WHO WE ARE
We are the authors and illustrators of #19PBbios—19 diverse, high quality, picture book biographies releasing in 2019.
In this "golden age of picture book biographies," we've come together to share our books with librarians, educators, fellow kidlit pros—anyone who loves to read kids engaging true stories about inspiring people.
We especially want to highlight PB bios by and about people often underrepresented in books and history classes (women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and more, plus all the intersections of diversity!).
We'll share blog posts with behind-the-scenes scoops on our books' subjects and process (great info for when reading our books to kids). And we'll come together for giveaways, conference panels, online chats, and any kind of event that can help share these new, diverse PB bios with kids.
We're proud and excited to be makers of picture book biographies...and to share them with you!
- Meeg Pincus & Jess Rinker, organizers of #19PBbios
Click on any photo to learn more about each #19PBbios author & illustrator...
[On mobile devices, be sure to click "Show More" to see everyone!]
Nancy Churnin, author
Nancy Churnin is the author of eight picture book biographies on multiple state lists. They’ve won the 2019 Sydney Taylor Notable Book Award , the 2018 South Asia Book Award, two Social Studies Notables and two Silver Eureka Awards and more. A former theater critic for The Dallas Morning News, and the Los Angeles Times, Nancy is a Harvard University alumna, with a master's from Columbia University School of Journalism. She lives in North Texas.Jamey Cristoph, illustrator
Jamey’s illustrations have appeared in the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and several award winning children’s books, including Gordon Parks: How the Photographer Captured Black and White America, winner of the NAACP Image Award for children’s literature. His #19PBbios book with Rob Sanders, Stonewall, comes out in April. An old soul at heart, his work draws inspiration from a lifelong curiosity of the past. He works and lives in a 1920s house with his partner Brad and two crazy dogs.Hasan Davis, author
Hasan Davis is an Author, Actor and Public Speaker. He has spent decades as a living history scholar bringing the stories of little know African American men to life. Hasan began sharing the Story of York as his contribution to the Bicentennial Commemoration of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. In 2018 Hasan put all of that research into writing this book an attempt to share York’s journey with a younger audience of diverse readers.Anika Aldamuy Denise, author
Anika Aldamuy Denise is the celebrated author of many picture books including Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré, Starring Carmen!, Lights, Camera, Carmen!, and several with her husband, illustrator Christopher Denise. She grew up in Queens, NY, and now lives with her family near the coast in Rhode Island.Rachel Dougherty, author/illustrator
Rachel Dougherty has illustrated three educational picture books and is the author of one nonfiction early reader. She is a lifelong history buff and has always paid special attention to the stories of brave and commanding women. Secret Engineer is the first picture book she has both written and illustrated. She lives in Philadelphia.Alice Faye Duncan, author
Alice Faye Duncan discovered poetry by Gwendolyn Brooks, when she was a child scanning the bookshelves in her home. After Alice earned an English degree, she went to library school and used every free moment writing. She is the author of multiple picture books including HONEY BABY SUGAR CHILD and TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN TENNESSEE. Her book--MEMPHIS, MARTIN AND THE MOUNTAINTOP was awarded a Coretta Scott King Honor Medal from the American Library Association in 2019.Sophia Gholz, author
Sophia Gholz is a children's book author, tree-hugger and magic seeker. As a child, she spent most of her time riding horses, causing mischief with her brothers, or exploring forests and research sites with her father. Sophia grew up in Florida, attended art school in California, and met her husband in Manhattan. She now lives by the beach with her family. Sophia writes both fiction and nonfiction and is a two-time Florida SCBWI Rising Kite Award winner.Ebony Glenn, illustrator
