FOLD Kids Book Fest 2023 - Educator Guide

EDUCATOR GUIDE 2023

FULL SCHEDULE AND REGISTRATION AT thefoldcanada.org/kids @FoldKids

@FoldKids

FoldKidz

FOLD Kids

CONTENTS 3 4

Book List 2023 Getting Started INDIVIDUAL EVENT EXERCISES Reimagining Stories with Joanna Cacao & Emi Pinto

5

Inuit Horror with Louise Flaherty & Jamesie Fournier ASL Storytime with Gaitrie Persaud Discovering Indigenous Ingenuity with Deidre Havrelock The Writer’s Life with Linh S. Nguyễn An Insect Expedition with David Suzuki Anti-Racism for Young People The Illustrator Battle

5 6 7 7

8 9 10

AUTHOR PROFILES Paris Alleyne Zain Bandali Joanna Cacao

11 12 13

Marty Chan Ann Yu-Kyung Choi Khodi Dill Louise Flaherty Jamesie Fournier Keet Geniza Deidre Havrelock Nadia L. Hohn Hannalora Leavitt Melissa Mollen Dupuis Linh S. Nguyễn Lara Jean Okihiro Gaitrie Persaud Emi Pinto Cristina Quintero Mark Sakamoto David Suzuki Michelle Theodore Sara Truuvert Henry Tsang

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

#PeelZeal

We are proud to continue our partnership with community organizations, such as FOLD, that support equity initiatives and the children we work with everyday!

Together, with families and the community, we continue the fight to preserve the high quality public education that our children deserve!

2

2023 BOOKLIST THE ANTIRACIST KITCHEN: 21 Stories (and Recipes) Edited by Nadia L. Hohn and illustrated by Roza Nozari Ages 9–12 978-1459833432 Orca Book Publishers

MALAIKA, CARNIVAL QUEEN

By Nadia L. Hohn and illustrated by Irene Luxbacher Ages 3–6 978-1773068503 Groundwood Books

THE OTHER ONES

By Jamesie Fournier and illustrated by Toma Feizo Gas Adult/Teen Crossover 978-1772274219 Inhabit Media

ASHA AND THE TOYMAKER

By Sakshi Mangal Ages 3–7 978-1525306662 Kids Can Press

MEHNDI BOY

By Zain Bandali and illustrated by Jani Balakumar Ages 6–11 978-1773217925 Annick Press

THE SECRET OF THE RAVENS

By Joanna Cacao Ages 8–12 978-0358629443 HarperCollins Canada

BEE BAKSHI AND THE GINGERBREAD SISTERS

By Emi Pinto Ages 8–12 978-0063275720 HarperCollins Canada

MIRA AND BAKU

By Sara Truuvert and illustrated by Michelle Theodore Ages 4–7 978-1773217567 Annick Press

SHIZUE’S PATH

By Mark Sakamoto and illustrated by Rachel Wada Ages 5–8 978-1443464598 HarperCollins Canada

BOMPA’S INSECT EXPEDITION

By David Suzuki, Tanya Lloyd Kyi and illustrated by Qin Leng Ages 4–8 978-1771648820 Greystone Books

NIC BLAKE AND THE REMARKABLES: A Manifestor Prophesy

By Angie Thomas Ages 8–12 978-0063225138 HarperCollins Canada

STATIC: UP ALL NIGHT

By Lamar Giles and illustrated by Paris Alleyne Ages 13+ 978-1779510518 DC Comics

C IS FOR CARNIVAL

By Yolanda T. Marshall and illustrated by Daria Lavrova Ages 3–7 978-1771055833 Chalkboard Publishing

NO PLACE LIKE HOME

By Linh S. Nguyễn Ages 9–12 978-1443466202 HarperCollins Canada

STAY UP: racism, resistance, and reclaiming Black freedom

By Khodi Dill and Illustrated by Stylo Starr Ages 12+ 978-1773218076 Annick Press

THE DISABILITY EXPERIENCE: Working Toward Belonging

By Hannalora Leavitt and illustrated by Belle Wuthrich Ages 12+ 978-1459819283 Orca Book Publishers

NUTSHIMIT: In the Woods

By Melissa Mollen Dupuis and illustrated by Elise Gravel Ages 6–8 978-1039701809 Scholastic Canada

SUNJATA OF THE MANDÉ EMPIRE

By Ekiuwa Aire and illustrated by Alina Shabelnyk Ages 4–12 978-1778250200 Our Ancestories/Self-Pub.

