Tag: graphic novel

Cacao, Joanna (Winnipeg, MB)

Member of SCBWI and CCBC.

In Person: $300 plus tax per hour. (1 session = 1 hour)

Virtual Visits are $250 plus tax per hour.

*If outside of Manitoba: travel and hotel accommodations are needed. 

*Will do a maximum 4 sessions in one area in a single day.

Awards & Lists:

  • 2025 IL Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award – Nominees
  • 2025 MYRCA Northern Lights Award Nominee
  • 2024 Aurora Award Nominee
  • 2024 Utah Beehive Book Awards – Nominees: Graphic Novels (Children)
  • 2023-24 Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award in the Middle School category.
  • 2023-24 Pennsylvania Keystone to Reading Book Award – Reading List
  • 2023-24 Pennsylvania Keystone to Reading Secondary Book Award – Reading List: Middle School
  • 2023 CBC Books’ Best Canadian Books for Kids & Teens
  • 2023 CBC Children’s and Young Adult Favorites Award List
  • 2023 CBC Children’s Favorites Award List: Grades 3-5
  • 2023 CCBC Choices List: Fiction for Children
  • 2023 Bank Street Children’s Book Committee Best Books of the Year – Book List: Ages 9-12
  • 2023 Sakura Medal
  • 2022 VLA Graphic Novel Diversity Award – Honors: Youth

Joanna Cacao is a Canadian Filipino illustrator and author primarily for middle grade graphic novels. She is most known for her collaboration with Christina Soontornvat for The Tryout and The Squad, as well as her debut author/illustrator graphic novel: The Secret of the Ravens.

Book Topics: Fantasy, Magic, Adventure, Culture, Friends, Family, Asian, Middle School, Poverty, LGBT+


LIFE OF A CARTOONIST

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a cartoonist? What are their lives like? What goes into the world of creating a graphic novel from start to finish?

Joanna delves into her experience from drawing on her notes in school to creating her first webcomic and taking the leap into traditional publishing. Joanna discusses her trials of following her dreams, growing up Filipino, seeing her name on a bookshelf for the first time and experiencing fame and getting to know her fans. Presentation ends with a Q&A.

Ages: 8+
Group Size: No max.

A/V Needs: In Person sessions require the use of a projector, virtual sessions require the ability to share screens. 

The above is Joanna’s go-to presentation, but she is happy to delve into other topics or activities to suit your school needs/events/activities! She has also done conversation styled panels, and is absolutely happy to be part of one.

Contact Joanna to book a visit:

    Lyall, Casey (Strathroy, ON)

    Copyright Jordan Lyall Photography Personal

    Writers’ Union member. CANSCAIP member. Picture Books. Middle grade. Graphic Novels.
    English language presentations and workshops for all ages.

    In-Person Visits (45-60 minutes): $300 for 1 session; $250 for each subsequent session up to four sessions in one day. A session may be split into two 25 minute storytime events for grades K-2.

    Virtual Visits (45-60 minutes): $200 per session. A session may be split into two 25 minute storytime events for grades K-2.

    FOREST OF READING 2026 NOMINEE

    HST applies to all sessions. If travel is over 50 km, a rate of 50¢/km, round trip, will be charged.  

    Notables:

    • Multiple nominee for the CCBC Book Awards, the Forest of Reading, and the Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Awards (MYRCA)
    • Red Cedar Fiction Award winner
    • Selected for Junior Library Guild, OLA Best Bets, and the International Youth Library’s White Ravens list
    • Barnes and Noble Best Picture Book nominee

    Testimonial: “Casey’s presentation was an absolute delight and so engaging for the over 150 students that came to see her! She shared her own story of perseverance in chasing her dream of writing stories and was so personable with the students answering all of their many questions with humour and respect. Casey’s story writing exercise provided the audience with an excellent example of developing their own story. Truly an inspiration to inspiring authors young and old. Thank you!” – Peggy Cline, Children’s Programming Coordinator, Grimsby Public Library

    Casey Lyall is the author of nine (and counting!) humorous books for kids such as the Howard Wallace, P.I. series, A Spoonful of Frogs (illustrated by Vera Brosgol), Gnome Is Where Your Heart Is, Waking the Dead and Other Fun Activities, and The League of Littles (illustrated by Sara Faber.)

