Mike Graf is a former classroom teacher and TV weatherman. He knows how to speak to children and his assemblies are highly engaging and informative. Mike has written over 70 books for children and teachers. Mike's presentations include personally-experienced, gripping tales about scorpion encounters, flash floods, dinosaur digs, wolf sightings, bears encounters, cave rescues and explorations, thunderstorms and lightning strikes, tornado chasing, national parks adventures, rock-climbing and many other subjects. He also presents information on weather, the writing process, and how to create great stories.California Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon South Dakota, Washington  5/12

Julee Ann Granger was born and raised on a farm in rural central Iowa. Very much like the central character in her story, Julee Ann was given free reign, as a child, to explore the woods, ponds and creeks on her farm, as well as play with and befriend, a myriad of farm animals. She currently is an elementary school teacher in Kansas City, Kansas.6/12

      J. C. Greenburg is the author of Andrew Lost, a hilarious 18-volume science adventure series published by Random House for ages six through ten. For 15 years before she began writing Andrew Lost, Greenburg's work as a science-textbook editor and writer allowed her to pursue her childhood fascinations with science and discover new ones. She corresponded with scientists all over the world, learning about everything from how continents move at the rate fingernails grow to how sea slugs hurl their intestines and lungs at predators to elude them. J.C. visits schools all over the U.S., fascinating children with her PowerPoint presentation and discussion featuring weird and wonderful creatures from eyelash mites to the Tyrannosaurus Rex to the giant squid, from the blue whale to the bombardier beetle to the Giant Gippsland earthworm. J.C. shares empowering stories about children - as young as 3! - who have made scientific discoveries, weaves writing hints and research tips into her age-appropriate presentations, and leaves kids bubbling with questions! New York 9/2011

   Peni R. Griffin is the author of numerous books for young readers, including Ghost Sitter which won the 2004 William Allen White Award and Switching Well, which was named an ALA Notable Book and a Best Book for Young Adults. Ms. Griffin lives in San Antonio, Texas. 11/11

    J. C. Greenburg is the author of Andrew Lost, a hilarious 18-volume science adventure series published by Random House for ages six through ten. For 15 years before she began writing Andrew Lost, Greenburg's work as a science-textbook editor and writer allowed her to pursue her childhood fascinations with science and discover new ones. She corresponded with scientists all over the world, learning about everything from how continents move at the rate fingernails grow to how sea slugs hurl their intestines and lungs at predators to elude them. J.C. visits schools all over the U.S., fascinating children with her PowerPoint presentation and discussion featuring weird and wonderful creatures from eyelash mites to the Tyrannosaurus Rex to the giant squid, from the blue whale to the bombardier beetle to the Giant Gippsland earthworm. J.C. shares empowering stories about children - as young as 3! - who have made scientific discoveries, weaves writing hints and research tips into her age-appropriate presentations, and leaves kids bubbling with questions!  New York 6/11 

 

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       Gerald Hausman In addition to his many books about Native America, Gerald Hausman has written extensively about animal mythology. His work as a folklorist has earned him many national and international honors.  Gerald Hausman is a frequent storyteller at college writer's programs and at young author's conferences. Florida 06/2010    Fran Hawk is the author of the children's books Count Down to Fall and The Story of the H.L. Hunley and Queenie's Coin. She is a children's librarian and mother of four, and is available for author events throughout the Southeast.South Carolina 11/11

      M.H. Herlong grew up in a small town in South Carolina where the only sailing was in books and there were never any hurricanes. This suited her perfectly as reading—and writing—were always her first loves. M.H. has taught high school English and college writing, gone to law school, practiced and taught law, sailed in the Bahamas and the Virgin Islands, had four boys, studied in graduate school, and experienced hurricanes.
Louisiana, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina 8/12

     Arlene Hirschfelder is the author and editor of numerous books on the Native American, including the award-winning, American Indian Stereotypes in the World of Children. She was a consultant for the US National Museum of the American Indian and for Turner Broadcasting Company's acclaimed series, The Native Americans. She likes visiting upper elementary, middle, and high schools in the Northeast. New Jersey 11/11

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      Irene Kelly  "My grown-up life as an author and illustrator of children's books is not that different from my childhood. I still read and write a lot, and spend tons of time outside. I have tea in the afternoon and still play Scrabble and kick-the-can. When I'm not working on my books, I often visit schools to talk about writing and illustrating. I feel very lucky to be a children's book author and illustrator, as well as the proud companion to a chicken named Betty and a dog named Nellie. New Jersey. 2/12

 

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     Elaine Landau is a highly acclaimed author of over 185 nonfiction books. She has written on such subjects as earth science, the supernatural, planets, dinosaurs, ancient civilizations, ecology and a broad range of contemporary issues. Florida 3/2012