THE GNAWER OF ROCKS

By Louise Flaherty and illustrated by Jim Nelson Ages 8–12 978-1772271652 Inhabit Media

OBAASAN’S BOOTS

By Janis Bridger and Lara Jean Okihiro Ages 9–12 978-1772603484 Second Story Press

WHAT DOES HATE LOOK LIKE?

By Sameea Jimenez and Corinne Promislow with Larry Swartz Ages 9–12 978-1772602906 Second Story Press

THE HOCKEY JERSEY

By Jael Richardson with Eva Perron and illustrated by Chelsea Charles Ages 3–10 978-1552674840 IndigoPress

THE ONLY ASTRONAUT

By Mahak Jain and illustrated by Andrea Stegmaier Ages 3–7 978-1772603484 Second Story Press

WHITE RIOT: The 1907 Anti-Asian Riots in Vancouver

By Henry Tsang Adult/Teen Crossover 978-1551529196 Arsenal Pulp Press

INDIGENOUS INGENUITY: A Celebration of Traditional North American Knowledge

By Deidre Havrelock & Edward Kay Ages 8–12 978-0316413336 Hachette Book Group Canada

THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE BREAD

By Cristina Quintero and illustrated by Sarah Gonzales Ages 3–7 978-0735271760 Penguin Random House Canada

To purchase titles from this year’s festival, check out our Official School and Library bookseller at tinlids.ca 3

GETTING STARTED The FOLD Kids Book Fest Educator Guide was created to help educators engage with their students while attending the virtual sessions. The pre- and post-activities below can be used for all our events. The exercises throughout are deeper dives into specific sessions and the author profiles are meant to find out more about the creatives participating in this year’s virtual festival.

PRE-EVENT ACTIVITY Before experiencing a virtual session, look up the authors. Make note of the books they’ve written and discover a little bit about them.

1. What made you choose this writer or illustrator?

2. What was the most interesting thing you learned about them?

3. Share why you chose the author and what you learned about them with your classmates and teacher. Prepare one question that you would ask them if you got the chance.

POST-EVENT ACTIVITY After listening to the session, identify: a) three things you learned, b) two things you found interesting, and c) one question you still have about writing or about one of the authors

CHECK OUT THE SCAVENGER HUNT SECTION FOR A FUN ACTIVITY TO INCORPORATE INTO THE CLASSROOM. VISIT THE LIBRARY IN OUR VIRTUAL CLUBHOUSE FOR SOME EDUCATOR RESOURCES AND MORE STUDENT ACTIVITIES.

4

Discussion Questions 1. Before attending the session, discuss and brainstorm some questions for the authors around their process and inspirations for the books they wrote.

2. In your opinion, do you enjoy reading fantasy or scary books or both? Why? 3. How are fantasy and scary stories similar and/or different? How do these two stories change or extend these genres through their character choices, setting, plot and other elements?

Activities

Explore the inspirations behind two fantastical and scary books that mix stories from the past with contemporary tales. Tune in for a discussion with Joanna Cacao, author of The Secret of the Ravens and Emi Pinto, author of Bee Bakshi and the Gingerbread Sisters as they unpack the ideas that shaped their incredible stories.

2. Write and/or draw a scene as either a scary story or a fantastical one. Swap with your peers. What’s the genre of their scene? What parts of the scene made you think it was that particular genre?

Discussion Questions 1. Look at the cover pages of the two books, what techniques do the authors/illustrators use to draw the readers in and to reinforce the theme of horror?

2. Why is it important be able to access stories with Inuit characters in all genres and themes?

3. Both authors/illustrators use the theme of winter to reinforce the elements of horror in their stories. Imagine and discuss what the story would look like in another season. Would it have the same impact?

Discover how (and why) Inuit authors Louise Flaherty (The Gnawer of Rocks) and Jamesie Fournier (The Other Ones) use northern stories to create chilling winter stories.

