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Melissa Joy Adams received a BFA in Related Arts from Kutztown University and a MA in Literature from Hunter College. She is currently completing her MA thesis in Children's Literature at Hollins University. Her research interests include 19th century literature, children's literature, and gender studies. When she is not researching and studying literature from a critical perspective, she can be found writing her own YA novels.
Meagan Albright is a youth services librarian at the Alvin Sherman Library, Research and Information Technology Center, at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Meagan holds a bachelor's degree in English and Philosophy from the University of North Florida, a master's degree in Library and Information Science from the University of South Florida, and is beginning classes towards an Ed.D. in Early Childhood Literacy at NSU. In 2007, her article, "The Public Library's Responsibility to LGBT Communities: Recognizing, Representing and Serving" was awarded first prize in the Public Library Association's annual article contest. Obsessed with books since her mother read her The Hobbit at age six, Meagan loves literature and sharing her favorite books.
Nancy Garhan Attebury holds an M.A. in Children's Literature and Writing for Children from Hollins University. She has recently finished six nonfiction books for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders who use the Houghton Mifflin reading program. Two of those titles were Lift Off! and Turn Up the Radio. Several magazines credits are hers. Some include Highlights, Jack and Jill, Humpty Dumpty, The Friend, and Holidays and Seasonal Celebrations. Two of her critical children's literature papers "Bridging the Gap in Children's Literature for Asian-American Youngster" and "The Olympic Spirit in Children's Literature" have been published in the international education journal produced by Delta Kappa Gamma. She critiques manuscripts for aspiring authors and has offered workshops on writing for various groups such as the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and the Oregon Library Association. She lives in Oregon with husband Rich. They have a daughter Rami who also reviews for Children's Literature.
Ramirose Ilene Attebury graduated from Eastern Oregon University with a B.A. in history and a minor in Spanish. She earned a Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina and is currently working on an M.A. in history from Central Washington University. Ramirose is employed as a graduate assistant at the CWU library and works in the reference and instruction, government documents, and archives departments. She volunteers in the archives and local history collection at the Ellensburg Public Library. Ramirose also enjoys working with children through the Youth Services Center in Ellensburg.
Marianne Baker is an assistant professor in reading education at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. She teaches children's and adolescent literature as well as literacy acquisition courses and graduate courses in reading. Marianne is a member of both Virginia Readers Choice and Capitol Choices: Noteworty Books for Children.
Julia Beiker is a graduate from Emporia State University with a Bachelor degree in Special Education and Elementary Ed and a Master's degree in Learning Disabilities. She taught K-12 as both a regular and special teacher. Right now, she teaches special education in an inner city school in Topeka, Kansas. She been published multiple times in several magazines and newspapers and currently working on getting books published. As an avid reader, she has enjoyed reading fiction and nonfiction all of her life. She lives with her two school-aged children and husband outside Topeka.
Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt is an award-winning freelance writer and editor who enjoys writing about the arts, cool places, and out-of-the-box thinkers. She has written for American Profile, Family Circle, Go, Ladie's Home Journal, and The Washington Post. She is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors(ASJA). Sheri also writes children's fiction and nonfiction, and is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators(SCBWI). In June 2006, Nomad Press published Sheri's activity book "Great World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself" and will follow it up un January 2007 with "Amazing Maya Inventions You Can Build Yourself." Chronicle Books will publish Sheri's picture book "You Think It's Easy Being the Tooth Fairy?" also in 2007. Sheri's juvenile fiction is being represented by Caryn Wiseman of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Please visit Sheri's website at www.Bell-Rehwoldt.com
Jennifer Chambliss Bertman received an MFA in Creative Writing from Saint Mary's College in Moraga, CA. She worked as a production editor for McGraw Hill Higher Education and taught writing at Front Range Community College. Currently, she works as a freelance editor and writer and as a subsitute teacher. She has been a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators since 1999 and currently volunteers her time as the local speaker coordinator in the rocky mountain region. Jennifer is currently working on a YA novel and lives in Colorado.
Jean Boreen has loved young adult literature since taking a course with Annabelle Irwin (half of Hadley Irwin) at Iowa State University. Jean has a B.A. and M.A. in English and a Ph.D. in English Education. She taught at Iowa State and University of Iowa and currently teaches English Education methods courses at Northern Arizona University, where she is an associate professor of English and the Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Letters. Jean has
taught in middle schools and high schools in Arizona and Iowa and has published in the areas of young adult literature and the mentoring of beginning teachers.
Mary Bowman-Kruhm, Ed.D is author of over 30 books for children and young adults. She is a member of the special education faculty, Johns Hopkins University and a contributing editor to Children's Book Insider newsletter. Recent books for young adults are Margaret Mead: A Biography (Greenwood) and Careers in Child Care (Rosen). Books for young children include Busy Toes and Busy Fingers, multiethnic picture books written with Claudine Wirths and Wendie Old under the pen name C. W. Bowie. She is a member of the National Council of Teachers of English, the International Reading Association, the Author's Guild, and the Children's Book Guild of Washington and has presented at international, national, and local conferences and workshops. You can visit Mary at her web site.
Nancy T. Braverman is currently the Media Specialist at the Chatsworth School in Baltimore County. In this capacity, Ms. Braverman works with over 400 elementary age students weekly recommending and purchasing books for their pleasure and enrichment. Prior to teaching in a school media center, she worked in the academic library at Towson University. Personally, Ms. Braverman loves to curl up with a good book and to read with her own kids!
Michelle Negron Bueno holds a B.A. in Anthropology, and M.A. in Religion and is working on her M.F.A. in Children's Literature at Hollins University. She was born in Spain and lived there as a teenager. She has lived in El Salvador since 1996, working as the Publications Director of a community development organization. Her children, Jack, and twins, Ela and Grey, were born in El Salvador and are beginning readers in both Spanish and English. Michelle is currently working on a novel for middle grade readers.
Naomi Butler is the Children's/YA Coordinator for Western Maryland Public Libraries. She has a degree in English/History, a Masters of Science in Library Science from the University of North Carolina and an Advanced Graduate Specialist in Education from the University of Maryland. Her work background includes: school library media specialist, college Assistant Professor, School Specialist at the Division of Library Services at the Maryland State Department of Education, Instruction and Assessment Specialist at MSDE for the School Outreach Office, Training/Advocacy Coordinator for Western Maryland Public Libraries. Children's/YA books and services and networking are her present concentration areas.
Hazel Buys is an artist and writer who works from home in Richmond VA. She grew up an "army brat" and had lived around the world by the time she was twelve. Hazel was educated in the United States and in Europe, completing a M.Ed. at the University of Virginia after attending the American University in Paris, France and graduating from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. She remains a life-long student of French, German and Spanish. Before "retiring" when her son arrived, she worked in human services agencies as a counselor and in IT as a programmer and systems analyst. Hazel has also worked as an art teacher in a Montessori pre-school, a consultant for a Respite Resource Project and as an ESL instructor. Keeping her equally busy now are her husband, son and three dogs, who create a lively household. One of these dogs, a Samoyd, has an additional role as a "fiber" animal, keeping Hazel supplied with dog hair that she spins into yarn. Hazel reads voraciously in all genres, writes and illustrates picture books and writesYA fiction novels. Her fine art paintings are exhibited locally and nationally and are included in private collections in Europe and the United States.
Kara Byrne has been an elementary and middle school teacher, with experiences from remedial through gifted instruction. She is currently pursuing her M.A. in English and beginning a career as a college professor. She has enjoyed reading since childhood. Among her favorite books are Tuck Everlasting, Dandelion Wine, Jane Eyre, and The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Treasured authors include Joan Aiken, Natalie Babbitt, Charles Dickens, Langston Hughes, and Jan Karon. Her favorite books are those that include a theme of overcoming odds, and she loves a happy ending! She considers writing for children or becoming a children's librarian some day. Currently, she enjoys a busy but contented life with her husband, two cats, and dog.
Cindy Carolan holds a B.A. in Political Science/International Studies from Luther College and a Master's Degree in Telecommunications (International) from George Mason University. After spending 7 years working in the legal end of the bustling commercial real estate world in Washington, D.C. she made the decision to become a full time stay at home mom (and has never regretted it). An active church, sports and school volunteer (particularly in libraries), she enjoys traveling, cooking, singing in a band, spending time with outdoors her family and reading.
Laurina Cashin is one of the partners of We Love Childrens Books, a consulting business to the childrens book industry. She has a twenty year history of working with libraries and childrens books, primarily in marketing and collection development. She is an active member of ALA and has served on ALSC committees, including the Newbery Committee. Picture books brought her into the childrens book field, and she is also an avid reader of YA fiction.
Carol Raker Collins lives and writes in Towson, Maryland. She was the head of Proofreading Services at T. Rowe Price, an investment management company in Baltimore, Maryland. She received her B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in English from the University of California at Berkeley, where she taught English for six years. In California, she managed a financial planning company and earned Chartered Financial Consultant and Chartered Life Underwriter designations. She was an Honor Student at Berkeley and received financial scholarships from The American College and the International Association for Financial Planning, as well as taught the financial planning course for the Life Underwriters Training Council. Since 1998, she has been a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and has written book reviews for Children's Literature. Dr. Collins has also been a judge in the children's literature contest for the Baltimore Writer's Alliance. Her poems have been published in PKA's Advocate and The Pegasus Review. She is currently writing a book about money for the middle reader. Dr. Collins enjoys all sorts of books, for children and adults, and is a language buff with knowledge of French, Italian, Latin, and Greek. Applying her expertise in critical and editorial analysis of literature to the review of children's books continues to be an important aspect of her writing life
Keri Collins is a writer and has been published in READ, Pockets, Listen, and Central Coast Magazine. She is part of the curatorial staff at Hearst Castle, a historic house museum designed by architect Julia Morgan for William Randolph Hearst, America's first media magnate. Her first book, Faces of Hearst Castle, co-authored with Curator Jana Seely, will be published in September 2007. Ms. Collins holds a Master's degree in Education, specializing in Literacy and Reading, and taught first grade for six years. Her book recommendation blog, www.KeriRecommends.com, includes favorite books for kids and adults. When not reading, she is working on a novel for young adults and various freelance magazine pieces.
