CLiF is honored to partner with more than 50 accomplished children’s book authors, illustrators, poets, songwriters, and storytellers who give inspiring presentations on our behalf to thousands of children across New Hampshire and Vermont.
Rick works publishing academic books and magazines for Dartmouth Journal Services. He helps a friend cook and bottle Vermont’s best hot sauce. He produces radio about the literary arts at WGDR.org. He teaches young people how to use their voices, gather news and images, and to craft poems, stories, and memoirs for radio in North central Vermont. Rick grew up in Brookline, N.H. and studied poetry, filmmaking, and sociolinguistics at Sarah Lawrence College and the University of New Hampshire. He is the author of two books: Pumpkin Shivaree, a picture book for children, and a collection of poems called Crow Milk. and co-editor of Under the Legislature of Stars: 62 New Hampshire Poets.
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Kathy Brodsky is a psychotherapist, poet, and award-winning author. She writes and promotes quality books that are timely, visually exciting, educational, and fun! She has presented her books to young and old alike. Teachers have often used the messages in her books to promote social awareness in their students. Her picture books include Stover, The Winner Is, Purrsnikitty, Just Sniffing Around, The Inside Story, My Bent Tree, and A Horse Named Special. Watch a clip of Kathy’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author’s Series.
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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.
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Deborah Bruss is the author of many books for young children and a contributing author to the non-fiction series, “America’s Notable Women.” Her backpack, stuffed with farm animal puppets, goes on tour with her. She has worked in elementary schools, parented four active children, and enjoys telling of her encounters with brazen roosters and hatching turtles. Her passion for writing developed when she wrote a story for her son, a very reluctant reader. Watch a clip of Deb’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author Series.
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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.
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Layne is the author of the “Charlie” book series which was written to help children used their differences in a positive way. The books address issues such as autism, ADD, bullying, and abandonment. Layne offers private and group classes as well as Author In Training Camps, Young Author Workshops and Author In Residence programs. Each include skill building exercises in reading, writing, math, vocabulary and collaborative learning. Homeschool high school students are eligible to earn credits when completing her program. In addition to these program, Layne has published many books written by her young students (as well as other adult authors). Watch a clip of Layne’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author’s Series.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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’s children’s poetry can be found in anthologies, journals, and magazines ands his debut children’s book was published in 2017. Matt has also been an actor, copy writer, DJ, country dance instructor, news reporter, cook, telemarketer, ice cream scooper, and photography salesman, but he was hooked on poetry after discovering it in high school. Matt’s children’s poetry can be found in anthologies, journals, and magazines including The National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry and The Poetry of US (National Geographic Children’s Books), Lee Bennett Hopkins’ School People, and “Highlights for Children.” Meanwhile, his debut picture book, Flashlight Night, received a starred review from Kirkus, national critical praise, and was selected by the New York Public Library as one of the Best Picture Books for Kids of 2017. His picture book Don’t Ask a Dinosaur also received numerous positive reviews. Learn more about Matt; watch a clip of Matt’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author Series.
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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.
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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.
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Jon Gailmor was born in New York State and failed to grow up in Philadelphia. He was honored as an “Extraordinary Vermonter” by our governor, received the Mayor’s Peace Prize in Burlington, awarded a Silver Citation by the Vermont Arts Council, received the Ellen McCulloch Lovell award for Arts in Education and carried the Olympic Torch through Brattleboro in 1996. Jon presents songwriting workshops, curriculum-based or open-ended, in schools nationwide. He has sung in concert halls in Ecuador, a Peruvian tennis stadium, cafes in France, Italy and Greece and, among other spots, Elmore, Vermont, where he proudly lives. Learn more about Jon; watch a clip of Jon’s presentation from CLiF’s Fall 2020 Virtual Author Series.
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Karen Gross is a children’s book author and now illustrator whose books message about the power of the possible and dreaming big. She involves humor in her work and has a children’s giraffe joke book that interests both children and families. In 2019, three new books by Karen were released – her first book of children’s poems Flying Umbrellas and Red Boats, a prequel to Lady Lucy series Are You a Giraffe?, and a bi-lingual board book entitled We See You!. Her stories and poems are brought to life through the use of puppets and engagement activities involving music and art that are included in each book. Learn more about Karen; watch a clip of Karen’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author Series.
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John Steven Gurney is the illustrator of more than 140 books for children, including these popular chapter book series: The A to Z Mysteries, The Calendar Mysteries, Palace Puppies, The Bailey School Kids, and Big Apple Barn. He is the author and illustrator of the picture book Dinosaur Train and the graphic novel, Fuzzy Baseball and its sequel Ninja Baseball Blast. John also works as a caricature artist and does illustrations for games and puzzles. He lives in Brattleboro, VT with his wife, and two children. John has shared his experiences and his work with school children in 31 states and 5 countries. John enjoys running, racquetball 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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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Marv Klassen-Landis is a performer, writer, educator, and arts education consultant. He is also 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, residencies, and family poetry parties. He co-founded Children’s Voices Theatre, which is dedicated to inspiring young people to express themselves through writing and performing. As a creative arts specialist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Marv offers patients, families and staff writing and storytelling activities and workshops. He is 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.
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Jo Knowles is the author of Living with Jackie Chan, See You At Harry’s, Pearl, Jumping Off Swings, and Lessons from a Dead Girl. 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.
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Peter Lourie is the author of 26 adventure books and has presented in thousands of schools. When asked what he loves most about traveling the world, he says, “Meeting interesting people and learning about fascinating places! I love my job!” Through his gifts for storytelling and photography, Pete makes his adventures come alive for kids. He inspires students with a passion for exploring and a love of the craft of writing. A Fellow at the Explorers Club, Pete has taught writing at Columbia, the Universities of Maine and Vermont, and Middlebury College. He and his wife live in Weybridge, Vermont, where Pete is always planning his next big adventure!