5

Discussion Questions 1. What did you learn about American Sign Language from Gaitrie Persaud’s ASL Storytime that you didn’t know before?

2. What’s one word you learned in ASL that you want to remember?

3. In the story we learn that art is important, powerful and can create positive change (i.e. making wooden toys, drawing). How does Asha use art to help her father in the story? How can you use art to create a positive impact?

Activities

In this annual storytelling event, Deaf artist and actress Gaitrie Persaud presents the incredible children’s book Asha and the Toymaker by Sakshi Mangal in American Sign Language (ASL). Suitable for children of all ages, this ASL storytelling event provides viewers with an opportunity to learn a few signs as they discover the art of storytelling.

Oral translation will be provided by an ASL interpreter.

1. Become a toymaker like Asha’s dad by using recycled materials (i.e. cardboard, buttons, string etc.) to make a toy. Draw and design your toy first and then use the materials to make it!

2. Use a venn diagram to see the similarities and differences between you and Asha! Check out these questions to begin your thinking: a.

Do you have a pet?

b.

Which country do you live in?

c.

Do you like toys? Which ones?

d.

How old are you?

6

Discussion Questions 1. Which invention was the most interesting to you? Were you surprised by any of the facts that were presented during the event?

2. Author Deidre Havrelock shared some of the inventions of North American Indigenous Peoples during her event. Why is it so important to learn about, center and highlight these contributions as we work towards reconciliation and creating a better future?

3. Many inventions of Indigenous Peoples have impacted society as a whole and is likely a part of your life in some way. It’s why it’s important to acknowledge their history with this land as well as their contributions.

Using native-land.ca, find out which Indigenous groups currently (and historically) occupy the land you live on.

In this session, Deidre Havrelock, co-author of Indigenous Ingenuity, explores Indigenous achievements highlighted in this middle grade nonfiction title. From communicating through Plains Indian Sign Language and pictographs to the invention of corn, this event promises to inform and inspire through a creative exploration of important innovations and Indigenous STEM advancements.

Discussion Questions 1. Which part of the writing journey do you think might be easy and which might be challenging for you? After listening to Linh S. Nguyễn, did your ideas around this change or shift?

2. What are 2-3 key points that inspired you the most from this session and how will they continue to influence you?

3. Discuss some reasons it’s important for people of all identities to have role models like writers and illustrators who share some of their identities and who can inspire their own creative journeys.

In this sought-after festival series focusing on the writer’s journey, debut author Linh S. Nguyễn (No Place Like Home) discusses her path to a career in writing. From how she develops a story to what it’s like teaching emerging writers, students will learn what’s involved in navigating the publishing world and the creative writing process.

7

Discussion Questions 1. David Suzuki is a scientist and environmentalist. He helps people learn about, respect and protect the environment. What are some questions you have for him and the work he does?

2. During the event, David Suzuki offered some facts about insects. What was one fun fact you learned?

3. Discuss and brainstorm how insects are similar and different from other animals. You can decide which animals and insects you want to compare (i.e.

Similarities may be that all need food, water, air and a safe space and differences may be the number of legs, wings or that insects have exoskeletons).

In this not-to-be-missed virtual event, the one and only David Suzuki gives an exclusive look at the inspiration for his new picture book, followed by a reading of Bompa’s Insect Expedition. Wrapping up the event with a live Q & A designed to give students and teachers an inside scoop on this insightful new book for young readers.

SIMIL AR

DIFFERENT

8

Discussion Questions 1. What does it mean to YOU to be an anti-racist?

What are the ways you can support your peers who have experienced racism on an individual level (i.e. a classmate says something racist) and also on an institutional level (i.e. the school rules are oppressive to racialized students)?

2. Breathe in. Breathe out. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, what are the things that you gravitate to? It’s important to take care of yourself while advocating for change so take a few mins to close your eyes and think about the things (and/or people) that bring you joy.

Being an activist can be exhausting. So how can teens take care of themselves while fighting for others? What can students do to help break down structures that continue to uplift discrimination thoughtfully? Join author Khodi Dill (stay up) as he provides a few insights and helpful tips for teens.

3. What are the social justice causes you are most passionate about? How can you learn more about them and get involved to create a change?

9

Discussion Questions 1. Each of the illustrators had their own unique art style.

