Authors in April Week

4/28/25 - 5/2/25

https://www.authorsinapril.org/ 

 

 

K-1st Grade: Deborah Freedman

Deborah Freedman was an architect once-upon-a-time, but now she loves to build worlds in books. Her first picture books were tiny and hand-made over thirty years ago for her own children, and her first published book debuted in 2007. Since then, she has written and illustrated many more, featuring protagonists that include an earthworm searching for its purpose in life, a house that dreams of its origins, and a character that is almost too shy to appear in its own book. Her books have been translated into nine different languages, adopted in classrooms across the country, and received many starred and rave reviews, honors, and awards — including SCBWI’s Crystal Kite Award and a Parent's Choice Gold Award. 

Lost in books and the arts for as long as she can remember, Deborah majored in art history in college and then went on to study design. She is the proud mom of four grown children, an adoring grandma of seven, and the devoted guardian of many stuffed animals. When she isn’t making picture books or daydreaming, she likes to plant things and watch them grow, and to wander through museums, libraries, and the woods near her colorful home in southern Connecticut. (from https://www.deborahfreedman.net/about)

 

2nd-3rd Grade: Drew Brockington

 

Drew graduated from Kalamazoo College with a degree in Art and Art History, and soon found himself in Central Park working for Christo and Jeanne Claude on “The Gates” artwork installation in the winter of 2005. He went on stay in New York as a graphic designer, using his illustration talents to help create custom logos and stationery pieces. In his spare time, he continued to doodle in his sketchbook, as well as, participated in cheese eating contests.

In late 2012, Drew and his wife relocated to Minneapolis, where he refocused his efforts into writing and illustration. He currently draws in his home studio, while his dog, Leroy, snores next to him.

His work has been featured at Shirt.Woot, The New York Pops, Central Park SummerStage, and Bisquick. He has a special love for comics and will never shy away from a pun. (from https://brockart.format.com/contact)

 

4th-5th Grade: Kelly J. Baptist

 

Kelly J. Baptist was born and raised in the great state of Michigan. She’s lived in Alabama, Florida, and Minnesota, but somehow found herself right back in her home state. Kelly won the 2015 We Need Diverse Books short story contest, and her winning entry is included in the middle grade anthology, Flying Lessons and Other Stories. A follow-up to that story, Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero, is set for an August 2020 release by Crown Books for Young Readers. Kelly also won the 2017 Lee and Low New Voices Honor Award for her picture book manuscript, The Electric Slide and Kai, which is scheduled for a September 2020 release. Kelly is a huge Kobe Bryant fan, and incorporates Mamba Mentality in all aspects of her life, especially writing! (from https://www.kellyiswrite.com/about)