Nancy Whiteford is a long-time figure skating and power skating coach in Brampton. She is the author of "My Skating Dream", the incredible story of a girl named Sassafrass in pursuit of becoming the best figure skater she can be. She also wrote "It's More Than Hockey" with her husband Neil. In the book, Sassafrass and Noah meet their new hockey coach and teammates who make them feel needed, wanted and welcome. They learn valuable life lessons that will stay with them forever. Although Sassafrass and Noah love to play hockey, they realize it's more than hockey.
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Hussain - The Story of Karbala and the Truth About Islam
Nazish Naqvi is a storyboard artist in the animation and film industry. Visual storytelling along with crafting stories has been a longtime passion of his. To develop his artistic skills he attended the visual arts program at Mayfield Secondary School and then studied classical and computer animation at Sheridan College. Writing and illustrating the story of Karbala is the project he is most proud of in his career. He hopes that this book will help combat Islamophobia and misconceptions about the Islamic faith. That it will create a bridge between people here in North America and Hussain’s sacrifice in Karbala, Iraq. This book will show people that the sacrifice made in Karbala is not a foreign incident that took place 1400 years ago, but rather that it inspired change all across the world including here in North America.
Retrograde: Forget Me Not (Elite Series Book 1)
Emulsify: Meant To Be (Elite Series Book 2)
Award-winning author Niccoyan Zheng is a Canadian wife and mom to an amazing little guy. She loves travelling, but you’ll find her asleep en route. A lifelong reader, she loves great mysteries and epic love stories. Dubbed the ‘Queen of Second Chance romances’. Niccoyan is a firm believer in letting the characters guide the story. (As if, they’d allow her not to) Her stories are rich in diversity and culture., while evoking a wide range of intense emotions.
End - Incarceration of Black and Minority Youth
Norma is a five-time self-published author of non-fiction books for children, young persons and adults. The contents of these books are utilized as education tools in a variety of community spaces in the Region of Peel. The focus of these education sessions is to educate, motivate and empower her readers, especially young people to make positive changes in their lives and reach their potential in our society.
Beyond the Terrazzo Veranda: A Memoir
Norman Morra was born in Toronto in 1945. He attended Carleton University in the 1960s and later graduated with a PhD in Sociology from York University. He has had several professions including social worker, actor, small business owner, university professor, ESL teacher, and airline pilot assessor of English and has published in academic journals dealing with Violence and Masculinity. His interests are sports, literature, theatre, social issues and travel to the UK, Europe, Japan and Canada's west coast. He has lived in Mississauga for 55 years. In 2021 he published his memoir Beyond the Terrazzo Veranda which incorporates much--but not all of the above.
Where the Poppies Blow: the life and lessons of John McCrae
Paul Keery has written four Canadian history books for young readers. Where the Poppies Blow: The Life and Lessons of John McCrae is his latest book and first biography. Canada At War, about Canada’s role in World War Two, was nominated for the Hackmatack Award for Children’s Non-Fiction. He is working on his next book. Paul writes articles for magazines and newspapers about many subjects, including education, history, sports, technology and LEGO. In addition, Paul currently teaches writing and public speaking skills to intermediate and high school students at Write On Q, an enrichment educational program. Paul has taught intermediate and high school Civics, Canadian and World History, Law and Information Technology. He is a public speaker who presents fun yet informative Canadian history workshops, based on his books, to students of all ages.
Prad Khattra, the author of "Finding Gratitude," is a mother to two young boys whose kindness, empathy, and humour inspire her every day. As a Registered Nurse specializing in Child Health and Development, Prad understands the profound impact of early childhood experiences on lifelong development. Through her books, she aims to instill gratitude and mindfulness in children, fostering self-discovery and growth from an early age.
Purnima S. Shrotriya has been working with children and families for the last thirty years. She has completed her Ph.D. in psychology. Growing up, she practiced yoga and meditation as part of her family culture. She values the importance of a healthy mind and a healthy body. While working as a psychotherapist, she recognized the need for emotional regulation in young children, since developing empathy and understanding emotions at an early age is very important. She learned and practiced many different teachings to gain calmness through various breathing techniques during her professional journey. As a registered psychotherapist in Toronto, she continues to use the principles of psychology along with traditional practices of mindfulness to help her clients.