Which art style did you enjoy the most?

2. Why do you think it’s important to develop our own style whether it is in illustrating or other parts of your lives?

Activities 1. Make a self portrait using one of the illustrator’s styles.

What did you find easy and or challenging about this experience?

2. Draw your favourite animated character from memory.

Once you’re done, look up the character. Were you close? What was the interesting differences between your drawing and the original character?

Our popular, annual illustrator event returns with a new crop of artists who will take up their drawing tools and battle it out from their own drawing tables. This not-tobe missed interactive event includes hilarious challenges where Canadian illustrators Michelle Theodore, Paris Alleyne and our Illustrator-in-Residence Keet Geniza put their artistry on display. FOLD’s very own Kids Coordinator, Ardo Omer, returns as host along with author and producer extraordinaire Marty Chan.

3. Use the circle below to design a symbol that represents who you are and your own unique style. Remember to show your own unique style through the colours, texts, symbols, lines, pictures etc. that you use.

10

PARIS ALLEYNE TORONTO, ONTARIO

Paris Alleyne is a comic illustrator based in Toronto.

He was the colourist on the multi award-winning series Afterlift and The All-Nighter. He’s worked on Marvel’s Miles Morales: Spider-Man, Carnage, Black Panther and DC’s Static: Up All Night.

FEATURED AT THE FESTIVAL

twitter: twitter.com/ParisAlleyne instagram: instagram.com/parisalleyne

Static: Up All Night (2023) • Ages 13–17 • ISBN-13: 978-1779510518 • Available as: Print OTHER BOOKS • The All-Nighter (2022) • Afterlift (2021)

11

ZAIN BANDALI ONTARIO

Zain Bandali was born in Canada to Ismaili Muslim parents from Tanzania. For four generations, his family lived in East Africa, with roots tracing to the Kutch and Gujarat regions of India. Zain has never felt like he had a homeland—it feels like all these places and none of these places at once. For him, home is simply where memories are made with loved ones. He loves writing poetry, collecting shawls, taking bubble baths, and hanging out in nature. Zain loves growing vegetables but cannot always stomach the hot chili peppers he grows.

FEATURED AT THE FESTIVAL

instagram: instagram.com/zenbanda

Mehndi Boy (2023) • Ages 6–11 • ISBN-13: 978-1773217925 • Available as: Print and eBook

12

JOANNA CACAO WINNIPEG, MANITOBA

Joanna Cacao is a Canadian-Filipino author, and illustrator who lives in Winnipeg with her two dogs; Danny and Arya. Growing up in front of a TV, Joanna immediately became obsessed with any show or film that had a great story and set of characters.

Her favourite shows consist of Avatar: The Last Airbender, Downton Abbey, The Last Kingdom and Gravity Falls. Her biggest influences come from various manga, and animated films. Joanna is the artist of The Tryout and The Squad by Christina Soontornvat. The Secret of Ravens is Joanna’s graphic novel debut.

FEATURED AT THE FESTIVAL

website: joannacacao.com twitter: twitter.com/jocabako instagram: instagram.com/jocabako

The Secret of Ravens (2023) • Ages 8–12 • ISBN-13: 978-0358650119 • Available as: Print and eBook OTHER BOOKS • Freddy Friendly’s Grave New World as an illustrator (2020)

13

MARTY CHAN

EDMONTON, ALBERTA

Marty Chan writes books for kids, plays for adults, and social media posts for fun. He wrote the bestseller, Haunted Hospital, and currently works and lives in Edmonton with his wife and their two cats.

FEATURED AT THE FESTIVAL

website: martychan.com twitter: twitter.com/marty_chan instagram: instagram.com/martychanwriter facebook: facebook.com/MartyChanAuthor

The Antiracist Kitchen (2023) • Ages 9–12 • ISBN-13: 978-1459833432 • Available as: Print, eBook, and Braille and DAISY audio via Centre for Equitable Library Access OTHER BOOKS • • • •

Final Cut (2022) Willpower (2022) Kylie the Magnificent (2021) Haunted Hospital (2020)

14

ANN YU-KYUNG CHOI TORONTO, ONTARIO

Ann Yu-Kyung Choi is a Toronto-based author and educator. Her novel, Kay’s Lucky Coin Variety, was shortlisted for the Toronto Book Award. Her children’s picture book, Once Upon an Hour, was a FOLD Kids Book-of-the-Month.

