Like so many other festivals and event series, the Telling Tales Festival has gone virtual this year. The program has been parceled into 13 online episodes, available on-demand once they've premiered. Each episode features a variety of the kind of quality, Canadian programming one expects from Telling Tales, including author talks, writing workshops, musical performances … Continue reading Telling Tales Storytelling Picnic Video is Now Online!
I am very excited to announce that my next picture book, TEDDY BEAR OF THE YEAR, illustrated with warmth and humour and a lot of fuzziness by Sydney Hanson, will be published by Tundra Books on January 21, 2020. This book is a love letter to teddy bears and stuffies of all shapes and sizes. As … Continue reading TEDDY BEAR OF THE YEAR- Coming Soon!
I was very excited to learn that THE WINNOWING is the 2019 MYRCA Northern Lights Honour Book! I had the pleasure of visiting Manitoba during last year's Canadian Children's Book Week and I had the opportunity to meet with many dedicated readers and aspiring writers. I learned firsthand how passionate young Manitobans are about reading, … Continue reading MYRCA News!
Of all the delightful and unexpected things that have happened to me as an author, this video featuring students from Madoc Drive Public School in Brampton, ON rapping their way through my picture book IF I HAD A GRYPHON is truly special. This was part of a music class lead by Miss Yoo and involved … Continue reading Students Rap Their Way Through IF I HAD A GRYPHON
What a year it’s been! I feel so fortunate to have had such amazing experiences. In March, I had the pleasure of being part of the Rainforest of Reading, an annual children’s book festival in Grenada, Saint Lucia, Montserrat and Nevis run by OneWorld Schoolhouse Foundation. The festival is the largest literacy initiative undertaken in … Continue reading 2017: The Year in Review
I'm hitting the road in October to talk about The Winnowing (with a few If I Had a Gryphon story times in there for good measure). I'd love to see your smiling faces! Check the Events Page for the most recent updates. Oct 14, 2-3pm Make it an Indigo Weekend Teen Takeover: Indigo Burlington 1250 … Continue reading October 2017 Events
I get it. The Winnowing seems like a hard left turn for me. My previous novels are coming-of-age stories about ordinary kids dealing with family and relationship-based drama. What is this slightly dystopian, conspiracy-driven thriller?! Where did it come from? In a series of Winspiration Guest posts I will attempt to answer this question. Thank … Continue reading The Winnowing Blog Tour
Fall is just around the corner which means sweater weather, pumpkin pie, and The Winnowing! I've been busy working on some guest posts for The Winnowing blog tour and booking events for the fall. Full details coming soon, but for now here is everything you need to know about the Toronto book launch! When: Tuesday, … Continue reading The Winnowing Book Launch
There were some shining moments in the children's book world in 2014. This year we encouraged children to practice their reading with cats, celebrated graphic novels, established a new YA award in Canada, and took a stand on diversity. Mac Barnett's TED talk Barnett's books are funny, clever, and sophisticated, but never at the expense … Continue reading The Best Moments in Children’s Books, 2014
I could not be more thrilled to be among the fantastic writers on the 2015 Red Maple Award list. The OLA Forest of Reading is one of the largest children's choice award programs in Canada and attending the Forest of Trees ceremony in Toronto is one of my favourite days of the year. If you … Continue reading Summer Days, Starry Nights Shortlisted for the 2015 Red Maple Award
