Texas Children's & YA
Authors & Illustrators

 

Texas authors & illustrators, L-Z

Julie Lake: the author of GALVESTON'S SUMMER OF THE STORM. Julie lives in the Austin area. See also An Interview with Julie Lake.

Lindsey Lane: the debut author of SNUGGLE MOUNTAIN. Lindsey lives in Austin. See also An Interview with Lindsey Lane.

Jeanette Larson: the author of HUMMINGBIRDS: FACTS AND FOLKLORE FROM THE AMERICAS. Jeanette is a former public librarian and lives in the Austin area. SEE ALSO An Interview with Jeanette Larson.

Kathryn Lay: the author of CROWN ME! and more than 1000 articles, essays, and stories included in magazines and anthologies. She is also the regional advisor of the NC/NE Texas Chapter of SCBWI. See also An Interview with Kathryn Lay.

The Jalapeno ManDebbie Leland: the author children's picture books such as AGGIE GOOSE RHYMES, THE LITTLE PRAIRIE HEN, and THE JALAPENO MAN, all illustrated by Ann Hollis Rife. Debbie lives in College Station. See also An Interview with Debbie Leland.

Deborah J. Lightfoot: the author of the award-winning middle-grade biography TRAIL FEVER: THE LIFE OF A TEXAS COWBOY, and other books. Deborah is from West Texas and writes about Texas history for both children and adults. Her partner for school author visits is first-time novelist Diane Roberts (MADE YOU LOOK), from Fort Worth.

Laura Logan: the illustrator of several picture books, including TWO TO CUDDLE. She lives in Austin.

Diana Lopez: the author of CONFETTI GIRL. She lives in San Antonio. See also An Interview with Diana Lopez.

Michelle Lord: the debut author of LITTLE SAP AND MONSIEUR RODIN. Michelle lives in New Braunfels.

D. (Dorothy) Anne Love: the author of numerous books for young readers, including PICTURE PERFECT and DEFYING THE DIVA. Though she currently lives out of state, she calls Austin home. See also An Interview with D. Anne Love.

April Lurie: the author of THE LESS-DEAD, THE LATENT POWERS OF DYLAN FONTAINE and other books for tween/YA readers . She was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and now lives in Round Rock. See also An Interview with April Lurie.

Mari Mancusi: the author of the BLOOD COVEN series, GAMER GIRL, and more. Mari lives in Westlake (Austin), Texas. See also a guest post by Mari Mancusi.

Christina Mandelski is the author of THE SWEETEST THING. See also An Interview with Christina Mandelski.

Angela Shelf Medearis: the author of numerous books for children and young adults, including: THE GHOST OF SIFTY, SIFTY SAM and POPPA'S NEW PANTS. Angela lives in Austin.

Mark G. Mitchell: the author/illustrator of SEEING STARS and RAISING LA BELLE, which won the Western Writers Spur award and the United States Maritime Award. Mark lives in Austin. See also An Interview with Mark G. Mitchell.

Mary Beth Miller: YA author of ON THE HEAD OF A PIN and AIMEE. Mary Beth lives in the Forth Worth area.

Susan K. Mitchell: the author of STONE PIZZA and THE RAIN FOREST GREW ALL AROUND. Susan is based in north Houston.

Jenny Moss: the author of WINNIE’S WAR and SHADOW. See also An Interview with Jenny Moss.

Pat Mora: the acclaimed author (and poet) of numerous books, including TOMAS AND THE LIBRARY LADY and DONA FLOR: A TALL TALE ABOUT A GIANT WOMAN WITH A GREAT BIG HEART. Pat is originally from El Paso and now makes her home in Santa Fe.

Anna Myers: the author of numerous books, including: STOLEN BY THE SEA, WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS, and FIRE IN THE HILLS. Myers lives in Oklahoma but was born in Texas. See also An Interview with Anna Myers.