Ann currently sits on the program advisory committee for gritLIT, Hamilton’s literary festival, and manages The Authors Book Club, an online initiative she co-founded to connect authors with readers across Canada.

FEATURED AT THE FESTIVAL

website: annykchoi.com twitter: twitter.com/annykchoi.com instagram: instagram.com/annykchoi.com

The Antiracist Kitchen (2023) • Ages 9–12 • ISBN-13: 978-1459833432 • Available as: Print, eBook, and Braille and DAISY audio via Centre for Equitable Library Access OTHER BOOKS • Once Upon an Hour (2020) • Kay’s Lucky Coin Variety (2016)

15

KHODI DILL

TORONTO, ONTARIO

Khodi Dill is a Bahamian Canadian writer, antiracism educator, public speaker, and spoken word artist from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Dill’s captivating picture books, Welcome to the Cypher and Little Black Lives Matter, are available now and can be ordered anywhere you buy books. He’s also recently published a powerful young adult nonfiction work, stay up: racism, resistance, and reclaiming Black freedom. Author Karina Vernon calls the book “A brilliant piece of scholarship and an energizing call to action.”

FEATURED AT THE FESTIVAL

website: thegreygriot.com twitter: twitter.com/KhodiDill instagram: instagram.com/KhodiDill

stay up : racism, resistance, and reclaiming Black freedom (2023) • Ages 14+ • ISBN-13: 978-1773218076 • Available as: Print and eBook OTHER BOOKS • Little Black Lives Matter (2023) • Welcome to the Cypher (2021)

16

LOUISE FLAHERTY IQALUIT, NUNAVUT

Louise Flaherty is an Inuk educator and author with a passion for keeping the Inuit language alive. She’s the co-founder of Inhabit Media Inc., an independent publishing house dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Inuit knowledge and values, and the Inuktitut language. She is the author of The Gnawer of Rocks.

FEATURED AT THE FESTIVAL

website: inhabitmedia.com

The Gnawer of Rocks (2017) • Ages 12+ • ISBN-13: 978-1772271652 • Available as: Print, Braille via Centre for Equitable Library Access, and in Inuktitut and French OTHER BOOKS • Kappianaqtut : Strange Creatures and Fantastic Beings From Inuit Myths and Legends (2011)

17

JAMESIE FOURNIER IQALUIT, NUNAVUT

Jamesie Fournier enjoys exploring his culture through writing. His work has appeared in Inuit Art Quarterly, Red Rising magazine, Northern Public Affairs, Kaakuluk magazine, and the anthologies Coming Home: Stories from the Northwest Territories & Ndè Sı ̀ı ̀ Wet’aɂà: Northern Indigenous Voices on Land, Life & Art. His debut fiction, The Other Ones, was published in 2022 with Inhabit Media. A recurrent speaker at the Northwords Writers Festival, Jamesie was also runner-up for Up Here’s 2018 Sally Manning Award for Indigenous Creative Non-Fiction.

FEATURED AT THE FESTIVAL

The Other Ones (2022) • Adult/teen crossover • ISBN-13: 978-1772274219 • Available as: Print, eBook and DAISY audio via Centre for Equitable Library Access OTHER BOOKS • Elements (2023)

18

ILLUSTRATOR IN RESIDENCE

KEET GENIZA

TORONTO, ONTARIO

Keet Geniza is an illustrator, cartoonist, graphic designer and youth arts facilitator born and raised in Manila. They have self-published over seventy zines and have conducted workshops on zine and comic-making at the Toronto Public Library, Workers Arts and Heritage Centre, and the Art Gallery of Burlington. Their work has been featured in the Brooklyn Museum, Toronto International Festival of Authors, Toronto Comic Arts Festival, and published in Broken Pencil, Exclaim!, just femme & dandy and Lamda Nordica. Keet illustrated Kimiko Does Cancer and they are currently living, working and walking their dog in Scarborough.

