Deadlines are swarming like a school of sharks in search of blood, so I hope you’ll forgive me for recycling some blog content. I wrote this a year ago to celebrate the release of my second kid’s book on forensic ... Read More  

I am so pleased to announce that my book Fox Talk is now available to order through Fox Appeal! Fox Appeal is a clothing line inspired by Siberian domesticated foxes Boris and Sophia, so a partnership was a natural fit. This awesome ... Read More  

Yesterday was the vernal equinox – the day with equal hours of light and darkness that marks the coming of spring. “Equal” being an approximate term, of course, depending on your latitude. At this time last year, my particular latitude ... Read More  

Behaviour is what you do, culture is how you do it. This is totally obvious in human cultures, which have rules and guidelines for every behaviour – from table manners to what we wear to how we greet each ... Read More  

Well, I’m back from my conference and nearly caught up. It seems to take two days for every day you’re away to re-establish a steady state. I’m sure there are mathematical equations involved, but quite frankly, I’m still too ... Read More  

So I got home from New York to find these waiting for me: And then my Public Lending Right payment came. Which means good news all around. Both books are for ages 8-12, and are on sale now through your ... Read More  

It’s true – DNA fingerprinting is an incredibly powerful tool for forensics, in part because DNA can tell us: if a particular person was at a crime scene (TV CSIs call this “getting a match”) the identity of a ... Read More  

It’s my birthday this week, and what better way to celebrate than with books? That I wrote. Heeheehee! But wait, there’s more!     And, as the frosting on the awesome cake…   My first article for National Geographic ... Read More  

I attended junior high in Yellowknife, which is not the most isolated place in Canada, but definitely felt like it sometimes. Fortunately, the school library was huge, and offered a portal to endless worlds I couldn’t visit in the ... Read More  

Like most people probably did, I spent a fair bit of time in December reflecting on 2015 and thinking about what I wanted to achieve in 2016. I made a huge list of goals. And then, because I’m nerdy ... Read More  

Umm, seamounts, that is. Just in case anyone was confused. :) New research shows that South Pacific humpbacks take pitstops over sea mountains while migrating to Antarctica to feed. Scientists don’t know yet exactly what the whales are doing there, but I’m guessing ... Read More  

I’m at the Christmas in the Bay Craft Sale today, chatting science and signing books. If you’ve got a child, a teacher, or a librarian on your gift list, come on down! Estabrooks Community Hall 4408 St. Margaret’s Bay Road, ... Read More  

As many readers of this blog will already know, the original publisher of Fuzzy Forensics went out of business last summer. Before that happened, the company had ordered a full print run – over a thousand copies, a mix of hardcover and ... Read More  

I’ll be at Hal-Con for the next three days, signing books, talking about science writing, and wearing some seriously geeky T-Shirts. You can find me at table E9 on the exhibitor’s floor. In addition to launching my newest children’s ... Read More  

Thanks to Heidi and the team at CTV Morning Live for having me on the show today! I had a great time talking books and awards and Hal-Con, where I’m exhibiting later this week. Read More  

Cold and flu season is nearly upon us. For most people, viruses are uncomfortable, but not dangerous. For kids with SCID, they’re deadly. SCID (severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome) is a genetic condition that predominately affects boys. It’s often called “bubble ... Read More  

If you’ve been anywhere near me on social media this week, of course, you already know this. By the time I made it back to my hotel room after the dinner where the announcement was made, author friends had already ... Read More  

I am on my way to Toronto today to attend the Lane Anderson Award dinner. Fuzzy Forensics is one of three books on the shortlist in the Young Reader Category, and the winner will be announced tonight! It’s my ... Read More