Jamaica Johnson Conner teaches ninth graders English and Advanced English at Amherst County High School nestled in the mountainous county of Amherst, Virginia. She has taught English at the middle and high school level in private and public institutions since she graduated from Liberty University in 1998. In June of that same year, Jamaica married her high school sweetheart, Terry Conner. She and Terry live on a farm with their two dogs: a golden retriever named, Bear, and a toy poodle named, Shadow, two cats: Daisy and Spike, two horses: Alladin and Aslan Jeremiah, and three cows. They both share a love for family, gardening, reading, theatre, movies, and popcorn. In the April/May 2006 edition of educational journal Library Media Connection, Jamaica published an article entitled "Library Research Takes Flight: An Adventure in Taking Risks." Along with teaching ninth graders literary concepts, effective writing skills, and the basics of English grammar, Jamaica encourages her students to follow their dreams. Jamaica's dream is to one day publish a children's book of her own. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Liberty University.
Emily Cook is a full time mother of three young children and an aspiring writer. Before delving into full time parenting, Emily spent twelve years working for several major communications companies, including Discovery Communications where she worked as a publicist for Discover Channel Online and MCI Communications in various areas of marketing and communications. Emily has been writing on a freelance basis for several years as well as on a number of personal projects that include a children's book and a feature length screenplay. Most recently, Emily has written reviews for the Rosebud Independent Film Awards which appeared in magazines such as Behind the Scenes, Script, iCom and The Washington Review. Emily loves to find new and exciting children's books to share with her children and, admittedly, enjoys reading them as much for herself as she does for them.
Sue Corbett has been a staff writer at the Miami Herald since 1991 and a children's book reviewer since 1996. She also reviews books for Publishers Weekly and People. Her first novel, 12 Again (Dutton), is a finalist for the California Young Readers' Medal and an International Reading Association Honor book in intermediate fiction. Her second novel, Free Baseball (Dutton) will be published in Spring 2006. She lives with her husband and three children in southern Virginia.
Marilyn Courtot is the editor and publisher of Children's Literature. She has a degree in English literature from the University of Maryland, a master's in library science from The Catholic University of America, and has been a lifelong reader of children's books. Marilyn is a member of numerous professional organizations including the Association of Booksellers for Children, the Women's National Book Association, and the Children's Book Guild of Washington DC. In 1987, she was selected as one of the outstanding alumni of Catholic University.
Robin Cox is a writer/librarian living and working at Fort Hood, Texas. A graduate of Florida universities with advanced degrees in education and library science, she has worked as a classroom teacher and librarian for over 16 years. She has published various articles relating to children and reading, and carries a unique burden for reluctant readers. Serving military families with parents deployed in dangerous parts of the world, her goal has been to support military children through diverse library programs. As the mother of five readers, she looks for stories with meaning that matter.
Judy Crowder grew up in California (that explains a lot), becoming seriously addicted to books and reading at an early age. After earning a BA in journalism from Cal. State University, Fresno, I elected to "marry an academic and see the world," --or at least many of the country's cow colleges. Speaking of cows, I have lived in Wisconsin and Michigan, where I learned that "snow" is a four-letter word. I now live in Morehead City, North Carolina, national headquarters of the Bald Headed Men of America (I kid you not!). I taught preschool in the Midwest and North Carolina for a combined ten years. Teaching added a new dimension to my book addiction: a love for children's literature. My husband, Larry, is Professor of Marine Ecology and Director of the Center for Marine Conservation at Duke University's Marine Laboratory. We have three children: Emily, an elementary school teacher and prone to help herself to Mom's books, Sean, a college student, and Elias, a high school senior. Three Scottish terriers lovingly add to the Crowder house chaos. I am a writer, working on humor, children's books and an adult "comedic" mystery, sing in a choir, sew miniature as well as regular-size teddy bears and dolls plus share a passion for antique cars with my husband (We have a 1933 Plymouth Coupe and a 1949 Ford truck). I look for books that I would want to share or read aloud in any classroom.
Denise Daley is a Library Media Specialist at a public elementary school in a suburb of Buffalo, New York. She possesses a Master of Library Science degree and a Master of Public Relations degree. Denise has enjoyed children's literature ever since she herself was a child and she shares her enthusiasm for books and reading with all of her students and her three year old son. She also enjoys boating, jogging, and gardening.
Judy DaPolito earned a B.A. in English and History and an M.A. in English at Bowling Green State University. She did further graduate study in English and Philosophy at Indiana University. She recently retired from teaching composition, literature, and fiction writing at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio, where she was Professor of English. Currently, Judy is finishing the manuscript of a medieval young adult novel. When she's not reading, writing, or spending time with family and friends, she chairs the Faculty Selection Committee of the Antioch Writers' Workshop. She belongs to a wonderfully quirky book club, a great writing group, the Jane Austen Society of North America, and is also an associate member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
Sally J. K. Davies has a graduate diploma in illustration from Sheridan College in Canada, where she majored in book illustration. Sally has illustrated picture books, chapter books, an anthology of folk rhymes, several book jackets, cookbooks, magazines, menus, and has contributed to many children's educational books. She has worked as a graphic designer and calligrapher at advertising agencies in England and North America. In 1997, Carolrhoda Books/Lerner Publishing Group published a picture book entitled Why Did We Have to Move Here? that Sally wrote and illustrated. That same year Sally obtained her private pilot's license and gave birth to her first child. Sally Davies is the recipient of the Early Literacy and Reading Award from the Association for Childhood Education for her latest book, When William Went Away.. Also, it was chosen as a Storytelling World Award Honor Title. Sally is a member of the Children's Book Guild of Washington, DC.
Karen Deans worked as a journalist and fiction writer before turning to painting full-time. For the past several years she has worked as a freelance illustrator and mural painter. She often funds herself working on illustration projects that involve children's themes and children's organizations. Her love of reading and writing extends to all types of books for children. Karen lives in Bethesda, MD with her husband and three children.
Jennie DeGenaro received a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M - Commerce and a Master of Science degree from Indiana University. She has 31 hours in academic work beyond the master's degree. She taught kindergarten through the university level and supervised programs for the talented and gifted as well as children with learning disabilities. She directed a program for school volunteers who helped children with reading problems. Professional experience was acquired in Maryland, Illinois, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Japan. Her work has been published in national and regional pulications in reading, gifted education and in learning disabilities. She writes children's books and educational material for parents. She is a member of various writers groups and has held office in these organizations.
Candace E. Deisley was a Children's Librarian at the Albany Public Library for over eighteen years before becoming Curriculum Librarian (Librarian in the School of Education) at the College of Saint Rose, also in Albany. Prior to working at Albany, she was a school librarian in a rural elementary school. She recently retired from Saint Rose, but still serves as President of the Children's Literature Connection ( www.childrensliteratureconnection.org), and chairs the Bookdates children's book discussion group. A member of the 2003 Caldecott Committee, Candace has reviewed for Childrenslit.com since 1999.
Janice DeLong has been a teacher for more than thirty years. Her consuming interest in children's literature began with enrollment in a correspondence course in 1973. Her classroom experience includes both elementary and middle school in public and parochial settings. For the past eighteen years she has been privileged to be children's literature instructor at the university level. She has the pleasure of serving on the same college faculty as her husband, Robert. They are the parents of four children. Janice has co-authored Core Collection for Small Libraries, Contemporary Christian Authors, and Young Adult Poetry: A Survey and Theme Guide with colleague and friend, Rachel Schwedt, and is currently involved in a work-in-progress, Core Collection for Small Libraries, Volume 2. She and her husband have collaborated on two study guides for Progeny Press, Redwall, based on Brian Jacques' animal fantasy, and Crispin: Cross of Lead, Avi's Newbery Medal winner of historical fiction. She is a collector of Raggedy Ann dolls and books, and she finds relaxation in growing miniature violets, and, of course, reading.
Angie Dooley - "I am from Cincinnati, OH. I am married and have three children, 12, 7 and 4. I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Secondary English Education from The Ohio State University. In addition, I have earned a Master's Degree from Xavier University in Special Education. I have been a teacher for the last 8 years. Currently, I am an Intervention Specialist in the English Department at Winton Woods High School. I began a great interest of children's literature during my studies at Xavier University. I was excited to have a new world open to me. Being a teacher at the high school level, I have learned to appreciate the valuable uses of children's and young adult literature in my classroom. Becoming a reviewer of children's and young adult literature is an honor to me. I am thrilled to have a part in the shaping of young people's minds."
MaryJo Edwards is not an author, editor, illustrator, librarian or teacher. However, in 1987 she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Two weeks into her first Nursing job, her vision deteriorated (due to diabetic retinopathy) to the point where she had to cease working and needed several eye surgeries. The vitrectomies (eye surgeries) did not save her sight. In 1999 she received a kidney/pancreas transplant from an anonymous donor named Wesley and his generous family. The donor's family and MaryJo have kept in touch via letter-writing, and must avoid identifying information. Since 1998 she has volunteered part-time for a local Hospice. She places bereavement calls and then types the reports on the computer and sends them on their way. MaryJo recently found out about writing book reviews from her mother, who's friend is a children's book writer. MaryJo and her Kurzweil Reading Edge machine are excited about joining the Children's Literature reviewer team.
Sheilah Egan became a school librarian in 1969, delighting in sharing her own love of reading with students in preK through 7th grade. Reading aloud was a continuing part of her life as she raised four children. As a volunteer with Scouting programs, Sunday schools and at a variety of private and public schools in Northern Virginia she remained involved with children's books. Even though she has retired from A LIKELY STORY CHILDREN'S BOOKSTORE (where she was the manager and "Story Lady" for 21 years), she is still committed to exposing children to the joys of reading. She gives presentations for parents and children as well as speaking to teacher training classes and in-service programs for established teachers. All of which allows her t keep a finger on the pulse of children's literature. Ms. Egan is the Mid-Atlantic Sales Representative for The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. She also serves on the board of the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association. Her membership in The Washington Children's Book Guild is another way she stays connected to the authors and illustrators who create the books she loves so dearly.