Lisa Papademetriou: the author of SIXTH-GRADE GLOMMERS, NORKS, AND ME (among other titles) and the co-author of M OR F? Lisa was born in Houston and now makes her home in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Phyllis Hornung Peacock: the Austin-based illustrator. Titles include A PLACE FOR ZERO and WHAT’S YOUR ANGLE, PYTHAGORAS?

Jan Peck: the author of THE GIANT CARROT, THE BALLERINA PRINCESS, THE FIRST CHRISTMAS, and THE TIME TRAVELERS. See also An Interview with Jan Peck.

Jane Peddicord: the debut author of NIGHT WONDERS (with more books under contract). Jane lives in Austin. See also An Interview with Jane Peddicord.

Thomas Pendleton (AKA Dallas Reed AKA Lee Thomas): the author of MASON. Thomas lives in the Austin area. See also An Interview with Thomas Pendleton.

Ruth Pennebaker: the YA author of DON’T THINK TWICE, CONDITIONS OF LOVE, and BOTH SIDES NOW. Ruth lives in Austin.

Ashley Perez: the debut author of WHAT CAN’T WAIT. Ashley has taught in Texas and is now working on a PhD in comparative literature at Indiana University.

Rickey E. Pittman: the author of JIM LIMBER DAVIS: A BLACK ORPHAN IN THE CONFEDERATE WHITE HOUSE and STORIES OF THE CONFEDERATE SOUTH. Jim is originally from Dallas and now makes his home in Louisiana.

Joy Preble: the author of DREAMING ANASTASIA. See also An Interview with Joy Preble.

Margo Rabb: the author of CURES FOR HEARTBREAK. See also An Interview with Margo Rabb.

Lisa Railsback: the author of NOONIE'S MASTERPIECE and BETTI ON THE HIGH WIRE. Lisa lives in Austin. SEE ALSO: An Interview with Lisa Railsback.

H.J. Ralles: the author of several books for young readers, including THE GHOSTS OF MALHADO. H.J. makes her home in Houston.

Dia Reeves: the author of BLEEDING VIOLET. Dia lives in a suburb of Dallas. See also An Interview with Dia Reeves.

Dian Curtis Regan: the author of numerous books for young people. She is known for her fantasies and her humor. Her books include: PRINCESS NEVERMORE (which is partly set in Texas!); MONSTER OF THE MONTH CLUB; MONSTERS IN CYBERSPACE; MONSTERS AND MY ONE TRUE LOVE; MOMMIES; DADDIES; NEW YEAR, NEW LOVE; DEAR DR. SILLYBEAR. Dian now lives in Wichita. See also An Interview with Dian Curtis Regan.

Bettina Restrepo is the author of MOOSE AND MAGPIE and ILLEGAL. See also An Interview with Bettina Restrepo.

Rick Riordan: the author of THE LIGHTNING THIEF. Rick lives in San Antonio. See also An Interview with Rick Riordan.

Marsha Riti: the illustrator of THE PICKY LITTLE WITCH. She lives in Austin. See also An Interview with Marsha Riti.

April Robins: the author of several books, including KEEPER OF HAPPY FACES, A MESSAGE OF LOVE, and LOVEY LITTLE LAMB. April's family owns their own press, Robin Falls Children's Stories, in Dallas.

Lupe Ruiz-Flores: the debut author LUPITA'S PAPALOTE/EL PAPALOTE DE LUPITA. Lupe lives in San Antonio. See also An Interview with Lupe Ruiz-Flores.

Louis Sachar: the author of HOLES and the MARVIN REDPOST series. Louis lives in Austin. See also the Louis Sachar Teacher Resource Page from the Internet School Library Media Center.

Alex Sanchez: the YA author of RAINBOW BOYS, RAINBOW HIGH, RAINBOW ROAD, and SO HARD TO SAY. Alex lived in Austin as a child. See also An Interview with Alex Sanchez.

Tony Sansevero: the illustrator of Bruce Coville's I WAS A SIXTH GRADE ALIEN (among others). He lives in Austin.

