Elizabeth Bluemle is an award-winning children’s book author and bookseller in Shelburne, Vermont. She also blogs for Publisher Weekly’s ShelfTalker. She has three books with Candlewick Press—My Father the Dog, Dogs on the Bed, and How Do You Wokka-Wokka?—with a fourth, Tap Tap Boom Boom, on the way.
Peter Carver has been children’s editor for Red Deer Press since 1996 and teacher of George Brown College’s Writing for Children course for 25 years. He’s given writers’ workshops from Nanaimo to St. John’s.
Willow Dawson is the creator of Lila and Ecco’s Do-It-Yourself Comics Club and illustrator of award-winning graphic novels: No Girls Allowed with Susan Hughes and Violet Miranda: Girl Pirate with Emily Pohl-Weary. Dawson is currently working on two upcoming graphic novels Hyena in Petticoats: The Story of Suffragette Nellie McClung and 100 Mile House.
Brian Doyle is the award-winning author of more than a dozen middle grade and YA novels. He is the master of diction, rhythm and, especially, a sense of place.
Leanne Franson has illustrated over 100 educational and trade books in both English and French since 1991, and was nominated for a 1997 Governor General’s Award. She is currently exploring illustration options in a digital world.
Melissa Montovani worked in online marketing for several years following the completion of her M.A. in English Literature. Combining these skills and experiences, she now runs teen book blog, YABookShelf.com.
Jill Murray, author of YA novelsBreak On Through and Rhythm and Blues, uses her background in media relations and web design to promote her work and that of other artists.
Sheila Pinsky is a creative storyteller-puppeteer who tells stories using amazingly varied voices plus adorable handmade puppets/props of recycled materials. She presents puppet shows at schools, daycares, and libraries and has led workshops at several of Quebec’s provincial teacher conferences.
Monique Polak is the author of 12 novels for young adults. Her novel, What World Is Left, won the 2009 Quebec Writers’ Federation Prize for Children’s and YA Literature. Her newest novel Miracleville (Orca) was released in April. Monique teaches at Marianopolis College.
Anne Renaud‘s books have been short-listed for several awards. Her titles are A Bloom of Friendship: The Story of the Canadian Tulip Festival, Island of Hope and Sorrow: The Story of Grosse Île, Pier 21: Stories From Near and Far, Into the Mist: The Story of the Empress of Ireland, and Missuk’s Snow Geese.
Ted Scheu is a children’s poet from Vermont—published in 15 books in the US and UK. About 100 days a year Ted visits schools–sharing his poems, and helping young writers find their voices. He’s honored to be here!
Roslyn Schwartz is the author and illustrator of more than a dozen books for children. In 2003, she was the winner of the Vicky Metcalf Award awarded by the Canadian Authors Association for a body of work. Born in Montreal, she grew up in England and returned to Canada in 1979.
Marsha Skrypuch‘s dozen-plus historicals have generated many honours but her favourite is the Order of Princess Olha, from the President of Ukraine. And no, you don’t have to call her Princess Marsha.
Yayo (Diego Herrera) is an illustrator, cartoonist and author for publications in Canada, the United States and abroad. He has been awarded for his work in Canada and internationally.