Michael Genhart

Michael Genhart, PhD, is the author May Your Life Be Deliciosa (illustrated by Loris Lora, Cameron Kids/Abrams) which was named a 2022 Pura Belpré Honor and ALA Notable Book, They’re So Flamboyant (illustrated by Tony Neal, Magination Press), and Spanish Is the Language of My Family and Español es la lengua de mi familia (Neal Porter Books, illustrated by John Parra, July 2023) which has received six starred reviews for the English and Spanish editions!

Michael’s upcoming books include Edie for Equality: Edie Windsor Stands Up for Marriage Equality (Lee & Low, 2025) and others to be announced.  He is also the author of Love Is Love (illustrated by Ken Min, Little Pickle Press/Sourcebooks Jabberwocky), Accordionly: Abuelo and Opa Make Music (illustrated by Priscilla Burris), Ouch! Moments: When Words Are Used in Hurtful Ways (illustrated by Viviana Garofoli); So Many Smarts! (illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown); I See You (illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff); a series about nourishing friendships (illustrated by Steve Mack) Peanut Butter & Jellyous, Mac & Geeeez!, Cake & I Scream!; and Rainbow: A First Book of Pride (illustrated by Anne Passchier) which Publishers Weekly called “A joyous tribute to LGBTQ families”— all published by Magination Press, the children’s books imprint of the American Psychological Association. 

His books have received various awards (Nautilus Book Award, Foreward Review INDIES Winner, Independent Publisher (IPPY) Book Award, Eric Hoffer Award, Mom’s Choice, Family Choice Award, Eureka! Honorable Mention). Love Is Love was a 2019 ALA GLBT Round Table Rainbow Book List selection as well as a 2019 Notable Social Studies Trade Book. His work has been featured in the New York Times Book Review, San Francisco Chronicle, Bon Appétit Magazine, BookTrib, KidLit411, and BookRiot. Several of his books have been translated into different languages. 

Michael is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in San Francisco, California. He received his BA in psychology from the University of California, San Diego and his PhD in clinical and community psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park. He has been a member of APA for over thirty years, SCBWI since 2011, and is a book reviewer for the New York Journal of Books. When he is not in his office treating patients or writing books for kids, he is outdoors gardening, hiking, reading, traveling, and enjoying time with family and friends. He and his husband are proud parents of a newly minted elementary school teacher. He lives with his family in Marin County. Visit him on his website www.michaelgenhart.com, Facebook (MJGenhart); Instagram (@michaelgenhart); and Twitter (@MGenhart).