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Lee Edward Födi
Author / Illustrator / Speaker
https://www.leefodi.com
https://www.kendrakandlestar.com
Connect with Me
About Me
I'm a children's author, illustrator, and educator—or, as I like to think of myself, a daydreaming expert.
When I'm not daydreaming myself, I teach
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kids how to do it. Sure, they might seem pretty good at it already, but in my experience, most of them haven't learned how to put it to good use . . . yet.
I'm the author of Spell Sweeper, The Secret of Zoone, The Guardians of Zoone, and the Kendra Kandlestar series. I have illustrated books for other authors and was the official illustrator for the BC Library Association 2016 summer reading club.
I enjoy mythology, history, and the mysteries of the universe. During my free time, I'm a traveler, adventurer, and maker of dragon eggs. I especially love to visit exotic places where I can find tombs, mazes, castles, and crypts.
I live in Vancouver with my wife, Marcie, and my son, Hiro.
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My Work
Speaker Info
Contact Me
You May Know Me For:
Literature Types
Storytelling
Picture Books
Chapter Books
Middle Grade Fiction
Published Works
Spell Sweeper
HarperCollins Children's Books, 2021
ISBN: 978-0062845320
The Guardians of Zoone
HarperCollins Children's Books, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-06284-528-3
The Secret of Zoone
HarperCollins Children's Books, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-06284-526-9
Kendra Kandlestar: Legends & Lore
Simply Read Books, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-772290134
Kendra Kandlestar and the Search for Arazeen
Simply Read Books, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-927018293
Kendra Kandlestar and the Crack in Kazah
Simply Read Books, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-927018286
Kendra Kandlestar and the Shard from Greeve Simply Read Books, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-927018279
Kendra Kandlestar and the Door to Unger
Simply Read Books, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-927018262
Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers
Simply Read Books, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-927018255
Corranda's Crown
Royal Fireworks Press, 2002
ISBN: 978-0-880925730
The Chocolatier's Apprentice
Echo Memoirs, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-978181130
Martha Ann's Quilt for Queen Victoria
Brown Books Publishing Group, 2006
ISBN: 978-0-982479681
Gwynne Fair & Shining
Brown Books Publishing Group, 2006
ISBN: 978-0-989433426
I'll Follow the Moon
Brown Books Publishing Group, 2005
ISBN: 978-0-989433402
Speaking Information
I've worked with literally thousands of kids, having delivered presentations and workshops for kids in Canada, the United States, England, South Korea,
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Thailand, and China. My audiences range from 20-500 in venues as varied as classrooms, gymnasiums, libraries, bookstores, and conference centers—and virtual meeting rooms using platforms such as Zoom, Skype, or Google Meet. No matter the situation, I enjoy sharing and working with young imaginations.
I've worked as a writer/artist-in-residence at numerous schools, including leading art therapy sessions for at-risk teens. In addition, I've presented at the Vancouver Writers' Fest, the Richmond Children's Art Festival, the Nanaimo Children's Book Festival, and the MASC conference in Ottawa. I've toured as part of CCBC's Children's Book Week and have presented many times to teachers on the topic of creative writing, including at the National Council of English Teachers Conference in Philadelphia and Chicago.
My workshops inspire and invigorate students of all reading and writing levels in grades K-8. Using engaging visuals, I demonstrate how I find inspiration for my books through drawing, map-making, prop-building, travel, and research.
My workshops are 50-75 minutes long (depending on the age group) and always include an interactive brainstorming session, so that each participant leaves with a visual output—and a broader understanding of such concepts as character, plot, setting, point of view, imagery, and style.
My format is suitable for groups as small as 20 and as large as 300—though groups between 60 and 120 seem to be the best.
I have many other specific writing workshops and formats; please contact me for specifics.
