A FOREST BEGINS ANEW

Book Birthday! With Astra Publishing and author, Louise Aamodt.

“A devastating wildfire transforms into a story of ecological resilience and hope in this lyrical meditation on nature’s capacity for renewal… MacKay’s distinctive three-dimensional paper art, photographed as layered dioramas crafted from ink, pencil, and cut paper, creates depth and atmosphere. Her palette tells the emotional story: Menacing grays and blues during the lightning strike explode into ferocious oranges, reds, and yellows as flames consume the forest, then transition through muted ash-grays and browns before bursting into hopeful pinks, greens, and soft golden light as life returns. Compositional choices amplify the narrative arc—tight, claustrophobic framing during the fire’s fury gives way to sweeping, expansive vistas as renewal takes hold… A beautiful testament to nature’s—and our own—ability to flourish after devastation.”—Kirkus Reviews

Touring Quebec for Canadian Children's Book Week

What a week! I am so thankful to the Canadian Children’s Book Centre and the Morrin Centre’s Imagination Festival for inviting me to tour Montreal and Quebec City. Thank you to our sponsors and to the schools and libraries that took part. During the week, I read stories and worked with about 250 Primary students to create miniature worlds out of paper. I also taught character design to Grade 7 and 8 students! New and fun. Authors and illustrators met in Montreal for dinner, had a book event at Babar Books and a panel at Laval University on Children’s Literature. We were given an extraordinary tour of The Morrin Centre and explored the beautiful streets of Old Québec City. It was such an inspiring and meaningful week. I didn’t take many photos but when I’m in a new place, I enjoy doing blind contours of the architecture. The historic architecture with its many dormers, balconies, and ornate doorways was lots of fun to draw.

The Willow Awards

Frostfire is a finalist for the Shining Willow Awards! So lovely to be nominated alongside such great books. Willow Awards

The Kids Book Centre: “The nominees for the 2026 Willow Awards were recently announced. Also known as the Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Award (SYRCA), the awards promote reading and celebrate Canadian literature. Each year, Saskatchewan children and youth vote for Willow Award recipients from finalists nominated in three award categories.”

NEW BOOK DEALS

Tara Walker at Tundra Books has acquired Fox Fairies by Elly MacKay, a picture book about sisters Celeste and Miriam and their search for magic, and The Island of Wild Horses, a picture book about the horses who call Sable Island home. Publication is planned for summer 2027 and 2028 respectively; Emily van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management sold world rights.
— Publisher's Weekly Rights Report - May 2025

I am late to share this here as I have already been working on these. I am so excited to be working with Tara Walker at Tundra Books on another 2 picture books, Fox Fairies and The Island of Wild Horses.

Fox Fairies is set in a backyard rambling garden and I have had the most wonderful time sketching away in a couple of gardens, imagining these fox sisters playing. This summer I went a with an artist friend, Kristine Moran to Moreland Place. It is on the edge of town near Inglis Falls. We both work so differently. It was wonderful to spend time with another artist and see how she worked and what inspired her. The other garden that is a reoccurring spot for my stories is Keppel Croft Gardens in Big Bay. It is where I spent so much of my time growing up.

I'll be touring with Canadian Children's Book Week 2026!

I am just delighted to be touring again with the Canadian Children’s Book Week! Congrats to the authors and illustrators selected. What a great group. And thank you to The Canadian Children’s Book Centre!

I toured in Prince Edward Island previously and it was an amazing week, visiting 17 schools and libraries. They haven’t yet announced where we will be going this year. Soon! I can’t wait to meet all of the young readers/writers/illustrators! I love to get the students involved - coming up with stories and creating their own art. It is such a special week for everyone.

Details:

The upcoming national tour will take place from Sunday, April 26 to Saturday, May 2, 2026.

We will announce tour locations in late October 2026, and the application process will open then. Schools, libraries, bookstores and community organizations will be invited to submit their applications to host Book Week visits.

More details about Book Week can be found at bookcentre.ca

#CCBCBookWeek #BookWeek2026#CanadianAuthors #CanadianIllustrators#CanadianStories

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Homecoming 2025

I am excited to be a presenter at Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Homecoming Event this year. I will be speaking on: Wednesday, June 18 at 1:15pm EST

Program partners and supporters from around the world will join together virtually from June 17-19, 2025, for a special celebration of DPIL's shared history and achievements.

ONLY HUMAN - SHOW at the TOM - JUNE 28th to OCT 4

Join us at the opening of Only Human at the Tom Thomson Art Gallery in Owen Sound.

OPENING: Saturday, June 28th from 2-4.

I explore what it means to create art in an era of generative AI art. I won’t be sharing any images from the exhibition and I ask everyone that comes not to share images as well. We will see what can be experienced without being ‘trained on’. You will have to come in person. Come for the art, the community and human connection. Stay human! The show runs from June 28th to October 4th. Thanks friends!

Zap! Clap! Boom!

I just got some lovely news. Zap! Clap! Boom!, written by Laura Purdie Salas, published by Bloomsbury Kids, is shortlisted for the North Carolina Children’s Book Award! The book will be one of 12 shared with students throughout the state.

Staff Pick at Indigo!

Frostfire is a December Staff Pick at Indigo! It is also a Best Book for 3-5. It is on sale right now. You can pick up a copy on sale! https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/frostfire/9780735266988.html