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Amy Makechnie is the author of the critically acclaimed middle grade novels The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair and Ten Thousand Tries, both of which received multiple starred reviews and have been on numerous state and “best of” book lists. Her recent release, The McNifficents, tells the story of six rambunctious children and their nanny (who happens to be a very dignified Miniature Schnauzer). A former Anatomy and Physiology teacher and soccer coach, Amy is also mother to four children, enjoys running the picturesque roads in her small New Hampshire town, and is learning how to paint and draw more than stick figures.
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David Martin is the author of several children’s books, including the Peep and Ducky series, We’ve All Got Bellybuttons, Piggy And Dad Go Fishing, Monkey Trouble, and Happy Birthday. His most recent releases include Lucy and Bob, a series of four Brand New Reader stories that he wrote and illustrated, a picture book, All For Pie, Pie For All, and Let’s Have a Tree Party! His most recent book Shh! Bears Sleeping was chosen for the 2019 line up of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program. David is a former teacher who now leads literacy workshops for parents, teachers, and librarians and writing residencies for elementary school children. Learn more about David; watch a clip of David’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author Series.
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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.
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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.
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Christy Mihaly writes for young readers because she believes that our best hope for the future is raising kids who love to read. She especially enjoys nonfiction, and has written more than 35 books, including picture books Hey, Hey, Hay! (A Tale of Bales and the Machines That Make Them); WATER: A Deep Dive of Discovery; and Patience, Patches! A former lawyer, Christy has penned numerous books about democracy, such as Free for You and Me and The Supreme Court and Us. She also 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.
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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.
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Tracey Campbell Pearson is an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator. Since 1983, she has published more than 35 books, including Bob, about a rooster who can moo and meow, Where Does Joe Go?, which solves the mystery of the seasonal disappearance of the owner of Joe’s Snack Bar in Jericho, VT, and The Moon, Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic poem reset on a lobster boat on the coast of Maine. Tracey’s family, community, the people she has met, and the Vermont and New England landscapes inspire her books.
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Gina Perry is an illustrator and author of children’s books, living in New Hampshire. Originally from Massachusetts, Gina graduated from Syracuse University, and has also worked in animation and product development. SMALL, Gina’s debut as an author/illustrator, was a Bank Street Books Best Children’s Book of 2018. Her latest picture books, TOO MUCH! NOT ENOUGH and NOW? NOT YET! follow the adventures of two monster friends with clashing personalities. Learn more about Gina; watch a clip of Gina’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author Series.
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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.
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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.
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Rebecca Rupp, a scientist turned writer, is the award-winning author of many fiction and non-fiction books for children, among them The Dragon of Lonely Island, Octavia Boone’s Big Questions, and After Eli. She also maintains a huge blog of book lists and resources for parents and educators. Learn more about Rebecca; watch a clip of Rebecca’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author Series.
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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. Watch a clip of Ted’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author’s Series.
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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.
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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) and 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.
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Ever since she can remember, naturalist and writer Susie Spikol, has always been thrilled by the sight of any wild animal. 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. The Animal Adventurer’s Guide is her first book for children.
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.
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John is the author/illustrator of over 25 books for children, including Hooray for Snail! and Animal Cafe. He is currently animating songs.
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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.
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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.
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Chris Tebbetts is the author and co-author of many books for young readers. His new YA novel, ME, MYSELF, AND HIM will be out in July, 2019. Titles include the #1 New York Times bestselling MIDDLE SCHOOL series, as well as PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPERHERO, with James Patterson and illustrator Laura Park; the New York Times bestselling STRANDED series with Jeff Probst; and THE VIKING series. His work has received children’s choice awards in Oregon and Hawaii, as well a Sunshine State Young Readers Award nomination, and a nod on the New York Public Library’s annual list of Books For the Teen Age. He has also taught writing and creativity workshops for the Antioch Writers’ Workshop; the Highlights Foundation; and at schools around the country. Learn more about Chris; watch a clip of Chris’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author Series.
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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.
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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.
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The daughter of a refugee and concentration camp survivor Sandra Neil Wallace became a changemaker herself by shattering the glass ceiling in sports journalism as the first woman to host an NHL broadcast on TV. Her books have won national awards including, NCTE’s Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction and been chosen by Kirkus Reviews and Booklist as Best Children’s Books of the Year. She writes books for young readers about people who break barriers and change the world. She became a U.S. citizen in 2016 and is a member of the Keene Immigrant and Refugee Partnership and advisor to The Cohen Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Keene State College, where she received the Outstanding Woman of New Hampshire Award in 2019. Learn more about Sandra, watch a clip of Sandra’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author Series.
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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.
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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.
WebsiteWith gratitude for our past professional presenters who are an important part of CLiF’s history:
One of our popular presenters is author/illustrator Marty Kelley, who has written or illustrated books such as Almost Everybody Farts, Summer Stinks, and A Cape! We asked him what inspires his work.
CLiF is proud to work with 64 talented authors, illustrators, poets, graphic novelists, and storytellers from every corner of Vermont and New Hampshire to inspire low-income, at-risk, and rural kids to love reading and writing. We send our amazing presenters to schools, libraries, after school programs, childcare centers, summer camps, affordable housing developments, and other … Continued
CLiF couldn’t do what it does without the 65+ amazing authors, illustrators, and storytellers we send to schools, camps, afterschool programs, libraries, shelters, affordable housing communities, and many more spaces where kids spend time. We’re proud to have award-winning author Sandra Neil Wallace as one of those inspiring presenters. We asked Sandra about her experiences … Continued
CLiF has served over 350,000 children since 1998.