Books and Authors
Often the best gift is a book, especially for young readers
The Art Fair is proud to feature more than 25 authors with books ranging from non-fiction to history, romance and more. Sixteen are in the Michigan Chapter of
The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
Many of the authors are listed below.
A Johnson Family Saga
Every family has its ups and downs-love, jealousy and secrets that are never meant to see-the-light-of-day. And the Johnson family is no exception. Destinee fell in love with one of Langston’s most sought-after, rich and handsome bachelors-Edward Johnson Jr. No one could have known that their love for each other would be the catalyst for bringing about a long-buried Johnson family secret.
Lisa Warir
Ask the Girl
Nobody believes that Lila’s sister Rose is possessed by the ghost of Katy Watkins. As Rose’s health worsens each day, the only way to save her is to uncover the awful truth of Katy’s death so many years ago.
And nobody knows what happened to Katy on October 31, 1925. Not even Katy. Unaware that she was murdered, Katy has wandered for a hundred years in complete ignorance, until the day she meets Rose and Lila.
In order to save Rose and help Katy crossover, Lila must forgive the unforgivable.
Kim Bartosch
At Risk & Endangered Species Activity Book
Featuring 26 endangered or at-risk animals, one for each letter of the alphabet. 5 of the animals are native to Michigan, and there is an emphasis on animals from the midwest throughout the book. There are also animals featured from around the country and Puerto Rico. For each animal, I have created a fact-sheet, coloring page, word search, crossword puzzle, and a hand-drawn maze.
Robert Hughes
Becoming the Motor City
Through a series of chronologically arranged vignettes, my book traces the history of the auto industry as it evolved in Detroit. Also included are a number of archival and modern images.
Paul Vachon
Brick by Brick
I am incredibly honored to receive the Ezra Jack Keats Illustrator Award for BRICK BY BRICK. To me, the most powerful thing about Keats was his belief that all children need and deserve, to see themselves represented in books.
Especially at this moment in time, I believe the healing power of books to spread hope, encouragement, and empowerment is more important than ever for the children, and people, of our world.
Heidi Woodward-Sheffield
Chasing the Moon
Two best friends. One tiny tent. An attraction that’s impossible to ignore. Book 3 in The Campfire Series is filled with grand adventures, secret kisses, and an epic eclipse you won’t soon forget.
Melanie Hooyenga
Finding Bunny
Finding Bunny is a beautifully illustrated story about Elle, a playful little girl, and her best friend, Bunny, who do everything together. Until one day Bunny is no where to be found. Elle's day is turned upside down as she tries to figure out where Bunny could be and why there is an imposter in her bedroom. Will she find Bunny, her Bunny, before bedtime arrives?
Renee Bolla
G is for Galaxy
Aspiring astronauts, star gazing astrophysicists, and even toddlers pointing at the moon will now have the right stuff for exploring our galaxy. With rhymes for younger children and their accompanying fact-filled expository test for older readers, syndicated "Yak's Corner" columnists Janis Campbell and Cathy Collison shuttle us through an out of this world alphabet as seen through the windshield of a space ship. Each page answers galactic questions like: What planet is 300 times heavier than Earth?
Janis Campbell
Haggadah Regatta
This Haggadah invites everyone to STOMP with the crew of the matzah raft and learn why Passover traditions matter.
Carol Levin
Hell Hath No Fury
Ever wonder how you might handle a sabbatical from work? Think the bible told you everything there is to know about the Devil? What if the noises coming from under your child’s bed weren’t just in his imagination? Crack open Hell Hath No Fury, a collection of 21 tales of horror and dark fiction, to learn the answers to these questions. Discover stories of psychotic delusions, ghosts, a murder victim’s revenge, and a family brought closer together through torture. All of this and more awaits inside the book you hold in your hands right now.
Peggy Christie
How it Happens
A story of race relations, miscegenation, sexual assault and class. The journey begins in Clarksville, Tennessee during the turbulent post-Reconstruction period and ends in post-World War II Detroit, Michigan. By focusing on three successive generations of African American women, How It Happens explores how these women in particular struggled to overcome the numerous racial and gender obstacles they faced as they staked their claim to the American dream.
