By any measure, children's book author and artist Rosemary Wells is a staggering success. Through a remarkable career spanning more than 30 years, Wells has created two of the most memorable children's book characters ever (the bunny siblings Max and Ruby), and published more than 120 books in 12 countries.

The New York-based writer, whose stories stand out for sizzling wit, true dialogue and unmistakable voice, will be in Honolulu for the biannual Read to Me conference June 28 and 29. She said by e-mail that she most looks forward to meeting "wonderful book people, those who serve Hawai'i's kids."

Wells, who has been to Hawai'i once before, called the Islands "magical" and about her second visit, she wrote: "I get to spend two or three days in Hilo! What could be better?"

For the past 10 years, Wells has put her considerable clout and unwavering passion behind a campaign called "Read To Your Bunny," to encourage, or perhaps insist, that adults read to children for at least 20 minutes a day.

"I am a very patriotic American. I see the downturn in books and reading in our children's lives as a warning sign on how we are doing in America in the 21st century. We need a generation of highly literate young people to compete in the global economy. We also need a generation of producers, not consumers. TV, video games and all that go with it are giving us a generation of consumers, not original thinkers," Wells said.

"Critical thinking can only be created by readers and writers. It's like exercise. You have to get out there and sweat. Kids watching screens 60 hours a week is not going to preserve our democracy or do those kids much good, physically or intellectually."

Wells' mother was a dancer in the Russian Ballet, her father a playwright and actor. She started her career in children's books as a designer at Macmillan in New York. She later worked, "in the halcyon days of Dial Press," with renowned editor Phyllis Fogelman and a stable of young writers and artists that included Steven Kellogg, Jerry Pinkney, Susan Jeffers and the late Martha Alexander, Hawai'i children's book writer and illustrator.

"I was privileged to be among them," said Wells, especially citing Alexander. "Her art was so accessible to children and so unpretentious. Martha's work is the opposite of slick computer artwork. She was an original."

Wells' idea for the Max and Ruby characters, who appear in titles such as "Bunny Money" and "Goodnight Max," started with observing her own two children, and subsequently grew into an industry. (Ruby is the organized older sister; Max is her mischievous little brother.)

Her children grown, Wells' creations now star in a Nickelodeon animated show. A Max and Ruby musical is currently touring the United States. And more than 2 million copies of Max and Ruby books have been sold. There are more books in the works. To what does Wells attribute her impressive achievement and longevity?

"I have a natural talent for turning every subject into a little situation comedy much as one creates a play," Wells said. "I can also draw pretty well. Who knows? The stars are aligned! I am ever grateful to the God of artists and writers in any case."

At the Read to Me Conference, Wells will be joined by Australia's award-winning picture-book author Mem Fox and Elizabeth Kapu'uwailani Lindsey.

The Read to Me conference is designed for teachers, librarians, parents, caregivers and anyone interested in reading aloud to children.