Leah Rose Kessler
Leah Rose Kessler has been a member of 12×12 for five years. She graduated from Carleton College with a BA in biology and often brings her love of science to her writing. She has worked at San Francisco’s Exploratorium science museum and spent many happy years in the classroom, teaching everything from 2nd grade to […]
Nakisa Nooraee
Nakisa was born and raised in Iran. The mystery of the sky mesmerized her so profoundly that she decided to study astrophysics. And, she did. However, stories were something different. In her teenhood, the local library was her only way to discover the world beyond the borders of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Now, Nakisa […]
Valerie Bolling
Valerie Bolling is passionate about creating stories in which all children can see themselves and feel seen and heard, valued and validated. She is the author of six picture books — LET’S DANCE! (SCBWI Crystal Kite Award winner), TOGETHER WE RIDE, TOGETHER WE SWIM (2023 Kirkus Prize Finalist), RIDE, ROLL, RUN: TIME FOR FUN!, BING, […]
Shoohada Khanom
Shoohada Khanom is a children’s author, writer, and home educator. She has published several Muslim-faith picture books and a couple of journals. She has written for Amaliah and Hayati magazines and has a short story and poem published in an anthology. Shoohada was born and raised in London, UK, and lives a busy life, splitting […]
Sara Ackerman
Sara Ackerman is an early childhood educator who delights in finding the just-right book that will make a child gasp or giggle, ask questions or proudly declare “I knew that,” feel represented and loved, or expand their thinking with the exciting and unfamiliar. She is represented by Tricia Lawrence of the Erin Murphy Literary Agency. Her debut picture […]
Rona Shirdan
Rona Shirdan is a freelance writer, editor, and coach with a love for picture books and a passion for encouraging new writers. She is committed to the process of peacebuilding in the areas of social justice and diversity, focusing on children’s literature, and partnering with organizations that embrace these initiatives. She wants all children to feel […]
Rachel Funez
Rachel Funez (she/her) is a part-time lawyer, full-time mom, and aspiring children’s author who loves mountain views, chocolate, travel, and walking her Bearded Collie. She spent much of her childhood as a Third Culture Kid (TCK) in Costa Rica, Peru, and Ecuador, and is now raising bicultural and (hopefully) bilingual children with her husband, a […]
Meghan Daniels
Meghan Daniels grew up in Boston, MA, and now resides in Austin, TX. She is a certified research administrator and picture book writer. She is also a regular at the Writing Barn in Austin, and founded a local critique group with writers she’s met in classes and workshops there. She first joined 12×12 in 2015. […]
Matt Tesoriero
Matt Tesoriero’s passion for writing children’s books took hold while making up stories for his 12 nieces and nephews. Now he writes and revises picture books for his critique group and agent. His goal is to create lovable, diverse protagonists that inspire, enlighten and entertain children in unexpected ways. Matt has been honored with various […]
Ellen Lee
Ellen Lee is a writer, editor, journalist, mom and daughter of Chinese immigrants. Her work has appeared in publications such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Real Simple, and she is the ADJECTIVE author of Lunar New Year Mad Libs from Penguin Random House. She is passionate about sharing stories about Asian Americans […]