2023 FEATURED ILLUSTRATION

19

DEIDRE HAVRELOCK

SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN

Deidre Havrelock is a member of Saddle Lake Cree Nation. She grew up in Edmonton, AB, Canada with a ghost in her house, a feminist for a grandma, and wishing she had a buffalo for a pet! Over the years, she has lived in various wonderful places both in Canada and the USA. Currently, she resides in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan—Treaty 6 Territory and Homeland of the Métis. Deidre is the author of Buffalo Wild! And yes, as a child, she had a stuffed animal that looked like a buffalo.

FEATURED AT THE FESTIVAL

website: deidrehavrelock.com twitter: twitter.com/deidrehavrelock instagram: instagram.com/deidrehavrelock/

Indigenous Ingenuity: A Celebration of Traditional North American Knowledge (2023) • Ages 8–12 • ISBN-13: 978-0316413336 • Print, eBook, audiobook, and Braille and DAISY audio via Centre for Equitable Library Access OTHER BOOKS • The Antiracist Kitchen (2023) • Buffalo Wild! (2021)

20

NADIA L. HOHN TORONTO, ONTARIO

Nadia L. Hohn is an award-winning educator, activist, and author of several books for children including A Likkle Miss Lou and the Malaika series. Malaika’s Costume (2016) was the 2021 TD Grade One Book Giveaway. Her books Malaika, Carnival Queen and The Antiracist Kitchen: 21 Stories (and Recipes) were released in 2023.

Nadia teaches elementary school, and writing for children courses at post-secondary institutions. website: nadialhohn.com twitter: twitter.com/nadialhohn instagram: instagram.com/nadialhohn_author facebook: facebook.com/nadialhohn

FEATURED AT THE FESTIVAL

Malaika, Carnival Queen (2023) • Ages 3–6 • ISBN-13: 978-1773068503 • Available as: Print, eBook, and Braille and DAISY audio via Centre for Equitable Library Access OTHER BOOKS • Malaika series (2016–2023) • The Antiracist Kitchen (2023) • A Likkle Miss Lou: How Jamaican Poet Louise Bennett Coverley Found Her Voice (2019) • Harriet Tubman: Freedom Fighter (2018)

21

HANNALORA LEAVITT VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Hannalora Leavitt is a writer living in Victoria, British Columbia. She lost most of her vision by the age of 12 due to cancer and spent two years at a residential school for the blind, where she lived and learned alongside her blind peers. She works to demystify disability through her writing and public speaking, with her loyal guide dog, Ogden, at her side. Hannalora holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of Victoria.

The Disability Experience is her first book.

FEATURED AT THE FESTIVAL

website: hannaloraleavitt.com

The Disability Experience (2021) • Ages 12+ • ISBN-13: 978-1459819283 • Available as: Print, eBook OTHER BOOKS • Once Upon an Hour (2020) • Kay’s Lucky Coin Variety (2016)

22

MELISSA MOLLEN DUPUIS GRANBY, QUEBEC

Melissa Mollen Dupuis is a member of the Innu community of Ekuanitshit on Quebec’s Côte-Nord.

She is the author of the picture book, Nutshimit: in the Woods.

FEATURED AT THE FESTIVAL

instagram: instagram.com/melissamdupuis

Nutshimit: In the Woods (2023) • Ages 6–8 • ISBN-13: 978-1772271652 • Available as: Print, in French, and Braille and DAISY audio in French via Centre for Equitable Library Access

23

LINH S. NGUYỄN TORONTO, ONTARIO

Linh S. Nguyễn is a Vietnamese-Canadian immigrant and author who writes children’s literature and creative non-fiction. Her debut middle-grade fantasy novel is No Place Like Home.

Linh holds an H.B.A. in English from the University of Toronto and an MPhil in Arts, Creativity and Education from the University of Cambridge. She is currently in the first year of her PhD at Cambridge, studying decolonial and anti-capitalist knowledgemaking at the Faculty of Education.

FEATURED AT THE FESTIVAL

website: linhsnguyen.com twitter: twitter.com/linhsnguyen instagram: instagram.com/linh.s.nguyen facebook: facebook.com/LinhWrites

No Pace Like Home (2023) • Ages 9–12 • ISBN-13: 978-1443466202 • Available as: Print, eBook, and Braille and DAISY audio via Centre for Equitable Library Access

24

LARA JEAN OKIHIRO TORONTO, ONTARIO

Lara Jean Okihiro is a writer, researcher, and educator of mixed Japanese Canadian heritage.