Kathy Erskine enjoyed an interesting childhood growing up in the U.S. and overseas at a time when children were left to their own devices much more than they are today. She remembers spending all day in the woods as a second grader, and running around foreign city streets as a 10 year old, with no one worried about her whereabouts. Some of her adventures appear in her writing. Her love of travel-and writing about different countries-also comes from her upbringing. She graduated from The College of William and Mary in Virginia and obtained her law degree from The American University in Washington, D.C. She gave up the lawyer's life to devote her time to her family and writing. She writes fiction for readers aged 8 to 18. Her first novel, Ibhubesi: The Lion, is set in South Africa, where she lived as a young child. She now lives in Virginia with her husband and two children. Her latest novel is Quaking (Philomel 2007). Website: www.kathyerskine.com
Beverly Fahey is currently a media specialist at Sanders Corner Elementary School in Ashburn, Virginia. In addition to over 15 years as a school media specialist, she worked for 20 years for the Monroe County Library System (Rochester, NY) as a children's librarian. She is a former member of the Genesee Storytellers, has taught a graduate course in children's literature at Nazareth College in Rochester, NY, and conducted workshops and in service training for teachers, librarians, and parents. In 1997, she saw the publication of Volume 4 of Choices: A Core Collection for the Reluctant Reader, an annotated bibliography for parents and educators which she compiled with the help of a colleague.
Sylvia Firth earned a BS in Library Science and Education from Millersville University in Millersville, PA. She spent most of her career as an Elementary School Librarian. Retired for a number of years, she is still is active with the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association. Collecting autographed children's books is one of her main hobbies. With the arrival of a new grandchild, she is now happily building him his own library. She is an avid fan of Harry Potter. Recently she went to Poland to teach English to children attending a summer camp. While there, she shared the video (in English) "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." It proved to be a big hit with all the youngsters.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins is working on her M.A. in children's literature from Hollins University. She teaches 4th grade, leads a book club for teachers who love to read children's literature, and is working on a young adult biography and a picture book biography. She is interested in reviewing and writing nonfiction for children
Vicki Footehas been an elementary teacher and librarian in Nebraska, Kansas, and California. She has a Master's Degree from the University of Nebraska. She taught second and third grades in elementary schools and then studied library science to become a Media Specialist in education. She has published articles and poems in newspapers and magazines. She is studying writing, belongs to a critique group, and is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She is attending art classes in watercolor and acrylic painting. She enjoys reviewing books for children in preschool and the early grades, both fiction and nonfiction.
Carolyn Mott Ford found joy in reading as a child that has lead to her interest in writing stories for children, which have appeared in a number of juvenile magazines including Highlights for Children, Ladybug, Pockets, and Humpty Dumpty's Magazine. Her early reader, Nothing in The Mailbox published by Richard C. Owen, Inc. is on the Reading Recovery List and two additional titles, Tides and The Brown Paper Bag, have been scheduled for publication. She also writes poetry and essays for newspapers, literary journals and general publications. She has six children and enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and volunteering in a reading program at a nearby elementary school.
Kathleen Foucart is a graduate student at Hollins University. She is currently working on her MFA in Children's Literature as well as several writing projects, including a YA fantasy novel. She received her undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech in 2005 and currently lives in Christiansburg, VA.
Quinby Frank was the librarian at The Green Hedges School in Vienna, Virginia for many years. After a brief retirement she now works at The Green Acres School in Maryland. Previously she worked at The Norwood School in Maryland. She has also worked as a preschool teacher in Washington, DC. She has a BA in history from Wellesley College and an MLS from the University of Maryland. She and her husband have two grown daughters, both avid readers, and two grandchildren, avid listeners.
Donna Freedman is a writer and returning student who lives in Seattle. She has interviewed many children's authors and has reviewed children's books for the Anchorage Daily News and Alaska Magazine in addition to Children's Literature. Her writing and research have appeared in scores of adult- and child-themed publications, including Time Magazine For Kids, American Girl, Highlights For Children and National Geographic Kids. She is the author of City Smart Anchorage, from Avalon Travel Publishing, and with Ed White co-authored Foxy's Tale: The True Story of a Champion Alaska Sled Dog.
Elizabeth Fronk earned her library degree from the University of Michigan and began her library career working part-time as a children's librarian. She is constantly amazed at the variety, imagination, wonder and craft that can be found in books for children as well as young adults. Currently, she serves at Chattanooga State Community College library as the reference and electronic services librarian. She is able to keep ties to children's literature by adding to the library's collection of children's books. Chattanooga State shares some children's books with Tennessee Technological University, a four-year school, and offers classes in early elementary education and children's literature. She also tells stories to young children with the assistance of her dog puppet, Gertrude.
Elaine Fultz is the school librarian for Weller Elementary School in Centerville OH. She earned her Library Media degree from Wright State University and an MLS from the University of Pittsburgh. YA literature and poetry are her passions, and she enjoys fulfilling all staff and student demands for children's literature at the elementary school and district-wide. Life as an ardent child-reader grew into life as an devoted professional in the children's literature realm. In other words, few days, if any, have passed in her literate lifetime when she is not reading and assessing books for young people and the adults who share books with them. Elaine also wrote reviews for Voice of Youth Advocates. Personal interests include writing, music, women's history, media literacy, and soccer.
Karen T. Galenis received her undergraduate degree in English and Secondary Education from James Madison University and her masters degree in Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina. She has taught high school English for twelve years and is currently the Library Media Specialist at Waynesboro High School in Waynesboro,
Virginia. She is a member of the Virginia State Reading Association where she serves on the Virginia Readers' Choice book selection committee for high school students, and she is a Regional Director for the Virginia Education Media Association. Karen is a proponent of free voluntary reading at the high school level and believes that putting the right book in a student's hands can make all the difference.
María E. Gentle is originally from Nicaragua where she graduated from high school. She received her BA from the University of Missouri at Columbia and her MLS from the University of Texas at Austin. Her specialty was Latin American Studies. She is married and has three daughters. María has worked for Austin Public Libraries, Harris County Libraries (Houston), Houston Baptist University Library and currently works at Arlington County Public Library. She has served in several ALA committees including the first Michael L. Printz and on the Margaret A. Edwards Award committees. Currently she is on the YALSA Board of Directors. María loves travel, food, wine, film and of course books either in print or in audio. Most of these activities she enjoys sharing with husband Jim.
Wendy J. Glenn is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut. In her role as coordinator of English Education, she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in the theories and methods of teaching language, literature, and composition. She is the author of Sarah Dessen: From Burritos to Box Office (Lanham, MD: Scarecrow, 2005) and Presenting Richard Peck (with Don Gallo; Lanham, MD: Scarecrow, pending) and co-editor of Portrait of a Profession: Teachers and Teaching in the 21st Century (Westport, CT: Praeger, 2005). She has published articles in The ALAN Review, English Journal, Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, SIGNAL, and Peremena/Thinking Classroom. Her authored book chapters appear in Censored Books: Critical Viewpoints, Vol. II (Lanham, MD: Scarecrow, 2002) and Beyond the Boundaries: A Transdisciplinary Approach to Teaching and Learning (Westport, CT: Praeger, 2003). She currently serves as an editor of the Journal of Literacy Research and editorial review board member of The ALAN Review. A former classroom teacher, she earned her Ph.D. from Arizona State University.
Peg Glisson obtained an MLS from Syracuse University and was a Children's Librarian in the Monroe Country Library System for 11 years. Currently Peg is a School Library Media Specialist at Mendon Center Elementary School, Pittsford, NY. In addition to Children's Literature, Peg also reviews for School Library Journal and was the editor of Choices: A Core Collection for Young Reluctant Readers. Peg served as a member of the ALSC Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award in 2004. She is also a member of Genesee Storytellers, a company of professional storytellers who focus on telling traditional folklore and the teaching of the art of storytelling to children and adults. For many years, Peg was part of the Planning Committee for the University of Rochester Storytelling Conference.
Miriam ("Mim") Gottschalk is a children's librarian at Rancho Mirage Public Library, Rancho Mirage, CA. Her first professional position was in mainland China where she established a library at TEDA International School. Subsequent library positions include school librarian at a girls' Catholic High School and a New Mexico middle school, children's librarian at Los Angeles Public Library including a stint on the Inner City Bookmobile, and young adult librarian at Palm Desert (CA) Public Library. She has reviewed books for the International Association of School Librarians. She loves reading to children, especially her granddaughter who adores books.
Heidi Hauser Green currently works as a researcher and webmaster at a non-profit organization. In addition to a Bachelor's degree from Niagara University, she has earned a Master's Degree in English with a concentration on Children's and Young Adult Literature from Illinois State University. She also has a Master's in Library and Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh. In addition to book reviews, she has written several encyclopedia articles related to children's literature. She resides in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and son.
Elisabeth Greenberg loves reading, writing, kids, and travel. She can't sleep at night without having one last read settled against her pillows and she greets the new day with a cup of coffee and a browse through the newspaper. Teaching overseas in Japan, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia led to a husband (and four wonderful children) and a life of adventure and discovery. Elisabeth writes for Cricket, Faces, and children's and travel magazines in the UK, the Middle East, and Australia.
Stephanie Guerra is an adjunct professor of children's literature and young adult fiction at Seattle University. She also teaches courses in creative writing to the women inmates of King County Jail. She earned her M.F.A. in creative writing with an emphasis in children's literature from the University of Notre Dame and completed doctoral coursework in reading, writing, and literacy at the University of Pennsylvania. Her research interests include censorship and children's literature, children's responses to read-alouds, and using young adult fiction to teach incarcerated teens. Stephanie lives in Seattle with her husband and son.
