Join us to shop small and hear stories read by local authors!
10:30 am - 11 am: Gabriella Aldeman
11:05 am - 11:35 am: Marcie Atkins
11:40 am - 12:10 pm: Ann Marie Stephens
12:15 pm - 12:45 pm: Tracey Kyle
12:50 pm - 1:20 pm: Debra Shumaker
1:25 pm - 1:55 pm: Erica Perl
2 pm - 2:30 pm: Joan Waites
2:35 pm - 3:05 pm: Hanh Bui
3:10 pm - 3:40 pm: Susan Kusel
Gabriella Aldeman is a Panamanian American author. She writes picture books in hopes that more children become readers and that all readers feel seen. She is also a professional translator of academic resources and children’s books. Gabriella holds degrees from Georgetown University and the College of William and Mary. Her books include Paula’s Patches (Free Spirit, 2023) and Squawk of Spanish (Charlesbridge, 2024). She lives in Fairfax, Virginia with her husband and two children.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins taught fourth graders about dormancy before becoming an elementary school librarian. She holds an MA and MFA in Children's Literature from Hollins University. She lives with her family in Virginia. Her book is Wait, Rest, Pause: Dormancy in Nature.
Ann Marie Stephens is a former award-winning elementary teacher and mentor with over 30 years in the classroom. While teaching, she received several grants for her inventive literacy projects. She’s taught dozens of original writing and education-based workshops. Now she is a full-time picture book author and seasoned presenter for both children and adults. She lives in Virginia with her partner Scott, and their yard full of chipmunks and some nosy raccoons. She will present CATastrophe!: A Story of Patterns and is also the author of the Arithmechicks books.
Tracey Kyle is a children's book author and an eighth-grade Spanish teacher. She studied in Madrid, which inspired her to write her first picture book, Gazpacho for Nacho. When she's not writing lesson plans or working on a new story, she loves to read, cook, and practice yoga. She lives in Virginia with her husband and two cats.
Debra Kempf Shumaker started reading at the age of four and hasn’t stopped since. She grew up on a small dairy farm in Wisconsin but now lives in the suburbs of Northern Virginia with her husband, three sons, and two cats. Debra is the author of Freaky, Funky Fish, Peculiar Primates, and Tell Someone. When she isn’t reading or writing, she enjoys hiking, gardening, and watching Jeopardy.
Erica S. Perl is the author of more than forty popular and critically-acclaimed books for children and teens. Her middle grade novels include All Three Stooges (National Jewish Book Award, Sydney Taylor Honor Book), When Life Gives You O.J. (Sydney Taylor Notable Book), and the forthcoming White Bird: A Novel, which she co-wrote with R.J. Palacio. Erica also writes picture books, early readers, and chapter books. A former criminal defense attorney and ice cream truck driver (though not at the same time!), she now lives in Washington, DC.
Joan Waites is an award-winning author-illustrator with more than 45 titles published for the children's trade and educational markets, including A Colorful Tail: Finding Monet at Giverny, A Purr-fect Painting: Matisse's Other Great Cat, and A Bone for Bo: Painting with Georgia O'Keeffe. A former adjunct faculty member of the Corcoran Museum's school of art and design for their aspiring-artists programs, she continues to teach art for children and adults. Joan is a member of the Children's Book Guild of Washington, DC, and the National Art Education Association and previously served as the Mid-Atlantic SCBWI illustrator coordinator.
Inspired by her first teacher at a refugee camp, Hanh Bui pursued a master’s degree in early childhood education and taught second grade before becoming a full-time mother to three children. She also served as a development officer for Senhoa Foundation in support of women and children who survived human trafficking in Cambodia, and has served on boards supporting children and parents in building community. Hanh’s commitment to celebrating her heritage includes giving presentations in school visits about her refugee experience to children studying immigration as part of their school curriculum. She serves as co-chair of Equity and Inclusion Team for Mid-Atlantic region of SCBWI, and has been featured in Highlights Children’s Magazine and Next Avenue. The Yellow Áo Dài is her debut picture book.
Susan Kusel has turned a life as a book lover into many careers as an author, librarian, and buyer for a bookstore. She has served on many book award committees including the Caldecott Medal and as the chair of the Sydney Taylor Book Award. She loves biking, cross-stitching and of course, reading. The Passover Guest is her debut book and won the 2022 Sydney Taylor Book Award.