Ebony Glenn is the illustrator of the #19PBbios book BRAVE BALLERINA, as well as MOMMY'S KHIMAR.Amanda Hall, illustrator
Amanda Hall is an international-award-winning British illustrator, particularly renowned for her many wonderfully decorative and colourful children’s picture books and educational illustrations. Out of This World is her second picture book about the life and work of a significant figure from art history. The first – also written by Michelle Markel – is The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau. Amanda exhibits her original illustrations at the Chris Beetles Gallery in St James’s, London.Show More
Kayla Harren, illustrator
Kayla Harren graduated from the School of Visual Arts in New York City where she studied Illustration. Picture books she has illustrated include Hannah’s Tall Order, Mary Had a Little Lizard, Who Sang the First Song?, and Juma the Giraffe. Her work has been featured in the Society of Illustrators Annual Exhibition, Communication Arts, American Illustration, and 3x3 Magazine. Kayla lives in Minnesota with her husband and dog.Alleana Harris, illustrator
Alleanna Harris is a US illustrator who has been drawing for as long as she can remember. She graduated from the University of Arts with a BFA in Animation with Honors, and it was during this time she realized her love for illustration. Alleanna finds inspiration in the beauty in everyday things. In her work, she seeks to create images that are immersive, rich in color and have a sense of warmth.Bethany Hegedus, author
Bethany Hegedus is an award-winning author of novels and picture book biographies. Among her titles are Grandfather Gandhi, and Be the Change: A Grandfather Gandhi Story, both coauthored with Arun Gandhi, and Alabama Spitfire: The Story of Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird. Hegedus, a former educator, teaches widely and speaks across the country. She owns The Writing Barn, a writing workshop and retreat center in Austin, Texas.Gwendolyn Hooks, author
Gwendolyn Hooks is the author of over 20 books for young readers including Tiny Stitches – The Life of Medical Pioneer Vivien Thomas (Lee and Low Books). Among its numerous awards and honors are the NAACP Image Award, a Booklist starred review, Black Liberated Arts Center Ralph Ellison Literary Award, and the New York Public Library 100 Best Books for Kids. To add to other acclaimed titles, her picture book biography Ona Judge Outwits the Washingtons releases this year.Rebecca Huang, illustrator
Rebecca Huang is an illustrator from Taiwan who currently lives in the BayArea. She received her MFA degree in illustration from Academy of Art University
in San Francisco and is the author and illustrator of BOBO AND THE NEW BABY.
Julie Leung, author
Julie Leung was raised in the sleepy suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia, though it may be more accurate to say she grew up in Oz and came of age in Middle-earth. By day, she is the marketing director for Random House’s sci-fi/fantasy imprint, Del Rey Books. By night, she writes and writes.Veronica Jamison, illustrator
Veronica Miller Jamison is the illustrator of the #19PBbios book A COMPUTER CALLED KATHERINE and a prolific artist.Michelle Markel, author
Michelle Markel is the award-winning author of over a dozen picture books, including the #19PBbios book Out of This World.Michelle Meadows, author
Michelle Meadows is the author of several picture books for children, including Brave Ballerina, Hibernation Station, and Super Bugs. She loves creating heartwarming stories with rhythm and rhyme. Michelle is a member of the Nonfiction Authors Association and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Michelle studied journalism and literature at Syracuse University In New York. She is represented by literary agent Rosemary Stimola of the Stimola Literary Studio.Show More
Baptiste Paul, author
Baptiste Paul is a Caribbean-born author of three books for children. The Field received starred reviews from Kirkus, The Horn Book, and Booklist. His co-authored book Adventures To School will "will pique readers’ curiosity," said Kirkus. His picture book biography, I Am Farmer, chronicles the work of Cameroonian environmentalist Tantoh Nforba. Born and raised on the island of Saint Lucia, Baptiste is a native Creole/Patois speaker who enjoys reading his books and sharing his stories.Miranda Paul, author