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I will visit:
Vancouver
Coast
Lower Mainland
Gulf and Vancouver Islands
Thompson Okanagan
Northern British Columbia
Cariboo Chilcotin Coast
Kootenay Rockies
The Territories
Canada - beyond BC
USA
International
Virtually
I Present to Age Groups:
Grades K-3
Grades 4-6
Grades 7-8
High School
College / University / Adult
Request Booking Info
Testimonials
Lee has worked with two groups of my students (in a district program for highly able learners) over
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the last two years. A natural educator, Lee’s warm and playful style engages kids and creates community instantly. His thoughtful presentations and hands-on learning projects spark genuine curiosity and are perfectly calibrated to the needs and interests of gifted learners. Students remember him for his energy, creativity, and deep knowledge of the writing process. Above all, Lee makes writing fun. I hope to collaborate with him every year!
Ahmed Rahim, District Resource Teacher
– Gifted Outreach/Seminars
Vancouver School District, BC, Canada
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Lee is a very engaging speaker, and was able to keep everyone from K-7 engaged all the way through.
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He was happy to speak to large groups in the gym, so we were able to include all 460ish students in 3 sessions. Even with these large groups, he did a writing/drawing/brainstorming activity with all grades which everyone was engaged in and many students collaborated on. Students all walked away with either a character, an idea, or a mapped out story plan which they were so excited about and could bring back to the classroom to use for a writing activity. Both teachers and students left the gym telling me how much they enjoyed the sessions.
He talked about his books as well, which students were very interested in, but his focus was very much on the creative process, on the patience and practice it takes to get good at writing and illustrating, and on where his ideas come from. I left the sessions inspired to write stories, and I wasn't the only one!
Kyla Macdonald, Teacher Librarian
Lord Kitchener Elementary
Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Thank you so much for helping Central plant the seeds of writing. So many kids are now excited
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about journaling their ideas and sketches. This never happened before . . . everyone at the staff meeting yesterday was so impressed by your work with our kids
Elaine McEachern, Learning Support Teacher
École Central Elementary
Fort St. John, BC, Canada
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Awards and Recognition:
2022: Finalists for the CCBC Book Awards, Arlene Barlin Award for Science Fiction &
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Fantasy
2021: CBC's 35 middle-grade books to watch for - Spell Sweeper
2015: Best Book for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre
- Kendra Kandlestar and the Search for Arazeen
2014: NOMINEE, Chocolate Lily Award, best children's chapter book
- Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers
2012: Best Book for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre
- Kendra Kandlestar and the Crack in Kazah
2012: WINNER, Best Children's Book of the Year, Reader Views Literary Awards - Kendra Kandlestar and the Crack in Kazah
2012: WINNER, GOLD RECIPIENT, Mom's Choice Award, best children's chapter book in the category of Fantasy, Myths, and Legends
- Kendra Kandlestar and the Crack in Kazah
2011: NOMINEE, Cybil, best children's fantasy/science fiction book
- Kendra Kandlestar and the Crack in Kazah
2010: Best Book for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre
- Kendra Kandlestar and the Shard from Greeve
2009: NOMINEE, Cybil, best children's fantasy/science fiction book
- Kendra Kandlestar and the Shard from Greeve
2009: GOLD RECIPIENT, Mom's Choice Award, best children's chapter book in the category of Fantasy, Myths, and Legends
- Kendra Kandlestar and the Door to Unger"
2008: FINALIST, children's fiction, USA Book News
- Kendra Kandlestar and the Door to Unger
2008: HONOURABLE MENTION, Hollywood Book Festival (best book worthy of greater attention from the film, TV and multimedia industries)
- Kendra Kandlestar and the Door to Unger
2007: NOMINEE, Cybil, best children's fantasy/science fiction book
- Kendra Kandlestar and the Door to Unger
2007: WINNER, Mom's Choice Award, best children's chapter book, ages 8 & up
- Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers
2006-2007: Third Place, Chocolate Lily Nominee for Outstanding Picture Book - I'll Follow the Moon
2007: Surrey Book of the Year Nominee
- Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers
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