Johanna Wagstaffe is the meteorologist and science host for CBC Vancouver and CBC News Network. She is the author of Little Cloud: The Science of a Hurricane and Fault Lines: Understanding the Power of Earthquakes. With a background in seismology, geophysics and earth science, Johanna has covered a wide range of science stories, from the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire and the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami to the Paris Climate Change Conference. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.
JULIE MCLAUGHLIN is an illustrator living in Vancouver, BC.
CHRIS TOUGAS is a writer-illustrator who loves dogs, the great outdoors, writing fun stories and making art. He has studied art and animation in both Canada and the United States and has worked in film animation at Disney and other studios. Chris now lives and works in Victoria, British Columbia.
Mark Leiren-Young is an award-winning author, screenwriter, playwright and filmmaker. He is the author of three books about whales for children: Orcas Everywhere: The Mystery and History of Killer Whales (which was short-listed for a Red Cedar Book Award and the Information Book Award and won the City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize), Orcas of the Salish Sea and Big Whales, Small World (which were all commended as selections for the 2020 CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens). He has also written two books about sharks, including Sharks Forever: The Mystery and History of the Planet’s Perfect Predator (which was commended as an Honor Book for the 2023 Green Earth Book Award) and Big Sharks, Small World. He has written TV shows for young viewers for Netflix, CBC, ABC, BBC Kids and PBS. He wrote, directed and produced the award-winning documentary The Hundred-Year-Old Whale. Mark hosts the podcast Skaana, sharing ocean stories, and is actively involved in the fight for the survival of the endangered southern resident orcas. He lives in Saanich, British Columbia.
Heather Smith is the author of many critically acclaimed children's books, including The Agony of Bun O'Keefe and The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota's Garden. Her middle-grade novel in verse, Ebb & Flow, won the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award and was nominated for the Governor General's Literary Award. Originally from Newfoundland, Heather now lives in Waterloo, Ontario, with her husband and three children. Her East Coast roots inspire much of her writing.
Brooke Kerrigan is the illustrator of Kiss Me, I'm a Prince! and Dog Breath. She alternates between her homes in Toronto and the French Alps.
Alison Hughes is an award-winning author of many books for children and young adults, including The Silence Slips In, winner of the R. Ross Annett Award for Children’s Literature and Hit the Ground Running, a nominee for the Governor General's Literary Award. Alison is a university Writing Advisor, volunteers with children and literacy groups and gives frequent workshops and presentations at schools, libraries, festivals and conferences across Canada. She lives in Edmonton with her family.
Holly Hatam is the illustrator of the #1 New York Times bestsellers Dear Girl, and Dear Boy, which she had the pleasure of creating with Amy, Paris, and Jason Rosenthal. Some of her other books include Made by Maxine, written by Ruth Spiro, and Jack (Not Jackie), written by Erica Silverman. Holly lives in Whitby, Ontario, with her wacky husband and even wackier son.