Patricia Pete grew up in Sarasota, Florida, and earned a BFA in film from Ringling College of Art and Design. A lifelong storyteller, she finds inspiration in narratives from the factual to the fantastical. When she's not writing, she enjoys journaling, reading, and taking dramatic close-up photos of food.

Ryan Van Cleave is the author of dozens of books for both children and adults. He earned a PhD in American literature with an emphasis in poetry and has taught writing at numerous colleges and universities. As the Picture Book Doctor, Ryan helps celebrities create stories for kids and bring them to life on the page, stage, and screen.

Ariyana Taylor--also known as Fumisketchies--is a freelance illustrator and character designer based in Brooklyn, New York. In 2020, she graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a bachelor's degree in illustration. Since then, she has illustrated for both small businesses and larger animation companies, including Titmouse, Netflix, and Bent Image Lab.

FEATURE: Top 10 New Series Nonfiction: 2025
Whether shining a light on noteworthy figures or events in history or helping young readers navigate the wider world, these new series tackle their topics in a particularly effective manner. All were reviewed in Booklist between April 1, 2024, and March 2025.

Black History Heroes (Bushel Peck; 2 titles)

Gr. 3-5. Though this series currently only boasts two titles (one on Chadwick Boseman, the other on Mae Jemison), these biographies provide nicely in-depth coverage of their subjects. Simple but thoughtful writing, inspiring quotes, and grayscale illustrations help bring these inspiring, multifaceted individuals to life.