YOUTH BOOK FAIR | Saturday | May 30 | 10AM-1PM | MBC | Dive into a world of stories! Meadowbrook is hosting our first Youth Book Fair on Saturday, May 30. Meet local authors, browse their tables, get books signed, and participate in book readings. Every half hour, a different author will read their book and do an activity. There will be books for ages 2-18. Coffee and lemonade will be available in the Cafe. Reach out to Lorisa at reese234@yahoo.com with questions.
MEET THE AUTHORS: (photos @ mbctosa.org/childrens)
LORISA D. WIEDENHEFT – With a background in Special Education, Lorisa D. Wiedenheft is now pursuing her dream career of being a children’s author. Her middle grade verse novel, The Oasis, published on May 16, 2025 with Orange Hat Publishing and won a silver medal from The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. She also has two poetry collections, Love Complications and Reflections, and her poetry has been featured in Creative Wisconsin, Bramble, Gilded Weathervane, and Remington Review.
Lorisa enjoys matcha lattes, supporting the Milwaukee Bucks, and going to the beach. When not writing, she’s either curled up with a book, working on an embroidery project, or rewatching Gilmore Girls. Hailing from the Appalachian Mountains, she now lives in Wauwatosa, WI with her husband, two boys, and sweet dog Olaf.
SARAH M. WHITE – Sarah M. White is a children’s book author and educator based in Madison, WI. She’s the author of the picture book Our Food Grows, a colorful exploration of the ways food grows from plants. She has published six other titles, and her work has appeared in Highlights High Five magazine. She’s an alumna of Wheaton College and a member of SCBWI and the Redbud Writers Guild.
CHRISTOPHER ROUBIQUE – Christopher grew up in rural Wisconsin and filled his time—and his heart—with the joys of fantasy and science fiction. His own books leap from those same joys, folding in his Cajun and Indigenous heritage, passion for mental health, and plenty of fantastical creatures. He still lives in Wisconsin and has squeezed his wife and daughter beside all those stories in his heart too.
GAYLE ROSENGREN –As a girl, books were among Gayle’s best friends and inspired her dream of writing for children someday. It was a dream that only grew stronger over the years and came true with the publication of her first book, What the Moon Said in 2014. It was a Jr. Library Guild selection and CCBC title. Cold War on Maplewood Street came a year later and won the Tofte-Wright Award for Children’s Literature. Her most recent novel is MacKenzie’s Last Run—a survival story inspired by writers like Gary Paulsen. A lover of stories whether writing them or reading them, Gayle has worked as an advertising copywriter, a youth services assistant in her local public library, and a research assistant in the American Girl library. She loves helping to spark of love of reading in kids of all ages!
JENNIFER MCTAVISH WOLF – Hey, I’m Jen. I love hats, popcorn, and Up North. I’m happily married, and we have awesome kids. I do all the voices when we read, and we read a lot. I love watercolors, but despise glitter. I teach elementary art and substitute in nearly everything else. My favorite part of the library is still the children’s section where you can always find a good book. My debut picture book is No One Told Bear.
KYLIE WYMAN –Kylie is a children’s book author, crafting beautiful holiday stories that resonate with young readers and families alike. Her holiday series includes the books It’s New Year’s!, It’s the Fourth of July!, and It’s Halloween!, with more titles to come! Drawing from her experience as an elementary school teacher, Kylie’s stories celebrate the charm of each unique holiday season, while also weaving in opportunity for learning and discussion. Her holiday series was inspired by her family’s tradition of sharing holiday books for each new season and driven by the desire to see more books available for all of the holidays! Kylie lives in the Milwaukee area with her husband and two young daughters, where she continues to foster her passion for reading and books at home and in the classroom.
ASHLEY THOMAS –Ashley has had the gift of serving in a variety of roles at Hope Street over the past fifteen years, including the past decade as CEO. It has been a deep privilege for her to help cultivate spaces that feel safe, welcoming, and empowering—places where each person is reminded of their God-given worth and dignity.