Jean Elster
Irresistible Intern
Caleb Greene has everything thanks to his multimillion dollar tech company, including a lawsuit from a former partner. Escaping the crush of responsibilities seemed to be the thing he needed. A getaway to New York for a visit with old buddy Dex Truitt was supposed to be just that, until a chance meeting with a goddess changed his direction, altogether. She was so intriguing, he found himself doing things he would never consider... even masquerading as an intern at Montague. But will his part-time distraction become a full time obsession?
Aliza Mann
Meet the Pets: Presidential Animals from A to Z
When the new administration brought pets – including the first shelter dog – back to the White House, Cathy Collison and Janis Campbell were inspired to salute those cats, dogs and many critters that captivated the public and press over the years in their book “Meet the Pets: Presidential Animals from A to Z.” Gifted muralist and illustrator Wendy Popko's illustrations complement the whimsical poems, with artwork collaged with historical documents, letters and newspaper stories. Extended content appeals to animal lovers and history buffs of all ages.
Cathy Collison
Mighty Mahi
THIS IS A TRUE STORY: When a green sea turtle spots some fishing line, she swims over to investigate the shiny, sparkly thing. But the stringy stuff wraps around one of her flippers, and the more she struggles, the tighter it becomes. She can’t get loose! Soon she is too weak to dive for food, or swim to the ocean surface for air. Exhausted, the young sea turtle struggles onto the beach to rest. She doesn’t realize there are much larger obstacles and challenges awaiting her outside of her ocean home.
Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw
Mrs. Buttons and Her Magical Cards
The story enjoins the idea of children creating a magical soul button card so that it might bring joy to another. The soul button adds a special touch to each card. The story embellishes the idea that children, by way of a magical button, go off to Dreamland and meet Mrs. Buttons. From there they create the most magnificent masterpiece their minds can imagine, a Magical Soul Button Card. By selecting a button from Mrs. Buttons dress and gluing it to their card they softly whisper a wish to someone special. Returning back from Dreamland they wake to find their Soul Button Card next to them ready to be given to their special someone.
Dorothy Ruelle-Elliott
No Fish for Charles
Charles is a big croc who loves chilling on rocks and fishing from the back of his canoe. With dreams of fried fish for dinner, he decides to skip school one day to try his luck and cast his reel. But when Charles encounters a school of clever fish and his outing suddenly becomes anything but chill, he realizes that going to school is always the smartest option.
Tracy Detz
Pass the Feather - Walking Lake Erie
The Great Lakes are a precious gift and soon water will be sought after everywhere. Pass the Feather: Walking Lake Erie is a fiction story about a young girl whose family members walk the perimeter of Lake Erie. Their mission is to bring attention to the condition of the water. Pass the Feather is also a historical account of what Native people have been doing to protect the Great Lakes, rivers, and waterways across the US and Canada. It is the fourth book in the Water Walkers Series. Back material lists English Standards and resources. Curriculum guide available.
Carol Trembath
Rat Fair
When a group of industrious, fun-loving rats find letters fallen from an Art Fair sign, they put the sign back together—with one small adjustment—and get to work creating a spectacular RAT FAIR. Their fair is ruined when humans sweep away everything the rats have created. Undaunted, the rats switch gears and start working on their very own Rat Art Fair. As they are wrapping up their first day of the Rat Art Fair, a human child who has been following their progress from the sidelines catches them red handed, and the rats must decide if they can trust the child. A nearly wordless tale about curiosity, kindness, and perseverance—inspired by the Ann Arbor Art Fair!
Leah Kessler
Slow Dancing in a Black Storm
They say good dance partners make the best lovers, especially when they start as enemies...
Career-focused prosecutor Mila St. James doesn’t dance. Nor does she break the rules. She works. Hard. And she’s spent the last few months prepping for the biggest hearing of her career. The one thing she doesn’t anticipate is the public opposition. She gets her first taste in court, leaving her in a state of humiliation as she storms out—right into the incredibly sexy Sergio Gomez—one of the staunchest opponents of the case that could make or break Mila’s career
Tana Jenkins
The Acorn and the Oak
The story of a young girl her mother, and their love of an old oak tree. The story reaches across the ages and touches the heart of anyone who reads it. Written and illustrated by a mother daughter tem, the beautifully detailed watercolors bring the story to life. It’s a story of family, nature, life and hope.
