Presenters Archive

Aimee Reid is an author with a background in education and editing. She taught high school English, Music, and Special […]

We’re really excited here at Telling Tales because we’re teaming up with Ainara who hosts the amazing Instagram page Ainara’s Bookshelf, where she […]

AK is a Nigerian born poet/rapper living in Vaughan, Ontario. When he isn’t studying Economics at McMaster University, he’s dedicating his […]

Alisa Siegel makes radio documentaries for the CBC, for which she has won many international awards. Her docs have covered […]

Introducing The Almost Epic Squad — a new multi-author, middle-grade series about ordinary kids who develop some very unusual superpowers. […]

Ambreen Butt-Hussain was born in Pakistan but lived in England and Scotland before finally settling in Canada. She has a […]

ANDREA CURTIS’s children’s non-fiction titles include A Forest in the City, City of Water, City Streets are for People and […]

Andrew is the author of over twenty picture books including Me, Toma and the Concrete Garden; A Squiggly Story; The […]

Andy G and Friends bring to the stage a whole bunch of fun, singalong, danceable, toe-tapping tunes in their children’s/family […]

Angela Misri is an award-winning Toronto journalist and author who writes detective fiction inspired by her birth country, Great Britain. […]

Annie Webber is an animator and educator living and working in Hamilton, Ontario. Her works come from environments created and […]

Anoosha Syed is a Pakistani-Canadian illustrator and character designer for animation, based in Texas. She graduated with a BFA in […]

Arthur Slade was raised on a ranch in the Cypress Hills of Saskatchewan, completing his first novel when he was […]

Author and illustrator Ashley Spires grew up in Tsawwassen, British Columbia and after stints living in Toronto and Saskatoon, she […]

Barbara Reid is one of Canada’s most renowned and well-known illustrators. Her unique clay modelling technique is known around the […]

Basil Sylvester is an author, student, sort-of editor, bookseller, and occasional backstage person in community theatre. Their debut book The […]

Becky Han is an Inuk singer-songwriter who grew up in the small and beautiful community of Ikpiarjuk (Arctic Bay) in […]

Ben Philippe describes himself as a “Black French-Canadian writer. Basically, the guy across the hall if your life was a […]

Britt Wilson is an Eisner and Harvey Award-nominated letterer, cartoonist and illustrator. She works on various comics and series, including […]

BRITTANY LUBY, of Anishinaabe descent, was raised on Treaty #3 Lands in what is now known as northwestern Ontario. She […]

Join BPL’s talented troupe of tale spinners under The Big White Tent. Enjoy stories and puppet shows that’ll tickle your […]

Burlington Student Theatre is a community-based program for youth that provides opportunities in performance study, technical development, leadership, social skills, […]

Cale Atkinson is an illustrator, writer and animator living lakeside with his family in Kelowna, British Columbia. Cale is constantly […]

Carmen Mok is an award-winning illustrator with prior experience in product design, hand-lettering and graphic design. She made the 2019 […]

Chad Solomon is a member of the Henvey Inlet, First Nation. As a child, he and his family would visit with […]

Charlene Chua draws many things, from baos to dragons, and everything in between. When they are not drawing, they enjoy […]

Chief Lady Bird is a First Nations (Potawatomi and Chippewa) artist from Rama First Nation. Her Anishinaabe name is Ogimaakwebnes, […]

Ladybird Fancypants isn’t your average drag queen. She wears pants and (gasp!) flats and she’s also mastered the art of […]

Christopher Steininger has done storyboards for numerous shows and video games, including Marvel’s Avengers Assemble and Spec Ops: The Line. […]

Cornelia Li is a Chinese-born illustrator currently based in Toronto. She is intrigued by narrative woven into daily interactions between […]

An experienced science communicator, Dr. Cylita Guy spent ten years working as a Host at the Ontario Science Centre. She […]

Danielle Daniel is an award-winning author and illustrator whose journey into art making and book publishing has gone hand in […]

Darcy Whitecrow is Ojibwe and Dakota; he is a member of the Seine River First Nation band in Northwestern Ontario, […]

