Leslie Helakoski

Leslie Helakoski is the author and sometimes illustrator of 17 picture books. Her newest additions are When the Rain Came Down (FSG) and Gator’s Big Mouth (Pelican) Upcoming titles are Fake Gnus—a School Library Journal selection, Crab Did It, and Crabby Claude. Leslie’s award-winning books are known for their humor and word play. Woolbur (HarperCollins) was nominated for book awards in 14 states, winning honors in Florida and Michigan. It was a Book Sense Hot Pick, a Gift of Literacy book in Oregon and a Great Lakes Book Award finalist. Big Chickens (Dutton) received starred reviews in SLJ and Kirkus, won the Michigan Reads One State One Book Award, the Great Lakes Great Books award and was nominated for awards in 5 states. Other titles include Are Your Stars Like My Stars, and When The Rain Came Down. Leslie served as a Regional Advisor for SCBWI Michigan and is now RA Emeritus.  See more about her books at www.helakoskibooks.com.