FOR THE PRESS
Bios relating to THE EVERYBODY CLUB
Nancy Loewen grew up on a farm in southwestern Minnesota, surrounded by library books and cats. She’s published more than 140 books for children. Four to the Pole (co-authored with polar explorer Ann Bancroft) and The LAST Day of Kindergarten were Minnesota Book Award finalists. Her Writer’s Toolbox series received a Distinguished Achievement Award from the Association of Educational Publishers. Nancy lives in Saint Paul and has an MFA in Creative Writing from Hamline University. She has two adult children and a cat who sometimes bites her knees under the table as she writes.
Linda Hayen loves stories and plays and connecting with people. She has an MS in Community Health Education from the University of Illinois and worked with seniors in the healthcare field for many years. Her other passion is community theater, and you may see her onstage or behind the scenes at various locations around the Twin Cities. She has led and participated in numerous support groups and believes strongly in including everyone, always. Her two living children, Phillip and Todd, are proud members of the Everybody Club. This is her first experience in collaborating on a children’s book and it has been wonderful in every way.
Yana Zybina is an illustrator from southwestern Russia. She has always loved to draw. Originally a designer, she was inspired to become an illustrator when her son was born and she found herself painting pictures of him in all his daily activities. Yana creates her pictures traditionally, using paper and watercolors; her titles include Mommy Goes to Yoga and The Quarantine Kid. She hopes that her illustrations will help kids understand the world around them—and make them smile.
Nancy Loewen bio
Nancy Loewen has published more than 140 books for children. She’s a two-time Minnesota Book Award finalist (The LAST Day of Kindergarten and Four to the Pole, co-authored with polar explorer Ann Bancroft). Nancy has also received awards from the New York Public Library, the Independent Book Publishers Association, the Society of School Librarians International, and Bank Street. Her Writer’s Toolbox series received a Distinguished Achievement Award from the Association of Educational Publishers. Nancy lives in St. Paul and holds an MFA in creative writing from Hamline University (St. Paul). To learn more, visit Nancy's author page on Facebook or go to her website at nancyloewen.net.
Nancy Loewen has published more than 140 books for children. She’s a two-time Minnesota Book Award finalist (The LAST Day of Kindergarten and Four to the Pole, co-authored with polar explorer Ann Bancroft). Nancy has also received awards from the New York Public Library, the Independent Book Publishers Association, the Society of School Librarians International, and Bank Street. Her Writer’s Toolbox series received a Distinguished Achievement Award from the Association of Educational Publishers. Nancy lives in St. Paul and holds an MFA in creative writing from Hamline University (St. Paul). To learn more, visit Nancy's author page on Facebook or go to her website at nancyloewen.net.