David A. Robertson is the author of numerous books for young readers, including Governor General’s Literary Award winners When We […]

Canadian Métis author and literacy advocate David Bouchard has produced more than 50 books for readers of all ages. A […]

Debbie Ridpath Ohi is the author of Where Are My Books?. Her illustrations also appear in Sea Monkey and Bob, […]

Deborah is an award-winning author, a feminist and a peace activist. Deborah penned the international bestseller The Breadwinner, as well […]

Deborah Falaye is a Nigerian Canadian young adult author. She grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, where she spent her time […]

Deborah Kerbel is the critically acclaimed, award-winning author of several books for young people of all ages. Deborah was born […]

Dennis Lee is Toronto’s first Poet Laureate, an Officer of the Order of Canada and the author of timeless children’s […]

Dirk McLean was born in Trinidad and came to Toronto as a teenager. He is the author of a series […]

Dom Pelletier started drawing cartoons at a young age and has never put his crayons down. While working as a […]

Meet Hamilton-local author, script-writer, and actor Duane Murray. He explores grief and intergenerational relationships in his heartwarming graphic novel, Better […]

Elizabeth MacLeod is the author of many Canadian nonfiction titles including the Canada Close Up series titles Canadian Government, Canada’s […]

Eric Walters has written over 120 books that have been translated into 15 languages and won over 100 awards. He […]

Erin Alladin is an editor, writer, and ecology enthusiast who is always looking for ways to combine her passions. Born […]

Erin Bow is a physicist turned poet turned children’s novelist—and she’s won major awards in all three roles. Erin is […]

Erin Bow was born in the American Midwest and studied particle physics in college, eventually working at the CERN laboratory […]

Esi Edugyan, best known for her adult novels Half-Blood Blues and Washington Black, is making her children’s literature debut with […]

Etienna is a member of the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation in Treaty 8 territory in the province of Alberta. She has […]

Etienna Moostoos-Lafferty is a member of the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation in Treaty 8 territory in the province of Alberta. […]

Meet “Iron Gabe” Crimeli. After a 3 and a half year fight #irongabe can finally say he completed his 3.5 […]

Godfrey Nkongolo is a doctoral student in political science with extensive experience working in international and community development in Tanzania. […]

What do you do when a walk through the woods with your kids gives you the inspiration for a TV […]

Jason Hachey, aka Hachey the MouthPEACE, is a Beatboxer from Hamilton, Ontario. Every sound in his music comes from one […]

Hamilton Children’s Choir is committed to providing children and youth with rich musical education and performance opportunities, to create a […]

Hamilton You Poets (HYP) was created in 2012 to give our community’s youth the opportunity to develop their creative skills […]

Hamilton You Poets are a community grounded in the belief that all people have important stories to tell. HYP includes […]

Heather Kuzyk is a versatile and creative visual artist. She is a graduate of the esteemed Sheridan College in both […]

Heather M. O’Connor is an award-winning children’s author and freelance writer based in Peterborough, Ontario. She first learned about Ojibwe […]

Heather Smith is the author of several books including the middle-grade novel Ebb & Flow, which was shortlisted for the […]

Helaine Becker is the award-winning children’s author of over 80 books, including Hubots, Monster Science, Zoobotsand The Big Green Book of the Big Blue Sea. Helaine […]

Irene Luxbacher is an illustrator, children’s book author, and a graduate of Queen’s University and Emily Carr University of Art […]

Ishta Mercurio is an author and actor. Originally from Cincinnati, Ishta now lives in Brampton, Ontario, where she films and […]

J. Torres won the Shuster Award for Outstanding Writer for his work on Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, Love […]

Jael Richardson has presented to audiences of all ages across Canada and is also the author of The Stone Thrower, […]

Janet Wilson is an author, illustrator, and artist. Janet’s latest book, Our Rights: How Kids Are Changing The World, shows that […]

Jay Odjick is an artist and writer from the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Algonquin community,  just outside of Maniwaki, Quebec. He […]

Jen Sookfong Lee was born and raised on Vancouver’s East Side, and she now lives with her son in North […]

