Author Possibilities for Young Authors' Fair 2008

"Young Authors’ Fair" 2008 – List of Authors (updated 11/15/07)

Arnold, Marsha Diane
Marsha Diane Arnold returns to Young Authors’ Fair once again. Her lively text pairs up with a variety of illustrators in picture book format. She talks about the writing process of creating books with a whimsical theme.  www.marshadianearnold.com (grades K-6)

Brimner, Larry Dane
Larry Dane Brimner is a returning author for YAF. He was born in Florida, and grew up in Kodiak, Alaska, and southern California. He graduated cum laude from San Diego State University with a degree in British Literature and holds a master’s degree in curriculum development. A veteran of 20 years in the classroom he has taught at all levels from first grade through graduate school, where he trained future teachers. He is the author of almost 150 books for children, from picture books to nonfiction. www.brimner.com. (grades K-6)

Cepeda, Joe
Joe Cepeda, known for his artwork in Mice and Beans by Pam Munoz Ryan and numerous other children’s books, is an illustrator who creates the magic behind the story. Joe received a 2002 ALA Pura Beltre' Honor Award and the Recognition of Merit Award for 2000 from The George G. Stone Center for Children's Books. Joe presented to high school and elementary grades the last time he visited Kern County.  www.joecepeda.com (grades K-6 and one middle school visit)

Chaffee, Jean
Jean Chaffee is the widow of former Fresno Zoo director, Dr. Paul Chaffee.  After his death, Jean spent five years researching the animals at the Chaffee Zoo.  She wrote the books because she feels these stories should be shared and enjoyed as a part of history.
Being an educator for 28 years, Jean understands what attracts children to books.  The stories are full of animal sounds, expressions, and interactive opportunities.  This is her first visit to Young Authors’ Fair.
In her spare time, Jean volunteers as a zoo docent.  www.jchaffee.com (grades K-6)


Herzog, Brad
Brad Herzog is coming to his first visit to the Young Authors’ Fair.
Some of his books center around sports with an alphabet form that attracts beginning readers and more sophisticated older students. He has also written
travel books for adults. He says his claim to fame is being on the show “So You
Want to be a Millionaire". His website: www.bradherzog.com  (grades K-6)

Hovey, Kate
Kate Hovey uses her storytelling voice to draw students into the world of ancient mythology and history via rhyme. Voices of the Trojan War retells the heroic battle in verse. She creates an oversized handmade mask to project the voice of Arachne in spinning her tales of historical deeds. This is her first visit to Young Authors’ Fair in Kern County.  Her website is: www.katehovey.com/katehovey  (middle school visits only)

James, Helen Foster
Helen Foster James is the author of S is for S’Mores: A Camping Alphabet and E is for Enchantment: A New Mexico Alphabet. She has been an educator for over 25 years as a coordinator of library media services, elementary teacher, media specialist, and as a teacher of children’s literature. Helen is a native San Diegan. When she’s not camping, hiking, and hanging out on Sail Bay in San Diego, you can find her reading, writing, watching movies, and planning her next travel adventure. Ms. James has spoken at an event for Kern Reading Association in the past but this is her first visit as an author for Young Authors’ Fair.
www.helenfosterjames.com.  (grades K-6)

Kay, Verla
Verla Kay is a returning author for YAF. Verla Kay is a native Californian. She decided to take a correspondence course through the Institute of Children’s Literature in Connecticut. Her first picture book was published in 1994. Her focus is historical large format books connected by rhyming text. She has had several starred reviews in professional journals. She is now an ICL instructor who demonstrates to others what she has learned.  www.verlakay.com  (grades K-6)

Martin, Hugo
Hugo Martin is a travel writer for the LA Times. His first book, Pablo’s Christmas, will impact children of all ages. This is his first visit to Kern County for the Young Authors’ Fair. His parents and older siblings came to the United States from Jalisco, Mexico, in 1963. Hugo was born in Los Angeles and raised in northern California. He graduated from Pomona College and has been a journalist for 18 years. Hugo lives in Pasadena, California, with his wife, Tina, and daughter, Isabella.  (grades K-6)

Shahan, Sherry
Photographer and children's author Sherry Shahan takes research seriously. She's galloped a horse through an African plain, hiked in an Australian rain forest, kayaked in the frigid waters of an Alaskan fjord and ridden in the famed Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Her books include Spicy Hot Colors and Dashing Through the Snow. www.authorfest.org/authors/shahan/index.html
(grades K-6)




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