Miranda Paul

Biography

Miranda Paul is an award-winning children’s author of more than twenty books for children. Several of her books have been named Junior Library Guild selections and CCBC Choices selections. Her acclaimed work includes One Plastic Bag, Water Is Water, Whose Hands Are These?; Nine Months, illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Jason Chin; Little Libraries, Big Heroes; Thanku: Poems of Gratitude; and Speak Up.

Some of her most notable titles with international acclaim have stemmed from collaborating with activist icons—Isatou Ceesay, Farmer Tantoh Nforba, and Rashida Tlaib. She is an annual faculty member at the Highlights Foundation and a co-founding member of the nonprofit organization We Need Diverse Books. She currently serves on the board of Americans Serving African Children (ASAC). Learn more at www.mirandapaul.com.

Baptiste Paul

Biography

Baptiste Paul has written many books for young readers, including The Field, Climb On!, and Patchwork Prince. Born and raised on the island of Saint Lucia, Baptiste is a native Creole/Patois speaker whose stories are fueled by his passion for diversity, inclusion, and uninhibited jwe (play).

Christopher Silas Neal

Biography

Christopher Silas Neal is the award-winning illustrator of several picture books, including the Over and Under series with author Kate Messner, How Do I Love Thee? by Jennifer Adams, and We Leap Together, which he also wrote. Chris is a regular contributor to the New York Times and lives with his family in Brooklyn, New York. 

Renika Williams-Blutcher