Jessixa Bagley grew up in Portland, OR. Upon becoming an adult, she decided to follow her childhood dreams of being a picture-book maker. Her debut picture book, Boats for Papa, has earned many accolades and awards, including a Junior Library Guild selection, 2016 ALA Notable, the SCBWI 2016 Golden Kite Award for Best Picture Book Text, as well as the 2016 Washington State Scandiuzzi Children’s Book Award. Her recent picture book Laundry Day was a Junior Library Guild Selection and also received a 2018 Ezra Jack Keats Award Honor. Recently, Bagley illustrated Curious EnCOUNTers, written by Ben Clanton. She lives in Seattle, WA, with her husband, son, and a slew of houseplants that all have names.

Purchase Curious EnCOUNTers from Green Bean Books, one of our Portland-based, independent bookstore partners HERE.

All books purchased through festival events, from Annie Bloom’s Books, BROADWAY BOOKS, Green Bean Books, or Powell’s Books support the authors and publishers who share their work at the festival and the booksellers who have worked hard to keep their businesses open during these difficult times. Please buy early and often and know that by purchasing books you are supporting the sustainability of the festival.