Earlier this year, Louise Borden stopped by my store to shop and have lunch in the cafe. I knew her name quite well but didn't know her by sight yet. In the course of conversation at the register, she mentioned she writes picture books. (My favorites of hers are The Journey That Saved Curious George and Paperboy). She told me about her spring 2014 release Baseball Is..., and we were able to have her sign copies at the store on Reds Opening Day.
Loren Long signed my copy of The Little Engine That Could at the Blue Marble bookstore, and I heard his keynote speech at the OKI Children's Literature Conference in 2012. Prior to then, I hadn't felt it necessary to own Of Thee I Sing, which he illustrated for President Barack Obama, but after hearing Loren's account of his visit to the White House I really wanted a copy. I have a post-it note on my store's regular and board book copies of Otis alerting customers that he's local. Otis and the Scarecrow releases fall 2014.
I met Will Hillenbrand at the Blue Marble, too, where I heard and saw his multimedia presentations about Louie!, One Fine Day, and Sleep, Big Bear, Sleep!
Two others I can think of right now:
Christina Wald, an excellent nature illustrator, with several books including Henry the Impatient Heron.
C.F. Payne, illustrator of The Remarkable Farkle McBride and more. I was thrilled when he did a series of back covers for Reader's Digest. Every time I saw one I felt a surge of pride (in addition to just plain enjoying his work).
In the coming months, I hope to find ways to better highlight/promote these talented creators in the store.
Here's a list from Ohioana.org. Loren Long is not on this list, so there may be others missing, too.
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