Jennifer Faria is an illustrator, painter and graphic designer who studied at Central Technical School and George Brown College in […]

Jennifer Maruno is the author of seven novels for middle grade and young adult readers as well as the picture […]

Jennifer Mook-Sang was born in Guyana, South America, and moved to Canada at the age of fourteen, where she eventually […]

Jeremy Tankard is the author and illustrator of some very silly picture books including Grumpy Bird, Boo Hoo Bird, Hungry […]

Jess Keating is an award-winning author, cartoonist, and zoologist, whose work has been featured in the New York Times, CBC, […]

Jing Jing Tsong is a mom, musician, and surfer whose grown-up job is drawing pictures. Her technique, which layers colour […]

Jo Ellen Bogart was born in Houston, Texas and grew up in several Texas cities. For the last 40 years, […]

Jo Storm is a writer currently living in Sudbury, Ontario. She grew up in Muskoka, and makes frequent pilgrimages back […]

Joanne Robertson is AnishinaabeKwe and a member of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. She received her Fine Arts degree from Algoma University and […]

Jodie Callaghan is from the Mi’gmaq First Nation in Gespe’gewa’gi (Quebec). She started writing stories when she was 8 years […]

Joel A. Sutherland is the Silver Birch and Hackmatack Award-winning author of numerous Haunted Canada books and the Red Maple […]

Johnnie Christmas is a #1 New York Times bestselling graphic novelist. Best known for co-creating the series Angel Catbird with […]

Winner of the 2010 Governor General’s Award for English-Language children’s illustration, The Caldecott Medal and the Kate Greenaway Medal, Jon […]

Jon-Erik Lappano’s debut picture book, Tokyo Digs a Garden, illustrated by Kellen Hatanaka, won the Governor General’s Literary Award and […]

Jonathan Auxier is a NYT Bestselling author of strange stories for strange children. His first novel, Peter Nimble and his […]

Hamilton born and raised, Josh Taylor is an award winning Hip-Hop and Street Dance rooted dancer, choreographer and storyteller. He […]

Jude Johnson is one of Canada’s finest vocalists and has been performing for both adults and children for over 40 years. Jude began […]

Award-winning author Karen Bass is an avid reader who found her passion for writing while working at her local library […]

Kate Moss Gamblin’s Canadian identity springs from our delightful Earth – from toes in the waters of Muskoka to facing […]

Joining us virtually from Vancouver, British Columbia, Kathleen Gros is a cartoonist. You may recognize her distinctive illustrative style from […]

Kathy Kacer is the award-winning author of over twenty books about the Holocaust, including The Secret of Gabi’s Dresser and […]

Keltie Thomas is the author of Do Fish Fart? and How Hockey Works, as well as many other highly acclaimed […]

A long-time friend of Telling Tales, Kenneth Oppel is the award-winning author of the Silverwing trilogy that has sold over […]

Since escaping from university with a pair of degrees in theoretical physics, Kevin Sands has worked as a researcher, a […]

Kevin Sylvester is a fan favourite at Telling Tales! He wears many hats both literally and figuratively. In addition to […]

Krista McNaughton is an actor, stand-up comedian, and writer from Hamilton. She is a graduate of the Theatre Arts Performance […]

Lana Button’s picture books have been recognized as Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s Best Bets and the IBBY Outstanding Book for […]

Laura Ellis is an award-winning actor, director, writer and arts educator in the theatre and film industry. Over the past […]

Lawrence Hill is perhaps …best known for the award-winning and internationally bestselling author of The Book of Negroes, which was made […]

Lesley Livingston is an award-winning author of teen fiction, including the Wondrous Strange trilogy, which was named one of the “100 young adult […]

LLexy the Rap Dad is a children’s author and rapping dad from Ajax, Ontario. The creator of Friendly Fables (add […]

Linh Nguyen is a Vietnamese immigrant to Canada who straddles many intersecting worlds. Her stories revolve around home, liminality, and […]

GirlCanCreate is Lisa Pijuan-Nomura. A multidisciplinary artist and creativity coach, Lisa has been interested in spreading the good word of […]

