Virginia Barter
Virginia Barter is a Toronto based historical writer/storyteller, musician, and film & television producer. She is a passionate advocate of Canadian history, sharing a wealth of stories from her Cree and Métis heritage through a variety of artistic disciplines. Hosting interactive storytelling sessions that incorporate Cree language, songs and dancing, Virginia frames her personal family stories through the general history of the fur trade era and the Hudson’s Bay Company. Many of the stories she tells... Read more
Hélène Boudreau
Hélène Boudreau grew up on a small island off the coast of Cape Breton surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, but now writes fiction and nonfiction for kids from her landlocked home in Ontario, Canada.
When she was very young Hélène’s hometown was too small for a library. Instead she counted the days waiting for a big blue bus called the Book Mobile to rumble across the bridge to her tiny island, every few weeks, to deliver books. Even though her village was small, there was always lots to do with seven brothers and sisters plus countless cousins... Read more
Liam O’Donnell
Liam O'Donnell is the award-winning creator of nearly 40 graphic novels and books for reluctant readers, including Tank & Fizz, West Meadows Detectives and the Battle of Blocks adventure series set in Minecraft.
Liam is also an educator with the Toronto District School Board (currently on leave) who has taught in Kindergarten to Grade 8 classrooms. Liam brings an educator’s perspective to his writing, understanding the importance of using alternative literacies... Read more
Jael Richardson
Jael Richardson is an author, founder and artistic director of FOLD, the Festival of Literary Diversity. Jael is the author of two books telling the story of her father, Chuck Ealey. Both books tackle issues of race, identity, prejudice and the power of perseverance. The Stone Thrower children’s book came out in 2016, while the memoir The Stone Thrower: A Daughter’s Lesson, a Father’s Life received a CBC Bookie Award and earned Richardson an Acclaim Award and a My People Award... Read more