Rebecca D'Silva is a Brampton-based high school teacher, ordained Metaphysical minister, and writer, who enjoys initiating and participating in difficult and subversive dialogues. She loves to participate in local arts and literacy events, and local theatre as an actor or audience member. Her debut self-published poetry collection, ‘I Move With Gratitude' touches on heartbreak, self-hatred, healing, self-love, and rediscovery of love, language, and voice.
Robert J. Sawyer -- "the dean of Canadian science fiction," according to both the CBC and THE OTTAWA CITIZEN -- is the only Canadian to have won all three of the world's top awards for the best science-fiction novel the year: the Hugo, the Nebula, and the John W. Campbell Memorial Award. Rob has also won more Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Awards ("Auroras") than anyone else in history. A member of both The Order of Canada and The Order of Ontario, an inductee into Legends Row: Mississauga's Walk of Fame, and the first-ever recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mississauga Arts Council, Rob's 25 bestselling novels include QUANTUM NIGHT (long-listed for Canada Reads), FLASHFORWARD (basis for the ABC TV series), and his latest, THE DOWNLOADED.
Sadé Smith is a Canadian children’s book author of Granny’s Kitchen which was nominated for the Blue Spruce Award for the 2023 Forest of Reading and Julie and the Mango Tree which has been selected for the CBC Books list of 40 Canadian kids books to read in spring 2023 and the Barnes & Noble’s list of Most Anticipated Kids’ Books for August 2023. She is of Jamaican descent and her books often involve food and colorful illustrations to capture the vibrancy and beauty of the Caribbean islands. In addition to writing, Sadé is also a design technologist who loves the beach and enjoys fruits. She is very passionate about literature and she writes books of representation for young readers.
Trouble in Paradise: End of an Era
Salmaan wrote his first book at the age of sixteen. He comes from a tropical island often associated with paradise, known as Mauritius. He is multi-lingual and the author of two books. His books explore the themes of fictional history, love, poetry, prose, and philosophy, each propelling specific messages to mankind. Salmaan has a BA in journalism with a minor in politics and certifications from Harvard University and Google. He is not only passionate about writing but about the creative realm as a whole, as he participated in two films as a junior artist, including one featuring on Netflix. His main goal is to add value to the lives of his readers.
Shola Ajasa is a Canadian author of children's books with over a decade of facilitating early childhood learning in Ontario, Canada. She is very passionate about creating a positive learning environment for children. She loves working with children and telling stories of different adventures and historical significance. Her latest book Kindergarten Bubble Adventures tells an amazing story about children using their imagination and creativity to explore various unique architectural monuments around the world and the solar system. The book showcased what children can achieve when they are allowed to use their imagination, creativity, l language and thoughts to express their understanding of the world.
Sriyanshi Gyawali is a Nepali-born Canadian, who migrated to Canada in 2011 with her parents. She's currently a student in grade 9 at Mississauga Secondary School in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Initially, she was interested in writing diaries, journals, and songs. Motivated by her parents and teachers, she started writing short stories and later developed writing as her passion. Inspired by many fan fiction that she read, she developed the idea of writing a book after getting positive feedback on her writing from her teachers and her parents. As the writing progressed, she really developed a deep connection to the story and finally, she was able to finish her first book – The Dark Secrets of Unnem, pursuing her dream. She started writing this book when she was 11 years old, completed it when she was 12 and got it published when she was 13 and she is currently 14.
My name is Surjit Kaur, I was born in Punjab, India now live in Brampton, Ontario. I write poetry, fiction and prose in my native language Punjabi. I have authored 4 poetry books; Shikast Rang, He Sakhi, Wismaad and Teri Rangshala, 1 storybook titled Parle Pul and one book on literary criticism. I have also co-edited one book of poetry of Canadian Punjabi women, one storybook of North American Punjabi writers and one poetry book #Lavender of 44 Canadian Punjabi poets. My poems, stories and articles published in Punjabi magazines and books.
The Challenge And The Opportunity
Surjit has lived in Canada for the last 35 years. He has published in more than 100 newspapers around the globe, both in print and online, in addition to being a blogger for many sites. He's also the editor and publisher of Asia Metro News Magazine Toronto.