Liz Garton Scanlon: the author of the poetic picture book, A SOCK IS A POCKET FOR YOUR TOES, ALL THE WORLD, and NOODLE AND LOU. She lives in Austin. See also An interview with Elizabeth Garton Scanlon.

Denise Schmandt-Besserat: the author of THE HISTORY OF COUNTING. Denise is a professor at The University of Texas, Austin.

Elaine Scott: the author of numerous books, including POLES APART: WHY PENGUINS AND POLAR BEARS WILL NEVER BE NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS!, TWINS!, and ADVENTURE IN SPACE: THE FLIGHT TO FIX THE HUBBLE. See also An Interview with Elaine Scott.

Janice and Tom Shefelman: this Austin writing-illustration team has created numerous books for children, including A PARADISE CALLED TEXAS, A PEDDLER'S DREAM, and VICTORIA HOUSE.

Toni Simmons: the author of books and audio including THE CHEESE CHASE. Emphasis on multicultural oral traditions. Toni lives in Dallas.

Cynthia Leitich Smith: the author of this site and the children's books JINGLE DANCER, RAIN IS NOT MY INDIAN NAME, INDIAN SHOES, HOLLER LOUDLY. Her YA titles include TANTALIZE, ETERNAL, BLESSED DIABOLICAL, and TANTALIZE: KIEREN'S STORY. She lives in Austin with her husband, author Greg Leitich Smith. See About Cynthia for full information. Cynthia lives in Austin. See also An Interview with Cynthia Leitich Smith.

Greg Leitich Smith: the author of CHRONAL ENGINE. He lives in Austin with his wife, author Cynthia Leitich Smith. See An Interview with Greg Leitich Smith.

J. Jaye Smith: the author of BATTY ABOUT TEXAS. She makes her home in the Austin area.

Mrs. BiddleboxLinda Smith (no relation): the author of WHEN MOON FELL DOWN, MRS. BIDDLEBOX: HER VERY BAD DAY…AND WHAT SHE DID ABOUT IT!, THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN WHO LIVED IN A BOOT, and THE INSIDE TREE. Texas author Linda Smith died of breast cancer in June 2000, leaving behind a husband, eight children, and four contracted manuscripts which she never saw published. See An Interview with Marla Frazee, the illustrator of MRS. BIDDLEBOX.

Jordan Sonnenblick: the author of DRUMS, GIRLS & DANGEROUS PIE and THE MIDNIGHT DRIVER. Jordan now lives in Pennsylvania, but he previously worked as a teacher in Texas. See also An Interview with Jordan Sonnenblick.

Hazel Spire: the author of SECRET OF THE SEVENTH GATE, a children's mystery based on Hazel’s life in Iran before moving to Texas.

Divya Srinivasan: the author-illustrator of LITTLE OWL'S NIGHT. Divya lives in Austin. SEE ALSO An Interview with Divya Srinivasan.

Christy Stallop: the illustrator of THERE’S A YAK IN MY BED. Christy lives in the Austin area.

Diane Stanley: the author well known and much acclaimed for picture book biographies (among other categories) and other great books. She was born in Abilene.

Jim Stevenson: the author of RUNNER, lives in Beeville. Jim is a teacher and experienced presenter.

B.J. Stone: the author of GIRL ON THE BLUFF and OLA'S WAKE. She lives in Fort Worth. See also An Interview with B.J. Stone.

Anastasia Suen: the author of TODDLER TWO, AIR SHOW, WINDOW MUSIC, and many more books for young readers. See also An Interview with Anastasia Suen.

Mary Sullivan: the illustrator of OLIVER’S MUST-DO LIST. Mary lives in Austin. See also An Interview with Mary Sullivan.

Susan Swan: the illustrator of several books, including WHEN AUTUMN FALLS; JUNGLE DRUM; JUST US TWO. Susan lives in Ovilla, Texas.

