Participants

Arlene Alda, author of Here a Face, There A Face and Did You Say Pears? matches her photography with clever text, inspiring children to see art in everyday objects. She lives in New York.

Anna Alter is the author and illustrator of several children's books, including Francine's Day and The Purple Ribbon. A Charlottesville native, Anna now calls Boston home.

John Amos teaches English at St. Anne's Belfield in Charlottesville. He is a graduate of UVa and a resident of the town of Orange. His essays appear regularly in the Orange County Review and the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star.

Mozelle Booker is a former elementary school principal in the Charlottesville City School system. She now assists Fluvanna County Schools as Family and School Coordinator.

Mecca Burns is a Registered/Board-Certified Drama Therapist, working with children with developmental and emotional issues. She is a director and founder of Presence Center for Applied Theater Arts, which uses theatre to address social justice issues.

Nell Casey is the editor of An Uncertain Inheritance: Writers on Caring for Family and the national bestseller, Unholy Ghost: Writers on Depression. She has been published in the New York Times, Slate, Salon and Elle. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and son

Ginjer Clarke specializes in writing nonfiction children's books about animals, especially extreme or unusual animals. She lives in Virginia.

Cynthia Cotten's books of fiction and poetry for children have been included on many notable lists. her most recent titles include Abbie in Stitches and This is the Stable (picture books), and Fair Has Nothing To Do With It (middle-grade novel).

Jennifer Riesmeyer Elvgren is a former print journalist. Her children's fiction has appeared in Highlights for Children, Ladybug, and Spider magazines. Her book, Josias Hold the Book, has received the 2007 Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature.

Sheridan Hill attended her mother's charm school despite being 15 lbs overweight. A Southern biographer with a flair for dialogue, her book, My Name As a Prayer, brings humor and clarity to end-of-life issues.

Paul Jacobs and Jennifer Swender are a husband-and-wife writing team known for their lively and interactive children's programs. Their new book is NASCAR ABCs. Last year, Deaf Musicians won the Schneider Family Book Award from the American Library Association.

Peter Jones is the host of the internationally syndicated children's radio program, Tell Us A Tale, produced and heard locally on WTJU 91.1 FM. In addition to his work on the radio show, Peter performs around Central Virginia as a storyteller.

Barbara Kanninen is an Arlington-based children's writer and Ph.D. environmental economist. Her first picture book, A Story with Pictures, received a starred review form Publishers Weekly and was named a Picture Book We Admire by the Children's Literature Network.

Dee Keith taught Creative Drama/Children's Theatre at Broome Community College, Binghamton, NY. She has led visiting schools and groups for the Monticello Education Department. She uses puppets to assist in reading and telling stories of historic and courageous Americans.

Laurie Krebs, former 1st grade teacher, combines her love of children's literature with her love of travel. Her six picture books take readers all over the world. Krebs lives in Virginia and school visits are her delight.