It’s here, it’s here, it’s finally (almost) here! After SIX YEARS of research and writing and fact checking (and rage and tears and more fact checking), I am thrilled to introduce my 24^th nonfiction book for children:

THE MATILDA EFFECT: HOW 25 WOMEN WERE ERASED FROM HISTORY

coming October 6, 2026 from Kids Can Press.

I mean, wow. Thanks to illustrator Roxanne Rainville and art director Barb Kelly for a cover I cannot stop looking at. I promise you, the inside of the book is just as beautiful.

Info on pre-orders, FREE bonus content, and exclusive offers is below, but first, here’s what you need to know about the book itself:

Meet the Women That History Tried to Erase

Throughout time, women’s contributions have been overlooked, overshadowed or outright stolen by men in their fields. In science and engineering, this is known as the Matilda Effect. But it happens in every field, including the arts, sports, politics and more. This groundbreaking book uncovers the stories of 25 remarkable women, including: Hatshepsut, a ruler in ancient Egypt whose name was chiseled off temple walls; Fu Hao, a warrior queen from the Shang dynasty in China; Matilda Joslyn Gage, writer and equal rights activist (and namesake of the Matilda Effect). THE MATILDA EFFECT is both an essential rewrite of history and a call to action. It will inspire young readers to work toward a future where everyone’s contributions count.

Grades 3-7 | Ages 8 to 12

Hardcover | $22.99 CAD

Curriculum Connections: World history, biography, social justice, art and literature, STEM, climate change, World War II

This book is for you if:

• You’re a young (or not-so-young!) reader who wants to learn about amazing women from around the world and throughout history
• You’re a teacher or homeschooler looking to level up your history lessons… without spending hours wading through inaccurate websites and AI summaries
• You want a starting point for talking to kids about sexism, racism, and other attitudes that contribute to erasure
• You’re frustrated by attempts to roll back women’s rights and want to encourage meaningful action
• You need an inspiring gift for a high school or college graduate!

Free Bonuses and Exclusive Offers

Subscribe to my email newsletter to download a FREE Women’s History Month Resource Kit for grades 4 and up. Some prompts and printables are tied to the book, but most will work just fine without it. Here’s what you’ll get:

1) A timeline

2) A crossword puzzle

3) A women’s history word search

4) 17 recommended reading suggestions for kids and teenagers

5) 22 writing prompts

6) 30 inspirational quotes by and about women, formatted for printing on bookmarks

7) The Matilda Effect Playlist (content warning: some songs contain mature language and themes)

But Wait, There’s More!

Email subscribers who pre-order THE MATILDA EFFECT before October 6 will also receive:

• A sneak peek at the book’s contents, before anyone else gets access
• A deleted scene starring explorer and mountaineer Gertrude Benham (1867-1938) that won’t be published anywhere else
• An exclusive ticket to the virtual book launch, where we’ll hang out and get nerdy and you can ask me anything!

The pre-order campaign will be launching soon, so make sure to subscribe for those details!

In the meantime, let’s take another look at that incredible cover, shall we?