AUTHORS & ILLUSTRATORS 

Shirley Barrie is a Toronto Playwright who has written for all grades, from Sucha and the Story Snatcher (K-3) to Straight Stitching (9-OAC). She has also written plays that explore the past such as Tripping Through Time which was created for the Workman Theatre Project. In addition to her writing and work as co-artistic director of Straight Stitching Productions, Shirley regularly gives student workshops through the Playwrights In Schools Program.

CHRIS JACKSON

Originally from Wales, Chris Jackson now lives in Nepean, Ontario where he runs his own design business. As a graphic designer, Chris has produced many books for other people but has now become the author/illustrator of the China Plate Farm series which debuted with Edmund and Hillary in 1997, followed by Edmund for short in 1998. A third book will appear this fall. In his workshops students get the opportunity to develop illustrations within a story of their own creation.

PENN KEMP

A prolific and versatile artist, Penn Kemp has published ten books, including Some Talk Magic and produced three plays, including The Epic of Toad and Heron. Her fascinating sound poetry has led her to collaborations with actors and musicians and her training as a teacher gives her a wonderful
talent to motivate and inspire students with her infectious enthusiasm.

RUKHSANA KHAN

Rukhsana was born in Pakistan and emigrated to Canada at age 3. She began by writing for community magazines and then went on to create songs and stories for children's videos. Her five books include Bedtime Ba-a-a-lk and the newly released Muslim Child. In addition to her writing, Rukshana is a storyteller who shares tales of India, Persia and the Middle East and gives presentations about Muslims and Islam.

CLAIRE MACKAY

Claire was born in Toronto and got her first job, as a clerk in a library, at the age of 10. She graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in politics and economics and then worked as a research librarian and medical social worker. She took her inspiration from the lives of her three growing sons and finally began writing. Young people immediately identified with her first book Mini-Bike Hero and with later characters in books such as Exit Barney McGee and the award winning One Proud Summer.

AINSLIE MANSON

Award winning author, Ainslie Manson, was born and raised in the Montreal area but now makes her home in Vancouver. In the sixties she worked in
public relations and tried periodical writing but discovered her true calling in the field of children's literature after the births of her three sons. Since that time she has been succesful with adventure, Mr. McUmphie of Caufield Cove, biographies, Simon Fraser, and historical fiction, A Dog Came, Too and Baboo.

SYLVIA McNICOLL

Though she enjoyed writing from grade four on, Sylvia thought all books were written by the British or dead Americans. It was only when she stayed home to raise her three children that she parlayed her love of children and her love of writing into a successful career. Since thet time she has won both the Silver Birch and Manitoba Young Readers' Awards for Bringing Up Beauty and has published a total of twelve novels including the newly released Grave Secrets.

ROBIN MULLER

Robin studied art and graphic design in College and has exhibited extensively since his graduation. His collections reside at Rothmans Canada, CITY-TV and Australia's Dromkeen Collection. His "wild, evocative, haunting" (Toronto Star) illustrations grace the pages of his award winning books, Mollie Whuppie and the Giant, The Nightwood, and The Magic Paintbrush. He has also produced The Magic Paintbrush and acted as special effects designer.