Meet the Speakers
Journey into Shadra Strickland’s Artistic Adventure
Shadra Strickland is a brilliant illustrator who brings stories to life with her vibrant and imaginative artwork. With a passion for turning words into beautiful pictures, she studied design, writing, and illustration at Syracuse University and later earned her M.F.A. from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Her creative adventure took off with her picture book, Bird, written by Zetta Elliott. This book took to success, earning the Ezra Jack Keats Award and the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent.
Shadra has also helped illustrate Our Children Can Soar, which won an NAACP Image Award. Her artistic talents have touched the pages of books published by well-known names like Lee and Low Books, Simon and Schuster, and Random House. Her work has been celebrated by the American Library Association and other prestigious groups.
In her author/illustrator debut, Jump In! a radiant celebration about kids enjoying a day of jump rope fun. Shadra’s bold, energetic illustrations capture the moment, making it a memorable experience for readers of all ages.
When Shadra is not creating her magical illustrations, she is inspiring the next generation of artists as a professor at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. Represented by Lori Nowicki at Painted-Words, Shadra continues to entice readers of all ages with her captivating artwork.
Shadra has also helped illustrate Our Children Can Soar, which won an NAACP Image Award. Her artistic talents have touched the pages of books published by well-known names like Lee and Low Books, Simon and Schuster, and Random House. Her work has been celebrated by the American Library Association and other prestigious groups.
In her author/illustrator debut, Jump In! a radiant celebration about kids enjoying a day of jump rope fun. Shadra’s bold, energetic illustrations capture the moment, making it a memorable experience for readers of all ages.
When Shadra is not creating her magical illustrations, she is inspiring the next generation of artists as a professor at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. Represented by Lori Nowicki at Painted-Words, Shadra continues to entice readers of all ages with her captivating artwork.
Discover the Magic of Victoria Jamieson
Victoria Jamieson’s magical journey began in Havertown, Pennsylvania, where she wrote and illustrated her very first book, SUPER COW! in third grade. Immediately her teacher and parents became captivated by her magic, which sparked her lifelong love of storytelling. At twelve, Victoria’s family moved to Florida, and to add some more magic, her parents got season passes to Disney World. Victoria was mesmerized by the animators on the Backstage Tour and decided then and there that she wanted to work for Disney.
Victoria next headed to the Rhode Island School of Design, but soon realized her heart was in illustration rather than animation. After graduating, she embarked on a magical career journey, which included painting portraits on a Carnival Cruise ship and leading unofficial tours through the Vatican Museums. Her adventures eventually led her to book design at HarperCollins Children's Books in New York.
Victoria draws from her magical experiences to create her books. For example, her roller derby days with the Rose City Rollers in Portland, Oregon, inspired Roller Girl. Her high school experience at the Bay Area Renaissance Festival became All's Faire In Middle School. The best of all, her older brother’s pet hamsters, George and Martha Washington, are the stars of THE GREAT PET ESCAPE! Today, Victoria is back in Pennsylvania with her family, continuing to infuse her magic into books.
Victoria next headed to the Rhode Island School of Design, but soon realized her heart was in illustration rather than animation. After graduating, she embarked on a magical career journey, which included painting portraits on a Carnival Cruise ship and leading unofficial tours through the Vatican Museums. Her adventures eventually led her to book design at HarperCollins Children's Books in New York.
Victoria draws from her magical experiences to create her books. For example, her roller derby days with the Rose City Rollers in Portland, Oregon, inspired Roller Girl. Her high school experience at the Bay Area Renaissance Festival became All's Faire In Middle School. The best of all, her older brother’s pet hamsters, George and Martha Washington, are the stars of THE GREAT PET ESCAPE! Today, Victoria is back in Pennsylvania with her family, continuing to infuse her magic into books.
Visit Victoria's website
Explore the Wonders of Christina Soontornvat
Christina Soontornvat explores the wonders of literature with her award-winning books for both big and small. Her picture books, like The Ramble Shamble Children (illustrated by the talented Lauren Castillo) and To Change a Planet (illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Belle), are just the start. Christina is the brilliant mind behind the beloved Diary of an Ice Princess series and the bestselling graphic novel The Tryout. Christina’s books have earned her not one, not two, but three Newbery Honor awards! She is the only author to snag Newbery Honors for both fiction and nonfiction in the same year.
In her latest work, All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team, Christina ties back to her Thai heritage through a powerful, real-life story of courage and survival. Her book details the rescue of twelve boys and their soccer coach trapped in a flooded cave in northern Thailand. Christina’s deep connection to her roots shines through as she weaves together interviews, scientific insights, and cultural context, illustrating the extraordinary resilience of humans.
Growing up in a small Texas town, Christina could often be found reading behind the counter of her family’s Thai restaurant. Her love for both her Thai and Texan roots runs deep. In addition to her writing, Christina holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s degree in science education. She spent a decade in the science museum world, creating exciting programs and exhibits to spark kids' curiosity about science. Her passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) shines through in her work, as she is always eager to learn and explore new things. Christina now calls Tennessee home, where she lives with her husband and two daughters. She’s represented by Jodi Reamer at Writers House and continues to create stories that inspire and delight readers everywhere.
In her latest work, All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team, Christina ties back to her Thai heritage through a powerful, real-life story of courage and survival. Her book details the rescue of twelve boys and their soccer coach trapped in a flooded cave in northern Thailand. Christina’s deep connection to her roots shines through as she weaves together interviews, scientific insights, and cultural context, illustrating the extraordinary resilience of humans.
Growing up in a small Texas town, Christina could often be found reading behind the counter of her family’s Thai restaurant. Her love for both her Thai and Texan roots runs deep. In addition to her writing, Christina holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s degree in science education. She spent a decade in the science museum world, creating exciting programs and exhibits to spark kids' curiosity about science. Her passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) shines through in her work, as she is always eager to learn and explore new things. Christina now calls Tennessee home, where she lives with her husband and two daughters. She’s represented by Jodi Reamer at Writers House and continues to create stories that inspire and delight readers everywhere.
Visit Christina's website
Step into David Biedrzycki’s Imaginative World
David Biedrzycki, an alumnus of Kutztown University where he majored in painting, is a creative genius who turns everyday moments into magical adventures through his books and illustrations. Known for his inventive stories and vibrant artwork, David is the brilliance behind Groundhog’s Runaway Shadow and the imaginative Breaking News series. He also created the delightful Me and My Dragon series and the charming Ace Lacewing, Bug Detective series. But that’s not all! David’s artistic talents extend to illustrating popular picture books, including Jerry Pallotta’s fun filled The Beetle Alphabet Book, The Boat Alphabet Book, The Freshwater Alphabet Book, and the whimsical Dory Story. When he is not dreaming up new stories or bringing characters to life, David enjoys life in Massachusetts with his wife and three kids. Together, they soak up the creativity that David pours into his books and illustrations, making every day a new adventure.
