Bio
Karen Autio is the author of picture books about inclusion, disability, accessibility, and friendship, a MG STEAM novel, a narrative nonfiction historical picture book, two west coast sea otter adventure tales (illustrated chapter book), and a trilogy of MG Canadian historical novels. In these novels, you'll find Finnish Canadians, the Empress of Ireland shipwreck, immigration, tuberculosis sanatoriums, and German spies, sabotage, and interning enemy aliens during the First World War.
KAH-LAN THE ADVENTUROUS SEA OTTER and KAH-LAN AND THE STINK-INK are the stories of a dynamic and realistic sea otter character, Kah-Lan and his dangerous and heroic travels.
GROWING UP IN WILD HORSE CANYON, is a narrative nonfiction picture book illustrated by Loraine Kemp that brings to life generations of human history in the Okanagan Valley, from First Nations quests to fur brigades to horse wrangling to secret wartime commando training. This book weaves First Nations history with European settlement and natural history, exploring patterns of colonization that resonate with readers all over North America.
MAKING SEAKER is a MG STEAM novel focused on science, self-realization, and friendship, and a tribute to the iconic book Paddle-to-the-Sea. Moving to a new town is tough, especially when you’re different. And Jamie’s not like most girls. She loves science and math and building things. But when she moves to Nipigon, Ontario, Jamie’s determined to have a future with friends.
PLAYDATE SURPRISE and I CAN, TOO! (in French: UNE SURPRISE MERVEILLEUSE and MOI AUSSI, JE PEUX!) are picture books for ages 3-8 illustrated by Laura Watson about inclusion, disability, accessibility, and friendship.
Karen grew up in Nipigon, Ontario, and now lives in Kelowna, BC. She is a graduate of the University of Waterloo and worked as a software developer for several years before pursuing her long held dream of writing for children. Karen loves to interact with students to share her passion for research and the resulting “jigsaw puzzle” of transforming facts into a fascinating story.
