NEW BOOK: Mother Boo

I am thrilled to announce that my thirteenth book, Mother Boo: Poems From Spookytown, will be published July 28, 2026 by Tundra Books. This collection has been curated by the fictional Mother Boo, a Mother Goose figure for the little wolves, witches and goblins of Spookytown, October County- where it is always Halloween! It includes odes (and spoofs) of classic Mother Goose poems as well as my own original concepts. In the past, I have written single narrative, long-form, rhyming picture books- see If I Had a Gryphon and Into the Goblin Market- but I had so many concepts for Halloween poems that I decided to pick my favourites and build a collection. Featuring lullabies for werewolves, pumpkin parades gone amok, the secret to flying, magic spells, limericks sure to tickle your funnybone and more, this collection is aimed at younger kids and features soft, adorable and gently spooky art by Jennica Lounsbury. We can’t wait to share it with you!

Fall 2025 Ontario Tour

I’m going on tour across Ontario! All events are free and fun for the whole family.

Spooky Halloween Storytime in the Junction

It’s the Halloween event of my dreams! I’ll be dropping by the Halloween Howl in Malta Park (located in the Junction neighbourhood in Toronto) for an INTO THE GOBLIN MARKET story time on October 25th. This free family event is a full afternoon of spooky fun, including a dance party, pumpkin painting, costume parades (one for kids AND one for dogs), prizes, cider, costume/clothing swap, and so much more. These community events are exactly why I love living in a city. Full details here.

Katherine Rundell Toronto Event- Sept 26

I am thrilled to be interviewing the one and only Katherine Rundell at her Toronto stop of The Poisoned King tour on September 26th at 4pm. I have loved her imaginative worlds and richly imagined characters since reading Rooftoppers many years ago. The Impossible Creatures series is full of magic, heart, and hope- something we are all in need of. Tickets and event info here.

Teaching Gig- University of Guelph Continuing Studies

I am thrilled to be joining the creative writing staff at the University of Guelph School of Continuing Studies. I will be teaching the Writing for Children course this fall and am currently compiling my favourite articles, podcasts, think pieces and titles for discussion. Visit here for more info on the program.

Aurora Awards 2025 Nominee

INTO THE GOBLIN MARKET has been selected as a nominee for the 2025 Aurora Awards in the Best Graphic Novel/Comic category. These awards are nominated, voted on and administered by members of The Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association. I am thrilled to be included in such fab company! The winners will be announced in August 2025.

Imagination Festival Event April 24

I am thrilled to be returning to beautiful Quebec City for the Imagination Writers’ Festival held at The Morrin Centre (is it a jail, is it a library, is an event space? It is ALL of those things and more!) I will be visiting schools and running a workshop for adults on Writing for Young Audiences on Thursday, April 24th at 8pm. Register here.

KidLit Trivia Night: Support IBBY Canada

Looking for a fun way to share your expansive knowledge of children’s literature? Join us for a virtual trivia night on March 11th at 8pm EST. You can join as a team or individual and proceeds will support all the great work IBBY Canada does to foster a love of literature.

Livres Babar Storytime- Dec 6, 2024

I am heading to la belle province and would love to see you at Livres Babar in Pointe-Claire on December 6 at 4pm. They’ll be snacks, crafts, and of course, stories! All ages welcome!

Get Published Webinar-Nov 16, 2024

I’ll be teaming up with kidlit superstars Naseem Hrab and Jack Wong to share notes and tips on how to get a picture book published. Get great advice and support the Canadian Children’s Book Centre at the same time! Info and tickets here.

Come see me at the National Arts Centre on Nov 11

I am thrilled to be returning to the stage at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa in DEAR CANADA: LETTERS FROM THE SECOND WORLD WAR. I was honoured to be involved as dramaturg and a performer in Miranda Mulholland’s moving, diverse and enriching commemoration of WWII, presented as a radio play, featuring music and letters written by actual Canadians during WWII. You have two chances to catch this show on November 11th. Details here.

Packaging Your Imagination 2024

I will be presenting a workshop all about navigating tough topics for middle grade readers at this year’s Packaging Your Imagination Conference on October 26th. There are fantastic speakers, networking opportunities and options attend in-person and virtually. Details and tickets are available here.

News Round-up June 2024

Hello! Here are a few things to look out for this summer/early fall.

SUMMER 2024

Woodstock Public Library Writing Contests for Kids

I will be returning as the author judge of the Woodstock Public Library writing contests this summer.

For the 6-12 year old category click here

For the teen category click here

Creature Feature Story Time & Event- Type Books Junction, Toronto, ON

Join me at on Sunday, July 14th at 11am at Type Books Junction for a special reading and related activities for IF I HAD A GRYPHON and ANONYMOUSE. Fun for kids ages 3+

FALL 2024

THE LIGHTNING CIRCLE at Telling Tales Festival- Burlington, ON

I’ll be recreating an afternoon in arts and crafts from my favourite summer camp on Saturday, September 21st at one of my fave book festivals in Canada. Watch this space for updates.

Packaging Your Imagination Conference- Toronto, ON

I have long admired this fantastic writing conference held by CANSCAIP and am thrilled to be holding a workshop on craft on Saturday, October 26th. More details to come here.

The Lightning Circle is one of Indigo’s Best Books of the Year So Far

Thrilled to see The Lightning Circle in such good company on Indigo’s Best Books of the Year So Far list! If you haven’t picked up a copy yet, you can get 25% off if you purchase between June 4-17th, 2024.

The Lightning Circle on CTV Your Morning

I dropped by CTV Your Morning on April 29th to talk about my latest novel, The Lightning Circle. Check it out below!

Creature Feature Storytime

Join me on Sunday, April 7th at Type Books Junction in Toronto for a family-friendly event featuring not one but TWO creature books and an activity.

CBC Here & Now Tuesday Afternoon Book Club Interview

You can hear my December 5, 2023 interview with Chris Glover all about How to Decorate a Christmas Tree here!

How To Decorate a Christmas Tree Storytimes

Join me across Ontario for cozy, festive storytimes that will put you in the decorating mood. Stay tuned for more dates!

Toronto International Festival of Authors 2023- Events

Thrilled be be returning to TIFA Kids at beautiful Harbourfront Centre this fall for not one but two events, including a sneak peek at How to Decorate a Christmas Tree.

Telling Tales Festival 2023

Join me at the beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton for a reading and diary writing workshop based around P.S. Tell No One.

Reading & Q&A: 12:30-1pm

Signing: 1-1:30pm

Writing Workshop: 3:15- 3:45