Past Events

Braille Creative Writing Contest Presentation, Braille Conference, Toronto, ON - October 30, 2014

I was honoured to be the print judge of the children's writing contest this year. I will be introducing and presenting awards to three of the winners of the Braille Creative Writing Contest at the opening ceremony of the annual CNIB National Braille Conference.

Word on the Street, Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario - September 21, 2014

I will be signing and giving away free copies of my middle grade book FOUR SEASONS OF PATRICK (Red Deer Press, 2013) at the Fitzhenry Whiteside tent at Word on the Street, Queen's Park, in Toronto, on Sunday, September 21 from 11.00 to 11.30. For more info, click here.

Word on the Street, Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario - September 22, 2013

CODE is an NGO which advances literacy around the world. As a volunteer editor in 2011 and 2012, I helped several writers in Liberia and Sierra Leone polish their children's manuscripts for publication. On Sunday, September 22, at 1.00, I'll be reading one of the many books written by these African writers that CODE has helped publish overseas. Participants (ages 6 to 12) can then fill out postcards which will be distributed to children living in the author's home country. For more info, click here.

Hackmatack Award, Halifax, Nova Scotia - May 7-10, 2013

OFF TO CLASS: INCREDIBLE AND UNUSUAL SCHOOLS AROUND THE WORLD (Owl Kids Books, 2011) is short-listed for the 2013 Hackmatack Award. I'll be arriving in Halifax mid-week to do several readings in local libraries and then attending the award ceremonies. Can't wait!

TDSB Writer-in-Residence, 2012-2013

As the TDSB Writer-in-Residence, I'm visiting selected public elementary schools in Toronto throughout the select year to do presentations, read over their shoulders as the students write, and offer some writing tips.

Canadian Children's Book Centre Awards, Toronto - Fall 2012

I am thrilled that my non-fiction book OFF TO CLASS: INCREDIBLE AND UNUSUAL SCHOOLS AROUND THE WORLD (Owl Kids Books, 2011) is short-listed for both the 2012 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award and the 2012 Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children's Non-fiction. You can bet that I'll be attending the gala award ceremonies at the Carlu in Toronto this fall!

Word on the Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia - Sunday, September 23, 2012

On Sunday, Sept 23, I'll be at the 'What's the Story with CBC' Stage at 1:00 - 2:00. I'll be interviewed live for CBC Radio by Don Connolly and five kid members of the TD Kids Book Club. During the month of September, they've been chatting on-air about my book OFF TO CLASS: INCREDIBLE AND UNUSUAL SCHOOLS AROUND THE WORLD (Owl Kids Books, 2011). I'm looking forward to meeting the kids and answering their questions. Hope to see you there too! For more info, click here.

Eden Mills Festival, Eden Mills, Ontario - Sunday, September 16, 2012

Hurray! I've been asked to attend the Eden Mills Festival this September! I'll be reading from my chapter book THE ISLAND HORSE from 2.10 to 2.30 in the Community Hall and then signing books afterwards. Drop by and say hello! Find out more here.

Forest of Reading Festival of Trees, Ontario Library Association - May 15 and 16, 2012

CASE CLOSED? NINE MYSTERIES UNLOCKED BY MODERN SCIENCE is short-listed for the 2012 OLA Silver Birch award. Yippee! I will be planning to attend the awards ceremonies at the Harbourfront Centre, Queens Quay, in Toronto. Hope to see you there!

Canadian Children's Book Centre Awards, Toronto - October 4, 2011

My non-fiction book CASE CLOSED? NINE MYSTERIES UNLOCKED BY MODERN SCIENCE is short-listed for the Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children's Non-fiction. I'll be attending the awards ceremonies at the Carlu in Toronto. You can find out more about the CCBC awards here.

Word on the Street - Sunday, September 25, 2011

I will be signing my book OFF TO CLASS: INCREDIBLE AND UNUSUAL SCHOOLS AROUND THE WORLD (OwlKids Books, 2011) at the OwlKids tent at Word on the Street, Queen's Park, in Toronto, on Sunday, September 25 from 11.30 to 12.00. For more info, click here.

Forest of Reading Festival of Trees, Ontario Library Association - May 11, 2011

No Girls Allowed is short-listed for the 2011 OLA Red Maple award. Willow Dawson and I will be doing a workshop at the OLA Forest of Reading Festival of Trees, as well as attending the awards ceremonies. Hope to see you there!

Interview - Jan 17, 2011

Read my complete interview with blogger Annika Paxman about my writing career and, in particular, creating Case Closed? at Munchkins and Manuscripts.

Word on the Street - September 27, 2009

Kids Can Press and I have donated 75 copies of my picture book, EARTH TO AUDREY, to First Book, an organization which provides new books to children in need. I will be signing the copies at the First Readers booth (#254) at Word on the Street in Toronto on Sunday September 27. You can find out more about First Book literacy programs at http://www.firstbookcanada.org.

Interview - October 1, 2008

Check out my interview about my graphic novel No Girls Allowed with Kelly Herold at Big A Little a!

Reading - September 28, 2008

I will be reading from my book NO GIRLS ALLOWED with illustrator Willow Dawson at the Children's Reading Tent at Word on the Street, Toronto, on September 28, 2008. For more info, click here.

Signing - June 13, 2008

Book-signing (NO GIRLS ALLOWED) with Willow Dawson, illustrator, at Kids Can booth, Book Expo, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 11.00 - 12.00.