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FOLD Kids Bookfest 2020
Registration
An overview of the festival schedule and speakers.
Description
The 2020 FOLD Kids Book Fest includes sixteen literary events held online October 3 & 4. Three preview events will take place in the week before the festival: one on September 26, one on October 1, and one on October 2.
Click on the individual events of interest to register for each session of interest via Eventbrite.
Schedule
Tina Athaide
Michel Chikwanine
June Hur
Michelle Kadarusman
Featured Speaker(s)
Nafiza Azad
Nafiza Azad is the author of THE CANDLE AND THE FLAME and the upcoming THE WILD ONES.
Nafiza will be appearing in Fantastic Fiction and the Young Readers Book Club.
Upcoming Events
Nafiza Azad
Michael Hutchinson
David A. Robertson
Uzma Jalaluddin
Michael Hutchinson
Michael Hutchinson is a member of the Misipawistik Cree Nation, north of Winnipeg. He currently lives in Ottawa, Ontario where he works at the Assembly of First Nations, which advocates for First Nation families and communities across Canada. Prior to that, he spent 7 years as the host and producer of APTN National News. He wrote THE MIGHTY MUSKRATS mystery series to instill pride in Indigenous youth and educate others about First Nation communities, beliefs, and opinions.
Michael will be appearing in Fantastic Fiction for Young Readers.
Upcoming Events
David A. Robertson
David A. Robertson is the author of numerous books for young readers including When We Were Alone, which won the 2017 Governor General’s Literary Award and was nominated for the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award. Strangers, the first book in his Reckoner trilogy, a young adult supernatural mystery, won the 2018 Michael Van Rooy Award for Genre Fiction (Manitoba Book Awards). A sought-after speaker and educator, he is a member of the Norway House Cree Nation and currently lives in Winnipeg.
David will be appearing in Fantastic Fiction for Young Readers and Cherishing Indigenous Languages in Picture Books.
Upcoming Events
Nafiza Azad
Michael Hutchinson
David A. Robertson
Uzma Jalaluddin
Uzma Jalaluddin
Uzma Jalaluddin is the author of AYESHA AT LAST, and the forthcoming HANA KHAN CARRIES ON, both published by HarperCollins. She writes a parenting column for The Toronto Star, and has written for The Atlantic. Uzma lives in Markham, Ontario, with her husband and two sons, where she also teaches high school.
Uzam will be moderating Fantastic Fiction.
Upcoming Events
Ardo Omer
Ardo Omer has written for online platforms as a reviewer and critic for almost a decade. She’s been a judge for a few kids comics awards and is an advisor at the Canadian Comics Open Library.
Omer lives in Toronto, Ontario, where she serves as the Kids Coordinator for the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD).
Upcoming Events
Khary Mathurin
Khary Mathurin is a bookseller and education support manager at Another Story Bookshop. Born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario, he studied literature at the University of Toronto and got his start selling books at the gone-but-not-forgotten World’s Biggest Bookstore. At Another Story Bookshop, Khary promotes the store’s values of equity and social justice by helping teachers and teacher-librarians update their bookshelves with more diverse titles. And when he’s not immersed in the world of books, he can be found spinning tracks behind the decks as DJ K.
Upcoming Events
Jennifer Leason
Boozhoo, Aniin Keesis Sagay Egette Kwe nindiznikaaz (greetings, my name is First Shining Rays of Sunlight Woman).
Dr. Jennifer Leason is Anishinaabek and a member of Pine Creek Indian Band, Manitoba, and the author of BLUEBERRY PATCH. She is the proud mother of Lucas (age 11) and Lucy (age 9). Dr. Leason is a Canadian Institute of Health Research, Canada Research Chair, Tier II, Indigenous Maternal Child Wellness and an Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary.
Jennifer will be appearing in Cherishing Indigenous Languages in Picture Books.
Upcoming Events
Dallas Hunt
Dallas Hunt is Cree and a member of Wapsewsipi (Swan River First Nation) in Treaty 8 territory in Northern Alberta, Canada. He has had creative and critical work published in the Malahat Review, Arc Poetry, Canadian Literature, and the American Indian Culture and Research Journal. His first children’s book, AWÂSIS AND THE WORLD-FAMOUS BANNOCK, was published through Highwater Press in 2018, and was nominated for the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award.
Dallas will be appearing in Cherishing Indigenous Languages in Picture Books.
