in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico; canoed down underground rivers; tracked howler monkeys in the jungle; and eaten live termites for breakfast. Jon’s most frightening experience was getting lost in a pitch-black labyrinth under a Maya pyramid. Pamela’s most frightening experience was being interviewed by Al Roker on Today.

Doug is the author of 14 books for middle-grade readers, including The Revealers, his novel on bullying that has been the focus of reading-and-discussion projects in over 1,000 schools; its sequel True Shoes; and nine books in the Choose Your Own Adventure series. His “bridge into reading” chapter book, Treasure Town, was published in 2015. A former journalist, he is a full time independent writer and editor. Watch a clip of Doug’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author’s Series.

Ashley Wolff is the illustrator, and often the author of, over 65 picture books. She illustrated the beloved Miss Bindergarten books and Baby Beluga by Raffi, as well as being author/illustrator for the series starring her own Baby Bear. She has recently returned to her home state of Vermont after years in California, where she visited hundreds of schools and libraries. Sharing her love of creating with children is one of her favorite pastimes. Learn more about Ashley, watch a clip of Ashley’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author Series.

Liza illustrated over twenty children’s books written by other authors before writing picture books of her own. To date, she has written and illustrated three books, Emerson Barks, A Quieter Story, and Once Upon a Winter Day. Her fourth book, Phil’s Big Day: A Groundhog Story, will be out in November 2024. Two of her most recent projects, Fix and Stitch, written by Barbara Nass, and Once Upon a Winter Day, were both selected to be included on Bank Street School of Education’s list of best children’s books of the year. To fill the space in their home left by their two grown children, Liza and her husband have filled their house with pets. They have discovered that two dogs and two cats are a lot hairier than two children. Liza enjoys spending time outdoors in the mountains and on the lake. When not outside or working on children’s books, you can find her in the print studio creating silkscreen prints. Watch a clip of Liza’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author’s Series.