Words & Pictures: Making Children’s Literature

Catherine Lazar Odell is a freelance illustrator. Her debut picture book author is Pepper and Frannie. She studied Industrial Design at Syracuse University and played cello in a touring band before returning to drawing. In her free time, she enjoys riding through the woods on her skateboard. She currently lives in Portland, Oregon, where she sells art at local street fairs.

Holman Wang grew up in Vancouver, Canada, and is a former middle school teacher. He is currently a full-time children’s author and illustrator and sometimes a lawyer. His recent titles include Great Job, Mom! and Great Job, Dad!. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, People, The Globe and Mail, and Canadian Family, as well as on radio and TV. Holman still lives in Vancouver with his wife, Amy, and their six-year-old daughter and four-year-old son. When he’s not making books or practicing law, Holman can be found playing mediocre ice hockey or even worse guitar. 

Toni Yuly is the creator of the picture books Thank You, Bees; The Jelly Bean Tree; Cat Nap; Night Owl; and Early Bird. After many years as a librarian, she now dedicates herself to designing, painting, and writing all day. She lives in Bremerton, Washington. Her newest book is The Whole Wide World and Me.