PAL Faculty

Christina Rodriguez-Unalt is an award-winning picture book illustrator. Her latest book, "Pedro and the Monster Eaters", was recognized by Bank Street College of Education as one of the Top 25 Best Children’s Books of the Year (Spanish Edition). She serves as President of the Children’s Book Illustrators Group of New York (CBIG) and was the 2025 Portfolio Showcase winner for the New Jersey SCBWI Chapter Conference. As Head of the BFA Illustration program at Montclair State University, Christina mentors emerging illustrators, helping them develop authentic voices, create award-winning work, and secure publishing opportunities. You can learn more about her, her process and her upcoming titles at www.crodillustration.com.

Published Books: Pedro and the Monster Eaters/ Pedro y los devoradores de monstrous (2024, Piñata Book/ Arte Público Press) The Presidents Did What? (2021, Brandylane Publishers) I Want to be a Bald Eagle (2015, Capstone Publishers) Three upcoming books with traditional publishers- two are due out Fall 2026 and one Spring 2027.

Laurie Calkhoven loves capturing young readers and inspiring them to love books, reading, and writing as much as she does. From early readers to laugh-out-loud chapter books and historical novels that bring the wacky facts of history to light, she’s published more than fifty books for children and teens under her own name and as a ghostwriter. Prior to becoming a full-time writer and book coach, Laurie spent many years working in book publishing, including at the Scholastic Book Clubs. She has presented workshops at the Highlights Foundation, Whale Rock Workshops and regional SCBWI conferences. Find her online at https://lauriecalkhoven.com

Published Books: Where is Massachusetts? (2026, Penguin Workshop) Roosevelt Banks and the Attic of Doom (2023, Lerner) Roosevelt Banks, Good-Kid-in-Training (2021, Lerner) Squad Goals, (2023, S&S) Calling all Witches (2021, Scholastic)

Emeline Lee is an author of children's literature. Her picture books include Bonnie's Rocket (illus. Alina Chau; Lee & Low Books), a STEM-friendly story set during Apollo 11, and Gwei the Hungry Ghost (illus. Basia Tran; Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers), a whimsical story inspired by Chinese food and folklore. She studied English literature and environmental sustainability at Columbia University and lives in New Jersey. In her free time, Emeline enjoys hiking in nature, eating hot pot, and crocheting cozy things. Find her on social media at @EmelineLeeBooks and visit her website at www.emelinelee.com.

Born and raised in Queens, New York, Sylvia Chen has also lived and worked in Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Paris, and Tokyo, and now resides in Essex County, New Jersey. As an Asian American children’s book author, she recently celebrated her debut picture book TRICKY CHOPSTICKS (illus. Fanny Liem; Atheneum/Simon & Schuster) and latest picture book SPARKLES FOR SUNNY: A Lunar New Year Story (illus. Thai My Phuong; Flamingo Books/Penguin Random House). Sylvia loves crafting picture books that spark kids’ interest in STEAM and creative thinking. To connect more, visit her at sylviaichen.com or follow her @SylviaiChen.

Courtney Pippin-Mathur is an author/illustrator of picture books and graphic novels. Her illustrations are created using a combination of traditional and digital media. She believes in the power of play in fostering a creative life and lives near Washington D.C. with her husband, three children and one large rescue dog.

Published Books: Dinosaur Days ( Reycraft Books 2025), It's Holi! (Henry Holt, 2024) Fairies Don't Fight (Skypony, 2023) Happy Diwali (Henry Holt 2021) Maya was Grumpy (paperback, Flashlight 2025)

Rebecca Gardyn Levington is an award-winning children’s book author and poet with a particular penchant for penning both playful and poignant picture books and poems – primarily in rhyme. Her many titles include FINDING FORGIVENESS (a Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable), WHATEVER COMES TOMORROW (a SCBWI Crystal Kite Honor which has been translated into nine languages), AFIKOMAN, WHERE’D YOU GO? (named one of the best holiday books of the year by School Library Journal and the Association of Jewish Libraries), and BRAINSTORM! (a Pennsylvania Readers’ Choice Award winner). Rebecca lives in Summit, NJ with her family. Learn more at RebeccaGardynLevington.com.

Published Books: Some Days I'm The Wind (2025, Barefoot Books), Finding Forgiveness (2025, Farrar, Straus & Giroux/Macmillan), I Will Always Be... (2025, HarperCollins), Whatever Comes Tomorrow (2023, Barefoot Books), Brainstorm! (2022, Sleeping Bear Press)

Laura Parnum is the author of the award-winning middle grade novel Peril at Price Manor and The Haunting of Bellington Cottage, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. Her stories blend humor and heart with a touch of horror. When she’s not writing, she’s editing other people’s stories and helping out at local elementary school libraries. She currently serves as Co-Regional Advisor for the Eastern Pennsylvania region of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Laura lives with her family in Philadelphia. They have a turtle that bites and a snake that doesn’t. www.lauraparnum.com

Published Books: Peril at Price Manor (2023, HarperCollins) and The Haunting of Bellington Cottage (2025, HarperCollings)