Upcoming Events
Waubgeshig Rice
Waubgeshig Rice is an author and journalist from Wasauksing First Nation on Georgian Bay. He has written three fiction titles, and his short stories and essays have been published in numerous anthologies. His most recent novel, MOON OF THE CRUSTED SNOW, was published in 2018 and became a national bestseller. He lives in Sudbury, Ontario with his wife and two sons.
Waub will be moderating Cherishing Indigenous Languages in Picture Books.
Upcoming Events
Debbie Ohi
Debbie Ridpath Ohi is the author and illustrator of Where Are My Books? and Sam & Eva (Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers). Her illustrations have appeared in books by Judy Blume and Michael Ian Black, among others. Her next picture book is Gurple & Preen, written by Linda Sue Park and illustrated by Debbie (2020, Simon & Schuster). For more info please visit DebbieOhi.com, @inkyelbows on Twitter, @inkygirl on Instagram and @debbieohi on YouTube.
Upcoming Events
Shane Burcaw
Shane Burcaw is the author of several award-winning books about disability, including the picture book NOT SO DIFFERENT: WHAT YOU REALLY WANT TO ASK ABOUT HAVING A DISABILITY. He is the President of a nonprofit organization called Laughing At My Nightmare, and a renowned public speaker who has performed across the country at places such as Harvard University, The University of Florida, The University of Connecticut, Princeton University, and many more.
Shane will be appearing in Not So Different.
Upcoming Events
Richard Van Camp
A proud Tlicho Dene from Fort Smith, NWT, Richard Van Camp is the author of 24 books out these past 24 years. He lives in Edmonton with his family.
Richard will be appearing in Writing KidLit Workshop for Young Writers.
Upcoming Events
Jillian Tamaki
Jillian Tamaki is a cartoonist and illustrator raised in Calgary. She currently lives in Toronto.
Jillian will be appearing in Writing KidLit Workshop [For Adults].
Upcoming Events
Danielle Murrell Cox
Danielle Murrell Cox is a minimalistic graphic designer from Canada. She graduated from the Graphic Design Program at Dawson College in 2011. In addition to her work as a graphic designer, she is an illustrator, author of the book MY HAIR, and the toy designer of the plush toys “Zuri & Dre”. Danielle is best known for her self-published colouring books Black Queens and Kings, which went viral on social media and gave her the opportunity to have a segment on NowThis and HER, among many other platforms.
Danielle will be appearing in The Big Birthday Bash.
Upcoming Events
Yolanda T. Marshall
Yolanda T. Marshall is a Guyanese-born Canadian author. Her storybooks A PIECE OF BLACK CAKE FOR SANTA, MILES AWAY IN THE CARIBBEAN, and MY SOCA BIRTHDAY PARTY represent Canadian children of Caribbean and African heritage. A world traveller, a jazz lover and a devoted mother, she embodies Art and takes her readers on adventurous, cultured journeys.
Yolanda will be appearing in The Big Birthday Bash.
Upcoming Events
Tina Athaide
Tina Athaide was born in Entebbe. After leaving Uganda she immigrated with her family to Canada from England. She has been a teacher for thirty years. Believing that books can present different experiences to children in an organic, natural way, she started publishing early literacy readers for the educational market before her debut book, ORANGE FOR THE SUNSETS. The MG book is a Junior Library Guild Selection and is nominated for a Silver Birch award by the Forest of Reading program in Canada.
Tina will be appearing in This Really Happened: True-To-Life Stories for Young Readers.
Upcoming Events
Michel Chikwanine
An accomplished motivational speaker and author of the book CHILD SOLDIER: WHEN BOYS AND GIRLS ARE USED IN WAR, Michel grew up in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Much of his childhood was ravaged by a war that claimed the lives of 5.8 million people; his father included, and forced him to be a refugee and child soldier. Now a United Nations Fellow for People of African Descent and graduate from the University of Toronto, he now inspires people to believe in their ability to fulfill their purpose.
Michel will be appearing in This Really Happened: True-to-Life Stories for Young Readers.
Upcoming Events
June Hur
June Hur was born in South Korea, raised in Canada, and studied History and Literature at the University of Toronto. She began writing her debut novel, THE SILENCE OF BONES, after obsessing over books about Joseon Korea. She lives in Toronto with her husband and daughter.
June will be appearing in This Really Happened: True-to-Life Stories for Young Readers.
