The Presenters

Kelley Armstrong, Darkest Power Series (Publisher: Doubleday Canada)
www.kelleyarmstrong.com

Born and raised in Canada, Kelley now lives in rural Ontario with her husband and three children. A prolific and popular writer, Kelley is published in print and also widely on-line. Her work is loved by young adults interested in fantasy, werewolves, the paranormal romance, vampires, zombies and shivers up their spines! Kelley will be reading from her third and final book, The Reckoning, which will complete her very popular young adult trilogy, Darkest Powers.

Gary Barwin, Seeing Stars (Publisher: Fitzhenry & Whiteside)

Writer and musician Gary Barwin is the author of many books of poetry and fiction for both adults and children. Gary’s humorous, engaging and exciting performances have been featured on CBC radio. His books for children include The Racing Worm Brothers, and The Magic Mustache, as well as the YA novel, Seeing Stars, which was named a finalist for both the CLA Book of the Year and the Arthur Ellis Award. Gary teaches music at Hillfield Strathallan College and lives in Hamilton with a fear of the family car.

Gillian Chan, An Ocean Apart, Dear Canada Series (Publisher: Scholastic Canada)
http://www.scholastic.ca/dearcanada/authors/gchan.htm

Gillian Chan loves to write books that make us feel like we are being taken back to our childhood again, and being given the power to imagine ourselves into life in a different time. Come and hear how she does it, and share some of your own creative daydreams! Gillian lives in Dundas and is a great fan of Westfield Heritage Village.

Dr. Jean Clinton, The Importance of Literacy

Dr. Jean Clinton is a local child psychiatrist and a passionate advocate for the importance of parenting and relationships for ensuring all our children thrive. She will describe how reading to and with our children, literally changes their brain. As parents we are our children;s most important teachers and literacy one of our most powerful tools. "Love builds brains."

Jeffrey Canton has been telling tales for more than two decades to listeners here, there and everywhere -- from stories from the Renaissance by Boccaccio to contemporary writers like Susan Sontag. Whether he's hobnobbing with the Wise Men of Chelm, nightingales, tin soldiers or ugly ducklings, Jeffrey Canton brings to his performances a love of the power of words and the stories we tell with them. Most recently, he's been bringing to life Canada's most famous rebel, William Lyon Mackenzie through performances at two of Toronto historic museums, Mackenzie House and Gibson House. We are delighted to have Jeffrey Canton with us to represent Charles Dickens at our festival.

Eddie Douglas (Venue: Bandstand)
www.fatfleamusic.ca

Eddie Douglas puts poetry into musical motion for kids and families!
Imagine the poetry of our most fun-loving Canadian children’s writers sung in playful, original musical settings. Add a few Mother Goose rhymes for good measure and join in the fun, with this JUNO nominated children’s musician, for a rich and mellow blend of songs, celebrating a variety of literary sources and musical styles – the idea is too tempting to resist, even for adults! *CDs will be available at the festival.

Cary Fagan, Jacob Two-Two: On the High Seas (Publisher: Tundra Books)
www.caryfagan.com

A native of Toronto, Cary Fagan is an award-winning children’s author, a writer of adult novels, an editor and a contributor to a number of magazines and newspapers, including The Globe and Mail, The Gazette, and Books in Canada. Cary will be speaking to young readers about his latest book, Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas. Cary’s work has won the City of Toronto Book Award and the Jewish Book Committee Prize for Fiction. Cary has written several picture books, including Gogol’s Coat and The Market Wedding. Daughter of the Great Zandini, winner of a Mr. Christie Silver Medal, was Cary’s first novel for children and The Fortress of Kaspar Snit was his second. He also wrote Beyond the Dance, a biography of the National Ballet of Canada’s prima ballerina Chan Hon Goh, which was shortlisted for the Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction. Cary lives in Toronto with his two children.

Pauline Grondin (Westfield Regular Volunteer)
www.paulinegrondin.com

Pauline Grondin is “multiheretorial” – a professional storyteller, historical interpreter and heritage performer who has delighted audiences of all ages in Canada and the British Isles. She is a devoted regular volunteer at Westfield Heritage Village. Following her French Canadian and Irish roots she presents a potpourri of fairy tales, myths, legends, folk tales, as well as self-penned and first person stories of Canadian history. Pauline has written a number of children’s history books and in 2006 she produced her first story CD entitled Voices of the Past. Voices of The Past Two and Voices of Toronto’s Past will be recorded in 2009.