Living abroad inspired her to learn about her family’s internment experience, and she’s lectured and published on literature, the Japanese Canadian internment, racism, social justice, memory, trauma, education, and carrying the lessons of the past into the future. She is the author of Obaasan’s Boots, a children’s novel based on her grandmother’s life and co-written with Janis Bridger.

FEATURED AT THE FESTIVAL

website: laraokihiro.ca instagram: instagram.com/laraokihiro

Obaasan’s Boots (2023) • Ages 9–12 • ISBN-13: 978-1772603484 • Available as: Print and eBook

25

GAITRIE PERSAUD ONTARIO, CANADA

Gaitrie Persaud, a Torontonian, lives and breathes acting and that is reflected in her amazing identity. She was on Silly Paws, CBC’s first ASL Kid show, as the character “Simmi” and was on Blue ‘s Clues and You as Camila.

FEATURED AT THE FESTIVAL

instagram: Instagram.com/enchante091216 instagram: Instagram.com/phoenixthefire1111

26

EMI PINTO

OTTAWA, ONTARIO

Dr. Emi Pinto is a Canadian author who loves to write about cute ghosts, awkward witches, and food from her mixed South Asian and FrancoOntarian heritage (masala poutine anyone?). Her favorite thing, aside from chocolate, is getting lost on forest trails with her family, searching for fairy doors. She lives in Ottawa, Ontario. Bee Bakshi and the Gingerbread Sisters is her first book.

FEATURED AT THE FESTIVAL

website: emipinto.com twitter: twitter.com/EmiDPinto instagram: instagram.com/emidpinto

Bee Bakshi and the Gingerbread Sisters (2023) • Ages 8–12 • ISBN-13: 978-0063275720 • Available as: Print, eBook, audiobook, and Braille and DAISY audio via Centre for Equitable Library Access

27

CRISTINA QUINTERO SHARWOOD PARK, ALBERTA

Cristina Quintero is an author, celebrity ghostwriter, community builder and anti-racist educator. A first generation Canadian of both AfroColombian, and Indigenous Colombian (Chibcha) descent, she draws inspiration from a broad range of storytelling traditions. Cristina credits her lifelong curiosity to the rich childhood experiences she had having been raised in a predominantly immigrant neighbourhood, and while the frequent struggles were undeniable, so was the joy that emerged from families building community across cultures through food, dance, and traditions. She lives in a very red house with her husband, their two kids, and the world’s suckiest dogs.

FEATURED AT THE FESTIVAL

The Only Way to Make Bread (2023) • Ages 3–7 • ISBN-13: 978-0735271760 • Available as: Print and eBook

instagram: instagram.com/cquintero_writer facebook: facebook.com/Cristina Quintero_Writer

28

MARK SAKAMOTO TORONTO, ONTARIO

Mark Sakamoto is an entrepreneur and #1 bestselling author. Forgiveness: A Gift from My Grandparents won Canada Reads in 2018 and has been theatrically staged in Vancouver and Calgary.

It is currently in development as a limited television series. Shizue’s Path is Mark’s second book. He lives in Toronto and Prince Edward County with his wife and their two daughters.

FEATURED AT THE FESTIVAL

Shizue’s Path (2023) • Ages 5–8 • ISBN-13: 978-1443464598 • Available as: Print, eBook, and Braille and DAISY audio via Centre for Equitable Library Access

29

DAVID SUZUKI BRITISH COLUMBIA

David Suzuki is a father, grandfather, scientist, activist, and Professor Emeritus at UBC. He is familiar to television audiences for his 44 years as host the CBC science and natural history television series The Nature of Things. He is a Companion of the Order of Canada, and has received UNESCO’s Kalinga Prize for Science, the Right Livelihood Award, and has received 32 honorary degrees from Canada, the US and Australia. Dr. Suzuki has been honoured with adoption and names from eight Indigenous First Nations in Canada and Australia.

