Alyssa Reynoso-Morris is a queer Afro-Latinx/e Dominican and Puerto Rican writer, mother, and community organizer based in Philadelphia. She works with community members, non-profits, and government officials to create positive change. Alyssa crafts stories about home, family, and travel experiences. She was born and raised in The Bronx, New York. Alyssa has received scholarships and mentorships for writing children's picture books and is represented by Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez at Context Literary Agency. She is an active member of SCBWI, LAS MUSAS BOOKS, and KidLit In Color. Enjoy her stories!

Meg Medina is the current National Ambassador of Young People’s Literature. She is an award-winning and New York Times best-selling author who writes picture books, as well as middle grade and young adult fiction.

Her works have been called “heartbreaking,” “lyrical” and “must haves for every collection.” Her titles include:  

• the Suárez family trilogy including Merci Suárez Changes Gears, 2019 John Newbery Medal winner, and 2019 Charlotte Huck Honor Book; Merci Suárez Can’t Dance, one of the 50 most anticipated novels of 2021, according to Kirkus; and Merci Suárez Plays It Cool, which was named a Best Book of 2022 by PARENTS, Kirkus, and The Horn Book magazines;

• She Persisted: Sonia Sotomayor, with Chelsea Clinton;

• Evelyn del Rey is Moving Away / Evelyn del Rey se muda, 2020 Jumpstart’s Read for the Record Selection, winner of the Margaret Wise Brown Prize in Children’s Literature, and 2021 Crystal Kite Award;

• Burn Baby Burn, long-listed for the 2016 National Book Award, short-listed for the Kirkus Prize, and a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize;

• Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass, winner of the 2014 Pura Belpré Author Award; 

• The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind, a 2012 Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of the Year;

• Mango, Abuela, and Me, a 2016 Pura Belpré Author Honor Book; and

• Tía Isa Wants a Car, winner of the 2012 Ezra Jack Keats New Writers Award.

Meg works on community projects supporting girls, Latino youth, and literacy when not writing. She is a faculty member at Hamline University’s Masters of Fine Arts in Children’s Literature and lives in Richmond, Virginia with her family.

Janelle Harper is a Bronx native whoproudly carries her New York accent anywhereshe goes. She finds inspiration in city living and the diverse experiences of the African Diaspora.When she is not enjoying the hidden gems of the Bronx, she is traveling and exploring new cultures. She is a proud veteran public school teacher who comes from a long line ofeducators. She is passionate about creating stories that reflect the children in her Bronx classroom and neighborhood. When she’s not thinking about her next book, Janelle can often be found in her dance studio, blasting music, yelling “five-six-seven-eight,” and preparing elaborate student productions. Visit her online at JanelleHarperAuthor.com.

Frank started his journey as a graffiti artist in New Jersey, tagging walls with spray paint. It wasn’t until he visited the Louvre Museum in Paris with his dancing group that he realized painting was his true creative path. His work has been featured at Art Basel, SCOPE Art Show, and Red Dot Miami art fair, and shown at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York City and the Mason Fine Art gallery  in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the illustrator of over twenty children’s books, including the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award winners Standing in the Need of Prayer and R-E-S-P-E-C-T, the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award winner Jazzy Miz Mozetta, and the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor books Little Melba and Her Big Trombone and Let the Children March. Frank was a Society of Illustrators’ Original Art Silver Medal Honoree two years in a row, for The Roots of Rap and R-E-S-P-E-C-T. His debut author-illustrated picture book is Kick Push. Visit himonline at MorrisonGraphics.com.

Daniel J. O’Brien is a Trinidadian-born author and illustrator currently residing in New York with his fantastic partner, Ashleigh, and his loyal dog, Obbie. He holds a BFA in Illustration from The School of Visual Arts. His most recent projects are Juneteenth Is, and  (Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection), Glenn Burke, Game Charger!

Daniel has also written, illustrated, designed, and self-published two children's books. The Carnival Prince and I Am The Midnight Robber are both projects that are near and dear to his heart as they represent my Caribbean heritage.