At heart, Ashley is a storyteller who believes in the power of gathering people together. Whether leading events, teaching at a local church, speaking to audiences of all ages, or contributing to Just Between Us magazine, her desire is simple: to point people back to what is true and to encourage lives marked by hope and flourishing. Well Moments: Stories Inside of a Greenhouse for People is a tender gathering of stories that whisper of God’s steady faithfulness—faithfulness that holds, even in life’s most fragile and stretching seasons.
What began as quiet journal entries has grown into intentional reflections. Each story invites us to draw near, to meet Jesus at the well, and to linger long enough to receive what our souls have always needed—the living water that restores, renews, and never runs dry.
HANNAH CARPENTER – Hannah has been part of Hope Street for just over two years. She has written for several online publications, including Her View From Home and Daughter of Delight. A lifelong artist, she loves blending faith and creativity to encourage and uplift others. Hannah’s artwork is often found on walls, canvases, and throughout Hope Street — not inside a book! This is her first illustration project, and she has loved bringing the heart of Hope Street to life in a fresh, playful way. She believes art helps us see beauty in ordinary moments and reminds us that growth is always possible. Hannah lives in Brookfield with her family and enjoys creating joyful, whimsical artwork for homes, communities, and spaces where hope is being cultivated.
JOHN KRAUSE – John is the author of the Pudge Amazon series for middle-grade readers. A big fan of words, books, and libraries, John left a career in the insurance industry to pursue writing and publishing. He is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and a Distinguished Toastmaster through Toastmasters International.
BARBARA M. BRITTON – Barbara is a multi-published author of Christian Fiction. Her Tribes of Israel series brings little-known Bible characters to light. You can also travel to Whispering Creek, Tennessee with her sweet romance duology. Barbara takes us to the Sea of Galilee in her new Biblical Fiction devotional. She has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. You can find out more about Barbara and her books on her website barbarambritton.com.
LINDA JANE NIEDFELDT –My name is Linda Jane Niedfeldt, known as Janie to my family and friends. I have a degree in elementary education, but have spent more time at writing than in a classroom teaching. In the 1990’s I wrote two children’s historical fiction books (a two-book series), then dozens of newspaper stories and a few national magazine articles. In 1995, my husband Tom and I started a travel business, taking us to 75 countries. Now in retirement, I’ve written my first memoir, three more historical fiction books for children, and a coloring storybook. Check out my information at http://www.lindajaneniedfeldt.com.
AMANDA STEWART –Amanda is a bilingual elementary school educator and someone who loves learning and all of her learners. From teaching her students to write in different genres to writing her first book, Amanda is grateful for the opportunity to share her stories and to empower others to share theirs! When she’s not at school teaching in English and in Spanish, you can find Amanda reading in both languages “for fun” or spending time with the “treasures” in her life–her family and friends.
SUSAN L. FINK –Susan is a blessed wife and mother of three well-married children and two perfect granddaughters. The focus of her writing is to encourage the study and life application of God’s Word. Her background includes teaching various ages from preschool to adult, being a hospice volunteer manager, and volunteering as a GriefShare facilitator. She currently lives in the idyllic lake-side city of Manitowoc with her husband, Robert. Susan has written the children’s book, Lila the Ladybug Learns about Self-Care, and Self-Care: Selfish or Sacred? An Interactive Guide to Myths and Misunderstandings (Christian Faith Publishing) for adults. A podcast on self-care and information on purchasing copies of both books can be found at www.SusanLFink.com Her current book project is Sacred Goodbyes: Meaningful Conversations at the End of Life.
BEV SCHUMACHER –Bev has had an education focused career, which has spanned 50 years. Her work evolved into a passion for working with families. Experience taught her the importance of embracing families as PARTNERS and realization that equipping parents to collaborate with early learning educators is the foundation for student achievement. Experiences range from classroom teaching, working with adults, serving as a parent involvement coordinator, mentoring quality, creating, manufacturing, and distributing learning props. Into retirement years she hopes to spread her enthusiasm for making parents partners.
CHRISTINE KELENY –Christine is an award-winning author, editor, book designer, and publisher. She loves writing and helping others publish the book of their dreams through her indie publishing company: CKBooks Publishing. Christine also teaches workshops for both youth and adults and speaks at writers conferences. You can find all of her books at christinekelenybooks.com.