Carlee Hallman is a graduate of Knox College in Galesburg, IL, and Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. She is a retired United Methodist Minister. She wrote a column for Mature Years magazine for a year and a half and recently was part of a team to revise curriculum for "Toddlers and Twos" for the United Methodist Church.. Carlee has taken courses in poetry and in writing for children. Since retirement she has had work published in Spider and Hopscotch magazines. She has poetry published and takes part in poetry readings. Her poem won the Matt Clark Prize for poetry in 2006. From a family of artists, she was a docent for children for two years at the National Gallery of Art. Her book, "Abide with Me: Prayers for Life's Eventide" will be published in September 2006. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), Women's National Book Association (WNBA), Maryland Writers Association, and Word Works
Amy S. Hansen is an award-winning science writer who specializes in children's publications. Her books include Bugs to Bugsicles: Insects in the Winter. (Boyds Mills Press, TBA) and KidSource: Science Experiments (Lowell House Juvenile, 2000). Her work appears in Ask, Click, Cricket, and Highlights for Children. When writing for adults, Ms. Hansen focuses on the National Science Foundation web site; previously, she was the senior writer and editor of their magazine, Frontiers. She also works for the Washington Post and World Wildlife Fund. Ms Hansen holds masters degrees in Journalism and Natural Resources from the University of Michigan and is a member of Xi Sigma Pi, the Forestry Honors Fraternity. She is also the mother of two boys who appear frequently in her writing
Leah Hanson has always had her nose in a book-whether it is Nancy Drew, Anne of Green Gables, or the latest Mary Higgins Clark. Her love of reading and passion for good literature prompted her to study English teaching at Brigham Young University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. After an adventurous year of teaching high school English and being on the teacher's side of the desk, she moved to the east coast and received a Masters of Teaching in the Museum Education program at The George Washington University. She currently works as Coordinator of School Programs for Heritage Museums and Gardens on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Kristin Harris combines her skills in visual learning with a profound respect for the innate curiosity of young children. Her background in fine arts and twenty-five year involvement with preschool and elementary education come together to create a voice/ style that speaks to children. The studio has created over 50 short form animations for young children. HBO Family/HBOL is broadcasting forty of her interstitials. The 30-part series, "Now You Know" are animated preschool science questions and answers. The second series for HBO Family, "I Want to Be" looks at the world of work from the point of view of a young child. A selection of these shorts have been included in the 2003 Chicago International Children's Film Festival as well as The Museum of Television and Radio's 2003 International Children's Television Festival in New York and Los Angeles. "Life Stories," a series of animated life cycles, premiered at the East Lansing Children's Film Festival in 2004.
Jackie Hechtkopf is a school librarian at Timber Lane Elementary in Fairfax County, Virginia. Using the pseudonym, Jacqueline Jules, she has authored four children's books: The Grey Striped Shirt (Alef Design, 1995), Once Upon a Shabbos (Kar-Ben, 1998), Clap and Count: Action Rhymes for the Jewish Year (Kar-Ben, 2001), The Hardest Word (Kar-Ben, 2001). Her poetry and prose have appeared in, or been accepted by, sixty publications including Cricket, Cicada, Spider,Young Judaean Magazine, Highlights Magazine, America, and Wee Ones Online Magazine. In 1999, she was a winner in the Arlington County Moving Words Poetry Competition. In 2002, she was awarded the SCBWI Magazine Merit Honor Plaque for her poem, "At Bat." She received her Masters of Library Science at the University of Maryland.
Trina Heidt, formerly a bookseller and children's department supervisor at a bookstore, is now a stay at home mother of six wonderful children. Trina has a bachelor's degree in elementary education with a concentration in reading and literacy but has chosen to be a home schooling mom. Trina has always had a great fondness for children's books both old and new and loves to share these with her children. She believes that children are never too young or too old to read aloud to and enjoys "story time" with all of her children. Besides searching for beautiful, well written books, Trina enjoys photography and the wide open spaces of her home state of North Dakota.
Eleanor Heldrich, wife of a pediatrician and mother of four grown children, published books, primarily about flower arranging, for twenty years under the banner of Prospect Hill Press. She has been the editor of Gardenews, the Official Publication of the Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland, Inc., since 1977. She is a volunteer tutor for the Dyslexic Tutoring Program in Baltimore and is a member of the Board of the Baltimore Conservatory Association. A member of the Movable Book Society, she is an avid collector of pop up books.
Dr. Suzanna E. Henshon finished a Ph.D. at William & Mary in May 2005 and teaches writing full-time at Florida Gulf Coast University. Her first novel, Mildew on the Wall, was published in 2004 by Royal Fireworks Press, and a sequel, Spiders on the Ceiling, is due out in December 2006. During the fall of 2006, the Center for Gifted Education at College of William & Mary will publish Dr. Henshon's Notes from a Writer, a guide for talented young writers and their parents.
Susan Hepler is a children's literature specialist and consultant based in Alexandria, VA. She currently reviews children's literature while working with school systems and organizations to develop literature-based curricula and early classroom materials that bring children, a love of reading, and good books together. Her special reviewing interests include K-8 nonfiction and early chapter books. Susan received her Ph.D. from Ohio State University and has taught at the elementary, high school, college, and graduate level. She is a co-author, with Charlotte S. Huck, Janet Hickman and Barbara Kiefer, of Children's Literature in the Elementary School (Mc-Graw-Hill, 2003) and an author, with Maria Salvadore, of Books Your Kids Will Talk About! (NEA, 2003). She is also a contributor to Making Facts Come Alive: Choosing Quality Nonfiction Literature K-8 edited by Rosemary Bamford and Jan Kristo (Christopher-Gordon, 2001). For 25 years, Susan has also been a reviewer for School Library Journal and currently reviews for them and Children's Literature. In addition, Susan has developed teacher educational materials for public television, Reading is Fundamental, and others.
Mary Hynes-Berry has spent decades paging through children's books for her own pleasure and that of her children and grandchildren, as well as for professional reasons. She is on a never-ending search for high quality books that can be used as resources for oral storytelling in classrooms, for designing and implementing family literacy and school literacy programs in Chicago Public Schools and for teacher education classes and professional development workshops she does as faculty member at Erikson Institute for Early Childhood, in Chicago Illinois.
Kathleen Isaacs, a long time middle school teacher and occasional librarian has worked in schools, colleges, and a public library in Baltimore, Washington, British Hong Kong, and China. With master's degrees in both library science and education, she has been active in professional associations, serving on ALA/ALSC's Newbery, Batchelder, and Sibert Book Awards Committees, as well as YALSA's Margaret Edwards Award and Best Books for Young Adults. She chaired the 2005 Sibert Award Committee and is currently chair of the new USBBY Outstanding International Books Committee. She writes articles and reviews books for a variety of professional publications and teaches Children's Literature at Towson University.
Jane Jessell earned a B.A. in English and Education from Frostburg State University and an MLIS from the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied Children's Literature under Dr. Margaret Kimmel. A former classroom teacher, she is currently working as a reference and instruction librarian at Wichita State University.
Kathie Josephs has a degree in Elementary education and a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership. She has taught grades K through 8, but her specialty is middle school reading and writing. She is a member in several professional organizations including being a member of the Board of Directors' Southern Arizona Writing Project at the University of Arizona. She works on a variety of projects for the Arizona Daily Star, Newspapers in Education Department. Her responsibility with them is to write classroom curriculum for many of the Breakfast Serials and special inserts. She has finished writing her first book of classroom activities for teachers and is already working on her second one. She currently does professional workshops using the Six Points Six Traits of writing for different school districts. She has over 900-mystery books in her home and her two cats are called Agatha and Christy. Her favorite pastime, other than reading, is making Santas from around the world, using papier-mache.
Kathleen Karr writes historical fiction for middle school and young adult readers. She is the recipient of the 2003 Agatha for best mystery of the year for The 7th Knot, the SCBWI's 2000 Golden Kite Award for Best Fiction for The Boxer, as well as ALA Notable and Best Books for Young Adults commendations for her other works. The Great Turkey Walk was chosen as Best Book of the Year by both Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal and was selected by more than 25 state lists. In translation, it has won several international awards and has been placed on the official Recommended Books List of the government of France. Her other titles include Born for Adventure, Worlds Apart, Exiled: Memoirs of a Camel, Man of the Family, Skullduggery, Bone Dry, and Gilbert and Sullivan Set Me Free. In pursuit of authentic historical plots, Kathleen travels extensively and researches at the Library of Congress and National Archives in Washington, DC. She is a member and former president of the Children's Book Guild of Washington, D.C.
Barbara Kennedy graduated from the College of Wooster and majored in Phschology and English Literature. She worked for Xerox for 5 years. She has an interest in sports, science, nature and history.
Phyllis Kennemer teaches courses for the University of Colorado on a continuing basis and for other Colorado colleges and universities intermittently. She has served on the American Library Association's Newbery, Caldecott, and Notable Books for Children Committees and the Colorado Children's Book Award Committee. She holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees from the University of Northern Colorado. Her Specialist in Education Degree and Doctorate are from the University of Colorado. She has been a classroom teacher and an elementary school library media specialist. In these capacities, she had extensive experience in integrating literature into curriculum units. Her book, Using Literature to Teach Middle Grades about War, is based in these experiences. She has also written numerous articles and book reviews for state and national publications.
Meredith E. Kiger recently retired after a career working with Head Start and teaching education at the higher ed level. She served on the publications committee of ACEI and continues to be involved in the field of early childhood education.
Gayle C. Krause is a freelance writer, children's book author and award winning teacher educator. She trains prospective Early Childhood and Elementary teachers. Young men and women find the key to successful teaching through her expert guidance as she directs them in a laboratory Pre-K school in conjunction with her education program. Her expertise in working wit both young adults and Pre-K children has given her the insight needed to write for both age groups.
Uma Krishnaswami who holds Masters' degrees in Social Work and Counseling, is the author of several books for children, including Naming Maya (an IRA Notable Book for a Global Society), Monsoon (a Parents' Choice Recommended title), and The Happiest Tree: A Yoga Story (a CCBC Choices title). Uma lives in northwest New Mexico, teaches in the Vermont College MFA Program in Writing for Children and Young Adults, and on-line through Writers on the Net. She is also co-Director of a local site of the National Writing Project.
Alexandria LaFaye has completed a master's program in fine arts at the University of Memphis, and earned an MA in Children's Literature from Hollins University. She is teaching children's literature, multicultural literature and creative writing at CSU-San Bernardino. She is particularly interested in historical fiction, contemporary novels about children, and multicultural books for young adults. Her first novel, The Year of the Sawdust Man, was published in June of 1998. Which were quickly follwed by Strawberry Hill, Edith Shay and Nissa's Place.
