Meet our PYI 2025 Speakers
In Person - October 25, 2025, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Toronto | Recordings available November 2025
About Jane Blondie
Jane Blondie's debut picture book, Do NOT Turn the Page!, released in February 2025, was published by Scholastic and illustrated by Marcus Cutler. Jane's dream of becoming a picture book author was realized through connections she made at One-to-One editor sessions at PYI! Jane lives in Toronto with her husband, two teenage daughters, and puppy. She teaches full time for the Toronto District School Board as a Drama and Dance Specialist Teacher to young children. Jane finds joy in writing stories that make children laugh!
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About Matteo L. CerilliMatteo L. Cerilli (he/him) is a transmasc author and activist specializing in speculative fiction for all ages. His work features the YA horror novel Lockjaw; middle grade novel Something's Up with Arlo; and upcoming novels Bad in the Blood and Call2Arms; a featured short story in Bury Your Gays: An Anthology of Tragic Queer Horror; and poetry in Augur magazine. |
About Charlene ChuaCharlene Chua is the illustrator of multiple picture books, including Stonewall Award-winner Love, Violet, Blue, Spruce-nominee Going Up! and the Amy Wu series. They are also the author-illustrator of Hug? and The Pink Pajamas. When they are not making art, they enjoy cooking, reading, and playing with their cats. Charlene lives in Hamilton, Ontario. |
About Julien Chung
Julien Chung is a New York Times bestselling illustrator from Montreal, Quebec. His bold, graphic style has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators, the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, and 3x3. A former graphic designer and art director, he infuses design thinking into every project, always seeking the WOW moment. He loves modern architecture, illustrated maps, chocolate ice cream, and, most of all, his three grandchildren.
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About Paul Coccia
Paul Coccia writes primarily for young readers. Among his credits, he has co-authored with Eric Walters, his recent, Recommended Reading, was listed as one of Forbes’ most-anticipated YA novels of 2025, and his debut picture book releases in 2026. He has a Specialist in English Literature from U of T, an MFA in Creative Writing from UBC, and loves to bake.
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About Kelly CollierKelly Collier studied illustration at Sheridan College in Ontario. She writes and draws in a humorous style and loves to illustrate characters with quirky sensibilities. She is the author/illustrator of the Steve the Horse series, The Imposter, and forthcoming Beverley, Bat Your Service. She lives in an old house in Toronto with her husband and daughter.
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About Hadley Dyer
Hadley Dyer (panel moderator) is an author, editor, and freelance writer. She has acquired books for Annick Press, HarperCollins Canada, and James Lorimer & Company; provided professional development training for emerging writers and publishers in Canada and abroad; and worked with multiple organizations that promote literacy and reading.
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About Calyssa Erb
Calyssa Erb is a queer, autistic Canadian writer of books for young readers. Her debut middle grade novel Maya Plays the Part was published by Annick Press in 2024. It was a Canadian Children’s Book Centre 2024 Best Books for Kids and Teens starred selection. When not writing, she enjoys hanging out with her Animal Crossing villagers.
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About Naseem Hrab
Naseem Hrab has worked in children’s publishing for nearly 20 years. She’s the publisher at Kids Can Press, a former librarian of the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, and a Governor General’s Literary Award-winning children’s book author. She has written many books including Otis & Peanut, How to Party Like a Snail and The Sour Cherry Tree.
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About Eddie Kawooya
Eddie Kawooya is a new author whose love for writing was inspired by his grandmother's oral stories and folklore of Uganda's ancestral past. His first book, Ace and the Misfits, published in 2024, is a fish-out-of-water story of immigration and the pains and joys of integration into a new and sometimes frightening environment. A forthcoming sequel was inspired by his love of soccer and communal impact.
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About Mary Beth Leatherdale
Mary Beth Leatherdale is an award-winning author and editor of many books for children and youth, including You Can Be an Activist, Terry Fox and Me, and Stormy Seas. Her books have received many starred reviews and have won or been shortlisted for numerous awards. Learn more at www.marybethleatherdale.com.
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About Jean E. Pendziwol
Jean E. Pendziwol is an award-winning author of books for both adults and children including Skating Wild on an Inland Sea, Once Upon a Northern Night and the international bestselling novel The Lightkeeper’s Daughters. Jean E. lives in Northwestern Ontario on the shores of Lake Superior.
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About Caroline Pignat
Caroline Pignat is the author of Egghead, Shooter, and Governor General’s Literary Award-winners: Greener Grass and The Gospel Truth. She is best known for her historical fiction and mastery of multiple points-of-view, as seen in her upcoming novel The Discovery of Finnegan Wilde. She lives and teaches in Ottawa.
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About Jordan RyderJordan Ryder earned her Master’s in Publishing from the National University of Ireland, Galway, before moving back home to Toronto, and has been working in feminist-focused publishing ever since. She joined the Second Story team in 2020, where she works as the Managing Editor and has had the privilege of working on books of all shapes and sizes. |
About Lorna Schultz Nicholson
Lorna Schultz Nicholson is an award-winning author of picture books, middle grade fiction, YA fiction, and hockey nonfiction. Her books have been nominated for, many different awards and are often on CCBC's Best Books for Kids and Teens list. Lorna loves travelling and presenting at libraries and schools to inspire children, teens and adults to love reading and writing as much as she does. She lives in Penticton, British Columbia.
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About Marsha SkrypuchMarsha Skrypuch’s books span a century of wars from a kid's view, concentrating on those stories that have been erased by oppressive regimes. Her best-known book is Making Bombs for Hitler. Her most recent is the Kidnapped from Ukraine trilogy. She has received death threats and honours for her writing. Marsha lives in Brantford, Ontario, and you can visit her online at calla.com. |
About Heather Smith
Heather Smith is the author of four published YA novels, the most recent of which, Barry Squires, Full Tilt, was longlisted for the Dublin Literary Award. She has also written three middle grade novels and seven picture books. Her most recent middle-grade, Tig, was named an OLA Red Maple Honour Book. Heather lives with her family in Waterloo, Ontario.
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