Chantale Groulx, French Storyteller for the young, Age 2+

“Les Histoires Deviennent Vivantes” avec Chantale Groulx et ses amies. On va vous faire rêver en français avec des contes interactifs. Chantale Groulx offers an interactive storytelling session in French. Chantale knows that “when children do, they learn. “ Children will leave feeling empowered, confident and excited about stories. Chantale is now in her 11th year as a performance storyteller. With Stories Come to Life, she once again she puts the spotlight on the children and their imaginations.

Elize Hartley, Metis Elder, Storyteller and Author, Age 8+

Elize is a mother to six daughters, eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Born in Manitoba, she was raised in a small village where the principles of the medicine wheel were instilled at an early age. As an adult, Elize worked in the field of education. She later formed the Metis Women's Circle as a safe place for women to explore together their Aboriginal roots and traditions. Elize works diligently representing the Women's Circle on various organizational boards and has been recognized in her role as community Elder. She has helped many Metis women find their voice. Come and listen to her stories for youth.

Barbara Haworth-Attard, A Trail of Broken Dreams, Dear Canada Series (Publisher: Scholastic Canada)
http://www.scholastic.ca/dearcanada/authors/bhaworthattard.htm

Barbara Haworth-Attard’s realistic approach brings living, breathing history to children with characters who are not much different from themselves. Join Barbara and gilliam Chan, award-winning Canadian authors, as they reveals their writing secrets. This fun, hands-on and interactive workshop will teach you how they build their characters and how they transport them to unforgettable times in Canadian history.

Barbara has a new YA murder mystery coming this fall entitled, The Haunted.

Dennis Lee, Alligator Pie (Publisher: Key Porter Books)

Dennis Lee is one of the best-loved children's writers in Canada. He is the critically acclaimed author of many books of poetry for both adults and children. Some of his best known children’s titles are Jelly Belly, Bubblegum Delicious and the wonderful classic Alligator Pie. Come and savour the delicious tasty nonsense of Dennis Lee!

Loris Lesynski, Dirty Dog Boogie (Publisher: Annick Press)
www.lorislesynski.com/news

Loris Lesynski is ALWAYS CURIOUS about other people’s lives – how they became artists or accountants, truck drivers or truck designers. If you’re curious about things, too, you will love hearing Loris read her hilarious poems and talk about how she became a poet and illustrator.

Celia Barker Lottridge (Publisher: Groundwood Books)

Celia Lottridge has lived in many places and held many jobs: children's librarian, teacher librarian, book store buyer, director of the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program. Throughout all this she has always been a storyteller and gradually became more of a writer. Her books have won many awards. Two of her best-loved books are the picture book, The Name of the Tree, illustrated by Ian Wallace, and her young adult novel, Ticket to Curlew. Celia will tell stories to children of all ages about magic trees and extraordinary animals. Celia will also participate in the activity area later in the day giving a demonstration of the Mother Goose Reading Session, of which she was a founder.

Sylvia McNicoll, Last Chance for Paris (Publisher: Fitzhenry & Whiteside)
www.sylviamcnicoll.com

Internationally acclaimed author of over 27 books, Sylvia is best known for her award-winning young adult Beauty series about fostering guide dog puppies. With energy, humour and an interactive component, Sylvia will introduce you to Last Chance for Paris, her newest title that combines high action, intense emotions and a wonderful wolf dog named Paris. As well as being a delighted grandma, Sylvia McNicoll enjoys giving writing workshops in schools and libraries across Canada. She is currently the Features Editor for Today’s Parent Toronto magazine.

