About MeI'm a children's author and poet from Vancouver, BC. My debut picture book, LUNA'S GREEN PET (illustrated by Carmen Mok) was a Quill & Quire Book of the Year, + read more and a TODAY Show Best Books For 4-yr-olds selection. MAYBE A WHALE, a lyrical picture book about healing in nature, is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. It publishes in August 2023 with Groundwood Books and is illustrated by BC Artist Crystal Smith. My poems are published in Best Canadian Poetry 2021, and literary magazines like Arc, subTerrain, Room, CV2, Prairie Fire and anthologies like Sustenance (Anvil Press) and Sweetwater (Caitlin Press). Formerly a broadcast journalist with CBC Radio and NPR, I also write nonfiction with a picture book about nurse logs and regeneration of forests coming out in 2025 with Chronicle Books. I love spending time outdoors in beautiful BC— hiking, biking, skiing, gardening and reading! Show Less

My Work Speaker Info Contact Me

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You May Know Me For:

Literature Types
• Board Books
• Picture Books
• Chapter Books
• Poetry

Published WorksLUNA'S GREEN PET, picture book illustrated by Carmen Mok. August 2022, Sleeping Bear Press.
Luna longs for a pet but the apartment building where she and her family lives has a very strict NO PETS! policy. While her friends try to help with alternate pet suggestions, none interest Luna. Almost ready to give up, Luna spies in the trash something small, something green, something someone has discarded—a wilted plant. Perfect! Luna names her new pet Stephanie, confident she can nurse the plant back to health. When others question Stephanie’s suitability as a pet, Luna’s devotion is unwavering. She knows Stephanie is perfect just as she is. But will Luna’s love and care be enough to restore Stephanie to full health? And what are those strange bumps growing on her?

This charming story of one young girl’s belief, determination, and out-of-the-box thinking is perfect for anyone who has ever wished for a pet, only to be told no. Back matter includes tips on how to grow your own “Stephanie.”

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Speaking InformationI am happy to visit K-2 classes to read LUNA'S GREEN PET, and talk about the benefits of houseplants and why they make great pets. I can also do some planting + read more or propagation activities. I have activity sheets (paper dolls, draw your own plant etc.)

I have presented at the Vancouver Writer's Festival as well as school visits and World Read Aloud Day.
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I will visit:
• Vancouver
• Lower Mainland
• French audiences
• Virtually

I Present to Age Groups:
• Primary School
• Grades K-3

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Awards and Recognition:Luna's Green Pet was a Quill & Quire Best Book of the Year, a CBC Fall Books Pick, and a TODAY show + show more Best Books for 4-yr-olds selection.

"Blooms quickly and keeps growing on you" —Kirkus Reviews

" This book would be a wonderful read-aloud for young children studying pets or plants; it’s unique in that it speaks to children without pets and reassures them that at the end of the day, like Luna, with a little bit of creative thinking, they too can have their very own pet." —Canadian Children's Book Centre

"Luna's Green Pet" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 4-7." —Midwest Book Review

"A great pick for kids who like pets, plants, humor, and/or just a good story!" —Perfect Picture Book Friday

"Unique and heartwarming ... will become a quick favourite to be heard again and again. The book is sure to inspire young botanists and would be a creative way to introduce lessons on plants in school classrooms or for homeschoolers..." —Celebrate Picture Books

"A beautiful book with out of the box thinking for a kiddo who also wishes for a pet and is told no...The back of the book includes information about houseplants, a list of easy plants for kids to take care of PLUS information about the real plant “Stephanie” and how to take care of her!" —Raising Readers to Become Leaders
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