Like many readers, Ashley’s love of books began with an exceptional teacher and a paper bookworm covered in stickers. That early spark grew into a lifelong passion for stories and for helping young people discover the worlds waiting between the pages.
As a teacher and volunteer with the Ontario Library Association, Ashley created curriculum and resources that invited kids to explore, imagine, and connect through reading. In an unexpected plot twist, she turned the page on a career in the classroom and stepped into curriculum design and leadership at Girl Guides of Canada. There, she works alongside passionate colleagues to create opportunities for kids and teens to build confidence through play, exploration, and discovery.
Through her work with the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, Ashley has contributed to Book News and Best Books for Kids & Teens, reading nearly a hundred books each year in search of stories that will delight young readers. She also loves festivals like Telling Tales and Forest of Reading, where she gets to connect authors with readers, including herself.
When she’s not reading, Ashley can be found building miniatures with her kiddo, watching movies with her husband, laughing with friends, or cuddling her feline family members.