Rod Nettagog is an Ojibway from Henvy Inlet First Nation which is located south of Sudbury. Rod comes from the Bear Clan and has participated in numerous pow wows, cultural celebrations and ceremonies over the past 15 years. Rod loves to share his cultural knowledge through song and dance. For the past four years, Rod was the Cultural Facilitator for the Niwasa Early Years Outreach program. Rod facilitated children's circles across Hamilton at Ontario Early Years Centres, schools, summer camps and various organizations. Currently, Rod is working with the Native Youth Advancement with Education Hamilton as a Cultural Support and youth mentor. Rod shares stories through dance and will perform the Men's Traditional dance and the Prairie Chicken dance. A Spiritual Elder once said to Rod, "to get an understanding of the Aboriginal culture, one should participate". So put on your moccasins and have a great time.

Gillian O’Reilly, Getting Your Children's Book Published
www.bookcentre.ca

Getting a children's book published is no easy task. This session offers advice and information to help you accomplish your goal. Editor of Canadian Children's Book News and author of two children's books, Gillian O'Reilly has been part of the Canadian publishing scene for the last 30 years.

Ruth Ohi, Chicken, Pig, Cow on the Move (Publisher: Annick Press)
www.RuthOhi.com

Ruth will be talking and drawing from her most recent author/illustrated book, Chicken, Pig, Cow on the Move. Her new book is follows Chicken, Pig, Cow, named a First & Best book by the Toronto Public Library as well as a Best Bet by the Ontario Library Association. Ruth Ohi is the illustrator of over 40 children’s picture books (for eight of these she is also the author). She has had the great pleasure of illustrating for authors such as Joy Kogawa, Hazel Hutchins, Sharon Jennings and Sarah Ellis. Her books have been nominated for the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Award, the Mr. Christie’s Book Award, the Shining Willow, the Blue Spruce and the Governor General’s Literary Award. Ruth Ohi lives in Toronto.

Shane Peacock, The Boy Sherlock Holmes series (Publisher: Tundra Books)
www.shanepeacock.ca

Ontario born Shane Peacock has received many awards for his young adult fiction including the Violet Downey Book Award, the Canadian Library Association Honour Book and an Arthur Ellis Award. Since childhood Shane has had a fascination for larger than life characters, which is very evident in his hugely successful novels based on the character of Sherlock Holmes as a teenager – tales of derring-do that remain suspenseful and riveting. A man of many talents, Shane Peacock is also a playwright, a biographer, a journalist and a screenwriter. His most recent book is Death in the Air, which has been shortlisted for this year's prestigious TD Canadian Children's Literature Award.

TURKEY Rhubarb (Venue: Bandstand)
www.turkeyrhubarb.ca

TURKEY Rhubarb is the musical team of Dale Behnke (mandolin), Gerry Dion (guitar) and Paul Fralick (guitar). Great believers in the value of diversity, they bring a fun approach to performing traditional children's folk songs in English, French and Spanish from all over the world. These seasoned guys love music and show a profound respect for children at every performance. Their harmonies and humour are worth a listen!

Ken Roberts, The Thumb in the Box (Publisher: Groundwood Books)

Ken Roberts is the Chief Librarian of the Hamilton Public Library and past President of the Canadian Library Association. As a writer, he was nominated for the Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature. Thumb on a Diamond was cited in The Horn Book as one of the best children’s novels published in the United States in 2006. Ken has not performed in many years. At the request of his own children, the participative comedy Killer Hats will be a part of the program. If he can get in shape, he may try The Milkman, a story based on a 100-year-old vaudeville routine. The program is aimed at school-aged audiences.

Caution: The first few rows may get wet.*

*Only if it rains on the first few rows and no place else.

Richard Scrimger, The Nose From Jupiter (Publisher: Tundra Books)
www.scrimger.ca

Acclaimed Canadian author Richard Scrimger, recipient of many literary awards including the Mr. Christie Award, is best known for his lively, often very funny books for children. His work has been translated into eight different languages and is critically acclaimed around the world. His titles include The Nose From Jupiter, The Way To Schenectady and most recently Into the Ravine. A proud stay-at-home Dad, Richard also writes for adults including the popular Still Life with Children, his hilarious musings on family life which resulted from a series of articles he wrote for The Globe and Mail.