Rhonda Accardo
The Billionaire's Proposal
What are you prepared to do for love or money? Billionaire Carson McDonald offers African American financial whiz, Aubrey Merrill, a lifechanging partnership running a company he’s purchased. Soon their business relationship dives deeply personal. Due to his past, Carson has avoided romantic attachments. He messes up. Can he convince Aubrey of his love or is he doomed to bachelor hell forever?
Natalie Dunbar
The Healing Star
Stars with healing powers are falling from the sky. 4th grader Julia is trying to catch one to save her grandmother’s life. Her grandma is sick with the invisibility illness, and eventually she’ll completely disappear. If Julia can catch a star, her wish will be granted, and her grandma will become well again. She just needs to find the legendary ladder to the stars…
A. Kidd
The Polar Bear and the Dragon
Battling mist creatures and traveling through portals to new worlds are far more dangerous than hunting for agates and mountain bike competitions, but that’s life as Yagdi’s chosen ones. Whitney and Edward didn't seek this path, and the road ahead will be mystifying and filled with peril, but the teens have courage and boundless energy and find a way to believe the improbable and accomplish the impossible.
Debbie Watson
The Topsy-Turvy Bus
In an upside-down world, The Topsy-Turvy Bus is right-side up and up-side down all at the same time. Hop aboard as Jake and Maddy get a look at alternative energy sources like recycled veggie oil, solar panels, and a peddled-power bike that runs a blender to make smoothies. But that's not all. Discover where compost worms come from and what their magic power is that helps repair the earth.
Anita Pazner
The Trouble with Gabrielle
Alone... Pregnant... And About to be Murdered
A one night stand with a mysterious man and four months later Gabrielle Payne is in desperate need of money and pregnant. When things are at the worst, she finds out her mysterious man, Oliver Farnsworth, was murdered and very wealthy with no heir to claim his fortune. Gabrielle decides to reveal her secret and ask for just “a little help.”
---Oliver Farnsworth was murdered by poison, but his murderer was never found. He has a twin brother, who lives outside of the state and is on the outs with his family.
---The stepmother could be greedy and is lying about how happy she is about Gabrielle's pregnancy. and lastly….
----The stepmother plans to kill her to gain the fortune Oliver Farnsworth left.
WITH NO WHERE ELSE TO TURN, WHAT’S A WOMAN TO DO?
Sylvia Hubbard
This Could Be You
Words for believing in yourself are the stars of this picture book that empowers children of all abilities and backgrounds to not only believe in themselves but to be strong and resilient in the pursuit of their dreams. A teacher, a scientist, an artist, and more - through lyrical rhymes and vibrant illustrations, This Could Be You says, “Believe, it could be you!”
Cindy Williams- Schrauben
Where All the Little Things Live
Naio the feather doesn't quite fit in. She gazes at the clouds each morning, feeling lost and out of place. A sudden icy storm sweeps her into sky, where she discovers the truth of who she is and true nature of the clouds. Also available as an audiobook.
Ian Tadashi-Moore
Wild and Beautiful
A mother, with hopes and dreams of her own, avows that none compares to the love of bringing a child into the world. In this tender affirmation of love, a mother invites her adored to explore their own dreams in their wild and beautiful life. Author Amanda Esch-Cormier's soulful text combined with serene painterly illustrations, evokes the endless and tender love of a mother and child in her beautiful new picture book Wild and Beautiful.
Amanda Cormier
You're All I Need
Making it as a hotshot legal eagle takes smarts, savvy--and acceptance to a prestigious law school. That's exactly what independent beauty Tia Edwards has when she's hit with a thunderbolt on her way up the professional ladder--a request from her boss to help Christophe Jensen, a charismatic new attorney from France, feel right at home. . .
Sparks fly when the two first meet, yet both are wary of taking things to the next level. But when Tia catches her man with someone else, she lets her connection with Christophe heat up. Happier than she's ever been, complications arise when Christophe is summoned back to France. Suddenly, the best time of Tia's life starts falling apart, as she's forced to choose between her family and her future--with a man whose home is on the other side of the ocean. . .