Author: Devin Scillian

Devin Scillian is an award-winning author, broadcast journalist, and musician. He presently anchors the news for WDIV-TV in Detroit. He has traveled the world covering news stories from Sydney to Siberia. His school presentations have inspired countless children to think of themselves as not only readers, but writers as well.
In addition to Memoirs of a Goldfish, Memoirs of a Hamster, Memoirs of an Elf, and Memoirs of a Parrot, Devin is also the author of numerous books for Sleeping Bear Press including the national bestseller A is for America: An American Alphabet. Devin lives in Michigan with his family. Find out more about Devin at www.devinscillian.com.

Author: Judy Young

Judy Young remembers writing a poem for her grandmother when she was about ten. Her grandmother encouraged her to keep writing, and Judy did! Judy is the author of over two dozen children’s picture books and novels, including, Promise, The Wild World of Buck Bray series and the Digger and Daisy series. Judy’s books are used extensively in the public schools and have received numerous awards and honors. One of her most cherished is hearing LeVar Burton read A Pet for Miss Wright for Reading Rainbow Storytime Video to celebrate National Reading Month. Another, was watching as R is for Rhyme, A Poetry Alphabet was performed by the University of Utah’s Creative Dance Program.

Judy received her MA in Speech and Language Pathology from the University of Tulsa and formerly worked in the public schools for 20 years. Now, a frequent speaker at schools, children’s lit fests and professional educational conferences nationwide, Judy’s firsthand experience in the schools makes her programs not only entertaining, but directly related to school curriculum.

Judy resides in the mountains near Mink Creek, Idaho, with her husband, Ross, a professional artist, who illustrated two of Judy’s books. In her spare time, Judy enjoys hiking, fishing, snowshoeing, and gallivanting around the country in “Arlo,” the Young’s traveling studio. Read more about Judy, her books and author visits to schools at www.judyyoungpoetry.com.

Illustrator: Bill Farnsworth

A graduate of The Ringling School of Art and Design, Bill Farnsworth has spent the last 28 years creating paintings for magazines, advertisements, children’s books, and fine art commissions of portraits and landscapes. A member of the Society of Illustrators, SCBWI, and the Oil Painters of America, his realistic paintings have appeared in many national shows and private collections throughout the United States. He has illustrated more than 50 children's books, including the Kaya books from the American Girl series. His work has been included in the Society of Illustrators Annual Show and the Oil Painters of America National Show. His children’s book awards include a Teachers Choice Award, the 2005 Patricia Gallagher Award, and the 2007 Volunteer State Book Award. Bill lives in Venice, Florida, with his wife, Debbie, and daughters, Allison and Caitlin.

Illustrator: Chris Ellison

Chris Ellison received his formal art training at the Harris School of Art in Franklin, Tennessee, and then later at the Portfolio Center in Atlanta, Georgia. He has illustrated both children's picture books and adult historical fiction for nearly 20 years. Chris has illustrated several books for Sleeping Bear Press including M is for Mom: A Child's Alphabet; The Lucky Star, Rudy Rides the Rails, Pappy’s Handkerchief, a 2007 Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year. His first book with Sleeping Bear Press, Let Them Play, was named a 2006 Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People. Chris lives in Petal, Mississippi, with his wife, Lesley, and two young sons.

Illustrator: Doris Ettlinger

Doris Ettlinger has illustrated many picture books, including the award-winning titles The Orange Shoes and A Book for Black-Eyed Susan. Recent books are S is for Sea Glass: A Beach Alphabet and The Legend of Sea Glass. Each book presents a new illustration challenge. Aim for the Skies gave Doris the chance to imagine very small aircraft in vast stormy skies. Doris lives and works with her husband in an old gristmill in western New Jersey. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Doris earned an MFA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She learned watercolor technique from her mother, Minnie Ettlinger. To see more of her work, follow Doris Ettlinger Studio on Facebook or Instagram, or visit dorisettlinger.com.