        Deborah Nourse Lattimore began writing and illustrating books for young and zesty readers when she was in the 6th grade at Beverly Hills California. Asked to write something about ancient Egypt for a local paper competition, she won the contest with her story "Egypt from a Camel's Point of View."  Ms. Lattimore has traveled all over the world as a scholar, an artist, and a writer. She loves creating picture books that take young readers on amazing journeys back through time to ancient and mysterious cultures. California 03/12

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       Peter Mandel is a writer of children's books and books about animals, and is currently children's book columnist for the Providence Journal-Bulletin. Mandel's newest picture book, SAY HEY! A SONG OF WILLIE MAYS, was named an Amazon.com recommended book, a Boston Globe "Quick Pick" for children, a Child magazine suggested title, and a San Francisco Examiner "Bay City Best." His newest chapter book for children, just out, is MY OCEAN LINER: ACROSS THE NORTH ATLANTIC ON THE GREAT SHIP NORMANDIE. Rhode Island 10/2011

Cyd Moore's energy and enthusiasm lights up the room. Her lively presentation is always a favorite at education and library conferences. She gets rave reviews from teachers, parents, and most importantly, students from kindergarten through college. Michigan 1/12

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      Jeff Nathan is the creator of PunOETRY and was selected as one of the nations funniest poets by Meadowbrook Press. An award-winning children's author, educator, poet, singer and songwriter, Jeff is also the creator of CurricuLaughs, a set of curriculum-tied very humorous programs that are wildly popular with children, teachers, and principals, alike. The kids love him for his humor and the adults like the way he uses that humor to help kids learn. Don't miss out on a unique EDUCATION THROUGH SIDE-SPLITTING HUMOR experience at your school. Massachusetts  Connecticut New Hampshire New York Rhode Island, Vermont 6/12

      
        Kate Noble wrote her first children's book after returning from safari in Africa where she photographed animals in the wild. A former teacher with advanced degrees, she is also a volunteer at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. She loves writing for and reading to children. She says, "Children are exposed to so much mindless violence these days that it is important to give them gentle and satisfying story experiences."  Illinois 2/11

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          Paul Orshoski, an international children’s author and poet, is a former schoolteacher, coach and principal from Sandusky, Ohio.  He writes witty, humorous, rhyming children’s books and poems.  Paul is the author of eight children's books published by Treasure Bay, Inc. of Novato, California.  Treasure Bay is a leading publisher of educational children's books designed to enhance parent involvement in reading. Ohio 11/11

         Jerrie P. Oughton author of picture books and young adult novels, covers the publishing and writing process in her presentations. See Lesson Plans and Teachers Guide among her books. North Carolina  01/13

      Vivian Owens "... When talking with Owens, whose voice conveys a luminous, confident presence and gracious humor, one tends to linger in a front-porch, general store, dusty small-town kind of way. One suspects that whether it is a classroom, the book-crammed study in which she writes or the fiction she creates, any place infused with Owens' spirit will be secure and inviting. You may find yourself asking for a story." From the Montpelier Magazine (James Madison University)  Florida 6/12

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    Wendy Pfeffer, award winning author of many children's books, has also written WRITING CHILDREN'S BOOKS: GETTING STARTED, for adults. She has taught elementary school, directed a nursery school and led adult classes in writing. She especially enjoys visiting schools, teaching writing workshops and leading interactive presentations with children. New Jersey 5/11

     Laurence Pringle is the nation's leading writer of books on nature and environmental issues for young people. Author of nearly 90 books for a range of ages, many of his titles appeal to students in elementary and middle schools. His books have won numerous awards and praise from reviewers and educators, and his school programs are enjoyed across the country. New York   2/2012

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        R. Gary Raham, a former science teacher, is a science writer/illustrator/graphic artist with a special interest in making science fun for kids. Colorado  3/12

        Jeanie Ransom started writing for children when she had children, and works primarily in the picture-book genre. When Jeanie isn't writing, visiting schools, or speaking at conferences, she's working with kids at her part-time counseling job, or making lattes at the local Starbucks. Jeanie lives with her family near St. Louis, Missouri. 3/12

         Frank Remkiewicz has illustrated children's books by many authors, including Alma Flor Ada and Betsy Byars. His self-illustrated works have met with positive critical reception, but he is perhaps best known as the illustrator for the popular "Horrible Harry" and "Song Lee" series, written by Suzy Kline, and the "Froggy" series, written by Jonathan London. Remkiewicz's drawings have been described by Diane Roback of Publishers Weekly as "bold swatches of color crisply outlined." Florida 10/2011

        Peter and Connie Roop have written 60 children's books ranging from historical fiction to nonfiction. Seven of their books are "Reading Rainbow" books, including Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie, a Feature Book.  Wisconsin 5/2012

