Posts in Cantastic Authorpalooza


Focus. Click. Wind by Amanda West Lewis

Amanda West Lewis: Historical Fiction as Time Traveling

People who write historical fiction generally love research. We have a reverence for minutiae and often find ourselves spending many hours reading about things that have nothing whatsoever to do with our stories. We love the hunt and the ... Read More  

Outta Here by Lea Beddia

Lea Beddia: Struggle, Resilience, and Difficult Choices

What are the first words you think of when you read Teenagers are…? Did the words resourceful, hard-working, or resilient come to mind? We’ve all heard negative stereotypes about how today’s generation have it so easy, but we overlook the ... Read More  

A monarch butterfly feeding on a red zinnia.

Frieda Wishinsky: How a Zinnia Sparked a Book

I’ve always been fascinated by the story behind a book.  What sparks an idea or theme? My latest picture book, A Flower is a Friend with luminous art by Karen Patkau, published by Pajama Press, began with a packet of ... Read More  

Monster vs. Boy by Karen Krossing

Karen Krossing: Addressing the Monster in the Closet

I’ve loved playing with words and making up stories ever since I was a child. Back then, I drank imaginary tea and served it to my imaginary guests. I pretended a goblin lived in my closet and a witch ... Read More  

Becoming Bionic, by Heather Camlot, illustrated by Victor Wong

Heather Camlot: Truth, Justice, and the Nonfiction Way

How does an author known for books about history, social justice and sports write a book about science and superheroes?  By calling up her past. I never studied science, and I’m certainly not a superhero (I don’t think), but as ... Read More  

A Flower is a Friend, by Frieda Wishinsky, illustrated by Karen Patkau

Karen Patkau: A Flower is a Friend

This book was a collaboration from the beginning. Ideas for words and images exchanged between friends. On a warm summer day, as Frieda and I relaxed in her beautiful garden, we noticed birds and insects whizzing and settling among the ... Read More  

Welcome Rain! by Sheryl McFarlane, illustrated by Christine Wei

Sheryl McFarlane: Celebrating Welcome Rain!

Hi, I’m Sheryl McFarlane and I’m pleased to announce the release of my newest picture book, Welcome Rain! It’s published by Greystone Books, and illustrated by the very talented Christine Wei. Welcome Rain! is a a celebration of rain in ... Read More  

Bliss Adair and the First Rule of Knitting by Jean Mills

Jean Mills: A Yarn About Yarn – And More

I don’t know about other writers, but every story I write has a connection to something in my own life and experience. Music, sports, the Nova Scotia shore and, in Bliss Adair and the First Rule of Knitting – ... Read More  

These Are Not the Words, by Amanda West Lewis

Amanda West Lewis – Warming Up

All artists need to warm up. Painters, actors, dancers, musicians, and writers must all do something to tune up the physical and mental muscles required for the work. As choreographer Twyla Tharp says, when you warm up, won’t hurt ... Read More  

Too Much Trash by Joan Marie Galat

Joan Marie Galat – Too Much Trash: How Litter Is Hurting Animals

Did you know litter on the ground often ends up in water? It can travel from creeks to rivers, and onward to the sea. When I first dreamed of becoming an author, I didn’t exactly picture myself writing a ... Read More  

This I Read Canadian Day, Blast Off with Mortimer: Rat Race to Space

Tomorrow is I Read Canadian Day, the day we support Canada's fabulous children's bookmakers by reading a Canadian book for 15 minutes. Don't be surprised if you find yourself wanting to read for more than 15 minutes - in fact, ... Read More  

Judy Ann Sadler holding her picture book While We Wait

Judy Ann Sadler: Inspiration All Around

I live in a village that remained mostly unchanged for a few decades. We were surrounded by corn fields and horse pastures and that suited us just fine.  But then the nearby big city annexed neighbouring towns including ours ... Read More  

One Tiny Bubble by Karen Krossing, illustrated by Dawn Lo

Karen Krossing: Sparking Connections With One Tiny Bubble

I’m not a scientist. I’m a science lover. I have been one since childhood. Back then, a special book on my shelf was a science textbook that my father co-wrote. I couldn’t understand the big words or concepts then, but ... Read More  

When Spider Met Shrew by Deborah Kerbel

Deborah Kerbel: Get Thee to a Crit Group!

My newest picture book, WHEN SPIDER MET SHREW (illustrated by Genevieve Cote and published by Groundwood Books), is about a group of unlikely creatures – Spider, Shrew, Bat, Possum, Dog, and Pony – who find friendship, compassion, and community ... Read More  

I Can, Too! written by Karen Autio and illustrated by Laura Watson

Karen Autio: I Can, Too! – Book Highlights Adaptive Inventions That Allow Inclusion

My daughter opened my eyes and heart to the world of disabilities. Annaliis was born with spina bifida and used a wheelchair from preschool onward. It was a great joy to see kids welcome and fully include her in ... Read More  

Cover of Can You Believe It? by Joyce Grant

Joyce Grant: Can You Believe It?

Can You Believe It? How to Spot Fake News and Find the Facts is my sixth book—my first non-fiction. I’ve been talking to students about the news since 2010, when I created TeachingKidsNews.com with educator Jon Tilly. Over the years, ... Read More  

How to Become an Accidental Activist by Frieda Wishinsky and Elizabeth MacLeod

Frieda Wishinsky: How to Become an Accidental Activist

How to Become an Accidental Activist (Orca Books) is the sixth book I’ve written with Elizabeth MacLeod. It’s geared for kids and adults age 8 and up and focuses on a diverse group of women and men of all ... Read More  

Shadow Grave by Marina Cohen

Marina Cohen – The Seeds That Became Shadow Grave

I began writing the first draft of this novel so long ago, its working title was Frozen. Well, we all know what happened to that title, thank you very much Disney! I’d go through several more titles before settling ... Read More