Toronto author Kevin Sands had earned two degrees in theoretical physics and was toiling away as a researcher and teacher before writing his first middle-grade novel, The Blackthorn Key (Simon & Schuster Canada).
Offensive teaching material from Second Story Press still available online
Second Story Press was quick to pull an ESL teaching guide that included racist language from its website and apologized for causing “hurt and offence.”
Emma Donoghue charms families at Telling Tales Festival
Emma Donoghue was the marquee name at the ninth annual Telling Tales Festival – held at the Westfield Heritage Village outside of Hamilton, Ontario, on Sept. 17.
Bestselling children’s author Cressida Cowell moves from dragons to wizards
Cressida Cowell, the bestselling author of the How to Train Your Dragon series is an animated storyteller – both in her books and over the phone.
Fanny Britt and Isabelle Arsenault reveal the delicate dance that is their creative process
Montreal author Fanny Britt and illustrator Isabelle Arsenault did not meet until they started collaborating on their first graphic novel, 2012’s Jane, le renard et moi.
Monique Gray Smith: To explain reconciliation to children, we must be truthful and face our own fears
Sometimes life requires us to be braver and bolder than we think we can be.
TIFF lays out red carpet for Deborah Ellis and The Breadwinner
Children’s author Deborah Ellis attended the Toronto International Film Festival premiere of The Breadwinner, an animated film adaptation of her bestselling, award-winning middle grade novel.
Jan Andrews, Canadian children’s author and storyteller, dies after a fall
Storyteller and children’s author Jan Andrews died on Sept. 2, at the age of 75, after falling down a flight of stairs at a friend’s home earlier in the week.
Q+A: Erinne Paisley on using books to encourage social media activism
Erinne Paisley is the author of Can Your Smartphone Change the World?, the first in a new series of nonfiction pop activism books, which encourages and teaches young people to use social media for good
OBPO study finds there are not enough Canadian books in Ontario schools
The Ontario Book Publishers Organization has released the findings of a study assessing how much Canadian literature is being taught in the province’s classrooms.
Orca Book Publishers uses in-house expertise to take on its own sales management
After more than three decades of working with the independent sales rep group Ampersand Inc., Victoria-based children’s press Orca Book Publishers is now handling the function internally.
Q&A: Kidlit scholar Heba Elsherief on the problematic representation of Muslim girls in children’s literature
In her work as a PhD student at University of Toronto and children’s literature teacher at Seneca College, Heba Elsherief has turned her attention toward the representations of Muslim characters in children’s literature.
Chris Eng’s HoodieRipper Press books riff on relationships, identity, and acceptance
Working as a clerk at Page and Panel enables Chris Eng to share his extensive comics knowledge and also devote time to writing and publishing books through his HoodieRipper Press.
Tundra Books auctions totes illustrated by kidlit stars for charity
Penguin Random House imprint Tundra Books has commissioned original art by more than 30 Canadian kidlit illustrators for its anniversary tote bags.
Humber College’s children’s literature workshop returns to P.E.I. for a second year
Humber College’s intensive children’s literature workshop, the Insider’s Guide to Writing and Publishing for Young Readers, is returning to Charlottetown July 13–15 for a second year.
Fall Preview 2017: Books for Young People
Quill & Quire’s 2017 Books for Young People fall preview.
Kids’ booksellers not worried about Mastermind’s 11-store expansion
Mastermind Toys has announced the biggest expansion in its history, with at least 11 new stores slated to open across the country this year.
Five new baby books to please the drool-and-rattle set
A roundup of new books for babies showcase creatures from near and far.
Scholastic Canada to publish new edition of I Am Canada
Scholastic Canada’s North Winds Press imprint is issuing a new edition of I Am Canada: A Celebration, Heather Patterson’s free-verse children’s poem.
Simon & Schuster sheds light on the complexities of Muslim identity with new imprint Salaam Reads
Salaam Reads, the new imprint from Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, focuses on works featuring Muslim characters and stories.
New partnerships and projects on the go for Kids Can Press in a “year of momentum”
Kids Can Press celebrates a partnership with Nelson Education for classroom resources, as well as the launch of its first title by a Wattpad author under its new KCP Loft imprint.
Some surprising stats in Scholastic Canada’s inaugural Canadian Reading Report
Scholastic has released its first-ever Kids and Family Reading Report for Canada, a survey assessing kids’ and parents’ attitudes and behaviours around reading nationally.
Book Making: A book-in-a-box for budding Spielbergs and Scorseses
Smart Phone Movie Maker helps budding young cinematographers create movie magic using only their phones.
What Canadian publishers are taking to Bologna 2017
The 54th edition of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair will take place April 3-6, and Canada will be well represented with 35 publishers (19 French-language), two agencies, and non-profit organization Livres Canada Books, among others, exhibiting.
Q&A: Legendary horror director George A. Romero on his first (and only) kids book
By his own admission, George A. Romero was – for a long time – a failure at art.
Contact us via email