SCBWI PA West Presents: Summer Critique Series 2026

Andrea Wang is an acclaimed author of children’s books. Her picture book Watercress was awarded the Caldecott Medal, a Newbery Honor, the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor, among other accolades. Her other books, Worthy: The Brave and Capable Life of Joseph Pierce, Summer at Squee, The Many Meanings of Meilan, Luli and the Language of Tea, Magic Ramen, and The Nian Monster, have also received awards and starred reviews. Her work explores culture, creative thinking, and identity. She lives in Colorado with her family. For more information about Andrea and her books, visit www.andreaywang.com.

Molly Beth Griffin is the author of many picture books including Ten Beautiful Things, Just Us, Rhoda’s Rock Hunt, and Rings of Heartwood: Poems on Growing. She has also published YA, poetry chapbooks, and a series of beginning readers. Molly is a teaching artist at The Loft Literary Center and a graduate of Hamline University’s MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults. She critiques manuscripts, visits schools and libraries, and hosts a monthly Picture Book Salon in Minneapolis, where she lives with her partner and their two children. Find more info at www.mollybethgriffin.com.

Riley Samels is a children's book Illustrator with almost a decade of experience in the industry, illustrating dozens of books, hundreds of pop-up greeting cards and other goods. Riley is a cancer survivor, member of the LGBTQIA+ community and a fierce advocate for animal welfare. In his spare time Riley can be found flipping over rocks for cool bugs or in the garden growing herbs for his cooking. His work is influenced by his identity and love of all things nature (and sometimes a little pop culture).

Jared Cullum is a Rueben Award winning Author-Illustrator and traditional painter living in Pittsburgh, PA. He's best known for his award-winning series, Kodi 1 and 2 as well as work for kids and YA writing and illustration for Jim Henson Productions, TMNT and Usagi Yojimbo.

Kelly Starling Lyons is a founding member of The Brown Bookshelf, a teaching artist, and an award-winning author of more than 30 books for young readers. Among her acclaimed picture books are Caldecott Honor winner Going Down Home with Daddy, Christopher Award winner Tiara's Hat Parade which is also a touring children's play, Anna Dewdney Read-Together Award winner, My Hands Tell a Story, and Bank Street Best Books selection. Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice & Sing Inspired Generations. Kelly is also the author of three popular series for young people—chapter books starring her characters Jada Jones and Miles Lewis, and the Ty's Travels easy readers which won a Geisel Honor for Zip, Zoom. Her newest book, Riding Magic, is a Junior Library Guild selection and received a School Library Journal starred review.

Ebony Glenn is a New York Times bestselling children's book illustrator whose whimsical and expressive imagery can be found in books such as "Mommy's Khimar," "Harlem Honey,' and "Flying High; The Story of Simone Biles." With a passion for the arts and a love for storytelling, Ebony delights in creating illustrations that not only capture a child's imagination but also nurture a lifelong love of reading. She lives in north Atlanta with her family.