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).

Leslie’s award-winning books are known for their humor and wordplay. 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. Her upcoming books are Fake Gnus, Crab Did It, and Crabby Claude. Leslie served as a Regional Advisor for SCBWI Michigan and is now RA Emeritus. She runs a picture book workshop at Boyds Mills (Highlights) each summer. She divides her time between southern Louisiana and northern Michigan.