Meet our PYI 2026 Speakers

Publisher, Patsy Aldana founded Groundwood Books in 1978 to address the need for Canadian books for children. Her passion for children’s publishing brought her to IBBY where she filled the roles of president, chair of the Hans Christian Andersen Award, and chair of the IBBY Trust. Through Aldana Libros, an imprint of Greystone Kids, Patsy continues in her pursuit to publish the best books for children from around the world.

Delano Brown is a Jamaican Canadian, multidisciplinary artist and storyteller whose creative work celebrates Black culture and everyday magic. Known for his poetic voice and powerful visual aesthetic, My Neighborhood is his debut picture book.

Leonarda Carranza is the author of Abuelita & Me, Fighting Words, and The Friendship Blanket. Her books have been nominated for numerous awards including a Blue Spruce and a Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award. Her picture book, Abuelita and Me, won an International Latino Book Award. Leonarda was born in El Salvador and currently resides in Treaty 19, Brampton, Ontario. She holds a PhD in social justice education.

Susan Currie is a Cayuga-Acadian author of several MG and YA novels including Basket of Beethoven (Fitzhenry & Whiteside), The Mask that Sang (Second Story Press), Iz the Apocalypse (Common Deer Press), and Fierce Voice (Common Deer Press). She has also written three non-fiction texts for young people (Beech Street Books). Her books have been finalists for multiple awards and honours.

Andrea Curtis is an award-winning author whose books for children and adults have been published around the world. Her latest non-fiction includes The Story and Science of Hope, Loop de Loop, and the four books in Groundwood’s ThinkCities series about urban systems and sustainability. Andrea is a former editor at some of Canada’s best-known magazines. She lives in Toronto.

Ken's artistry is deeply rooted in his African-Caribbean heritage, drawing inspiration from the rhythms of music, his personal journey, and the diverse cultures he encounters. Through his work, Ken invites you to explore the rich tapestry of life and the connections that unite us all. An award-winning artist, Ken has illustrated over 15 children's books.

Danielle Daniel is an artist and award-winning author and illustrator of ten books, writing across genres and ages. She was a finalist for the 2024 Governor General’s Literary Award and is the founder and publisher of Mighty Village Books. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia and lives on Manitoulin Island among a large family of cedars.

Yewande Daniel-Ayoade (Yay-wan-day Daniel Ah-yaw-ah-day) is a Nigerian-Canadian author of stories that celebrate West African history and culture. She has a bachelor's in economics and a master's in business administration. The Little Regent won the 2024 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book award. Her next book, Dele and Aminata's Jollof War, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, will be released in October 2026. Learn more at www.ydaniel-ayoade.com.

A proud father, husband, and high school history teacher, Ian Duncan, is also a writer. He’s drawn to a well-turned line, a witty rhyme, and an unexpected character. Unabashedly gay, Ian loves writing stories that amplify 2SLGBTQ+ voices like his. He loves to learn, which is evident in his classroom, and in his writing. Ian published his first book, RJ and the Ticking Clock, illustrated by Scot Ritchie, with Owlkids in 2025.

Hadley Dyer is the author of Angus Is Here, Here So Far Away, Johnny Kellock Died Today, and numerous non-fiction titles. She’s collaborated with many of Canada’s finest writers for young readers as an acquiring and developmental editor at HarperCollins Canada, James Lorimer & Company, and now Annick Press. She lives in Toronto.

Sara Gillingham is an award-winning children's book art director, designer, author and illustrator who has designed and art directed hundreds of books, and written/illustrated over 30 children's books for publishers such as Penguin Random House, Phaidon, Chronicle, Abrams and Greystone. Sara's studio also provides art direction and design services to many major children’s book publishers. Find out more about Sara at www.saragillingham.com 

Joyce Grant is the award-winning author of eight books including: Can You Believe It?, Burst Your Bubble! and This Is a Library Book. She won gold in international competition for her engaging journalism presentations for young people. Joyce teaches Writing for Children at Humber Polytechnic and holds a journalism degree and a master's in creative and critical writing. 

Shari Green writes fiction and poetry for young readers. Her latest verse novel, Song of Freedom, Song of Dreams, won the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People and was a Governor General’s Literary Award finalist. Shari lives on Vancouver Island, BC, on the traditional territory of the Laich-Kwil-Tach peoples.

Erin Haggett (she/her) has worked in Scholastic Canada’s Publishing Division since 2013 and was promoted to acquiring editor in 2023. She edits children’s books of all levels and genres, and especially loves working with debut authors. Most recently, she has edited books by authors such as Lorna Schultz Nicholson, Carol Matas, Jane Blondie, Lynn Leitch, Ted Staunton and Ronnie Riley.

Ali McDonald is a partner and literary agent at 5 Otter Literary. She represents children’s and young adult literature with a specialization in science fiction & fantasy from underrepresented and marginalized voices, particularly queer voices. Her select list of clients includes Matteo L. Cerilli, Sarah Howden, and Laura Nowlin, among other award-winning and bestselling creators.

Nneka Myers is a NYT best-selling illustrator and creative director. With over 12 years of experience in both the animation and publishing industries, she seamlessly weaves colors, textures and charm, infused with elements of Black and Canadian culture.

Lynn Scurfield is an award-winning, mixed-media illustrator and educator based in Toronto, Ontario. Their work is defined by bold colours and textures that depict strong emotions. They have worked on a variety of projects in publishing, advertising, magazines and newspapers. A select client list: MacMillan Publishing, Chronicle Books, Puffin UK, Bloomsbury, Owlkids, Orca Publishing, Panda Express, Google and the New York Times.

Howie is an award-winning illustrator, writer and animation director. He works both as an independent short filmmaker and with major studios like Disney and Netflix. His publishing debut, Ra! Ta! Ma! Cue!, was one of the Globe & Mail’s best children’s books of 2025.

Sadé Smith is the Canadian children's book author of Granny's Kitchen and Julie and the Mango Tree. She is of Jamaican descent and her books often involve food and recipes with colorful illustrations to capture the vibrancy and beauty of the Caribbean islands. Sadé, who is passionate about literature, is also a design technologist who practices the skilled trades.

Jennifer Stokes is the editorial director at Owlkids Books, where she leads acquisitions and editorial strategy for titles aimed at readers aged 2 to 14. Passionate about connecting young readers with stories that reflect the world around them, she champions inclusive, engaging titles that spark curiosity and imagination.

Tamla T. Young is a Canadian educator and children’s author who writes from the intersections of culture, memory, and joy. Her debut picture book, Ready, Set, Mango! (Owlkids Books, 2025), illustrated by Raz Latif, is a 2026 Children’s Book Council Kid’s and Librarian Favourite, that celebrates connection, play, and everyday childhood experiences.

Gayna Theophilus is the sales & rights director, and acquiring editor at Annick Press, an independent children’s book publisher based in Toronto, Canada.

Yasemin Uçar is the editorial development director at Kids Can Press. She has been editing children’s books for nearly three decades, and has worked across all genres—picture books, fiction, non-fiction and graphic novels. Before joining KCP in 2012, Yasemin worked at Scholastic Canada, at Piccadilly Press in the UK, and as a freelance editor.