Young readers, this is something for you and the young at heart! You’re invited to a morning of stories, sharing and selfies with two amazing Canadian authors: Kevin Sylvester and Joan Marie Galat. This is your chance to hear them read from their latest books and ask them about how they write, how they got published, what inspires them, and their tips for young writers. Where: Murray Family Public Library in Pictou. When: In the morning on Friday June 20, 2025. Watch this space for more details!
Joan Marie Galat
Joan Marie Galat was first published at age 12, when she became a paid weekly newspaper columnist. Now an award-winning author of more than 30 titles, her books include Make Your Mark, Make a Difference (Aladdin/Beyond Words) — for kids who want to change the world — and Mortimer: Rat Race to Space (DCB) — about a lab rat who sets out to use YouTube and science to prove his species should be part of a future mission to Mars. Joan wrote Solve This! (National Geographic Kids) to show kids how to solve problems like an engineer and the Dot to Dot in the Sky series (Whitecap Books) to present science and stories about the night sky. Joan has traveled extensively to promote literacy and science, and was recognized with the Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund award in 2024. She shares her office with two noisy budgies who won’t stay off her keyboard.
https://joangalat.com/
Kevin Sylvester
Kevin Sylvester has written and illustrated more than thirty books for kids.
His latest novel is Apartment 713 – a time travel mystery. It won three major awards, all voted on by kids – The Silver Birch (Ontario), SunDogs (Manitoba) and Red Cedar (BC.)
His novel, Time Surfers, will be out in Fall 2025 from Harper Collins.
He also has a new non-fiction book, Soccerology, due in 2026 from Annick.
He’s also the co-writer and illustrator of The Fabulous Zed Watson! (along with his kid Basil). It’s the story of a non-binary kid who goes on a cross-continental adventure in search of the greatest monster book of all time! It’s on the short-list for the 2021 Governor General’s award and the TD Book of the Year Award. There’s a sequel too! Night of the Living Zed.
He also has a new graphic novel, Puffin and Penguin, with Helaine Becker.
His series, The Hockey Super-Six, has 8 books. These highly illustrated books tell the stories of six nerdy kids who get zapped with radiation and turn into super hockey players.
His other novels range from science fiction (The MINRs trilogy) to mystery novels (The Neil Flambé Capers), and other super-heroes (Mucus Mayhem).
His picture books include Gargantua (Jr.): Defender of Earth, Super-Duper Monster, GREAT and Splinters.
He also writes and illustrates non-fiction books. There are sports books (Gold Medal for Weird, Basketballogy, Baseballogy) and books on financial literacy (Follow Your Stuff and Follow Your Money.)
He loves doing school visits, in person or virtual, and is a regular at literary festivals across Canada.
Our WordPlay Interviewer:
Fifteen-year old William Butland (AKA Wild Willie) knows the importance of reading and sharing his love of books with his YouTube channel. Discover new favourites - and remember old ones – with a focus on Canadian authors, especially Atlantic writers as Wild Willie interviews them on location throughout Nova Scotia. With reviews, readings and interviews with well-known and emerging authors, Wild Willie celebrates literacy in a big way!
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