Upcoming Events
Michelle Kadarusman
Michelle Kadarusman grew up in Melbourne, Australia, and has also lived in Indonesia. Her 2019 middle-grade novel GIRL OF THE SOUTHERN SEA was a finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award, a USBBY Outstanding International Books List selection and a NCTA Freeman Award honor book. Her previous novel, THE THEORY OF HUMMINGBIRDS, was a finalist for the Forest of Reading Silver Birch Award. Her latest middle-grade novel, MUSIC FOR TIGERS, was released in April 2020 and was chosen for the Washington Post’s KidsPost summer book club. Michelle lives in Toronto.
Michelle will be moderating This Really Happened: True-to-Life Stories for Young Readers.
Upcoming Events
Anuradha Rao
Anuradha Rao is a conservation biologist, writer and facilitator and editor of ONE EARTH: PEOPLE OF COLOUR PROTECTING OUR PLANET. She was born and raised in the traditional territories of the Anishinabewaki, Attiwonderonk and Haudenosaunee Nations and currently based in unceded Coast Salish Territories. She has worked on research, conservation and restoration projects with communities and organizations in Canada and internationally. Her worldview and approach to science are heavily influenced by teachings from her Hindu culture and from Indigenous knowledge holders.
Anuradha will be appearing in One Earth: Youth Rally for The Planet.
Upcoming Events
Kendi Borona
Kendi is a firm believer in the application of Indigenous Knowledge in the furtherance of just conservation regimes. Over the course of her career, she has worked towards the integration of natural and cultural heritage into a concrete whole, and to locate communities firmly in their landscapes. Her teaching philosophy is anchored on the belief that education should be transformational, and that it should help us create a just society for all beings.
Upcoming Events
Dominique Edwards
Dominique is a Black Womxn from the United States who is a Food Justice Activist fighting for a community controlled food system in Northwest Indiana. She is an expert in local and regional food systems, urban homesteader, and 2016 graduate of DePaul University.
Upcoming Events
Nana Firman
Nana Firman previously worked with the World Wildlife Fund in Indonesia, directing the Green Recovery efforts in the wake of earthquake and tsunami, and also engaged to create climate resiliency plans. She organized Islamic Declaration on Global Climate Change and later co-founded the Global Muslim Climate Network, which calls to all Muslim nations to transition from fossil-fuel to clean-energy based development. She was named as the White House Champion of Change by the US President Obama.
Upcoming Events
Nitya Chari Harris
Nitya lives adjacent to the Sooke Hills Wilderness Area and has a deep relationship with this land. Seeing increasing conflict between people, bears, cougars and wolves in the Capital Regional District of Victoria, BC, she founded the Coexisting with Carnivores Alliance to help address human-wildlife interactions and enhance tolerance toward carnivores. Nitya is a retired engineer and presently a member farmer and Director of the Lohbrunner Community Farm Cooperative in Langford, B.C.
Upcoming Events
Sameer Muldeen
Sameer has been a vegan activist for over 13 years. He has led many campaigns in Quebec with the Montreal Vegetarian Association, the Vegan Festival of Montreal, the Green Party of Canada and Radio Centre-Ville. Today Sameer is a full time executive for a student union and a part-time DJ and dance instructor.
Upcoming Events
Brandon Nguyen
Sameer has been a vegan activist for over 13 years. He has led many campaigns in Quebec with the Montreal Vegetarian Association, the Vegan Festival of Montreal, the Green Party of Canada and Radio Centre-Ville. Today Sameer is a full time executive for a student union and a part-time DJ and dance instructor.
Upcoming Events
Willi Nolan-Campbell
Willi Nolan Campbell is a Faithful Daughter of Creation.
Upcoming Events
Dipani Sutaria
An ecologist and an environmentalist who has been studying aquatic systems and marine mega fauna since 1999 in India. Dipani is also a re-wilder and native species gardner; and likes to spend time in nature, sensitising children to all the world has to offer in diversity and plurality. She also advises graduate and post graduate students. At home she lives with a cat and 8 dogs.
Upcoming Events
Kim Sander Wright
Kim is the ICCA Consortium’s Advisor for Coastal, Marine and Island Environments – Areas conserved by indigenous peoples and local communities. “Territories of Life” can still conserve biodiversity, culture, livelihoods and food sovereignty as they have done for millennia. As a Punjabi Canadian of mixed cultural origins she brings her personal experiences to ensuring this holistic approach to conservation is appropriately respected and that threats to ICCAs from land and ocean grabbing are removed.
