Participants

Youth & Family

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Cathryn Astin has a Masters of Social Work from the University of Tennessee. She enjoys music and theatre, plays the guitar, and has performed in Colorado in the play, Back in the World, and the musical Under the Apple Tree. School visit.

Brad Barkley, co-author of the Young Adult book Scrambled Eggs at Midnight, has also written two novels and two short story collections for adults. He teaches at Frostburg State. 3/24 4 p.m.; 3/25 noon

Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen is the author of Tightrope Poppy, numerous upcoming picture books and 15 nonfiction titles for children. Her other picture books include The Hampire, Snoring Beauty, and The Mine-o-saur. 3/25 4 p.m.; School visits.

Kathy Coleman, born among the tradition-keepers in the coal fields of Wise County, VA has made the preservation and perpetuation of Appalachian folklore her life's work. School visits.

Diane deGroat has illustrated over 120 books for authors such as Eve Bunting, Lois Lowry, and even Dr. Ruth. She is the author/illustrator of the Gilbert and Friends series, including the best seller, Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink. School visits.

Jennifer Elvgren is the author of Josias, Hold the Book, the story of a Haitian boy who discovers the joy of books and convinces his parents to allow him to attend school. Her work has also appeared in Highlights for Children and Ladybug. 3/22 4 p.m.; 3/25 4 p.m.

Heather Hepler is the co-author of Scrambled Eggs At Midnight, a young adult novel to be published next month. She reviews children's and young adult literature for Kirkus Reviews, VOYA, The New York Times, and others. 3/24 4 p.m.; 3/25 noon

Susan Tyler Hitchcock has published 11 nonfiction books on subjects ranging from gathering edible wild plants to the history of world religions. Her most recent book was Mad Mary Lamb. School visit.

Jen Hoffman is a member of the nationally syndicated children's radio program, "Tell Us A Tale," which can also be found on-line at TellUsATale.com. She also finds time to perform in and produce local theater productions. 3/26 Radio

Paul DuBois Jacobs and Jennifer Swender wrote Children's Songbag and Putting On a Play: Drama Activities for Kids. As a a husband and wife writing team, they specialize in children's books and curriculum materials. School visits.

Dee Keith taught children's Theatre at Broome Community College, Binghampton, New York. As a Monticello Education Department member, she led schools and groups on visits there. With her puppets, Isaac and Turtle, she dramatizes stories from historical documents. School visits.

Peter Jones is a popular storyteller and host of the nationally syndicated program, "Tell Us A Tale." Called the "Pied Piper of Charlottesville" by one television critic, Jones has performed throughout the U.S. and Europe, including Germany and high in the Austrian Alps. School visits; 3/25 StoryFest; 3/26 Radio.

Jarrett J. Krosoczka is the author and illustrator of a number of popular children's books including Punk Farm and Max for President. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Jarrett now lives in Boston, Massachusetts. School visits.

Elizabeth Massie, author of the young adult novels 1776: Son of Liberty, 1609: Winter of the Dead, The Great Chicago Fire, 1871, was born and reared in Waynesboro, Virginia. She also writes in the horror genre for adults. School visits.

Guy Miller, UVa Law School Alumnus, retired IBM lawyer and volunteer, has read with Venable Elementary School students and at Therapeutic Recreation programs. He has been a puppeteer and amateur magician for Charlottesville Recreation Services. School visits.

Patrick O'Brien is the author / illustrator of nine non-fiction children's books, including Fantastic Flights and Megatooth. A graduate of UVa, O'Brien also studied art at Virginia Commonwealth University. He now lives in Maryland. School visit.

Poetry Alive! has been presenting high-energy poetry shows for audiences of all ages since 1984. Based in Asheville, North Carolina, this professional company regularly travels throughout the U.S. and internationally. School visit.

Carolyn Reeder is the award-winner author of eight historical novels, including four set in Virginia. Known for her Civil War fiction, her most recent book The Secret Project Notebook is set in New Mexico during 1943-44. School visit.

Mara Rockliff is the author of numerous books for children, including her first picture book, Pieces of Another World. It is the story of a girl whose father takes her on a magical, mysterious night journey to see her first meteor shower. 3/22 4 p.m.; 3/25 4 p.m.

Marcia Silvermetz is the author of Gertrude the Albino Frog and Her Friend Rupert the Turtle. She has a B.A. in Psychology / Biology and an M.Ed. in Sports Medicine. She lives in Charlottesville. StoryFest 3/25 and school visits.

Jennifer Swender and Paul DuBois Jacobs wrote Children's Songbag and Putting On a Play: Drama Activities for Kids. As a a husband and wife writing team, they specialize in children's books and curriculum materials. School visits.

Kevin White has directed music for 20 U.Va. Heritage Theatre productions, taught piano for 21 years, and elementary school music for ten years. He is the composer of the music and lyrics for the Gertrude musical. School visits; 3/25 StoryFest

WHTJ PBS Charlottesville is sponsoring its 10th annual Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest for Central Virginia. StoryFest 3/25.

WVPT Virginia's Public Television covers the Shenandoah Valley and Central Virginia. School visits.

Amy Young is the author and illustrator of several books for children including Belinda the Ballerina and Belinda in Paris. The third book starring Belinda, called Belinda and the Glass Slipper, is forthcoming. School visit.

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Participants

Youth & Family