         Michael Elsohn Ross is the award-winning author of the Happy Camper Handbook, Wormology, Toy Lab, and Earth Cycles. He lives at the entrance of Yosemite National Park, CA on a bluff overlooking the wild Merced River. California 3/12

      

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      Jeff Savage is one of the nation's leading writers of non-fiction books for children. His award-winning list of more than 100 books includes biographies of positive role models in sports and entertainment, current events, and historical accounts of settling the West. California 2/12

    David Schwartz is a renowned author whose many books, including the beloved classic, How Much Is a Million?, get kids to laugh, think, wonder and see math in whole new way. He does the same in his school assemblies, using humor, suspense, and preposterous props to leave children inspired about writing and more excited about math than any of them (or their teachers) thought possible. California  9/11

     Phyllis Shalant After college, she tried several different careers related to writing. But when I finally started to work on my first novel, The Rock Star, the Rooster, & Me, the Reporter, a wonderful thing happened. I felt an awesome sense of being totally immersed in my imagination. I never want to lose that feeling again. Phyllis loves to speak with young readers. That's why her visits to schools and libraries are interactive experiences. She discusses the process of creating story. Phyllis always encourages young people to share their creative ideas with her. New York 8/11

     Educated at American University, the University of Chicago, the University of Houston and Carelton University, J.D. Smith is adept at writing in various genres. He has published fiction, essays, op-eds and reviews in a wide variety of publications in the United states, Canada, and Great Britain. He lives near Washington's Southwest Waterfront with his wife Paula and Roo the Rescue Dog in Washington D.C. 7/12

    Kathryn Starke

   Jane Sutcliffe  is the owner of four goats and one very spoiled dog named Willy. She is also the author of numerous nonfiction books for children, including AMELIA EARHART, MILTON HERSHEY, WALT DISNEY and THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR. Her curriculum-oriented presentations to school children are always fast-paced, informative, and above all FUN. As one young fan wrote. "Now I'm more interested in biographies than I used to be."Connecticut 11/11

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     Edith Tarbescu is the author of 4 children's books and is working to launch soon two new books. She is a graduate of the State University of New York, with a B.A. in Communications. At Yale Drama School where she did post graduate work toward an M.F. A, Edith was awarded the Eugene O'Neill Scholarship both years. At Yale she studied playwriting as well as acted in stage productions.  A native New Yorker, Edith was born in Brooklyn, later moved to Connecticut and now lives between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, in New Mexico. 10/11

     Betty Tatham directed three different YWCAs for more than 20 years and she won numerous awards for her work to help children and families in need.  She also implemented programs to help children become better readers, write their own stories, and enjoy learning about nature.  Betty is the author of five nonfiction books for children including the award winning Penguin Chick and in 2003 she retired to make writing for children and school visits a full time career.  Getting children excited about reading and writing their own fiction and nonfiction stories is what she likes best about being an author.  Betty loves to travel with her husband Win and she often brings back ideas for more books.  They live in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. 10/12

    Patsi B. Trollinger a Kentucky author says, "The birth of my daughters put me in touch with children's books, and I loved the high-energy style of writing." Perfect Timing, her first book, grew out of a small six-line story she noticed in the newspaper. "The story mentioned that Isaac Murphy was the first person to win three Kentucky Derbies, and I wanted to know more about him. By the time I saw his photo, I was hooked."   Kentucky  6/12

    Timothy Tocher is a retired teacher and writer from New York state. A sports enthusiast and historian, he magically transforms an auditorium into a warm fireside chat. By interacting with his audience and performing humorous stories, Timothy will leave your students and staff buzzing with excitement. New York 6/12

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    Lynette Dyer Vuong, speaks and leads workshops on fiction writing and on folklore at schools, writers groups, and other organizations. Her programs, which are described in the Presentation section below, include Five Golden Rules of Fiction and A Close Encounter with an Asian Fairy, in which she appears in costume to tell about the life of the fairies along the Silver River (the Milky Way)  Texas 3/11

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     Jane Wattenberg is a San Francisco-based author and illustrator whose work has appeared on many book jackets and album covers. She has had several happy babies of her own. California 6/12

    Pam Withers' best-selling and award-nominated series combines her passion for outdoor adventure with her journalism background. She researches her books thoroughly and interviews experts, ensuring accuracy and realism. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia 7/10

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     Judy Young is the author of children's nonfiction, poetry and fiction and her books have received numerous awards. Minnow and Rose won the 2010 Storytelling World Award PA Keystone to Reading Award, DE Diamond Book Award and AL Camillia Book Award. The Lucky Star is a 2010/2011 MO Show Me Award Nominee and R is for Rhyme, A Poetry Alphabet won the 2008 Mom's Choice Gold Award as well as the 2008 Educators' Choice Award. Judy is a frequent speaker at schools, children's literature festivals and professional educational conferences nationwide. She resides near Springfield, MO.  Missouri   1/13

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