About Us
Mission
Our mission is to foster a love of reading in children and teens by connecting them with exceptional authors and illustrators and exposing them to the diverse breadth and depth of children's literature.
Photo by Bill Trueit
Our Story
The Bigfoot Kids Book Festival started as an idea from founder, Dan Ullom, co-owner of Brick & Mortar Books. As a bookstore owner Dan has hosted many author events and has seen the positive impact on children who meet their favorite author. As a former elementary teacher, he understands that these experiences can have a lifelong effect on one's self-perception as a reader and lover of literature. In August of 2022, he worked with Ellie Peterson and Kevan Atteberry, local children's book author/illustrators and advisory members of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators of Western Washington, to bring 20 authors and illustrators for a signing event outside Brick & Mortar. The event was so well-received that the three decided to go even bigger, creating the Bigfoot Kids Book Festival. In 2025, we added author and former literary agent Clelia Castro-Malaspina Gore to the team, who helped us become a nonprofit!
Our Committee
Dan Ullom
Bookstore liason and logistics manager
Dan Ullom is a co-owner of Brick & Mortar Books. Previously he was an elementary school teacher. When not at the store Dan can be found on the soccer pitch, indoor bouldering, or surfing behind a boat in Lake Sammamish.
Kevan J Atteberry
Graphic designer
Kevan J Atteberry is the writer/illustrator of award-winning children's books including Ghost Cat, the 2020 Crystal Kite Award winner from the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. After decades running a graphic design studio, a greeting card company and a few dalliances in the dot.com nuttiness, he finally settled in with his true joy, picture books.
Ellie Peterson
Executive director and operations manager
Ellie Peterson is the author and illustrator of multiple picture books, including WA Award Winner HOW TO HUG A PUFFERFISH. Her work is inspired by 20 years as a classroom teacher and her experience growing up as a biracial army brat. You can find her making art in her backyard studio or exploring the PNW.
Clelia Castro-Malaspina Gore
Publicity coordinator
Clelia Castro-Malaspina Gore is the author of children’s fiction and nonfiction and the founder of Mossy Pines Creative, a children’s book editing and consulting company. She spent nearly a decade as a literary agent, where she represented many award-winning, bestselling, and critically acclaimed creators and helped bring hundreds of books to market.
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