PAL FACULTY

Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen considers herself an expert on cats and hats, though only one of those looks good on her head (and it's not the one you think). She's written over eighty books for children, including CATS IN CONSTRUCTION HATS, ALPACA GOES BACK-A TO SCHOOL, ROXIE LOVES ADVENTURE, and the PURRMAIDS chapter book series. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, three children, and two adorable pugs named Roxie and Clementine.

Ethan T. Berlin is an Emmy Award-nominated television comedy writer and a Junior Library Guild selected picture book author. His picture books have been called “hilarious,” and “giggle worthy” by Kirkus Reviews. Ethan plays the robot L.I.S.A on The Big Fib, a popular children’s podcast that is regularly recommended by The New York Times and The Washington Post. Ethan’s TV credits include “Billy On the Street,” “Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell,” and IFC’s “Bunk,” an absurd comedy game show that he co-created with his best friend from high school. Ethan created and edits The Journal of Nonsense, a children’s comedy and creativity magazine.

Linda Bozzo is an award- winning author of more than 70 children’s picture books. Gardening with Grandma: An Alzheimer’s Story for Children and Their Families is her latest book collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. In between writing projects, Linda frequently presents at schools, libraries, and conferences. She is a long-time member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and is the Co-Assistant Regional Advisor of the New Jersey Chapter. When she’s not researching or writing, you can usually find Linda engrossed in a book or playing pickleball. For more information about Linda, you can visit her web site at www.lindabozzo.com.

Mike Dawson is the award winning cartoonist behind many books including the Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selected series, The Fifth Quarter (First Second), and the upcoming middle-grade graphic novel about children's anxiety and the environment, The Hidden Dominion of Geordie James (Union Square Kids).. 

In addition to his work written for younger readers, Mike frequently contributes cartoon essays to a wide variety of publications, including The Nib, Slate, Romper, UpWorthy, The Comics Journal, The New Yorker, and The New York Times. 

Angela De Groot was born in England, grew up in South Africa, and now lives in New Jersey with her family. Angela’s debut picture book, NOT POP-POP (PRH/Waterbrook) is a 2025 Anna Dewdney Read Together Award finalist. Angela hopes that her writing inspires curiosity and compassion while creating worlds that readers can find and lose themselves in. A lifelong lover of reading, Angela teaches ESL and Basic Literacy at her local library. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her in the garden talking to the birds. You can learn more about Angela at www.angeladegroot.com and @angeladegroot8 on Facebook and Instagram.

Award-winning author Donna Gephart has published eight middle grade novels (Penguin Random House; Simon & Schuster), a picture book, GO BE WONDERFUL (Holiday House) and a funny chapter book series collaboration, WELCOME TO THE WOOFMORE about a dog hotel (Abrams). AS IF BEING 12-3/4 ISN’T BAD ENOUGH, MY MOTHER IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT!, won the Sid Fleischman Humor Award. Donna has presented at the Erma Bombeck Humor Writers’ Workshop, SCBWI Annual Conference, ALA, NCTE, and schools across the country. She was a Thurber House Children’s Writer-in-Residence, creative writing teacher and 7th grade talent show hula-hoop champ. Learn more at www.donnagephart.com.

Rosanne L. Kurstedt, Ph.D., loves picture books and sharing her love of story with children and families. She's the author of several books for children—KARATE KID (Running Press Kids, 2019),  AND I THINK ABOUT YOU (Kids Can Press, 2022), and STICKS VS. STONES (Worthy Kids, 2024) as well as books for teachers. She volunteers as the Assistant Regional Advisor for the New Jersey Chapter of the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators and has been been an educator for over 30 years, supporting learners of all ages. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and her adorable new puppy Sadie.

Mike Malbrough is a creator, and illustration instructor based outside NYC. He is the author-illustrator of several book including LOVE IS HERE (Philomel) which received a starred review from Kirkus that raved, "Readers are gifted with spectacular double-page spreads of bold watercolor and gouache illustrations that capture the mystery, grandeur, and immensity of love. Many picture books have been written about the subject matter, but this one elegantly treads familiar grounds." His debut, MARIGOLD BAKES A CAKE, and its follow up, MARIGOLD FINDS THE MAGIC WORDS (Philomel) received warm critical praise from BCCB “Lush, textured watercolors...” and SLJ, "The watercolor illustrations are impeccable.” among others.

Michele holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and she is a recipient of VCFA's Candlewick Press Picture Book Scholarship award. She’s been published in Hopscotch magazine and contributes to the nonprofit Project Write Now, where she teaches Kidlit classes, facilitates Book Revision classes, and writes blog posts for book inc Journal. She is an active member of SCBWI and leads a monthly critique group. Michele lives in New Jersey with her husband, three almost-out-of-the-nest kids, and two mischievous cats. 

Christina Rodriguez-Unalt, or "C. Rod. Unalt," is an illustrator for the picture book and middle-grade trade markets. As a Hispanic creator, she is dedicated to promoting cultural diversity in children's literature through her writing and illustrated stories. Her artwork combines playful, whimsical themes with subtle darker undertones, blending traditional and digital media. With an MFA in Illustration, Christina is the Head of the BFA Illustration program at Montclair State University where she developed the current curriculum. She serves as Co-President of the Children’s Book Illustrators Group of New York (CBIG) and is an active member of SCBWI. Learn more about her and her work at www.crodillustration.com.

Kathleen Wilford is the author of the middle-grade historical novel CABBY POTTS, DUCHESS OF DIRT, chosen as a Kansas Notable Book and a “Great Reads from Great Places” book by the Library of Congress. She’s a former high school and middle-school English teacher and currently teaches writing at Rutgers University. She loves leading “So You Want to be an Author” workshops for kids at schools and libraries. Kathleen also loves reading, writing, mowing the lawn, and anything chocolate chip. Reach out to her at https://www.kathleenwilford.com/.