Then:
My 3rd grade “About the author” page. It says, “She enjoys reading, drawing, and writing. She also likes to jump rope. Her favorite food is spaghetti.”
I’m a little older and I wear glasses. I still love spaghetti, playing outside, and of course, reading and writing!
I started writing poems and stories in first grade and dreamed of becoming an author. Many years and career paths later, I’m delighted to return to my original plan!
Picture books are powerful. The combination of illustrations and words create emotional experiences that help kids dream big, connect with their caregivers, wrestle with difficult questions, and learn to care for one another and our world. I’m honored to be part of these vitally important moments in children’s lives. One of my favorite things is talking with young readers. They continually inspire me to stay curious, laugh often, and see the world in new ways.
When I’m not writing, you can find me hiking or skiing in the woods, swimming, cooking, or playing my ukulele. I grew up in Wisconsin and lived in Michigan, Ohio, New Mexico, California, and Minnesota before moving to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with my partner and son in 2021.
Favorite Picture Books
I have too many favorites to list, but here are some selected titles:
- And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano & Erin E. Stead
- A Good Day by Kevin Henkes
- Why? by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
- How to Read a Book by Kwame Alexander & Melissa Sweet
- All In a Day by Cynthia Rylant
- Imagine by Juan Felipe Herrera & Lauren Castillo
- Outside In by Deborah Underwood & Cindy Derby
- Sam & Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett & Jon Klassen
- The End of Something Wonderful: A practical guide to a backyard funeral by Stephanie Lucianovic and George Ermos
- Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner & Christopher Silas Neal
- In Every Life by Marla Frazee
- Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall
- My Powerful Hair by Carole Lindstrom
- Blurp’s Book of Manners by Cindy Derby
- Big and Small and In Between by Carter Higgins & Daniel Miyares
- Together We Ride by Valerie Bolling
- Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGinty & David Roberts
- Moon’s Ramadan by Natasha Khan Kazi
…and the list grows every day!
Memberships
Awards
Thanks to…
- My family and friends — for cheering for me on, no matter what.
- My elementary school teachers, who encouraged me to follow my early interest in writing. I’m also grateful to the late Peter Magolda, who gave me the confidence to call myself a writer again as an adult.
- My critique partners, for giving so generously of their time to help me grow as a writer. Thanks too for your friendship and encouragement!
- My agent, Mary Cummings at Great River Literary, editors Paula Wiseman and Danielle Collins and the teams at Paula Wiseman and Beach Lane Books, and illustrator Renata Liwska for making The Solstice Series a reality. It is an honor to work with you all.
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Kelsey E. Gross 