Don Tate: the illustrator of SURE AS SUNRISE ( a Texas Bluebonnet book), RON'S BIG MISSION, SHE LOVED BASEBALL, and more. Don is also the author of IT JES' HAPPENED. He lives in Austin. See also An Interview with Don Tate.

Walking the Choctaw RoadTim Tingle: the author of WALKING THE CHOCTAW ROAD. Tim also is a storyteller and highly recommended as a speaker. Tim lives in Canyon Lake.

Janee Trasler: the author-illustrator of GHOST EATS IT ALL and A VISIT TO THE FARM. Janee lives in Grapevine.

Richard Trout: the author of the MacGregor Family Adventure Series. Richard grew up in Lubbock and has daughters living in Amarillo and Abilene. He now makes his home in Oklahoma.

Smita Turakhia: the illustrator of FINDERS KEEPERS? Smita lives in Lake Jackson, Texas.

Kristi Valiant: the illustrator of more than 20 books for young readers. She used to live in Texas and now makes her home in Indiana.

Emma J. Virjan: the author-illustrator of NACHO THE PARTY PUPPY. Emma makes her home in Austin. See also An Interview with Emma J. Virjan.

Mary D. Wade: the author of numerous books for children, including: I AM HOUSTON; AUSTIN, THE SON BECOMES A FATHER; OPA'S STORIES and more. Wade is a retired librarian who completed 25 years of service in the profession. She lives in Houston.

Jerry Wermund: the highly talented nonfiction author of EARTHSCAPES: LANDFORMS SCULPTED BY WATER, AIR, AND ICE and THE WORLD ACCORDING TO ROCK. Retired UT geologist; highly recommended. He lives in Buda. See also An Interview with Jerry Wermund.

Scott Westerfeld is a popular speculative fiction YA author. His titles include PEEPS, UGLIES, and MIDNIGHTERS. Scott was born in Texas and now splits his time between New York and Sydney, Australia. See also An Interview with Scott Westerfeld.

Kathy Whitehead: the debut author of LOOKING FOR UNCLE LOUIE ON THE FOURTH OF JULY and ART FROM THE HEART. Kathy lives in College Station. See also An Interview with Kathy Whitehead.

Jo Whittemore: the author of ESCAPE FROM ARYLON (THE SILVERSKIN LEGACY). She lives in Austin. See also An Interview with Jo Whittemore.

Lori Aurelia Williams: the YA author of WHEN KAMBIA ELAINE FLEW IN FROM NEPTUNE, SHAYLA’S DOUBLE BROWN BABY BLUES, and BROKEN CHINA. She lives in Austin.

Andrea White: author of SURVIVING ANTARTICA: REALITY TV 2083, WINDOWS ON THE WORLD, and more. Andrea is from Houston. SEE ALSO a guest post by Andrea White.

Brian Yansky: the YA author of MY ROAD TRIP TO THE PRETTY GIRL CAPITAL OF THE WORLD and WONDERS OF THE WORLD. Brian lives in Austin. See also An Interview with Brian Yansky.

Frances Yansky - Author Illustrator: the author of BUG CEMETERY. Step into her parlor (for quotes about Frances from fellow children's book folk), then swing by the library, and don't miss the studio for a peek at her art work. Frances makes her home in Austin.

Philip Yates: the author of TEN LITTLE MUMMIES. Philip lives in Austin. See also The Story Behind the Story Philip Yates on TEN LITTLE MUMMIES.

How Not to be PopularJennifer Ziegler: the YA author of ALPHA DOG and HOW NOT TO BE POPULAR. See also An Interview with Jennifer Ziegler.


HAVE TALENT, WILL TRAVEL: DIRECTORY OF AUTHORS, ILLUSTRATORS AND STORYTELLERS WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI by Gwynne Spencer (Linworth, 2002). Listing alphabetically and by state of residence of potential speakers includes names, contact information, presentation sketches, grade levels, costs, and more. Features talent from the following states: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.