Meet our PYI 2023 Speakers

Naseem Hrab has worked in children’s publishing for over 15 years. She’s the Associate Publisher, Creative at Kids Can Press, a former librarian of the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, and a Governor General’s Literary Award-winning children’s book author. She has written many books including Otis & Peanut, How to Party Like a Snail and The Sour Cherry Tree.

Michael Hutchinson is a member of the Misipawistik Cree Nation and is dedicated to telling First Nation stories and advocating for First Nations issues. Having worked in both communications and journalism, he has been the Press Secretary for the National Chief as well as a host for APTN National News and CTV Morning Live Winnipeg. He is currently working on the fifth book in his Mighty Muskrat Mystery Series. 

Sharon Jennings has spent 45 years toiling in the children’s publishing business. She has written over 70 books for young people, been nominated for the GG award twice, and works as a writing instructor and editor. Her experience as a juror for the Governor General’s Literary Awards led her to new insights about writers’ craft. 

Kathy Kacer is the author of more than 30 books focusing on the Second World War and the Holocaust, including The Secret of Gabi’s Dresser, Hiding Edith, Broken Strings, and Under the Iron Bridge. A winner of numerous awards in Canada and the US, Kathy travels the world speaking to young people about the importance of keeping the memory of the Holocaust alive.

Andrew Larsen is the author of over 20 picture books including Jungle Cat, The Imaginary Garden and A Squiggly Story. Andrew became an author when he became a stay-at-home dad. He believes we all have stories to tell and our own ways of telling them. His next book, Sally's New Look, was inspired by his dog.

Joanne Levy has written several books for tween readers, including the award-winning Sorry For Your Loss, set in a funeral home. She can be found at her computer, creating spreadsheets (sometimes just for fun) or channeling her younger self into books. Joanne lives in rural Ontario with her husband and pets, one of whom vomited during the writing of this bio.  

Serah-Marie McMahon is an acquiring editor and marketing associate at Annick Press, specializing in graphic novels. She co-authored Killer Style: How Fashion Has Injured, Maimed & Murdered Throughout History, which won the Norma Fleck Award for best Canadian children’s nonfiction in 2019. Serah-Marie was also a bookseller with Type Books and the publisher of WORN Fashion Journal.

Jennifer Maruno began her writing career with a pickle contest. She received her BA from Waterloo University and M. Ed from Brock University. She is the author of seven award-nominated novels for middle grade and young adult readers, as well as the picture book Moose’s Roof. As well as writing, Jennifer enjoys the literary roles of editing and mentoring. 

Suharu Ogawa is a librarian-turned-illustrator originally from Japan. She has illustrated several books on STEM and social science for Annick Press/Ontario Science Centre and Orca Book Publishers, as well as fiction books for kids. Suharu also teaches illustration at OCAD University, Toronto. 

Peter Phillips is an editor with Tundra Book Group who enjoys working on picture books, graphic novels, and fiction for middle-grade readers and teens. He is the editor of Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao, a #1 New York Times bestseller, and has co-edited a number of titles, including Ben Clanton's Narwhal and Jelly series. He is especially interested in fantasy, science fiction, and horror.

Miki Sato is a mixed-media illustrator who uses a variety of textiles and papers to create layered, three-dimensional illustrations. She enjoys experimenting with textures and spends her days cutting and pasting tiny pieces of her illustrations together. She has illustrated Golden Threads, the Weather Days series, While You Sleep, and more. Originally from Ottawa, she currently resides in Toronto. 

Adam Schafer grew up immersed in books, art, movies and comics. He studied film at Humber College and currently works in visual effects production, having helped make such films and TV shows as The Shape of Water, Nightmare Alley and The Expanse. He strives to make his picture books a cinematic experience.

Katie Scott is an editor at Kids Can Press. Her books have won numerous awards and accolades, including Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal Best Books of the Year and the Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction. She has served on the board of directors for IBBY Canada, and on the nomination committee for the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration.

Ken Setterington is the former Children and Youth Advocate for Toronto Public Library. He received the Meritorious Service Medal from the Governor General of Canada for his work bringing children and literature together. His most recent book is The LGBT Purge and the Fight for Equal Rights in Canada. 

Sadé Smith is the Canadian children's book author of Granny’s Kitchen and Julia and the Mango Tree. Her books often involve colorful illustrations to capture the vibrancy and beauty of the Caribbean islands. She is very passionate about literature and writes books of representation for young readers. Sadé can be found on social media @stc_smith or via her website www.sadetsmith.com. 

Shelley Tanaka is an editor, writer, teacher and translator. She is the long-time fiction editor at Groundwood Books and has written 30 books for young readers. She is a mentor for Whale Rock Workshops, and teaches at Vermont College of Fine Arts in the MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults.

J. Torres is a Filipino-Canadian comic book writer, perhaps best known for his work on DC’s all-ages Teen Titans Go, Batman, and Adventure Comics. His graphic novels for kids include Brobots, How to Spot a Sasquatch, Lola: A Ghost Story, Planet Hockey, and Stealing Home. He lives in Whitby, Ontario, with his wife, two sons, and their Morkie. 

Meet Dr. Kari-Lynn Winters – an award-winning Canadian author, playwright, performer, elementary school teacher, and academic scholar, with over 30 books since 2007. As a full professor at Brock University, Kari-Lynn inspires future educators with her love of literacy and the arts. Her research delves into equitable arts education, authorship, children’s literature, and embodied literacies. Learn more at www.kariwinters.com.