Upcoming Events
Ken Wu
Ken Wu is the executive director of the Endangered Ecosystems Alliance. He studied ecology at the University of British Columbia, and has worked as a biologist, tree-planter and door canvasser. He previously was the executive director of the Ancient Forest Alliance and the Wilderness Committee’s Victoria chapter.
Upcoming Events
William Padilla-Brown
William Padilla-Brown is a self-trained citizen scientist versed in Mycology, Phycology, and Molecular Biology. William founded Mycosymbiotics a mushroom research company in 2015 and has been dedicated to developing a better understanding of Cordyceps militaris mushrooms. William teaches around the country on all things sustainable!
Upcoming Events
Britta Badour
Britta Badour, better known as Britta B., is a Kingston-born, Toronto-based spoken word poet, emcee and artist educator. She has mentored thousands of youth through arts programs initiated by organizations like JAYU (pronounced JAH-YOU), Poetry In Voice, Prologue Performing Arts and The Power Plant. Britta is an alumna of the Toronto Arts Council Leaders Lab and a member of the League of Canadian Poets. Currently, Britta is a Creative Writing MFA candidate at University of Guelph.
Britta will be appearing in Power Poems for Small Humans.
Upcoming Events
Joshna Maharaj
Joshna Maharaj is a chef, a two-time TEDx speaker, & activist who wants to help everyone have a better relationship with their food. Recently, Joshna has been working with hospitals & universities in Toronto to build new models for institutional food service. Her first book, TAKE BACK THE TRAY (May 2020), captures the lessons and experience from her work. Joshna is a regular guest on CBC Radio and she co-hosts a food podcast called HotPlate.
Joshna will be appearing in Our Little Kitchen.
Upcoming Events
Soyeon Kim
Soyeon Kim is a Korean-born artist and educator currently living in Toronto, Ontario. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts and Bachelor of Education from York University. She has participated in artist residencies at The Hermitage (St. Petersburg, Russia) and Spark Box Studios (Picton, Ontario). As a children’s picture book illustrator, she has participated in TD Book Week 2018 and Adelaide Writers’ Week (Australia) for the Kids’ Weekend in 2017.
Soyeon will be appearing in Learn to Illustrate with Soyeon Kim.
Upcoming Events
Ainara Alleyne
Ainara Alleyne is an 11 year old from Hamilton Ontario with a passion for reading, cosplay and acting.She started Ainara’s Bookshelf, a bookstagram highlighting BIPOC characters and books for young readers. She believes that through reading kids of all backgrounds can share in the humanity and experiences of diverse cultures. She hopes to someday add her own book to these adventures.
Ainara will be participating in The Young Readers Book Club with Nafiza Azad.
Upcoming Events
Buffy Sainte-Marie
Buffy Sainte-Marie has made her voice heard worldwide through her music, art, and activism, establishing herself among the ranks of music greats. Her long career has seen her rise to stardom on the festival and performing arts circuit, with forays into country, rock, folk, soundtracks, acting, activism, and children’s television. In 2020, she added children’s picture-book author to her incredible list of accomplishments with the release of HEY LITTLE ROCKABYE — A LULLABY FOR PET ADOPTION.
Buffy will be appearing in Hey Little Rockabye.
Upcoming Events
Adam Garnet Jones
Adam Garnet Jones is a Cree/Metis author, filmmaker and beadworker from Edmonton, Alberta. His first book, FIRE SONG, is based on his award winning feature film. He currently works as the Lead of Indigenous Initiatives at Telefilm Canada and the Canadian Media Fund.
Adam will be appearing in After Hours: Getting Reel with Adam Garnet Jones.
Upcoming Events
Hayley Moody
Manager of Provincial Engagement, LGBT YouthLine – Hayley is a queer, two-spirit mixed-race Anishinaabekwe with roots from along the shores of Georgian Bay, England and Germany, and currently lives in Gitche Namewikwedong [Owen Sound]. She spends a lot of her time being critical of the Canadian colonial state, and dreaming of land reclamation and youth-led revolutions.
Upcoming Events
Anu Radha Verma
Anu Radha Verma (she/her) is a queer, diasporic, sometimes-femme, a survivor, and someone who lives with mental health struggles. Anu Radha believes deeply in the brilliance of the suburbs, and works as an indepdent curator, a community-based consultant and a radio host. She organizes with QTBIPOC sauga, a grassroots gathering of queer and trans, Black, Indigenous and people of colour communities from across Peel.
Upcoming Events
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