Debra Lampert-Rudman has a degree in English and is working towards her M.Ed. in Curriculum/Instruction-Children's Literacy/Literature from Pennsylvania State University. She is an award-winning author and artist and is currently a Community Relations Manager for Barnes & Noble. Debra spends her spare time reading, creating dog-inspired children's books, artwork and quilts, and raising and showing cocker spaniels.
Karen Leggett is a free lance journalist specializing in education and children's literature. She writes for numerous nonprofit organizations and government agencies, including Voice of America and the National Wildlife Refuge System. Her role as host, producer and writer for WMAL Radio in Washington, DC, garnered her many awards from the Chesapeake Associated Press Broadcasters and the Maryland State Teachers Association. Karen was educated at Brown University and has traveled widely or lived in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Karen has reviewed children's books in the New York Times and the Baltimore Sun and has also written for the Chicago Tribune and the Washington Post. Karen is a past president of the Children's Book Guild of Washington DC.
Sharon Levin is a passionate reader and `pusher' of children's books. She writes a monthly column about children's literature, printed in childrenslit.com, in school newsletters and in two university children's lit courses. Sharon has given book talks at many schools and at the California state convention of Parent Participation Nursery Schools. She has taken numerous courses in children's literature and hopes to pursue a master's degree when her daughters, Elise and Sasha, need less of her time and energy. (She's planning on being in the Class of 2021!)
Debbie Levy is the author of more than 15 children's books, including nonfiction books about topics ranging from bigotry to the Berlin Wall to sunken treasure to the Vietnam War. Her latest projects include a collection of funny bedtime poems entitled Laugh Yourself to Sleep(Sterling Publishing), and Underwater, a middle grade novel (Darby Creek). Debbie's fiction has also appeared in Highlights for Children, and children's poetry is included in The Jungle Band and Other Poems (Waterford Institute). Debbie has worked as a newspaper editor and practiced law with a large Washington, D.C. law firm. She earned a bachelor's degree in government and foreign affairs from the University of Virginia, and a law degree and master's degree in world politics from the University of Michigan. Debbie lives with her husband, two sons, dog, and cat in Maryland, and likes to kayak, canoe, and fish in the Chesapeake Bay region.
Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger is a life-long reader who always visits children's and young adult sections of libraries and bookstores before making her way to the adult stuff. She wants all children to enjoy reading because she believes books have the power to change lives. As a Literacy and Communications specialist, she works with children, youth, and adults to provide education and activities in reading, writing, and communications. She also works with children in Fairfax County public schools and holds a Master's degree in Education with an emphasis in Reading from the University of Virginia, as well as degrees in English. A member of SCBWI, Carol Ann is looking forward to beginning a new life as a children's book writer.
Mary Loftus wants kids to love reading as much as she does. To that end, she spent eight years in the Chicago Public Schools, teaching Reading to grades 6-8, and one year as a Fulbright teacher in Norwich, England. Currently, she puts her teaching expertise to work as a freelance writer for educational publishers. She is also working on her first novel for young readers. Mary earned her Master's in Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago and her Bachelor's in Journalism from Indiana University.
Sara Lorimer is the author of Booty: Girl Pirates on the High Seas (Chronicle Books, 2002; Seuil, 2002; Barnes & Noble, 2005; published in French by Seuil, 2002). She has a master's degree in nonfiction writing from Columbia University, and works as a writer, reviewer, indexer, factchecker, copyeditor, proofreader, housewife, and full-time mom. Her current literary interest is figuring out which Richard Scarry books were written by him, and which are lowly imitations. After growing up in Finland, Denmark, Jamaica, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New York City, and traveling the world from Fiji to the Arctic Circle, Sara settled in Shoreline, Washington, where she spends her spare time sleeping.
Anita Barnes Lowen grew up on a small farm in Idaho and spent most of her time (according to her mother) with her nose in a book. After high school she attended George Washington University in Washington, D.C. earning a BA in psychology and biology. During that time she met and married a foreign service officer (the meeting was the result of a crank phone call!) and spent 15 wonderful years in Europe with her husband and daughters--living in Paris, East Berlin (life behind the Wall was a unique experience), Belgrade and Brussels. Returning to the United States, she earned M.Ed. in Special Education at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia and worked for several years at private school for students with severe behavioral and learning disorders. In 1997 she was honored to receive the Margaret Shepherd Teaching Award given annually by VAISEF (Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Education Facilities) to an outstanding special education teacher in a member school in the state of Virginia. Most recently, Anita has finished her first quilt and has had a story (finally!) accepted for publication in Ladybug magazine!
Kenneth and Sylvia Marantz have together written nine books on the art of the picturebook, plus numerous reviews and articles for many publications. Kenneth is professor emeritus of art education at Ohio State University. Sylvia Marantz is a retired school librarian who volunteers regularly in several local school libraries.
Michelle Martin is an Associate Professor of English at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina where she teaches courses in Children's Literature, Young Adult Literature, Composition and Women's Studies. She is the author of Brown Gold: Milestones of African-American Children's Picture Books, 1845-2002 and the co-editor (with Claudia Nelson) of Sexual Pedagogies: Sex Education in Britain, Australia, and America, 1879-2000. Martin earned her Ph.D. in English Literature at Illinois State University in 1997, specializing in Children's and Young Adult Literature.
Carol Kirkham Martin held positions as a social worker, first grade and special ed teacher, and a school psychologist for the public school system, after earning a bachelor's degree in early childhood education and a graduate degree in school psychology. After thirty years she retired to explore her love of children's literature and water painting. These days she hikes the trails around her new mountain home in the Shenandoah Valley, water paints, volunteers as a docent at the Shenandoah Valley Art Center and writes. You may have seen her work in Ladybug, Schooldays, Best Ever Activities for Grades 2-3, or Children's Writer which awarded first place to her nonfiction story, "Stuck on Velcro." Her book, Word Chunks, Activities for Learning Word Families, received the Teachers' Choice Award.
Heather Mason is a graduate of University of Central Florida. She currently teaches seventh and eighthh grade reading at Jefferson Middle School in Merritt Island, FL. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and has worked with children in second, sixth, seventh, ninth, eleventh, an twelfth grades. She is an avid reader of both young adult books for use in the classroom and children's book for use with her own children.
Paula McMillen is an Associate Professor at Oregon State University Library and also teaches multicultural children's literature in the OSU College of Education. She has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology (Southern Illinois University--Carbondale) in addition to her MLIS (University of Washington), a combination which has served her well in co-founding and nurturing the Bibliotherapy Education Project, an online resource for those interested in learning more about the therapeutic use of literature (bibliotherapy.library.oregonstate.edu).
Beverly Melasi is the published author of five books. She began her writing career over 20 years ago writing community newspaper articles. Shortly after college she became a writing instructor and speaker where she has happily helped others achieve their writing goals. Her workbook, "Writing for Publication" is a hit in every hands-on workshop she teaches. Beverly is also a ghostwriter for a popular children's action/adventure publishing house. She stays active in her community and has been the President of the Business and Professional Women.
Rachel Miller is currently a Kindergarten Teacher and has been for 7 years. She thoroughly enjoys children, and reading books to kids. She learned her expertise at Westminster College where she obtained a bachelors degree in Education. At home, she enjoys reading, playing with her dog, Libby, and doing yard work. She is currently expecting her first child in October and looking forward to all of the adventures that a new child brings.
Claudia Mills is the author of 35 books for children, including the Gus and Grandpa series for easy readers, and the chapter book 7 x 9=Trouble!, which was named an ALA Notable Book for 2002. Claudia has also written many middle-grade novels, including Losers, Inc., You're a Brave Man, Julius Zimmerman, Standing Up to Mr. O., Lizzie at Last, and Alex Ran, Stop That! She holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from Princeton University and is associate professor of philosophy at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she specializes in ethical theory and applied ethics. She is also the author of manny scholarly essays on children's literature, which have appeared in the Children's Literature Association Quarterly, Children's Literature in Education, and the Five Owls. She lives in Boulder, Colorodo, with her husband and two sons. Visit Claudia on her homepage.
Julie Minnich is currently a senior at The Ohio State University. She majors in Human Development and Family Science and minors in Elementary Education. Her goal is to be a K-3 elementary teacher. Julie volunteers weekly as a teacher's helper in a second grade classroom and loves working with children. She is especially fond of reading picture books and chapter books to children. She collects picture books and is particularly interested in multicultural picture books. Her favorite author/illustrator is Christopher Meyers. Julie is a member of the Sunrise Rotary Club in Westerville in Ohio and is on the club's Youth Exchange Committee. Julie enjoys taking walks with her fiancé, Adam and her Sheltie puppy named Champ.
Marianne Mitchell is an award-winning author of eight children's books, including the picture books Joe Cinders, Gullywasher Gulch, and Maya Moon. Her mid-grade mystery novels include Finding Zola and Firebug. She has also published over ninety stories and articles in national children's magazines such as Highlights for Children and Pockets. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Women Writing the West, and is a former bilingual elementary teacher. She is fluent in Spanish and holds a Master's Degree in Spanish from the University of Louisville. She is also an avid reader of children's books and often gives writing courses for adults and young authors. She lives in Colorado with her husband, James, the author of two adult private eye mysteries.
Rachel Myers is a public librarian in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. At the library she helps oversee branch library programming for all ages and loves to do reader's advisory for children. Rachel has a Masters Degree in Library Science from Florida State University with a concentration in the Information Needs of Youth. She has always loved to read and looks forward to the many good books that lay in her future!
Sarah Nelson lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia where she teaches second grade at Hugh Mercer Elementary School. She is a graduate of William and Mary and the University of Virginia.
Ashley Nunn-Smith lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. She is a graduate student of Library and Information Studies at Dalhousie University (Halifax,
NS) and of Children's Literature at Hollins University (Roanoke, VA). She
lives in an apartment by the sea, is fluent in English and French, loves to
dance and dreams of being a children's librarian once her degrees are
completed. She has reviewed for Children's Literature since March 2008.
