By Julie Damerell Born in Hong Kong and raised in Vancouver, Jack Wong (黃雋喬) now calls Halifax (Nova Scotia, Canada) home, where he works as a children’s author/illustrator. A self-declared actual Jack-of-all-trades, he’s also tried his hand at bridge engineering, psychology research, bookkeeping, and running his own bicycle repair shop—a . . .
By Julie Damerell Karen M. Greenwald hopes that the stories she tells about real heroes hidden by history inspire, educate, and delight. She co-founded #SunWriteFun, an annual online kidlit nonfiction writing contest, and raises money for need-based kidlit charities. She is also an international award-winning brand strategist. Her debut, A . . .
Timothy Young has been an animator, puppet maker, toy designer, sculptor, art director and graphic designer. He’s designed for Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, the Muppets, Disney, and Universal Studios. Tim is the author/illustrator of 5 picture books with a sixth out this fall, Do Not Open The Box. He lives in Easton, Maryland. You . . .
#BookADay: CITY OF SAVAGES by Lee Kelly (Saga Press/Simon & Schuster, 2015). I just finished this strong debut from YA author Lee Kelly; I *loved* the focus and development of the sister relationship throughout, and the dual-narrative works really well. Add a suspenseful plot with some unexpected twists, and it’s a book that . . .
Joyce Wan designed her first greeting card when she was in first grade for a city-wide greeting card design contest. The design won first place and was subsequently sold through a major department store chain. Twenty years later that design would inspire a design studio called Wanart whose products and books . . .
#BookADay: THIS ONE SUMMER written by Mariko Tamaki, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki (Groundwood Books/House Of Anansi, 2014). Bought this at The Beguiling Books & Art a while back after hearing it won the Governor General’s Award for Children’s Illustration. I found that the book perfectly captured the feeling of summer in both the text and . . .
Karen Krossing wrote poetry and rants as a teen and dreamed of becoming a published writer. Today, she’s the author of seven successful novels for kids and teens, and she conducts writing workshops to empower emerging writers. Her latest is Punch Like a Girl (Orca, 2015). I met Karen through Torkidlit and CANSCAIP, and have been . . .
I first met Russ Cox through our mutual friend Hazel Mitchell, when we were both members of Pixel Shavings. I’ve been grateful to Russ for his encouragement and support, especially his tips re: Photoshop and Painter. He’s one of the nicest people you could hope to meet. Plus check out the WONDERFUL and uncannily . . .
#BookADay: SHADOW CHASERS by Elly McKay ( Theater Clouds on FB), published by Running Press. I love Elly’s absolutely gorgeous paper-theater lightbox illustrations. Synopsis: “Once evening paints the summer sky, shadows will come out to play. You must move fast, because as quickly as the wind blows, the shadows will . . .