Books by Zack & Laurie
Miami authors Zack Bush and Laurie Friedman share a love of books, especially for children. One day over a cup of coffee at their favorite book store, they decided to put their talents together and great friends became writing partners. Their goal as authors is to create beautifully illustrated books that entertain and engage young readers while inspiring them to be their best. Zack and Laurie are extremely proud of two new series they’ve created together.
Printables & Activities for Kids
Both The Little Superhero Series and The Little Book Of Series have their own printables and fun activities for kids - click on the logos below to check them out, and enjoy!
Zack & Laurie
When Zack Bush was growing up, he spent his free time listening to jazz. Instead of imagining a career in law or medicine like so many of his classmates, the Miami native knew he would take a different path. Zack learned to play the piano and would speak with family and friends about one day owning a venue that would bring the music he loved to others. Zack is now the co-owner of Ball & Chain, a historic live-music venue on Miami's famed Calle Ocho, in the heart of Little Havana. Zack and his partners renovated and restored the nearly forgotten gem, famous for hosting 20th-century jazz greats like Chet Baker, Count Basie, and Billie Holiday. Today, musicians from around the world perform live on the Ball & Chain stage. In addition to Ball & Chain, Zack co-owns several other historic restaurants and bars.
Zack's other passion is books. A devoted reader and writer, Zack's lifetime desire to become an author found a refreshed source of inspiration as the father of now six-year-old son Ace, and four-year-old daughter Ava. Zack is proud to have recently welcomed baby, Alexandra, into the fold, and is certain she too will provide inspiration for future books. Zack's first children's book, Made For Me, is a international best-seller. Made for Me is a winning presentation of tender moments that tie a father and his new child together—forever.
Laurie Friedman is the author of over sixty award-winning picture books, chapter books, and novels for young readers including the best-selling Mallory McDonald chapter book series and the Love, Ruby Valentine series of picture books. She was inspired to write her first book, A Big Bed for Jed, when her then three-year-old son was afraid to sleep in his new bed. The idea for her second book, Mallory on the Move, came when her daughter, six at the time, was devastated to learn they were moving. That started the Mallory McDonald series which now includes twenty-eight titles and over one million books in print. Laurie’s books have been translated into numerous languages and have won many awards including a Children’s Choice Award and a Bank Street College Best Book of the Year. Laurie is a frequent and popular speaker at schools and literary conferences across the country. Learn more at www.lauriebfriedman.com.
A native Arkansan with family all over the South, Laurie is the oldest of three girls. She attended Tulane University in New Orleans and the Sorbonne in Paris, France. In addition to writing, Laurie loves reading, watching movies, baking, doing yoga, and spending time with her amazing friends and family. Laurie lives in Miami and is the proud mother of two grown children.
Author Q&A
Zack: Once we decided to write as a team, we started to brainstorm. At the beginning, our biggest problem was that there were too many things we both wanted to write about. Narrowing it down was hard.
Laurie: Yes it was! There’s a lot of trial and error in the creative process. It took time to find the right combination of story, character, and artwork that we both were excited about. It’s like catching lightning in a bottle. We both knew when we’d found it.
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