Meet the Presenters
Eric Rohmann
“ Children are not ironic, disillusioned, or indifferent, but hopeful, open-minded, and open-hearted, with a voracious hunger for pictures and stories.”—Eric Rohmann
Eric Rohmann is a Caldecott Medal–winning author and illustrator whose bold, expressive artwork has delighted young readers for more than three decades. He received the 2003 Caldecott Medal for My Friend Rabbit, a 1995 Caldecott Honor for Time Flies, and the 2021 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal as illustrator of Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera.This is Eric’s first time with the VCBF.
Amber McBride
"Imagination is a medicine, a balm." — Amber McBride
Amber McBride is an award-winning author and poet whose novels in verse explore identity, resilience, and the power of imagination. Her debut novel, Me (Moth), was a National Book Award finalist and received the Coretta Scott King–John Steptoe Award for New Talent. Her middle-grade novel Gone Wolf won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and her latest novel, The Leaving Room, was a finalist for the 2025 National Book Award. McBride lives in Virginia and is widely recognized as one of today's most celebrated voices in children's and young adult literature. This is her first time at the VCBF.
Christina Shawn
"Everything I have ever loved doing has had to do with books and children." — Christina Shawn
Christina Shawn is a reading specialist, literacy coach, and children's author whose heartfelt stories celebrate imagination, kindness, and the joy of learning. At the 2026 Virginia Children's Book Festival, Christina will lead sensory-friendly, inclusive literacy sessions in partnership with Longwood University's Speech, Hearing, and Learning Services, creating welcoming book experiences for children with diverse learning needs. She is the author of Lucas Plays, And Then Came You, and No Love Potion, and lives in Richmond, Virginia. This is her second year at the VCBF.
Daniel Nayeri
"I learned the power of storytelling early on from having to tell my story over and over." — Daniel Nayeri
Daniel Nayeri was born in Iran and spent some years as a refugee before immigrating to Oklahoma at age seven with his family. He is the author of several books, including Everything Sad is Untrue (A True Story), winner of the Michael L. Printz Award, the Christopher Medal, and the Middle Eastern Book Award, The Many Assassinations of Samir, The Seller of Dreams, winner of the Newbery Honor, and The Teacher of Nomad Land, winner of the Newbery Honor and the National Book Award. This is Daniel’s second time at the VCBF.
Elana K. Arnold
"If we want kids to be people who grow up with complicated, complex stories of their own to tell, we have to make sure that the field is full of stories for them to discover that are complicated and challenging and terrifying and beautiful and all those things." — Elana K. Arnold
Elana K. Arnold is the award-winning author of many books for children and teens, including the Sydney Taylor and National Jewish Book Award winner The Blood Years, the Printz Honor winner Damsel, the National Book Award finalist What Girls Are Made Of, and the Global Read Aloud selection A Boy Called Bat. This is her second time with the VCBF.
Raúl The Third
"There are so many American stories that have yet to see the light of day. I can't wait for our youngsters to have the confidence to tell them." — Raúl the Third
Raúl the Third is a New York Times bestselling author and illustrator known for his bold, colorful artwork and stories celebrating Mexican American culture. He is the creator of the World of ¡Vamos! series and the Lowriders graphic novels, and has illustrated Jason Reynolds's bestselling Stuntboy books. Raúl is a four-time Pura Belpré Award recipient, and his work has also been recognized with the Texas Bluebonnet Award and the New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Books distinction. This is his third time with the VCBF.
Erin Stead
"I believe in books and reading to kids more than ever, and even though there is a lot of science to back me up, I still often feel like those studies miss out on the human component of sharing a book with a kid" — Erin Stead
Erin Stead is the illustrator of nine highly-acclaimed picture books: the Caldecott Medal–winning A Sick Day for Amos McGee; The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine; Music for Mister Moon; Tony; And Then It’s Spring; Bear Has a Story to Tell; Lenny & Lucy; If You Want to See a Whale; and The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles. She lives in northern Michigan with her husband, author/illustrator Philip Stead. This is Erin’s first time with the VCBF.
Jay Cooper
"If kids have a positive experience with a book, they are twice as likely to pick up another on their own, and another after that." — Jay Cooper
Jay Cooper is the illustrator of 29 books, including the New York Times and USA TODAY best-selling graphic novel series The Last Comics On Earth and national best-seller Your Guide To Not Getting Murdered In A Quaint English Village. Jay takes silly books very seriously—he believes that reading for pure enjoyment leads to a lifetime of literacy. This is Jay’s tenth time with the VCBF.
Karina Yan Glaser
"Stories help because they tell children that they are not alone. When I was growing up, stories gave me hope and gave me a window into what I wanted my future to be."
— Karina Yan Glaser
Karina Yan Glaser is a Newbery Honoree and a New York Times bestselling author and illustrator. Originally from California, Karina came to New York City for college and has stuck around for nearly thirty years. She has had a varied career teaching and implementing literacy programs in family homeless shelters and recruiting healthcare professionals to volunteer in under resourced areas around the world. One of her proudest achievements is raising two kids who can’t go anywhere without a book. This is her first time with the VCBF.