Dianne Ochiltree is a children's author of Cats Add Up!, Bart's Amazing Charts, and Sunflowers Measure Up!, all titles in the 'Hello, Reader' series from Cartwheel Books by Scholastic. Her picture books include, Ten Monkey Jamboree, Pillow Pup, and Sixteen Runaway Pumpkins all published by Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster. They have appeared in several foreign language editions. Another picture book, Lull-a-Bye, Little One, is forthcoming in 2006 from G.P. Putnam's Sons. A short story for YA readers, The Women's House, appears in an anthology published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, titled Don't Cramp My Style: Stories about That Time of the Month. Dianne is a member of Garden State Writers, a member of SCBWI, a member of Authors Guild, a member of the New Jersey Reading Association and a member of the Rutgers University Council on Children's Literature. She has over 25 years experience as a professional writer.
Lisa B. C. O'Connell has lived in Mexico, Switzerland, and the United States. She attended four different high schools in three different countries! Lisa attended Webster College in Geneva, Switzerland, and the University of Delaware where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations. Lisa and her husband Tom, who currently live in Maryland, have four children, two dogs, two cats, two fish, and a hamster named Napoleon! Lisa's German shepherd Max, (June 5, 1992 - November 13, 2004), is the main character in her children's book "Miracle Max... Missing in Maryland!" Lisa maintains her website, www.miraclemaxcorp.com, and interacts on a daily basis with members of the Miracle Max Mystery Club.
Lynn O'Connell serves as executive director of a national healthcare grantmaking organization. She also freelances as a writer, proofreader and a tour guide. Lynn holds a Master's in Philanthropy with undergraduate degrees in Communications and French. Before entering the nonprofit sector, she had the opportunity to spend time overseas, working for the U.S. government as a diplomat and living in countries throughout Western Europe and Africa. She is quite involved in the arts, particularly theatre, and serves as a volunteer on boards of several arts organizations. She lives in Northern Virginia with her Dalmatian and Maine Coon cat.
Kimberly O'Meara's earliest memory is sitting with her Grandmother, rocking in her chair. Warmed by the wood stove she listened to her read from Little House in the Big Woods, or from Uncle Remus and Brer Rabbit's adventures. Books have always been a part of Kimberly's life. When she was old enough to read chapter books, she would polish off a Judy Blume, sit down at the kitchen table, and with a stack of stapled lined paper commence re writing the book to suit her own ideas. Since then, Kimberly's life has been filled with education, her own and that of the children she teaches. She has a Master's of Science Degree in Special Education. For the past eight years Kimberly has been teaching children with a variety of cognitive and emotional disabilities in a small rural town in West Michigan. Kimberly have a beautiful daughter, wonderful husband and two Labradors who keep her busy. Looking towards the future for both her students and daughter, she hopes they develop an understanding for and love of reading to unlock their imaginations, their voice, and their futures.
Sheryl O'Sullivan teaches courses in children's and adolescent literature at Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California. She has published numerous articles in the areas of literature and literacy, as well as several stories for children. Dr. O'Sullivan also has a special interest in Irish children's literature, especially literature about Celtic Mythology.
Nancy Partridge was born in Newton, Massachusetts. Her father was a classical musician with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and her childhood summers in the Berkshires played a profound role in shaping her future love of nature and art. After writing music and singing in the Boston area, she married and started her family of four children, now ages 5-17. She has traveled throughout much of Europe and India, living for one year in Rajasthan while writing for the Crafts Council of India about traditional Indian handicrafts with her artist husband John. Nancy has earned a Harvard degree, and hopes to enter a master's program in children's literature at Simmons College in Boston. Trained and experienced as a Montessori teacher, Nancy began to integrate her love and knowledge of children with her desire to write. She has written for newspapers in India, as well as human development articles in international yoga journals. Nancy lives in a lively household with her husband, four children, a dog, and two rabbits in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Joella Peterson is a Graduate Assistant in the Center for Children's Books at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She will graduate from UIUC with her MLIS in May of 2007. Joella worked for three years as a children's librarian in Provo, Utah. She has earned a B.A. in English from Brigham Young University. Joella enjoys crocheting, storytelling, cooking, and bicycling.
Nicole Peterson resides in Arlington, Virginia. She is the Director of Finance, Events & Membership for the Association for Enterprise Integration. She has a B.A. in Communications Studies and Geography from Brigham Young University and an MA in Organizational Management from George Washington University. She was a teaching assistant at Brigham Young for 4 years. Nicole has extensive computer knowledge, is a co-author of two books and is fluent in Portuguese. In her free time she enjoys traveling, photography and quilting. She is the oldest of eight children.
Jeanne K. Pettenati has been reviewing children's books for eight years. In 2002 Jeanne signed a contract with Charlesbridge Publishing for her first children's book. Her nonfiction picture book will be published in 2006. Jeanne is an adoptive parent. She is the mother of two elementary school children, who share her enthusiasm for children's books. Jeanne is an elementary school volunteer and second grade girls' soccer coach. She has a Master's degree in Italian Literature from Catholic University in Washington D.C., and a J.D. from the New England School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts. Prior to reviewing children's books, Jeanne worked as an attorney, a policy analyst on publishing issues, and a freelance writer for newspapers, magazines, and newsletters. She and her husband, daughter and son live in Bethesda, Maryland.
Ann Phillips received a Master's degree in Russian Literature from Harvard University, taught college literature and writing courses, and has published cartoons and articles. She also has a Master's degree in Counseling and practiced as a therapist for 15 years. Her interest in introducing children to the natural world emerged during the years that she volunteered as a public educator in the Reptile Discovery Center of the National Zoo. She currently writes middle-grade and young adult fiction
Norah Piehl has written articles and book reviews for numerous print and online sources, including Brain, Child, Literary Mama, Publishers Weekly, Skirt!, and The Horn Book. Norah is a former children's bookseller, responsible for compiling a monthly list of recommended books to distribute to customers. While completing the coursework for her Master's degree in English from the University of Illinois, Norah wrote extensively on the history and criticism of children's and young adult literature. After working in the publishing industry for several years, Norah is now pleased to be a freelance writer, editor, and mother.
Wendy Pollock-Gilson is a librarian and teacher who currently resides in New Jersey. She received her Masters in Library Science with a specialty in Youth Services from Rutgers University. She worked as a children's librarian in the Jefferson Township Public Library and is now an elementary school media specialist at the Normandy Park School in Morristown, NJ.
Mary Quattlebaum is the author of 15 children's novels, picture books, and books of poetry, including Jackson Jones and the Puddle of Thorns (Marguerite de Angeli Prize, Parenting Reading Magic Award) and Sparks Fly High, a lively re-telling of a Colonial American folktale. Family Reunion features 15 poems in various forms (sonnet, haiku, villanelle, free verse) to help expand young people's experiences with poetry. Mary writes frequently for the Washington Post, covering events and programs of special interest to families. Her children's book reviews for Washington Parent have received several gold and bronze medals from Parenting Publications of America.
Leslie Greaves Radloff has been a teacher/ librarian in both parochial and public schools for over thirty years. She has written reviews and articles about children's literature for a variety of publications and also curriculum and teachers' guides for history projects. Interests include reading, particularly historical fiction, history and poetry for both children and adults. Other interests include music (singing with two choral groups and solo), cooking and travel. When not reading or singing she can be found at concert halls, museums, or at the perfect campsite...generally with a book in hand. Or, when there is a solar eclipse long enough to savor, she and her husband can be found traveling to view that spectacular sight. She and husband, Max, a profession pianist, live in one of the Twin Cities suburbs of Minnesota with two Himalayan cats, St. Cecelia and Lucia de.
Sue Reichard is a 7th grade reading teacher who is currently pursuing her Master's Degree in Library Science and Technology. She has been a reviewer for 7 years and writes a column on writing for children at Suite 101.com. She loves children's literature and is currently working on several books herself. She lives in beautiful Bradford County Pennsylvania with her husband and four cats. Her four children are grown, thankfully, and working on their own futures.
Joyce Rice is a retired media specialist with experience in the classroom and the library. Her 22 years of library experience includes public and private schools, public libraries, 2 year and 4 year colleges, and two special state libraries. Joyce received a B.S. from Troy State University in English Education and then obtained a Master's in Education/Library Science from Auburn University. Among her major accomplishments are the initiation of Internet service at a community college; participating in start up programs for state libraries; automation of 2 middle school libraries on a minimal budget, and success at obtaining multiple grants for library related projects. Joyce is a member of local and state library organizations, and continues to be active in her profession through book reviews and her own personal writing projects.
Vanessa A. Richardson, originally from Colombia, South America, received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration from the University of the Arts in 1996. She then did a year toward her Master's in Art Education with a concentration in Art Therapy and teacher-assisted and taught in inner-city Philadelphia middle schools and Senior Centers shortly thereafter. Vanessa moved south to Miami to be closer to her father and began working in the television industry for several years. Following in the "family business" of Post Production for television, Vanessa has worked on Television Production and in Post in both Miami and the Washington, DC area. A Member of the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) since 1999, Vanessa continues to show her work at Galleries, paint murals, illustrate for various small publications and is creating a new line of children's clothing. She is also the mother of a two year old son and has been concentrating on her Illustration and Voiceover career, as well as Motherhood - fueled by passion and love for her family and her art -for the past few years.
Dr. Melissa J. Rickey is a visiting associate professor in the School of Education at UAF for the 2006-2007 academic year. She has been a literacy faculty and program administrator for the past seven years at Antioch University Seattle. Melissa's experience includes eighteen years in higher education, during which she has studied Native American Literature, and has worked on children's literature projects (Children's Choices and Teacher's choices for IRA). Previously, she was an elementary classroom teacher and reading specialist in public and independent schools and in social-service settings. Melissa's research and professional interests include multicultural education, multicultural literature, literacy learning and teaching,
inquiry/research, and poetry writing.
Barbara Carroll Roberts spent 15 years as a marketing writer before leaving the full-time workforce to be home with her children. That's when she developed her abiding love for children's books. She holds a degree in English from Occidental College and enjoys having the chance to finally use what she learned in college in her reviews for Children's Literature. One of her short stories, Justin's Buddy, recently won a Magazine Merit Award from the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She's presently at work on a middle-grade biography of Eleonora Randolph Sears, a sports star during the early 1900s.
Rosa Roberts is a sixth grade Language Arts teacher at Discovery Canyon Campus in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She has taught both English and reading in the secondary level for over thirteen years. She is an avid reader who enjoys bringing new and engaging literature to the classroom. She is currently pursuing a library information science degree and has a master's degree as a reading specialist.
