2025 Children’s Authors

  • Andrea Denish writes picture books that both educate and entertain young readers. She is the author of The Way We Say Hello (Starry Forest Books, 2023) and Everyone Loves a Parade! (Astra Young Readers, 2020). Andrea works in the children’s department of her neighborhood library where she delights in leading science-themed storytimes to introduce preschoolers to the wonders of nature. Andrea serves as the PAL coordinator for the Eastern Pennsylvania chapter of SCBWI. She is always happy to talk with aspiring authors about writing picture books and navigating current trends in publishing. Andrea lives in Ambler, Pennsylvania with her husband and their very cute dog, Fozzie. Please visit her website at andreadenish.com.

  • Heather Stigall uses her experience with children and her degrees in Child Development, Psychology-based Human Relations, and Social Work to create stories that speak to kids. She is an active volunteer for the Eastern PA Chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators, a member of the 12x12 Picture Book Challenge, and wife and parent to five children and one pup. When she’s not writing, you can find Heather hanging out with her kids (hopefully at the beach), reading, eating chocolate, baking, or creating all sorts of treasures. She is the author of GILBERT & THE GHOST (Beaming Books, 2025) which Kirkus Reviews praised as "a surefire hit for readers looking for seasonal fun." Her debut picture book, PAISLEY’S BIG BIRTHDAY (Clavis Publishing, 2023), was a 2023 Keystone to Reading Elementary Book Awards nominee and is available in six languages. You can connect with Heather through her website, HeatherPierceStigall.com, and her social media links at https://linktr.ee/HeatherStigall.

  • Colleen Rowan Kosinski received her BA from Rutgers University and is an alumna of Moore College of Art. Colleen is enchanted with picture books and is the author/illustrator of Lilla’s Sunflowers (Sky Pony Press), author of A Home Again (Two Lions), Love Made Me More (Two Lions) and Little Star (Apples and Honey Press, 2026) A Home Again, has been translated into seven languages along with English. Colleen was very excited to see her Chinese translation of A Home Again endorsed by the Taiwanese pop star, Peggy Hsu! Love Made Me More was selected to be included in The Pizza Hut Book It! program and garnered a star review from School Library Journal. Colleen is best known for writing heartfelt stories that resonate with readers of all ages. In addition to her writing, Colleen is an editor at Reedsy.com, teaches classes on picture book writing, and is an a member of The Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). She also serves on the council of the Rutgers University Council on Children’s Literature. Colleen works from her Cherry Hill, NJ studio with her loyal canine assistant, Sage.

  • Berrie Torgan-Randall is an author/illustrator working from her home studio in Media, PA. Berrie’s illustrations have appeared in Ladybug Magazine, and her debut early reader graphic novel, Bella & Blue: Bella Meets Blue was published by The Little Press Publishing in 2022. The second book in the Bella & Blue series is to launch in October 2026 titled Bella & Blue: Times Two. In addition, Berrie’s debut picture book Just Ducky: A Friendship Takes Flight is set to soar in October 2025 published by Cardinal Rule Press. Berrie is Cardinal Rule Press’s first author/illustrator.

  • Anne Lambelet earned a bachelor’s degree in illustration from the University of the Arts longer ago now than she cares to admit. Since then she has worked with notable clients such as Scholastic, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette Book Group, and many more.

    She has illustrated several children’s books and has even written a few of her own including The Poisoned Apple (Page Street Kids, October 2020) and I'm a Dumbo Octopus: A Graphic Guide to Cephalopods (Graphic Universe, March 2025).

    She currently lives in Philadelphia with her husband, her two sons, and her exceptionally fluffy dog, Eevee. She loves long jogs, listening to fantasy audiobooks, and she highly recommends that everyone attend the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire at least once in their lives.

  • NANCY VIAU is the award-winning author of the following picture books: Splish, Splash! First to Last (2024 Northern Lights Book Award, 2024 Moonbeam Children’s Book Award), Pruett and Soo, Today Is a Beach Day!, First Snow, (2019 IPPY/Independent Publisher Book Award), City Street Beat, Storm Song (Amazon Best Seller), and Look What I Can Do! Her novels for grades 3-6 include: Something Is Bugging Samantha Hansen (2020 Skipping Stones Honor Award for Nature and Ecology), Samantha Hansen Has Rocks in Her Head, Just One Thing! (2016 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year), and Beauty and Bernice (2018 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Finalist). A former teacher and librarian, and forever a kid-at-heart, she loves to visit schools, libraries, and bookstores across the globe to lead story times, workshops, and assemblies. Connect with Nancy Viau on Instagram: @NancyViau1, Bluesky: @nviau.bsky.social, or via her site: www.NancyViau.com.