Ken Setterington is an international authority on children’s books, a librarian, a storyteller, an author and a reviewer. He was named the first Children and Youth Advocate for Library Services by the Toronto Public Library and won the prestigious Toronto Arts Award for Writing and Publishing for his work with children’s literature. Most recently, he co-wrote A Guide to Canadian Children’s Books. He has published three books for children with Tundra: The Snow Queen, Katarina and Wild Swans, both of which were also illustrated by Ernst and Nelly Hofer.

Jeremy Tankard, Boo Hoo Bird (Publisher: Scholastic Canada)
www.jeremytankard.com

Jeremy Tankard says: “My books are inspired by the stories all around me. I get ideas by watching and listening all the time. I also keep a sketchbook and am constantly doodling and creating characters. Once in a while one of those characters leaps off the page and begs for a story!” Join Jeremy for a refreshingly original session that is sure to help kids (and grown-ups) discover their own creative talents with lots of giggles along the way.

Michael Ulmer, M is for Maple (Sleeping Bear Press)

Whether it be as a journalist, essayist or poet and now as a senior writer for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Raptors, Mike Ulmer has woven stories about success, courage and endeavour. His nine books including the classic, M is for Maple, cover every subject from the hygiene habits of horses to the meaning of inuksuks and the valour of Terry Fox. A father of three teenage girls, Mike also enjoys hockey, basketball, rollerblading and running. Mike lives in Hamilton, Ontario.

Michael Wade, And then it Happened (Publisher: Books for Boys)
www.boysbookshelf.com

Michael will speak about And Then It Happened, his bestselling laugh-out-loud series that has converted many reluctant readers since its publication in 2003. Kids and parents alike will enjoy Michael Wade’s dynamic and interactive presentation which focuses on the power of words and the fun and importance of reading. Kids are invited to participate with their ideas, suggest alternative endings, and explore the writing process with lots of laughs.

Eric Walters, The Bully Boys (Publisher: Penguin)
www.ericwalters.net

In 1993, Eric Walters, a teacher, wrote his first novel in response to the needs of reluctant readers in his Grade 5 class. He has since become one of the most prolific and successful Canadian and international authors writing for children and young adults today. Eric is the unprecedented three-time winner of both the Ontario Library Association Silver Birch Award and the Red Maple Award. He has also received over ten separate children’s choice awards and is a terrific presenter and storyteller in high demand. Eric will be speaking about his very popular historic young adult novel, The Bully Boys, set in 1812.

Carol Leigh Wehking
http://www.canscaip.org/bios/wehkingc.html

“I have been sojourning with stories for nearly four decades. Since 1991, I have specialized in the art of the oral story, and have performed for all ages – in festivals, concerts, events, schools, libraries and many other venues across Canada, in the United States, and as far afield as Australia and Belgium. My repertoire ranges from ancient epic to folktale to modern literary stories, and includes award-winning stories of my own.”

Janet Wilson, One Peace (Publisher: Orca Book Publishers)
www.janetwilson.ca

Janet Wilson has illustrated over 25 children’s books. Her ability to capture and represent difficult emotional subjects through her art has earned her international awards for non-fiction and picture book illustrations and YA book covers. Janet offers an inspiring PowerPoint presentation of her new book, One Peace: True Stories of Young Activists, which will motivate young people to be the change they wish to see in the world. Beautifully illustrated by Janet, One Peace is a fact-filled and fascinating volume of portraits of many heroes for today. Students also enjoy learning about the creative process of making a book from conception to publication, including the difficulties and challenges.

Werner Zimmermann, Henny Penny (Publisher: Scholastic Canada)
www.wernerzimmermann.ca

Werner Zimmermann’s action-packed presentations are sure to be a big hit with the whole family. As for fun, be prepared for lots of it! Come hear Werner’s version of Henny Penny and you may even find yourself becoming part of the story, because the audience helps along in a big way. (But don’t worry…for safety’s sake, he’ll bring lots of Anti-sky-falling Helmets!)

Hamilton Public Library Storytellers

We are delighted to welcome a troupe of volunteer storytellers from the Hamilton Public Library.

More details to follow as we get closer to the event.

Puppet show of Fairy Tales

We are delighted to bring you a Puppet Show of Fairy Tales from the Hamilton Public Library.

Details will follow as we get closer to the festival.