Author & Illustrator Profile
Liza Woodruff
6 Books
Liza Woodruff is a children's author and illustrator who creates warm, expressive picture books and also illustrates books for other writers. She is the creator of titles such as A Quieter Story, Emerson Barks, Once Upon a Winter Day, and Phil's Big Day: A Groundhog's Story. She has also illustrated chapter-book mysteries, including Ron Roy's Capital Mysteries titles Who Cloned the President? and Kidnapped at the Capital.
Emerson has a bark that bursts out before he can stop it. Birds, squirrels, the mailman, a happy moment on the sidewalk—everything exciting deserves an enormous ARF. But when Emerson’s noise frightens a neighborhood friend, Eva tells him he has to keep quiet.
Being silent is not easy for a little dog with so much feeling inside. Emerson tries to behave, but his big bark is part of who he is. Young readers will enjoy this warm, funny picture book about a lovable dog learning when to hold back and when his loud voice might actually help. With gentle humor and a clear emotional problem, Emerson Barks is a cheerful story about mistakes, self-control, and finding the right way to use your strengths.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
A kitten does not want a sweet little story about yarn. He wants danger. He wants drama. He wants to be a tiger.
So the girl writing his story gives him an adventure packed with darkness, snakes, and hungry hyenas. At first, the brave “tiger” thinks he can handle anything. But page by page, the story grows bigger, wilder, and much scarier than he expected.
A Quieter Story is a clever, playful picture book about imagination, storytelling, and discovering that the most exciting idea is not always the most comfortable one. Readers ages six to eight will enjoy the funny back-and-forth between the bold kitten and the creative girl, along with a gentle reminder that it is okay to choose calm when adventure feels like too much.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Everyone is ready for Phil’s big moment—everyone except Phil. The night before Groundhog Day, he cannot sleep. His family is proud, the tradition is important, and all those expectations make his thoughts spin.
Phil tries to calm himself by making pancakes, and his little sister Marla does her best to help him practice. But when the big day arrives, Phil’s nerves take over. Is seeing his shadow the sign for more winter, or for spring? With so many eyes watching, remembering anything feels hard.
Phil’s Big Day: A Groundhog’s Story is a warm and reassuring picture book about worry, courage, and family support. It gives young readers a friendly animal story for Groundhog Day while honoring the very real feeling of being nervous before an important event.
6-8 Years
43 Pages
Milo wants a story, but his mother is busy. Outside in the snow, he finds something better than a story being told to him: a trail of tiny mouse tracks waiting to be followed.
Each print leads Milo deeper into the winter woods, where he notices clues in the snow and wonders what happened there. With every question, his imagination begins to fill the quiet forest with movement, danger, and possibility. The world around him becomes a story he can read for himself.
Once Upon a Winter Day is a gentle, beautifully imagined picture book for curious readers who like nature, snow, and hidden animal adventures. It encourages observation and creative thinking without turning the story into a lesson, making it a lovely winter read-aloud for home, classroom, or library shelves.
6-8 Years
42 Pages
The beautiful Cherry Blossom Festival is in full swing, and everyone in Washington D.C. is having a fantastic time. KC Corcoran is enjoying the bright pink flowers right alongside her mom and the President of the United States.
But the fun stops instantly when both the president and KC's mom completely disappear from the crowded festival! They have been kidnapped right out in the open.
KC and her best friend Marshall are the only ones who can unravel this giant mystery. Follow the young detectives as they race around the capital city to rescue their loved ones in this action-packed adventure.
6-8 Years
80 Pages
You are watching the news when you notice something extremely strange. The President of the United States is acting totally awkward on television, and he is even signing papers with the wrong hand! For KC Corcoran, there is only one logical explanation for this bizarre behavior. The real president has been replaced by a clone!
Now KC and her best friend Marshall have a giant mystery on their hands. They must explore the famous sights of Washington D.C. to uncover the truth and save the country.
Can you figure out the clues before it is too late? Join the adventure in this fun, fact-filled mystery that takes you right into the heart of the capital city.
6-8 Years
80 Pages