FEATURED AT THE FESTIVAL

Bompa’s Insect Expedition (2023)

website: davidsuzuki.org

• Ages 4–8

twitter: twitter.com/davidSuzukiFDN

• ISBN-13: 978-1771648820

instagram: instagram.com/DAVIDSUZUKIFDN

• Available as: Print and eBook

30

MICHELLE THEODORE EDMONTON, ALBERTA

Michelle Theodore is an illustrator born and raised under the prairie skies in Edmonton, Alberta. As a landlocked yonsei, she is often reminiscing about coastal summers with family, inspired by her times on beaches collecting sand dollars and eating homemade salmon jerky. Her work often concentrates on the mundane details found in everyday life, primarily exploring elements of nostalgia, and identity reflected in deep washes of colour. website: michelletheodore.com twitter: twitter.com/meeshell_t instagram: instagram.com/meeshell_t

FEATURED AT THE FESTIVAL

Mira and Baku (2023) • Ages 4–7 • ISBN-13: 978-1773217567 • Available as: Print and eBook OTHER BOOKS • Sitting Shiva (2022) • Cavity (2019)

31

SARA TRUUVERT OTTAWA, ONTARIO

Sara Truuvert is a Canadian writer of JapaneseEstonian descent. Her short fiction and poetry have appeared in publications like Ploughshares, the Chicago Quarterly Review, Witness, and PRISM international. Mira and Baku is her debut picture book. She lives in Ottawa.

FEATURED AT THE FESTIVAL

website: saratruuvert.com

Mira and Baku (2023) • Ages 4–7 • ISBN-13: 978-1773217567 • Available as: Print and eBook

32

HENRY TSANG

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Henry Tsang is the creator of 360 Riot Walk, a 360 video walking tour of the 1907 Anti-Asian Riots, and author of White Riot: The 1907 Anti-Asian Riots in Vancouver. His projects explore the spatial politics of history, cultural translation, community-building and food in relationship to place through video, photography, interactive media, convivial events, and language. Presentations take the form of gallery exhibitions, pop-up street food offerings, 360 video walking tours, curated dinners, ephemeral and permanent public art. Henry is Associate Dean at Emily Carr University of Art & Design. website: henrytsang.ca twitter: twitter.com/HenryVancouver

FEATURED AT THE FESTIVAL

White Riot: The 1907 Anti-Asian Riots in Vancouver (2023) • Adult/Teen Crossover • ISBN-13: 978-1551529196 • Available as: Print and eBook

instagram: instagram.com/HenryVancouver

33

★ A celebration of diversity “

...The author asks, ‘What if talking about racism was as easy as baking a cake?’

With this book, it could be.”

—School Library Journal, starred review

FREE

Teachers Guide available at orcabook.com

9.95

432 • HC • $2

9781459833

Featuring stories and recipes by

S.K. Ali, Bryan Patrick Avery, Ruth Behar, Marty Chan, Ann Yu-Kyung Choi, Hasani Claxton, Natasha Deen, Reyna Grande, Deidre Havrelock, Jennifer de Leon, Andrea J. Loney, Janice Lynn Mather, Linda Sue Park, Danny Ramadan, Sarah Raughley, Waubgeshig Rice, Rahma Rodaah, Andrea Rogers, Simran Jeet Singh, Ayelet Tsabari & Susan Yoon

...

Dim Sum Palace by

X. Fang

A little girl’s love of dim sum spills over into her dreams, taking her on a fantastical food-filled adventure, in this picture book love letter to Maurice Sendak’s In the Night Kitchen.

PICTURE BOOK • ISBN: 9781774881989

The Only Way to Make Bread Cristina Quintero illustrated by Sarah Gonzales written by

This delicious exploration of all kinds of breads, from sourdough to bannock to bao, will tickle your taste buds and warm your heart.

PICTURE BOOK • ISBN: 9780735271760

Don’t Want to Be Your Monster by

Deke Moulton

Two vampire brothers must set aside their differences to solve a series of murders in this humorous and delightfully spooky novel for young readers.

MIDDLE GRADE NOVEL • ISBN: 9781774880494

Something More by

Jackie Khalilieh

A contemporary teen romance novel featuring a Palestinian-Canadian girl trying to hide her autism diagnosis while navigating her first year of high school.

YOUNG ADULT NOVEL • ISBN: 9781774882139