It feels a bit silly doing a New Year’s Post when it’s *checks calendar* January 19th already. But I hit the ground running this year, and this is the first moment I’ve had to pause and catch my breath. And there will be a fair bit of sprinting in the months ahead, so let’s start with a news roundup.
Want to meet me in person this year? I would LOVE that. Here’s where you’ll be able to find me:
Ontario Library Association Super Conference, January 26
I’ve presented at virtual OLA conferences in the past, but this year I’ll be on site! I’m looking forward to the excitement and the chaos and just generally spending a day surrounded by people who love books as much as I do.
I’m doing two events on January 26, both in the Exhibitor’s Hall:
CANSCAIP Book Tasting – 10:30 AM – IdeaHub
Polar Book Signing – 12:40 – Kids Can Press booth in the Ontario Book Publishers Organization Pavilion
I’m extra excited to be at OLA this year because Polar has just been named an OLA Best Bets Top 10 title in the Junior Nonfiction category! So if you’re in Toronto for the event, swing by and say hello.
Canadian Children’s Book Week, April 28 to May 4
I am over the moon to share that I will be touring for Canadian Children’s Book Week this year! Book Week has been on my author bucket list since I was in the sixth grade. Seriously. My family had just moved to Yellowknife, and my school hosted a Book Week author – the incredible Sheree Fitch, who recited to us from what would become There Were Monkeys in My Kitchen. I was already an avid reader who’d started writing her own stories for fun, but this was the moment when I really understood that normal people could write books… as a job. The little girl in me can’t quite believe that I will have the chance to inspire other kids the way Sheree inspired me!
I am also over the moon to share that I will be touring in person, in Sudbury and surrounding areas. I’ve never been to that part of Ontario before, and I’m hoping to catch a glimpse of the Big Nickel in between book events. If you know a teacher, librarian, or community group in the area, tell them to request a visit with me ASAP, as the booking period closed February 2.
Science Rendezvous Kingston, May 11
Finally, I will be back at Science Rendezvous in Kingston on May 11! Science Rendezvous is a FREE, family-friendly event celebrating all things science, technology, engineering, and math. This year, I’ll be joined by fellow science authors Elaine Kachala, Rochelle Strauss, and Ishta Mercurio, and I cannot wait – last year’s event was a blast – there were literal explosions – and this year promises to be just as much fun.
The noise and crowds and excitement can also be a little overwhelming, but if you or your youngsters are sensitive to overload, Science Rendezvous Kingston also features a Sensory Friendly Science Zone. More details will be forthcoming as the event approaches!
Events aside, I’ve got several writing projects on the go, and this might be the year that Tech Support and I finally manage to finish our basement! I am really looking forward to living in a house that no longer needs “improvement.”
What are you looking forward to in 2024?