Mike Lowery
"There are so many good reasons for kids to make art... It helps them learn how to make mistakes and grow, it helps them to find their own voice, it helps them to find others with similar taste or interests."— Mike Lowery
Mike Lowery is a New York Times bestselling author and illustrator whose hilarious books, energetic doodles, and wildly fun facts have delighted readers of all ages. He is the creator of the Everything Awesome, Bug Scouts, and Shark series, and has illustrated more than eighty children's books, including the bestselling Mac B., Kid Spy and They Call Me No Sam! series. This is his first time with the VCBF.
Lamar Giles
"When something scares me, if I write a story around it, it makes me feel better."— Lamar Giles
Lamar Giles is the author of the acclaimed novels Ruin Road, The Getaway, The Last Last-Day-of-Summer and has written for globally beloved brands like DC Comics, Star Wars, and National Geographic. He is a three-time Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award nominee, a recipient of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association's Youth Literary Award, and founding member of the non-profit We Need Diverse Books. This is Lamar’s tenth time with the VCBF.
Chris Harris
"I’ve always remembered how much I loved the rhythm and rhymes of poems when I was younger (Shel Silverstein, A. A. Milne, Dr. Seuss). And as I wrote my own, I found it was a great way to share a laugh with my kids, to let them know I understood how they felt in their sad moments, and simply to show them all the things a person can do with words and letters, with a little imagination."—Chris Harris
Chris Harris is the author of the New York Times bestselling children's book I'm Just No Good at Rhyming, illustrated by Lane Smith and praised by Publishers Weekly as "a worthy heir to Silverstein, Seuss, and even Ogden Nash." His latest poetry collection, My Head Has a Bellyache, illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi, has also received rave reviews. He is also the author of If You Laugh, I'm Starting This Book Over, illustrated by Serge Bloch, and The Alphabet's Alphabet, illustrated by Dan Santat. Chris has also spent more than twenty years working in television, much of it, as he says, "hovering around the snack table." He is currently the executive producer and showrunner of Frasier on Paramount+. His television credits also include How I Met Your Mother, Acapulco, and The Late Show with David Letterman. His writing has appeared in The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, ESPN, and NPR, though he's "not 100% certain" which NPR show it was. This his second time with the VCBF.
Leland Melvin
"We are innately explorers. Even as children, we're constantly asking questions about the universe."—Leland Melvin
Leland Melvin is a former NASA astronaut, engineer, educator, and bestselling author who has inspired millions to reach for the stars. A veteran of two Space Shuttle Atlantis missions to help build the International Space Station, he later served as head of NASA Education, championing STEAM learning for students across the country. Leland is the author of the award-winning memoir Chasing Space, its young readers edition, and the new middle-grade graphic novel Space Chasers, which encourages young people to dream boldly, work together, and explore the impossible. Before joining NASA, he was drafted into the NFL, making him the only person ever drafted by the NFL to have flown in space. This his first time with the VCBF.
Ruth Chan
"I'd always loved picture books because they seamlessly encompass some of the most beautiful things in life: a good story, beautiful language, incredible art, humor, wit, tenderness, and truths."—Ruth Chan
Ruth Chan is an award-winning author and illustrator of comics and children’s books, including her graphic memoir Uprooted, which has earned a Boston Globe-Horn Book Nonfiction Honor, an SCBWI Golden Kite Award for Illustrated Book/Graphic Novel for Older Readers, and a NPR Best Book of 2024. Her work has also been featured in The New York Times, Cup of Jo, and with publishers HarperCollins, Macmillan, Simon & Schuster, Disney-Hyperion, and Abrams. Prior to illustrating full time, she spent her teens in China and a decade working with youth and families in underserved communities. This Ruth’s first time with the VCBF.
Johnny Marciano
"You're writing for two different people. The kid is looking at the pictures, and then you've got an adult interpreting whatever you write."—John Marciano
Johnny Marciano is a New York Times bestselling author and illustrator whose books blend laugh-out-loud humor, adventure, and unforgettable characters. He is the co-creator of the bestselling Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat series, the author of The 66th Rebirth of Frankie Caridi, The No-Good Nine, and The Witches of Benevento, and the creator of the picture book How Did Humans Go Extinct? Johnny also continues his grandfather Ludwig Bemelmans's beloved Madeline legacy as the author of several Madeline books. This is John’s THIRTEENTH time with the VCBF! (He’s been with us since the beginning.)
Philip Stead
"Reading and writing should feel a lot like play."—Philip Stead
Philip C. Stead is a Caldecott Medal–winning author and illustrator whose thoughtful, whimsical stories have become modern classics. He received the 2011 Caldecott Medal for A Sick Day for Amos McGee, illustrated by his wife, Erin Stead, and together they have created beloved books including Bear Has a Story to Tell, Lenny & Lucy, and The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine, based on an unpublished story by Mark Twain. Philip has also written and illustrated acclaimed books such as A Home for Bird, Ideas Are All Around, and The Sun Is Late and So Is the Farmer. This is his first time with the VCBF.