Greg M. Romaneck is the District Director of Human Resources in Batavia School District #101 in Batavia, Illinois. He was the principal of Wallace K-6 Elementary School in Sterling, IL, assistant principal at Kendall Alternative School, adjunct professor of special education at Elmhurst College, and Director of Special Education in DeKalb, IL. Greg is also a writer with numerous articles and six books to his credit. He holds a B.A. in history and German from Elmhurst College, a M.A. and C.A.S. in European and Russian history, and a M.S.Ed. in special education with K-12 certification in LD, BD, EMH, and supervision and approval as a vocational coordinator and director. Greg received his M.S.Ed. in educational administration and a Ed.S. in curriculum and supervision with cognate fields in special education and counseling from Northern Illinois University. Greg's most recent publications feature two volumes of poetry, a Civil War novel, and a backpacker's guidebook for Isle Royale National Park. Greg resides with his wife, Jane, and their three children in DeKalb, IL.
Janet Rose has worked as the library media specialist at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind for 27 years. Before that she taught science and math to blind middle and high school students for eight years at the same school. Besides reading she enjoys bicycling, hiking, skiing, camping, and traveling. She has been to all 50 states plus a variety of countries including China, Australia, Vietnam, Ecuador, Thailand, Nigargua, France, Germany, and Greece. Janet recently retired as a librarian and now leads volunteer trips around the world for Global Volunteers and volunteers herself building trails, being a ranger for the BLM, and various other community projects.
Leslie Rounds, a Massachusetts native, spent the first 25 years of her adult life as a Navy wife, moving from place to place. After beginning a career as a children's librarian in 1997 in St. Mary's County, Maryland, she obtained a Master of Library Science degree from Southern Connecticut State University. In 2004 she became Assistant Director and Head of Youth Services at the Wells Public Library in Wells, Maine, and in 2006, Executive Director of the Dyer Library and Saco Museum in Saco, Maine. She is a member of Maine's Cream of the Crop Committee, sharing responsibility with five other librarians for the selection of about one hundred twenty books per year that represent the best new literature for children and young adults. She lives in, and works hard on, a 1762 center chimney cape in Arundel, Maine. Her hobbies are quilting, gardening, knitting, and, of course, reading!.
Dr. Judith L. Rowen is Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas where she is actively engaged in research on infectious diseases in early infancy. In addition to her medical career, she is raising two children, volunteers at her church, and is an avid reader of children's books. Dr. Rowen wrote a monthly column, "Ask Dr. Judy," which appeared in several parenting publications and on the Children's Literature web site.
Laura Ruttig resides in Columbus, Ohio and is currently working on her Masters in Children's Literature through Hollins University. She obtained her undergraduate degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, in the fields of English Literature and Chemical Engineering. Since becoming employed by Scholastic Box Fairs, she has become particularly addicted to all kinds of children's books, although she has always been an avid reader.
Sharon Salluzzo is a children's literature specialist who has worked as a children's librarian, a Children's Consultant for the Monroe County Library System in New York, and the library grant coordinator for Connecting Resources for Literacy and Kindergarten Success. She has taught children's literature as a visiting instructor in the Department of Graduate Studies at Nazareth College (NY), and was the associate editor of Choices: A Core Collection for Young Reluctant Readers Vol.3. Sharon has worked extensively as a professional storyteller. She was the storyteller-in-residence for the Language Enriching Research Program at the Norman Howard School. She has told stories at the Rochester Memorial Art Gallery, elementary and high schools, and the Edenderry Primary School in Banbridge, Northern Ireland. Sharon has presented classes and workshops on the art of storytelling to adults and children, and was on the planning committee for the University of Rochester storytelling conference. Sharon is a member of the Children's Book Guild of Washington DC and Capital Choices.
Ann Sanger retired from teaching in 2003 after 32.75 years in the public schools. She graduated from Appalachian State University in 1971 with a degree in Home Economics. Later, she earned another degree in Early Childhood Education from UNC-Charl tte. In 2001 Ann becme a National Board Certified Teacher in Middle Childhood Generalist. She has two adult children.Her son Kurt is pursuing a career in sales. Her daughter, Kristen is married to Steven, the man of her dreams. They have one child, Brayden, who will be three years old soon.
Elizabeth D. Schafer has a M.A. in children's literature from Hollins University, where she won the Shirley Henn Memorial Award for Critical Scholarship of Children's Literature, and is completing her thesis for a M.F.A. in creative writing of children's literature at Hollins. She also earned a M.A. and Ph.D. in history from Auburn University. Her publications include the essay, "I'm Gonna Glory in Learnin': Academic Aspirations of African American Characters in Childrenâ's Literature," African American Review; several nonfiction books for adults; articles in Cobblestone, Calliope, Odyssey, Footsteps, Faces, and AppleSeeds ; entries in the Cambridge Guide to Children's Books and other reference books; and literary criticism of children's and young adult books. She enjoys reading and writing historical fiction, nonfiction, and mysteries and is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Children's Literature Network, and the Children's Literature Association.
Joyce Schwartz is part of a nonfiction writing team with Ellen Butts. Over the years she has served as a volunteer science enrichment teacher and has a wide range of interest from science to Shakespeare to serious study of the culinary arts and even serving as a docent at the National Museum of Natural History. She lives in Chevy Chase MD and with her writing partner has produced three books including May Chinn: The Best Medicine, Eugenie Clark: Adventures of a Shark Scientist and Carl Sagan. Joyce is a member of the Children's Book Guild of Washington, DC.
Jeanna Sciarrotta is a graduate of the College of New Jersey where she majored in English Education with a concentration in young adult literature. She currently resides with her husband in South Jersey where she teaches English at Lenape High School. She has been an avid reader since she can remember and is addicted to young adult literature. One of her favorite parts of teaching is sharing her crazy passion for the genre with her students. She coaches both field hockey and track for the high school.
Pat Sherman lives in Cambridge, MA. Her first picture book, The Sun's Daughter, was publishd by Clarion in 2005. Her second, Ben and the Proclamation of Emancipation, will be release by Eerdman's in 2009. As well as writing for children, she has worked as a library professional and archivist in a variety of universities and museums.
Judy Silverman is a former children's librarian, current author and book reviewer living in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Judy is a graduate of Pratt Institute Library School and has a particular interest in Judaica, history, young adult, and science fiction books. She currently volunteers one day a week in her temple library. Judy's most recent book is Rosie and the Mole.
Wendy Smith-D'Arezzo is an assistant professor of reading education at Loyola College in Maryland. She teaches children's literature courses at both the graduate and undergraduate level, as well as courses in reading methods and reading research. She received her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in reading education from the University of Wyoming. She prefers to read books written at the intermediate level about disability, abuse, adoption and other current issues faced by children in the 2000s. In addition to children's books, Wendy devours books of all genres written for adults, with a slight preference for mysteries.
Gwynne Spencer is hopelessly in love with children's books. She owned children's bookstores in Albuquerque and Santa Fe for many years, has written children's books, books about children's books, hundreds of articles for parents to help make reading fashionable, and is now involved in a project to provide signed DVDs of children's books to parents of deaf babies (Onceuponasign.org). Both her children learned to read before kindergarten from having hundreds of kid books read to them, and she continues to promote the idea that reading isn't the most important thing...it's the ONLY thing. Gwynne is the author of What's Cooking in Children's Literature, Recipes for Reading, Have Talent Will Travel Guides to Authors, Illustrators and Storytellers who visit Classrooms, and now writes and teaches about children's books from her secret rebel base in Mancos, Colorado.
Cheri Stowers has been working in the elementary education arena for several years. She loves sharing quality children's literature with her students. Her areas of interest and enjoyment include reading, writing poetry for the younger set, volunteering at her church, and discovering 'what makes children tick.'.
Elizabeth Sulock received a B.A. from St. Joseph's University and an M.A. from Arcadia University-both in English with a concentration in writing; she also studied at L'Universite de Strasbourg, in France. She has worked for an online restaurant review guide, a PR firm, multiple magazines, and as a writer for NFL Films. She lives in Reston, Virginia with her husband Gordon.
Kristy Lyn Sutorius received her B.A. degree in Psychology from Saint Mary's College and her Certificate in German Languages and Literature from the University of Notre Dame in 2001. She also received a Masters in Library Science from Indiana University in 2005 and a Masters in Children's Literature from Hollins University in 2006. After teaching English for a year on the Austrian Fulbright Teaching Assistantship, she interned for Dial Books for Young Readers in their Editorial Department. Since January, she has been working as the coordinator of the Children's Homework Center at the Monroe County Public Library (MCPL) in Bloomington, Indiana. She is currently working on a translation of Renate Welsh's book, Dieda oder Das fremde Kind. Her interests include translated children's books and realistic fiction.
Barbara L. Talcroft holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Carnegie-Mellon University, an M.Ed., and an M.A. in International Children’s Literature from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. She has studied children’s literature with Dr. Mary Lou White in a number of international study tours to Canada, England, and European countries. Ms. Talcroft has worked extensively in the classroom with children and books as well as teaching children’s literature at Wright State and at Antioch University in Ohio. She has reviewed international children’s books for several journals, given presentations and in-service workshops on writing and children’s literature, and is the author of Death of the Corn King (Scarecrow Press, 1995), a study of themes in the work of noted British writer, Rosemary Sutcliff. Ms. Talcroft now lives in Sonoma County, California, where she continues to pursue her interest in history and the arts, and to write, edit, do research, and review children’s books.
Pat Trattles is a children's writer and has published two books for beginning readers; Flying Butter, from Children's Press, and Emperor Penguins, from Lerner Publications, as well as several magazine articles for various children's magazines. She is currently hard at work putting the finishing touches on a book tentatively titled. Blue Stars, Junk Drives, Gardens and More: Voices of America's Children during World War II. Pat graduated from Michigan State University with a BS in Social Science, and a Master's Degree in Labor and Industrial Relations. She worked in the Human Resources field for several years before becoming fed up with corporate America and "retiring" to spend more time with her family. Since leaving the rat race she has at various times worked as an Avon lady, teachers' aide, and editing and publishing a monthly neighborhood newsletter. She also did software reviews for a now defunct children's educational software review company. She currently works at the public library in Holland, Michigan in the children's department where she is constantly surrounded by her passion - books.
