Authors & Illustrators

New York City helped celebrate the 50th anniversary of Leroy Brown, boy detective, by proclaiming October 26 “Encyclopedia Brown Day” and hosting a reception at the New York Public Library. The character was the creation of the late Donald Sobol, who wrote the first book in 1963. The series went on to become a staple in classrooms and children’s libraries.

The Society of Illustrators gathered last week in New York to showcase the work of 125 artists at “The Original Art,” its annual juried exhibition of original children’s book illustrations. Artists, designers, authors, and publishers alike were in attendance to toast the top award-winners—Jennifer Yerkes, Jon Klassen, and Simona Mulazzani—and to honor the careers of David Macaulay and the late Barbara Cooney.

Eoin Colfer and Gordon Korman lead the pack this fall with first books in new series. From magic to hypnotism and fantastical creatures to pirates, these novels selected by the editors at Junior Library Guild will have middle grade readers anticipating their next installments.

I have a sister.  Did you know that?  Tis true.  She’s not a librarian and her interest in children’s literature pretty much begins and ends with me, which is probably why she hasn’t come up before.  One thing she is?  Crafty.  Crafty as all get out.  And the kicker is that she’s just started this [...]

London-based writer Katherine Rundell met with librarians and booksellers in New York City this week to chat about her middle grade novel, Rooftoopers. Illustrator Ian Schoenherr and Norwegian author Tone Almhjell celebrated the release of Almhjell's debut fantasy novel, The Twistrose Key.

Newbery-winning author Rebecca Stead’s Liar & Spy has won this year’s Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, a literary award that annually recognizes one children’s fiction book written for children or young adults that is published in the United Kingdom. Stead is the first American author to earn this distinction, only recently available to US writers since 2012.

World Book Night has selected 35 books for its annual celebration dedicated to spreading the love of reading. In its third year, the program will mobilize tens of thousands of volunteers on April 23 to distribute half a million paperback editions of the chosen titles, nine of which are for children’s and young adult readers.

A group of aspiring Latino writers gathered in Brooklyn, NY, earlier this month at the second annual Comadres and Compadres Latino Writers Conference held at Medgar Evers College. Approximately half of the 75 writers and publishing professionals in attendance to exchange advice, tips, and words of inspiration participated in panels dedicated specifically to children’s literature.

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black. Little, Brown. 2013. Review copy from publisher. The Plot: Tana wakes up after a party to a house filled with the dead. She is one of three survivors: the others are her ex-boyfriend, Aidan, and strange vampire, Gavriel. As the sun slowly sets, the vampires who killed [...]