Malik-16
"Every young person has a story worth telling. My job is to help them find the rhythm to tell it."—Malik-16
Malik-16 is an author, spoken word artist, educator, and the Virginia Children's Book Festival's Rapper-in-Residence. A founding member of the festival's groundbreaking Hip Hop in Children's Literature program, Malik has inspired thousands of students over the past five years through the power of rhythm, rhyme, and storytelling. He also leads the festival's innovative Hip Hop and Shakespeare program, helping students discover the connections between Shakespeare's language and the lyricism of hip hop. This is his fifth time with the VCBF.
Pablo Cartaya
"I was Ricky Martin’s body double in a music video."—Pablo Cartaya
Pablo Cartaya is an award-winning Cuban American author, screenwriter, actor, and educator whose heartfelt stories celebrate family, identity, courage, and community. He is the author of The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora, Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish, Each Tiny Spark, The Last Beekeeper, Curveball, and his newest middle-grade novel, A Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation. His work has earned a Pura Belpré Author Honor, a Schneider Family Book Award Honor, and numerous starred reviews. This is his seventh time with the VCBF.
Selina Alko
"Write what is closest to your heart. What do you care about? What excites you? What makes you feel sad?"—Selina Alko
Selina Alko is an award-winning author and illustrator whose books celebrate history, family, identity, and belonging. She is the creator of acclaimed titles including The Case for Loving, Daddy Christmas & Hanukkah Mama, B Is for Brooklyn, and I Is for Immigrants. Her newest books include Otherwise Known as Judy the Great: A Poetic Ode to Judy Blume and The Remembering Candle. Selina's work has earned a Society of Illustrators Silver Medal, a National Jewish Book Award, and multiple Sydney Taylor honors, and her illustrations for The Keeper of Stories received both a Sydney Taylor Honor and an NCTE Orbis Pictus Honor. This is Selina’s second time with the VCBF.
Todd Parr
"I have a lot of fun creating my books, and I'm proud to know they are helping someone feel better about themselves in a silly, fun way."—Todd Parr
Todd Parr is the author and illustrator of more than 60 books for children, including the New York Times bestselling The I Love You Book, The Earth Book, and The Thankful Book. He has inspired, empowered, and entertained millions of children around the world with his bold images, unique sense of humor, and inclusive storytelling. His books have received numerous awards and are available in 20 languages. He is the co-creator of the popular Daytime Emmy®-nominated animated TV series ToddWorld with Gerry Renert of SupperTime Entertainment, and several short films for Sesame Street have been based on Todd’s work. This is Todd’s eleventh time with the VCBF.
Tim Ering
“I always think of illustration as a form of acting. Each time I approach a subject, I need to become the character I'm depicting."—Tim Ering
Timothy Basil Ering is an award-winning author, illustrator, and fine artist whose richly textured artwork has captivated readers around the world. He is best known as the illustrator of Kate DiCamillo's Newbery Medal-winning The Tale of Despereaux, as well as the creator of beloved picture books including The Story of Frog Belly Rat Bone, The Unexpected Love Story of Alfred Fiddleduckling, and Necks Out for Adventure!. His newest books include Earnest Sandpiper's Great Ascent and Walrus Song. Drawing inspiration from the sea, adventure, and the natural world, Tim's unforgettable stories and illustrations encourage readers to embrace curiosity, creativity, and wonder. This is Tim’s THIRTEENTH time with the VCBF. (He’s been with us since the beginning!)
Russell Ginns
“Mystery stories, and any book with a good plot, really, work because readers try to guess what's happening along with the characters."—Russell Ginns
Russell Ginns is a bestselling author, game designer, and puzzle creator who specializes in stories packed with mystery, humor, and brain-bending fun. He has created books, games, and educational projects for organizations including Sesame Workshop, Nintendo, Scientific American, and the Girl Scouts of America. Russell is the author of the popular Samantha Spinner adventure series, the interactive Puzzlooies! books, 1-2-3 Scream!, and the new Super Atomic Wombat Girl graphic novel series. His interactive storytelling invites readers to solve puzzles, crack codes, and become part of the adventure themselves. This is Russell’s eighth time at the VCBF.
Monty Montgomery is an acclaimed artist and muralist who has served as the Virginia Children's Book Festival's visiting muralist for the past ten years. Known for transforming live illustration into unforgettable works of art, Monty has collaborated with many of children's literature's most celebrated creators, including LeUyen Pham, Peter Brown, Todd Parr, Cozbi A. Cabrera,and many others to create the Festival's signature LIVE Murals. His vibrant work captures the energy and creativity of each event, leaving behind lasting works of art that celebrate storytelling, imagination, and community. Monty's LIVE Murals have become one of the Virginia Children's Book Festival's most beloved traditions.