Leila J. Toledo is a former children's bookseller and owner of a children's book business, Bucket of Books. She was the first African American woman to run for mayor in Norwalk, CT. Her platform included the goal of forming a working relationship with educational institutions to insure that Norwalk children were prepared for 21st century challenges. She recently relocated to Miami and has published her first children's book, Little Peter and Sela.
Michele Tremaine earned a Bachelor's degree in fine arts from the George Washington University. She has had eight one-artist shows, and her award-winning watercolor paintings hang in prestigious public and private collections world-wide. Michele has written more than one hundred art reviews for the Journal (now Gannett) newspaper group in Northern Virginia. For a decade, she taught art in Fairfax County's adult education system, for which she also created two educational television programs on watercolor painting. As an artist, she received a grant from the Virginia Commission for the Arts to create a poster celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the American Youth Symphony Association. As a teacher, she was selected to be an artist-in-residence for the Fairfax County Public Schools as part of Mobil Corporation's Arts Immersion Program. Now that her family is grown, Michele is trying to meld her various talents and interests (including a passion for classical music and a love of animals and bird-watching) into a new career as a writer and illustrator of children's books.
Barbara Troisi is semi-retired after serving 42 years as a teacher and district librarian. She graduated from Montana State University and received a master's in school library from Fresno Pacific University in California. Currently she is serving on a temporary assignment with the California Department of Education updating the K-12 Recommended Literature List (now included on CLCD book list) after being a team member of the original K-12 Recommended Science/Math List two years previously. Volunteering for the Virtual Reference Desk provides opportunities to answer student questions from throughout the world and maintain research skills. Travel to Africa fulfills dreams to know the history and gain insight into cultures and people. She has presented at the Ghana Computer Literacy and Distance Education Conference, participated in a children's polio vaccine distribution in Ghana, attended the African Computing and Telecommunications Summit in Kenya, and most recently spent six weeks in Mbazwana, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa working in a high school library, affiliated with World Library Partnership. Prior to writing reviews for CLCD, she gained experience with Appraisal and Teacher/ Librarian. An avid football and basketball fan, she travels with the local university teams, preparing dozens of cookies for the long trips and providing vocal support at the games. She shares the joy of books and reading with two grandsons, Cobi and Gaetano.
Gwen Vanderhage is a children's librarian at the Denver Public Library in Denver, Colorado. Gwen holds a bachelor's degree in English literature from Western Washington University and a master's degree in Library and Information Sciences from Simmons College. She has been a librarian, a book buyer for an award-winning children's bookstore, and the winner of children's literature trivia contests. Gwen enjoys reading beside the ocean, reading on top of mountains, and reading beside a window with rain pouring down.
Paul Walter has been working as a seventh-grade English and reading teacher in Slinger, Wisconsin for the past seven years. After earning an educational B.A. from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and an educational M.A. through Marian College of Fond du Lac, Paul enrolled in a creative writing masters certificate program through the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. An avid writer of poetry, Paul often writes along with his middle school students, proving, "Those who can, teach." With a two-year-old daughter and infant twin sons, Paul has recently shifted his literary focus to children's books, sharing his love of books with his young children.
Barbara Wheatley is an elementary library media specialist for Rappahannock County Public Schools in Virginia. She received her BS in Elementary Education from Mississippi University for Women in 1985, an MEd in Education with a reading emphasis from Wichita State University in 1987, and an MS in Educational Technology with a LMS certification from Indiana State University in 2005. Through the many moves with her Air Force husband, Barbara taught in six school districts as a regular classroom teacher in grades K-4 from one coast of the country to the other. She became the first reading specialist at Rappahannock and helped design the remedial reading program and enhance the school wide reading program. She served as a Technology Leader and interim Technology Specialist for many years. Barbara received her National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers certification (NETS*T) in 2005. Currently, Barbara is the LMS for over 500 PreK-7th graders. Barbara and her husband have taken advantage of the many moves to travel across the country and sightsee with their three daughters. When Barbara isn't reading or traveling, she spends her free time at her daughters' athletic and academic events.
Alison Wilber is an Autism Specialist with Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland. Prior to this position, she had been working as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the same county, enjoying each year of a caseload of children with Autism, ranging in age from three through twelve, and worked closely with their families and receiving school teams. She has experience working with children in a range of educational placements, from self-contained special education classrooms to fully inclusive placements. She earned her Master of Speech-Language Pathology degree from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, and also her B.S. in Health Sciences from the same institution.
Susie Wilde is a book reviewer, commentator and teacher who lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English and a master's of education in reading from Tulane. Susie reads widely, writes book reviews for eight publications and has been a commentator for WUNC. Her current interest has expanded to reviewing children's multimedia and software. She has contributed extensively to the Children's Literature database.
Leslie Wolfson became interested in writing when she was five, asking, "Daddy, what is a poem?" Over the years she has written poetry, short stories, plays, magazine and newspaper articles, book reviews, and volumes of personal journals. She always has more than one writing project going - currently she's tweaking a non-fiction biography, a young adult novel, and a couple of magazine articles. Leslie is an active participant in SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators). She's already had a children's play accepted for publication, and is working on getting her first children's book published. In her spare time, Leslie is a credentialed English teacher for grades 7-12. She blissfully resides in Northern California.
Della A. Yannuzzi earned her B.A. Degree from Kean College in Union, NJ. She majored in Early Childhood Education. She enjoys traveling, reading history and biographies, nature, gardening, and hiking. Della has written several books and numerous articles for magazines. She describes herself as a dedicated reader, writer, and preschool teacher. She has been a member of a writers' critique group for fourteen years. Scholastic published her book,Gregor Mendel - Genetics Pioneer. Her most recent book on Marie Curie is due out in September 2006 by Morgan Reynolds.
Elizabeth Young is a Technical Services librarian at SUNY Oswego. She also works as a reference librarian at Liverpool Public Library, Liverpool, NY. Elizabeth has been a substitute teacher while her children were in elementary school and is glad to be in a library full time. She teaches the Picture Book library component to a Children's Literature class offered at SUNY Oswego. Elizabeth lives in Phoenix, NY with their family, including three cats and a misbehaving dog.
Barbara Youngblood lives in the Western portion of Colorado. She has been the Director of a small public library for 26 years. She has two children of her own and has a special fondness for children's literature. She does story hours at her library and also reads throughout the school year to classes at the Norwood School. She is an avid outdoorswoman and especially likes hiking and cross-country skiing.
Deborah Zink is an award-winning freelance writer who specializes in children's literature. She teaches elementary school in Taylor County, Florida, and continues to reviews children's books. She has been Special Projects Editor for WorldCity Business Newspaper and the managing editor of South Florida Parenting Magazine. Deborah recently opted to relocate from the frenetic pace of Miami, and now resides in Perry, Florida, in a sweet and peaceful cottage nestled in four and a half acres of pine woods. She believes the former owners of the house may have been a kindly family of bears, Papa, Mama and Baby.
Inactive Reviewers
Bruce Adelson is the author of 13 books for children and adults about sports and American History, including: William Howe - British General and David Farragut Union Admiral (Chelsea House, 2002); The Composite Guide to Softball (Chelsea House, 2001); Brushing Back Jim Crow The Integration of Minor League Baseball in the American South (University Press of Virginia, 1999); Grand Slam Trivia and Touchdown Trivia (Sports Trivia Series for Children - Lerner Books, 1998); and The Minor League Baseball Book (Macmillan, 1995). Bruce has been a commentator for NPR's Morning Edition and CBS Radio's Major League Baseball Game of the Week and editor of The Four Sport Stadium Guide (Random House, 1994). Bruce Adelson's work has also been published in such publications as: The Washington Post; Atlanta Journal-Constitution; Baseball America; Lingua Franca Magazine; and USA Today's Baseball Weekly. Bruce is a lawyer and lives in Maryland with his wife and son.
Anamaria Anderson has an MA in Romance Languages and Literature from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Her doctoral dissertation had to do with the retelling of stories. She has taken courses in children's literature from Vermont College and Anastasia Suen, and has read widely within children's literature.
Andrea Sears Andrews is a graduate from Bucknell University with a Masters degree in Reading Development from George Washington University. Reading children's literature has always been a passion; she is grateful to have three young daughters with whom to share it. Andrea teaches pre-kindergarten and volunteers at her church and daughters' school. Her favorite thing to do is to curl up with a good book (and a daughter!) and get lost in a great story
Samita Arora is a Children's Library Associate at Morrisson-Reeves Library in Richmond, Indiana. She graduated from George Mason University with a degree in psychology, and then obtained certificates in early childhood and early childhood special education from Wichita State University. Samita has taught early childhood and early childhood special education for five years. Several of her teaching ideas have been accepted by The Mailbox magazine. Samita is very interested in incorporating literature into the school curriculum and is currently pursuing a master's. She has a particular interest in craft and holiday books.
Marilyn Bagel is a book author, freelance feature and script writer, and advertising copywriter residing in Bethesda, Maryland. A graduate of the University of Maryland, she completed her bachelor's degree in education with honors. Marilyn and her daughter are avid readers of children's books, and particularly enjoy those with humor and beautiful illustrations.
Elizabeth Bagg is a retired school and public librarian who lives in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Betty, as she is known, enjoys both poetry and nonfiction and has reviewed for other well known children's publications. She majored in English literature and also has a master's degree in library science from the University of Pennsylvania.
Jan Barley earned a bachelor of science in journalism degree from Bowling Green State University. After working as women's editor of a daily newspaper, she served as an information services officer in the USAF. She continued her career as a self-employed writer and editor and is author of the book Winter in July: Visits with Children's Authors Down Under. She has always loved children's books and has gone on a number of international Story Tours where she has met many children's authors and visited sites connected with their books. She has two young grandchildren who give her a good "reason" to buy children's books.
Betsy Barnett is a Media Specialist and coach in the Eads, Colorado school system. Betsy's responsibilities on the job are many and varied as she heads up two libraries, is the Rocky Mountain regional coordinator for the International Reading Association's (IRA) Teacher's Choices Project, and coaches Junior High a