    Casey offers fun, dynamic, and interactive presentations that entertain and inform while leaving her audience excited about creating their own stories.

    Her general presentation covers the key elements that Casey has learned over her years as a writer while allowing time for a Q&A with students and a group story-building game. Casey is a very flexible presenter and can adapt her presentation to suit the needs of a school. If there is an interest in focusing more on one aspect of writing or on one of her books specifically, that can be accommodated.

    Casey also loves presenting at libraries! She’s available for storytime visits as well as workshops for all ages. Reach out to discuss what kind of visit would best suit your organization.

    If there is an interest in book sales at an event, Casey can provide order forms with instructions to help organize the process in advance. She co-ordinates with a bookstore that offers her titles at a discount.

    Testimonial: “Casey presented at the Lakefield Literary Festival Children’s Tent Event, and we loved her performance. She had the kids and adults laughing with her fun, improvised story. It was hilarious, and very engaging for the audience. Casey was a skilled, organized and enthusiastic performer, and our community adored her.”- Kacie Gardiner, Lakefield Literary Festival and Selwyn Public Library

    Free Virtual Visits: Casey offers a limited number of free fifteen-minute virtual visits to classes or book clubs who have read one of her books. These sessions are strictly Q&A only with no presentation.

    Writing Workshops: Available on request. Fees negotiable based on time and intensity. Casey will work with schools and libraries to craft a workshop specifically suited to their needs. These are available for smaller groups – maximum size is one class or approximately twenty adults.

    Equipment: Casey can accommodate presentations to groups of any size, but if she is presenting in a large venue, a microphone is required. A librarian, teacher, or other school representative must be present throughout any event. A digital projector and screen may be required (Some presentations are accompanied by PowerPoint slides. Casey can bring her laptop or provide a flash drive). A table to keep supplies on is also appreciated.

    Contact Casey to book a visit:

      Torres, J (Whitby, ON)

      Award-winning Filipino Canadian writer of comic books and graphic novels. Member of Writer’s Union of Canada, Canadian Children’s Book Centre, and Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators, and Performers. Middle grades. 

      Rates are $350 for one session, $650 for two, $950 for three, plus mileage. Classroom or library setting preferred over gymnasium or auditorium. Limit of 50 students per session (negotiable). Projector and laptop required for slideshow presentation. 

      Virtual rates: $200 for one session, $300 for two (within the same week).

      Best suited for grades 4 to 6, each session is approximately 45-60 minutes consisting of a brief intro, a reading (excerpt or short comic story), presentation on how graphic novels are made, and a Q&A at the end. Book sales and signings available upon request.

      J. has written for all the major North American comic book publishers including Archie, Dark Horse, DC, Image, and Marvel. He has also been published by Kids Can Press, Owlkids, Scholastic, and Tundra . He currently writes the Chirp comic in Chirp Magazine and the Adventure Comics motion comics for the DC Kids YouTube Channel. His graphic novels include Alison Dare (Eisner Award Nominee), Bigfoot Boy (Junior Library Guild Selection), Brobots (Kids Read Comics Award and Parents’ Choice Award), How to Spot a Sasquatch (Junior Library Guild Selection) , Lola: A Ghost Story (Aesop’s Accolade), Planet Hockey (Forest of Reading Honor Book), and Stealing Home (Forest of Reading Honor Book, Hackmatack Award Winner, nominated for Red Cedar, Bilson Award, and Sakura Medal).

      LOLAAESOP J Torres

      CONTACT J TO BOOK A VISIT: