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Jan L. Coates

Author, Illustrator

 

Member profile details

First Name
Jan L.
Last Name
Coates
Province or Territory
Nova Scotia
Craft
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  • Illustrator
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Professional information

Bio
I've been writing for children for about 20 years, and reading kids' books for over 55! Other than spending my days sitting at my laptop and staring out the window seeking inspiration or the perfect word or playing with watercolor, I'm also working on improving my French, in hopes of living in France one day...

I have two young adult children, both married and living in Ontario, three little granddaughters, and my husband is a retired high school social studies teacher (thank you, Don, for making space for me to be a writer!). I look forward to school visits when I get a chance to connect with young readers and soak up some of their energy and enthusiasm!

I'm the author of 8 picture books, 6 middle grade novels, and 18 illustrated books for emergent readers. I've recently been having fun learning to illustrate; my first book as both author/illustrator, KARISSA & FELIX, a story of hope in the face of great loss, was published in 2019. And I'm having so much fun with my soul smiles greeting cards. My very first book, RAINBOWS IN THE DARK (Second Story Press, 2005) has been published in Spanish, Catalan and Braille (cool!) and Korean rights have also been sold. My first novel, A HARE IN THE ELEPHANT'S TRUNK (Red Deer Press, 2010), was inspired by the life of Jacob Deng, a former Lost Boy of Sudan, and now a Canadian citizen, university graduate, and now a minister in the government of South Sudan. It was a GG Finalist in 2011.

I have two new picture books that came out in 2022, ANNA MARIA & MAESTRO VIVALDI (Red Deer Press, art by Francois Thisdale) and THE POCKET PIG (Pandamonium Publishing, art by me!)

Visiting schools is one of my favourite parts of being an author. I'd love to visit your school, virtually or in person! Thanks for stopping by - I hope to meet you someday! If you want to check out my blog (which I update irregularly): www.jancoates.ca
Available For
School/Library Visits - PowerPoint presentation, Reading, Writing Activities
School Visits
School visits in the Maritimes, but also southern Ontario (Haliburton area) as I'm living there about half-time these days, spending cottage time with my family.
Publications
DORIS MCCARTHY: SHARING THE JOY (2026, Fitzhenry & Whiteside)
THE POCKET PIG (Pandamonium Publishing, 2022)
ANNA MARIA & MAESTRO VIVALDI (Red Deer, 2022)
THE HERMIT (Nimbus, 2020)
SAY WHAT YOU MEAN (MEAN WHAT YOU SAY) ( Nevermore Press, 2019)
KARISSA & FELIX (self-published as author/illustrator, 2020)
DANCING WITH DAISY (Running the Goat Press, 2019)
A HALIFAX TIME-TRAVELLING TUNE (Nimbus, 2018)
TALKING TO THE MOON (Red Deer Press, 2018)
SKY PIG (Pajama Press, 2016)
THE KING OF KEJI (Nimbus, 2015)
ROCKET MAN (Red Deer Press, 2014)
THE POWER OF HARMONY (Red Deer, 2013)
FIFTEEN-MINUTE FILLERS (Editions de L'Envolee, 2012)
A HARE IN THE ELEPHANT'S TRUNK (Red Deer Press, 2010)
Finalist, 2011 Governor General's Literary Award for
Children's Text)
QUEBEC'S BOOK, Volumes 1 & 2, Editions de l'Envolee (2011)
THE WITCH'S FINGERS; THE IMPOSSIBLE DIVE; THE QUEEN AND MR. CUNNINGHAM; THE CHEESY MAN GIANT; SARAH SNOW, STAR OF THE SHOW;IF DOGS COULD TALK;TURNING TRASH TO TREASURE; UNCLE BOBBY AND THE PIRATES; STOP COMPLAINING CHICKEN LITTLE!; FIVE CHILDREN AND IT (ADAPTATION); THE LEGEND OF AVALON; ALADDIN and HIS MAGIC LAMP (and others)
Caramel Tree Readers, 2009 - 2018

RAINBOWS IN THE DARK
Second Story Press, 2005
Awards
THE HERMIT, IODE Violet Downey Book Award finalist, 2021, Hackmatack Book, 2021-22, CCBC Best Book 2021

DANCING WITH DAISY (Best new product, Newfoundland Trade and Gift Show, 2019); finalist for Elizabeth M. Cleaver Award for illustration

TALKING TO THE MOON, Hackmatack Finalist, 2019-20; CCBC's Best Books, 2019

SKY PIG, Willow Award Finalist, 2018, Lillian Shepherd Award for Excellence in Illustration, 2017

THE KING OF KEJI (CCBC's Best Books for Kids and Teens, 2015)

ROCKET MAN - YALSA Quick Pick, 2015; Woozles Battle of the Books 2015

THE POWER OF HARMONY - OLA Best Bets, 2014; Ann Connor Brimer Finalist, 2014; Violet Downey Award Finalist, 2014; Hackmatack Book, 2014-15

A HARE IN THE ELEPHANT'S TRUNK - 2011 Finalist, Governor General's Literary Award (Children's Text);
2011 USBBY Outstanding International Books Honor List; Skipping Stones Honor List; Silver Medal - IPPY (Independent Publishers); Ann Connor Brimer Finalist
Other Memberships
WFNS
CCBC
    

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