Mahtab Narsimhan is an award-winning author with numerous critically acclaimed books including The Third Eye, which won the Silver Birch […]

Maika Harper is a Canadian actress, model, and author born and raised in the Arctic. She starred in APTN’s hit […]

Marie-Louise Gay is an internationally acclaimed children’s book author and illustrator. She is best known for her Stella and Sam […]

Megan Kearney is a Toronto-based cartoonist. Her work has appeared in publications from Dark Horse, Bedside Press, Fairylogue Press, and […]

Melanie Florence is a writer of Cree and Scottish heritage. Her close relationship with her grandfather sparked her interest in […]

Author and illustrator Mélanie Watt is the bestselling creative genius behind many beloved picture books for children, including the Scaredy […]

Melodie Campbell is the award-winning author of over two hundred publications, including a hundred comedy credits, forty short stories and […]

Michael Hutchinson is a member of the Misipawistik Cree Nation, north of Winnipeg. He is the author of the Mighty […]

Mireille Messier is a Montreal-born, Ottawa-raised and now Toronto-based award-winning children’s writer and voice over artist. Before becoming an author, Mireille […]

Mireille Messier is a Montreal-born, Ottawa-raised, and now Toronto-based author, freelance writer, and voice-over artist with a background in theatre […]

Monique Gray Smith is an international speaker and award-winning author. She wrote When We Are Kind to prompt a dialogue […]

With his guitar in hand and a childlike enthusiasm & energy, Mr. Ben’s signature blend of folk & pop grabs […]

Mr. Chris and the Gassy Bubbles is a rock and roll family band based out of Cambridge. The Bubbles have […]

My Friend Christopher performs original songs that explore family life from diverse perspectives—parent and kid, cat and dog. His debut […]

Nadia L. Hohn is an award-winning author of several books for young people, including the Malaika series, Harriet Tubman: Freedom […]

Naseem Hrab is a writer and storyteller, and the author of the Ira Crumb series and Weekend Dad. Her comedy […]

Follow Nathalie as she spins original and classic tales that will engage, inspire and tickle the funny bone. Her performances […]

Neil Pasricha thinks, writes, and speaks about intentional living. All his current work focuses under themes of gratitude, happiness, failure, […]

Nicola Winstanley has always believed in the power of stories to bring comfort. She is the author of The Pirate’s Bed, […]

Nicola Winstanley has always believed in the power of stories to bring comfort. She is the author of The Pirate’s […]

Patricia Storms is a writer and illustrator with over twenty years’ experience. Her work has been featured in Chirp and […]

Paul Covello is an illustrator and art director, and the nationally bestselling creator of Canada ABC, Canada 123 and Everyday […]

The rewarding thing about cartooning is that it’s completely yours… you can express your ideas any time you like! I […]

Qin Leng is a designer and illustrator. She grew up surrounded by paintings, and it became second nature for her to […]

Richard Scrimger has written more than twenty books for children and adults, including Zomboy and Downside Up, many of which […]

Rina Singh has published several critically acclaimed books for children inspired by her Indian Canadian heritage, including Diwali Lights, Holi […]

Long before he started writing books, Robert Munsch was a storyteller. The first time he told his stories to a […]

Roselynn Akulukjuk was born in Pangnirtung, Nunavut, in the Canadian Arctic. In 2012 she enrolled in the Toronto Film School […]

Ruth has been a long time friend and presenter at the Telling Tales Festival and we are looking forward to […]

S.J. Okemow is a Nehiyaw (Cree) and Eastern European multidisciplinary artist. mî Osâwâpikones (Dear Dandelion) is her debut picture book. […]

S. K. Ali, the author of Saints and Misfits, returns to Telling Tales with the romantic sequel to Love from […]

Salma Hussain grew up in the UAE and immigrated to Canada when she was 13 years old. Her short stories […]

Sarabeth Holden lives in Toronto. Sarabeth grew up between Nova Scotia, Nunavut, New Brunswick, and Ontario. She is now the […]

Sarah was born in Montreal, Canada. After graduating with an honors degree in English literature from McGill University, she moved […]

