​Aida Salazar is an award-winning author, translator, and arts activist whose writings explore issues of identity and social justice. Her critically acclaimed verse novels and picture books have received over twenty five awards including an ALA Caldecott Honor, ALA Pura Belpre Honor, Malka Penn Human Rights in Children’s Literature Award, The Américas Award, The Tomás Rivera Book Award, NSK Nuesdtat Finalist, International Latino Book Awards among other distinctions. She lives with her family of artists in Oakland, CA. 

Connect with Aida on Facebook at @aidawrites and on Instagram @aida_writes. 

Nidhi Chanani is an award-winning author and illustrator of over a dozen books. She was born in Kolkata, India and raised in California. She holds a degree in literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz. In 2012 she was honored by the Obama Administration as a Champion of Change. Her graphic novels include Pashmina, Jukebox, Super Boba Café and the Shark Princess series. She wrote and illustrated the picture book What will my story be? She’s illustrated a number of picture books including I will be fierce, Strong and Binny’s Diwali. Nidhi lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family. 

Find her online at Everydayloveart.com and Instagram @nidhiart.

Traci Huahn writes books for kids and especially loves stories rooted in Asian American culture, history, and identity. Mamie Tape Fights to go to School is her debut picture book and a 2025 CBC & NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book. As a former attorney, lifelong Bay Area resident, and daughter of Chinese immigrants, Traci feels a deep connection to Mamie’s story and hopes it will inspire young readers to become changemakers, even if it starts by taking just one small step. When she’s not writing, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with her family and their pup who loves belly rubs and Brussels sprouts.

Connect with her at www.tracihuahn.com and on Instagram and Bluesky at @tracihuahn.

Natasha lives in Northern California where she writes from a tree house perched in a sycamore tree. Natasha is a Jamaican-Jewish American author who is passionate about cultural representation in children’s literature. As a baby, she was adopted into a Dutch, Christian family. Natasha’s multicultural background has allowed her to flow seamlessly through different cultures while bridging gaps that typically divide people. She bubbles with excitement over antiques, chocolate, coffee on the front porch, and cozy movie nights in front of the fireplace with her husband and four children. You can visit her at NatashaBooks.com. 

Follow her on Facebook @natasha.tripplett and on Instagram @natasha_stories.