Bianca is the author of the new chapter book series, Magic On the Map, co-written with Courtney Sheinmel, and published by Random House Kids. She is also the author of The Time-Traveling Fashionsta, a historical fiction series published by Little, Brown and Company. The books have been translated into nine languages. Bianca is the Brooklyn regional manager at Writopia Lab, an award winning non-profit that fosters joy, literacy, and critical thinking in children and teens from all backgrounds through creative writing. You can find her at www.biancaturetsky.com

3 Fun Facts

1. My grandmother Louise can read palms and tell fortunes (my character in my Time-Traveling Fashionista books is named after her!)
2. My great-grandmother Alice Mills was a professional football (soccer) player in England and that is how she came to America.
3. I was a competitive swimmer from when I was 5 years old through college and still feel happiest when I’m underwater.

Karen Kaufman Orloff is the author of11 books for children including the popular “I Wanna” series of picture books. Her more recent books include “Some Days,” “Goodnight, Little Bot,” and “Miles of Smiles.” A 12th picture book, “Dudley’s Day At Home” will be out in 2020 from Flashlight Press. www.karenkaufmanorloff.com

3 Fun Facts

1. My favorite children’s book is “Horton Hears A Who”
2. Our family once had two iguanas, which, of course were the inspiration for “I Wanna Iguana!”
3. I owned and ran an antique store for 21 years.

KB once smashed into a tree while skiing. The accident led to a concussion, a cracked sternum, temporary notoriety as a sixth grader returned from the dead, and the realization that fictionalized accounts are way more interesting than just slipping on the ice.

Druids live among us, or at least they do in her YA series WIDE AWAKE released October 2018. When Gigi reverses the spell her mom died casting, she discovers that witches, werewolves, and magic aren’t just bedtime stories. They’re her story.

Be the FIRST to find out about new releases from Best-Selling Author, K.B. Anne. PLUS, receive Newsletter Subscriber Only Bonus Content! Join the Circle today! www.kbanne.com

3 Fun Facts

1. Gryffindor who enjoys fighting dark forces and thinks Severius Snape is the greatest.
2. Believes dark chocolate is the cure to everything that ails you.
3. Be kind is her motto.

David Kirk grew up in the wild and boundless suburbs of Ohio, where he learned about small creatures and art. He is the creator of Miss Spider, who appears in many well-loved children’s books and even her own television series. David is also the author and illustrator of over a dozen other books for children. His latest book, My Hugging Rules, arrives this May, just in time for the Hudson Children’s Book Festival. He lives in a happy forest with his family, where they nurture and groom a variety of fluffy friends, many of whom appreciate a good hug. www.davidkirktreehouse.com

3 Fun Facts

1. When I was a Cub Scout, I met astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon.
2. My big brother Daniel Kirk is also a children’s book author.
3. I have a pet hamster named Baby Ham. Her rapper name is Lil’ Chunk.

Nancy Furstinger has been speaking up for animals since she learned to talk, and she hasn’t shut up yet. She is the author of nearly 100 books, including many on her favorite topic: animals! She started her writing career in third grade, when her class performed a play she wrote while recovering from chicken pox. Since then, Nancy has been a feature writer for a daily newspaper, a managing editor of trade and consumer magazines, and an editor at two children’s book publishing houses. She shares her home with big dogs, house rabbits, and a chinchilla (all rescued), and volunteers with several animal organizations. www.nancyfurstinger.com

3 Fun Facts

1. I keep a pen that lights up on my nighttable in case inspiration strikes at dark hours.
2. Three of my books were inspired by my rescued animals (dog and rabbits). They loved accompanying me to book events!
3. I wrote my first story when I was in third grade. My class performed it as a play and I so loved hearing my words spoken that I decided to become a writer.

Daniel Kirk is the author and illustrator of over forty books for children. He grew up in Ohio, writing and drawing as soon as he was big enough to hold a pencil, and hasn’t stopped since. He currently lives in New Jersey with his wife, and works on his many creative projects every day. www.danielkirk.com

3 Fun Facts

1. Daniel Kirk loves music, and has written hundreds of songs and recorded albums for adults as well as children.
2. Daniel Kirk loves to travel, and has visited many far-away places doing research for his projects.
3. Daniel Kirk is a vegetarian and loves to cook. Anything with peanut butter in it is a favorite!

Karlin Gray is a picture book writer who lives in Westport, CT. Inspired by her childhood love of gymnastics, she wrote NADIA: THE GIRL WHO COULDN’T SIT STILL — “a winner of a sports story that both boys and girls will enjoy” (El Paso Times). And, inspired by her son’s love of moths, she wrote AN EXTRAORDINARY ORDINARY MOTH—“a perfect reminder that everyone and everything, no matter how seemingly ordinary, is extraordinary to the right person” (San Francisco Book Review). Her next book SERENA: THE LITTLEST SISTER will be published May 7, 2019 by PageStreet Kids. www.karlingray.com

3 Fun Facts

1. I lived in Japan for four years, ages 10-14.
2. If I could only have one dessert for the rest of my life, it would be ice cream.
3. My favorite childhood book was Little Women

Jessie Hartland has lived and worked in Lower Manhattan for over 30 years. She has painted murals at a Japanese amusement park, designed Christmas windows for Bloomingdale’s, and illustrated posters, ceramics, packaging, fabrics, watches and all sorts of other things.

Jessie has written and illustrated numerous children’s books on a variety of subjects, from meteorites & dinosaurs to Julia Child and Steve Jobs. Coming out this year is “My Tiny Pet” about a girl and her tartigrade. Her books have now been translated into over 13 languages. www.jessiehartland.com

3 Fun Facts

1. I collect CANDY. I have a candy collection that I’ve picked up from all over the world
2. I like poodles and jazz. I have a standard poodle named Django, after Django Reinhardt.
3. My next book coming out, “My Tiny Pet” is about a pet TARTIGRADE

Ty Allan Jackson is an award-winning children’s book author, literacy advocate, publisher and captivating motivational speaker. He is the founder of Big Head Books, LLC, a literacy organization that aims to introduce children to the joys of reading. Ty travels to schools, youth organizations and various professional settings nationwide inspiring children and educating adults about the impacts of illiteracy. A two time TedX presenter, Ty believes that literacy is the foundation for a successful life and promotes it with humor and enthusiasm. www.bigheadbooks.com

3 Fun Facts

1. I shave my head daily.
2. I love chocolate chip cookies!
3. Despite being 51 years old, I still play with superhero action figures.

Todd Strasser is the author of many award-winning YA novels, including The Wave, Price of Duty, No Home, and Fallout, which the New York Times called, “Superb entertainment… and gripping suspense.” Todd’s newest novel is the mostly-autobiographical novel, Summer of ’69, about that trippy summer 50 years ago that revolved around Led Zeppelin, the first manned moon landing, Vietnam, and Woodstock. Todd’s Help! I’m Trapped In … middle-grade series sold more than 5 million copies world-wide. His books have been translated into more than twenty languages, and several have been adapted for TV and film, including The Wave (2008), which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and will be a Netflix series in 2019, and the 1997 movie, Drive Me Crazy.

3 Fun Facts

1. Most of Summer of ’69 actually happened.
2. I spend each summer in Montauk, surfing.
3. I just adopted a rescue dog named Cooper.