2014 Writer Award Winner
Ame Dyckman
Ame Dyckman always wanted to write children’s books but took some time before deciding to pursue her dream. Now she’s on a roll with her second book, Tea Party Rules, a sly look at how kids play. The setting is classic—a tea party in the woods with a bear cub—but the push-and-pull between the characters is realistic enough to turn the fairy tale elements on their head. Ame lives with her family in Lawrence, New Jersey.
Tea Party Rules
Viking
Can a cookie-loving bear cub be friends with a girl who likes to make all the rules? It takes some doing in this sweetly funny story with a subversive twist.
Fun Facts
Ame Dyckman
From: Former Army Brat, lived EVERYWHERE! Now: Happy to call NJ home
6 Word Memoir: The twist: I see read people.
Activities: Google, Google, Google, and roller coasters. (Sometimes, at the same time!)
Where do you work?/Distractions: I usually write in the kitchen. (Because the kitchen is closest to the cookie jar.) 2. I deal with distractions by ignor--WAIT! WHAT'S THAT?!
Other Awards:
- Parents Magazine Best Fictional Picture Book (2015): Wolfie the Bunny
- South Carolina Picture Book Award (2018); Horrible Bear!
- Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award (2018): You Don’t Want A Unicorn
Upcoming: You Don’t Want a Dragon!, illustrated by Liz Climo, 2020; Tiny Barbarian, illustrated by Ashley Spires, 2021; Tiny Barbarian sequel, manuscript in development, 2022.×2014 Illustrator Award Winner
Christian Robinson
Christian Robinson is all about attitude—positive attitude. A playful spirit is evident even in his more serious work illustrating biographies for children. The expressive style of his pictures, reminiscent of folk art, seems to speak directly to young readers, whether in stories from our cultural history or in the tale of a little boy spreading cheer in Rain! Christian lives and works in San Francisco.
Rain
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
A happy little boy and a grumpy man experience the same rainy day very differently—until a random encounter influences both of them for the better.
Fun Facts
Christian Robinson
Born in LA, 7 years in SF, currently living in Sacramento, CA
6 Word Memoir: Eating Flaming Hot Ruffles With Chopsticks
Activities: I find a lot of inspiration from antique stores and yard sales.
Distraction/Neat or Messy?: I work out of my art studio, which is actually the tiny garage behind my house. I clean my entire space before making a new piece of art. So neat. Very neat. Pathologically neat.
Other Awards:
- Caldecott Honor: Last Stop in Market Street
- Coretta Scott King Honor
- 2019 NYT Best Illustrated Book of the Year: Another
Upcoming: You Matter, (my first solo picture book with words) June 2, 2020; Milo Imagines the World by Matt de la Peña, (third book with Matt) February 2021.
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2014 Award Honorees
Writer Award Honoree
Pat Zietlow Miller
Sophie’s Squash
Schwartz & Wade Books
Sophie loves her best friend, Bernice—a squash! Nothing could make her give Bernice up, not even when it begins to rot. But as she discovers, caring for a squash pays off in the end.
Fun Facts
Pat Zietlow Miller
From: Oshkosh, WI; Now: Madison, WI
6 Word Memoir: Loved writing words. Never gave up.
Where do you work? I work at the island in my kitchen on my laptop. This is right in the middle of my house, so there's always stuff going on around me.
Other Awards:
- Golden Kite Award and a Charlotte Zolotow honor: Sophie’s Squash
Upcoming: Be strong, 2021.×Writer Award Honoree
Linda Davick
I Love You, Nose! I Love You, Toes!
Beach Lane Books
A charming celebration of body and its parts—we all have them, yet they make each of us unique.
Fun Facts
Linda Davick
From: Chattanooga, TN; Now: Albuquerque, NM
6 Word Memoir: Better late than never I hope!
Activities: biking, making popcorn and sangria
Where do you work?: I work in a cozy walk-in closet.
Upcoming: Our Dragon by Mem Fox, 2021; writing and illustrating We’ll See, TBD
×Illustrator Award Honoree
K.G. Campbell
Tea Party Rules
Viking
Can a cookie-loving bear cub be friends with a girl who likes to make all the rules? It takes some doing in this sweetly funny story with a subversive twist.
Fun Facts
K.G. Campbell
From: Kenya In Between: Scotland Now: California
6 Word Memoir: Write. Fridge. Draw. Fridge. Nap. Repeat.
Activities: I'm an adventurous cook (though draw the line at anything alive). Big fan of historical fiction (especially mysteries) and plan to write my own.
Procrastination: I procrastinate with a lot of ambitious cooking, and reading historical mysteries.
Other Awards:
- Golden Kite Award: Lester's Dreadful Sweaters
- Socal Kids Lit Council Excellence in Picture Books: Dylan the Villain
- Christopher Award: Flora & Ulysses
Upcoming: The Zombie Stone and August of the Zombies, second and third installment of the Zombie Problems, 2021×Illustrator Award Honoree
Aaron Meshon
Take Me Out to the Yakyu
Atheneum
A boy attends baseball games with one grandfather in America and one in Japan. Different languages, same “wonderful day.”
Fun Facts
Aaron Meshon
From: West Chester, PA; Now: Brooklyn NY
6 Word Memoir: long baths help write short stories.
Activities: travel and read every street sign
Distraction/Procrastination: I AM the distraction! Sorry, I have to check product reviews online now, I'll be back...
Other Awards:
- Publishers Weekly, starred review, : Now That I’m Here
- Kirkus, starred review: Take Me Out to the Yakyu
- Kirkus, starred review: Deliver
Upcoming: Tufts, Adirondack Life; Eating Well Magazines×Illustrator Award Honoree
Marta Altés
My Grandpa
Abrams
The special relationship between grandfather and grandchild is made all the more poignant by the child’s loving acceptance of the old man’s fading faculties.
Fun Facts
Marta Altés
From: Barcelona (Spain); Now: London
6 Word Memoir:
Activities: I love dancing and going for long walks with my little dog Sam
Distractions: I LOVE drawing. And usually I want to draw what I shouldn't be drawing. Those are my distractions! Silly thoughts or characters that I need to draw before they disappear :)
Other Awards:
- Prix Des Incorruptibles 2014-15 (Kindergarten Category) for "NON!" (Éditions Circonflexe)
- ★ Winner of the "Read it again!" for "NO!" (Child's Play)
- Winner of the "Nottingham Children's Book Prize" for "NO!" (Child's Play)
Upcoming: New In Town, Fall 2020×
