2019 HCBF Archives - Page 4 of 4 - Hudson Childrens Book Festival

Lehrhaupt, Adam

Lehrhaupt, Adam

Adam Lehrhaupt is the award-winning author of multiple books, including Warning: Do Not Open This Book!, Please: Open This Book!, Chicken in Charge, I Will Not Eat You, Wordplay and Idea Jar. He has traveled to six continents, performed on Broadway, and lived on a communal farm. He firmly believes that opening a book is a good thing, even if there are monkeys in it. Adam currently lives in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA, with his wife, two sons, and two bizarre dogs. Follow Adam on twitter, Instagram, and Google+ @lehrhaupt for the occasional brilliant thought or picture, and at adamlehrhaupt.com.

3 Fun Facts

1. My mom has a farm with both chickens and sheep.
2. I enjoy skiing.
3. I’m really not this short, it’s an optical illusion. I’m just really far away.

Udell, Dan

New York State author Dan Udell has that kind of life that embraces all things of the mind and soul — music, writing, photography, science, technology and the wonders of nature. He earned degrees in physics and mathematics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, offered his talent as a writer with IBM (science, technology and photoessays and videography presentations for historic events), and curated art exhibitions as well as being the featured artist in many solo photographic exhibitions.

Walton, K.M.

Walton, K.M.

K.M. Walton is the award-winning author of Cracked, Empty, and Ultimatum. She recently adapted her debut contemporary YA novel, Cracked, into a full-length play. She edited and contributed to her music-focused YA anthology, Behind the Song. K.M. co-authored Teaching Numeracy: 9 Critical Habits to Ignite Mathematical Thinking for mathematics teachers K – 8. She graduated from West Chester University and taught middle school language arts. She’s so passionate about acceptance that she gives school presentations—middle school through university level—titled: “The Power of Human Kindness.” K.M. lives in PA with her husband, two sons, and cat. Visit kmwalton.com or Instagram: @kmwalton.

3 Fun Facts

1. I recently started painting abstract art, and I’m up to 86 pieces!
2. Napoleon Dynamite is my all-time favorite movie. Gosh.
3. I recently adapted my debut novel CRACKED into a full-length play.

Gantos, Jack

Gantos, Jack

JACK GANTOS is the author of forty-nine books for children from the “ROTTEN RALPH” picture books, collections of “JACK HENRY” short stories, upper elementary and middle school “JOEY PIGZA” and “NORVELT” novels, young adult books—LOVE CURSE OF THE RUMBAUGHS, DESIRE LINES, HOLE IN MY LIFE and THE TROUBLE IN ME. His work can lead readers from the cradle to the grave.

Mr. Gantos was a professor at Emerson College where he developed the Master’s Degree Program in Children’s Literature, Writing and Publishing. He now spends his time writing and is an active speaker at book and literacy conferences, schools and libraries. His works have received a Newbery Award, Scott O’Dell Award, Newbery Honor, Printz Honor, Sibert Honor, National Book Award Finalist nomination, and he is the 2010 recipient of the NCTE/ALAN AWARD for his contribution to the field of Young Adult and Children’s Literature. DEAD END IN NORVELT received both the 2012 John Newbery Award and the Scott O’Dell award for Historic Fiction. This was followed by the companion novel, FROM NORVELT TO NOWHERE. THE KEY THAT SWALLOWED JOEY PIGZA, the final book in the “Joey Pigza” series was released in 2014 and nominated for the Kirkus Prize. His most recent book, THE TROUBLE IN ME, is now available. www.jackgantos.com

Ransome, James

Ransome, James

James Ransome has illustrated over sixty picture books including Uncle Jed’s Barbershop, Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt, Satchel Paige, This is the Rope, and Before She Was Harriet. He is also the author and illustrator of three titles, New Red Bike, Gunner and My Teacher. James received his BFA from Pratt Institute in New York and is the winner of numerous awards for his illustrations including the Coretta Scott King, Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor and NAACP Image awards. In 2018, he was awarded the Coretta Scott King Honor for Before she Was Harriet, written by his wife, author Lesa Cline-Ransome.

His work is part of both private and public children’s book art collections and his commissioned murals are featured in the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and the Underground Railroad Museum in Cincinnati. The Metro-North Railroad selected James to illustrate a poster for the New York City Subway system. James is a Professor and coordinator of the MFA Illustration Graduate Program at Syracuse University and lives in New York’s Hudson River Valley region with his family. www.jamesransome.com

3 Fun Facts

1. I used to be a hip hop dj.
2. I am a hot dog connoisseur.
3. I am an avid chess player.