Sarah Raughley returns to Telling Tales with The Song of Wrath – the highly anticipated sequel to The Bones of […]

Sarena Nanua and Sasha Nanua are twin sisters living in Ontario, Canada. Born on Diwali 10 minutes apart from each […]

Sharon, Lois, and Bram are some of Canada’s most popular and loved children’s performers, with fans across the world. Every […]

Sharon Jennings has written over seventy books for young people – picture books, chapter books, novels for reluctant readers, mid-grade […]

Shauntay Grant is an award-winning Canadian writer and multidisciplinary artist. A former poet laureate for the City of Halifax, she is the author […]

Shawn Daley is a Toronto-based cartoonist and chiptunist. His illustrations bring the graphic novel, Better Place, to life!

Sheree Fitch has been a groundbreaking force in the literary arts and literacy community throughout Canada and beyond since 1987. […]

Sherry J. Lee has worked in the book industry for many years, first as a bookseller and then in publishing. […]

Simon Frank is a Hamilton-based artist who utilizes the natural environment as the source of both raw materials and inspiration […]

Stagecoach Performing Arts Milton & Burlington is proud to offer high quality performing arts training to kids! Our aim is […]

Steven P. Hughes is an award-winning Canadian illustrator whose clients include the Globe and Mail, Reader’s Digest and Scientific American. […]

Sunshine Tenasco is Anishinabeg, from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, Quebec. Seeing a drawing of an Indigenous child on a book cover […]

Les Stroud’s work as a filmmaker, author, and musician has been celebrated around the globe. Credited with creating the survival […]

Susan Aglukark is Canada’s first Inuk artist to win a JUNO. She has also won a Governor General’s Performing Arts […]

Susin Nielsen got her start feeding cast and crew on the popular television series Degrassi Junior High. They hated her […]

Suzanne Del Rizzo has always loved getting her hands messy. She traded her job in scientific research for a career […]

Sylv Chiang is a middle grade teacher by day and a writer of middle grade fiction by night. She wrote […]

Ever since she was in grade four, Sylvia McNicoll has been writing stories. Now she has over 35 books published […]

Tanaz Bhathena is the author of The Beauty of the Moment, as well as the critically acclaimed A Girl Like […]

Tanya “Tee” Pineda is an emerging Spoken Word poet from Hamilton, Ontario who has just begun her studies in Creative Writing at the […]

Tara Hungerford and Eric Hogan are a husband-and-wife team who created The Gumboot Kids, an award-winning CBC program for children […]

Ted Staunton wrote his first story as a class assignment at university. He barely handed it in on time, but […]

The Fan brothers (Terry and Eric) are a perfect mix of artistic talent and wondrous storytelling. Their illustrations include a […]

Thomas King is an award-winning writer and photographer. His critically acclaimed, bestselling fiction includes Medicine River; Green Grass, Running Water; […]

Tory Woollcott is a cartoonist, writer, literacy educator and advocate who lives in Toronto. Her first graphic novel, Mirror Mind, was […]

Treasa Levasseur is currently the Program and Community Engagement Manager at Folk Alliance International, as well as a JUNO-nominated songwriter […]

Valerie Sherrard was born in 1957 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and grew up in various parts of Canada. Valerie’s sixth […]

Vicki Grant is the author of seventeen books. Her books have consistently garnered her recognition from the American Library Association, […]

Vikki VanSickle is a long-time friend of Telling Tales! Vikki returns for a sixth season to share her new middle […]

An alumnus of RBC’s Top 25 Canadian Immigrants, Wali Shah serves his hometown as Poet Laureate for the City of […]

Wesley King is the author of the Edgar Award–winning OCDaniel, which Booklist praised as “complex and satisfying” in a starred […]

Join MEMBERS OF THE WHITE PINE DANCERS, Dan Secord, of Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation  AND OJIBWAY STORYTELLER AARON BELL, for a […]

Meet author, Yolanda T. Marshall, as she shares her picture book, Hot Cross Buns for Everyone with us! Yolanda was […]

Calling all middle grade readers! Zetta Elliott is the author of over 25 books for young readers, including the award-winning […]