Miranda Paul is a award-winning children’s author of One Plastic Bag and Water is Water, both named Junior Library Guild selections. Her titles have received starred reviews from School Library Journal and Publisher’s Weekly in addition to being named to several recommended and “best of” reading lists. Miranda makes regular appearances at schools, libraries, and bookstores, is the mentorship chair for We Need Diverse Books and volunteers for Books for Africa.Daria Peoples-Riley, illustrator
Daria Peoples-Riley’s first job was at nine years old in the children’s section of her hometown library. Much later, she became a teacher, and now she is a full-time author and illustrator. THIS IS IT is her first picture book, inspired by her daughter, her rich cultural background, and their first visit to New York City. She is the illustrator of the #19PBbios book GLORIA TAKES A STAND. She lives with her family in Las Vegas, Nevada.Meeg Pincus, author
Meeg Pincus (co-founder of #19PBbios) is the author of MIEP AND THE MOST FAMOUS DIARY, illustrated by Jordi Solano, coming from Sleeping Bear Press in August 2019. She's also the author of WOMEN IN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: MAE C. JEMISON, coming in Fall 2019, and ALL FOR THE MONARCHS, coming in Spring 2020. A nonfiction writer for 25 years and a humane educator, Meeg loves to inspire kids with stories of real "solutionaries" who help people, animals & the planet.Jess Rinker, author
Jessica Rinker (co-founder of #19PBbios) is the author of GLORIA TAKES A STAND, debuting March 12 from Bloomsbury Children's Books. Her second PB bio, SEND A GIRL: The Brenda Berkman Story, comes out March 2020. Jess also writes middle grade and her debut novel THE DARE SISTERS comes out Fall 2020 and Fall 2021 from Imprint/Macmillan.Jess received her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts and now teaches in the program.
Teresa Robeson, author
Teresa Robeson draws upon her Chinese heritage, Canadian-American sensibilities, as well as her background in science and love of nature when she writes. She has been published in children and adult magazines. QUEEN OF PHYSICS, a picture book biography, is her debut. Teresa’s hobbies include making art, making soap, knitting, baking, helping out around the homestead, and wowing the chickens with her bilingualism (they are not impressed).Rob Sanders, author
Rob Sanders writes fierce and funny picture books. From nonfiction to fiction, Rob’s unique style and voice rings with clarity. He is a writer who teaches and a teacher who writes. Every school day Rob teaches elementary school kids about books and words and reading and writing. Then he hurries home to write books—books that inform, inspire, and encourage kids of all ages. He also mentors other writers, leads writing training, and critiques manuscripts.Suzanne Slade, author
Suzanne Slade is the award-winning author of more than 100 children’s books. A mechanical engineer by degree who worked on Delta rockets, she often writes about science and space topics. Some her recent titles include A COMPUTER CALLED KATHERINE: HOW KATHERINE JOHNSON HELPED PUT AMERICA ON THE MOON, COUNTDOWN: 2979 DAYS TO THE MOON, DARING DOZEN: THE TWELVE WHO WALKED ON THE MOON, ASTRONAUT ANNIE, THE INVENTOR'S SECRET, and DANGEROUS JANE.Laurie Wallmark, author
Award-winning author Laurie Wallmark’s debut, ADA BYRON LOVELACE AND THE THINKING MACHINE (Creston Books, 2015), received four starred trade reviews and many national awards. GRACE HOPPER: QUEEN OF COMPUTER CODE (Sterling Publishing, 2017), earned a Kirkus star and is a Parents’ Choice Gold Medal winner. Her latest book, HEDY LAMARR’S DOUBLE LIFE (Sterling Publishing), released in 2019. Laurie has an MFA from VCFA.Show More
Andrea Wang, author
Andrea Wang loves noodles, food, and noodling about food. In addition to Magic Ramen, Andrea is the author of The Nian Monster, which received an Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Honor, and seven non-fiction titles for the educational market. A former environmental scientist, she appreciates Ando’s scientific spirit, persistence in the face of failure, and passion for making the world a better place. Andrea lives in Colorado with her family and their dog, Mochi.Show More