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:

    Cutler, Marcus Tecumseh, ON)

    A member of The Writers’ Union of Canada, SCBWI, and CANSCAIP.

    Rates: $250 for a single session, $200 per each additional session. For Kindergarten classes, two half sessions can be substituted for a full one. Plus a travel fee of $0.50/km outside of Essex County, Ontario. Virtual: $180 per session.

    Marcus began his career as an illustrator, and has since established himself as a writer, and presenter. He is the author and illustrator of the hilarious picture book I Do Not Eat Children, and is the illustrator of The Three Canadian Pigs: A Hockey Story, The Monster’s Travel Guide Part Deux: A Canadian Adventure, the Lark Ba detective series, and many, many more!

    WORDS VS. PICTURES – WHO WILL WIN?!?

    Grades K-6

    50-60 Minutes, or two 30-minute presentations for kindergarten groups

    What’s more important in a picture book, the words or the pictures? Marcus fearlessly tackles this controversial debate head-on in this fun and enlightening presentation that pulls from his unique perspective as both an illustrator and author. Focusing on how artwork can support, expand, and even contradict the text, Marcus will read and discuss a book he illustrated, The Three Canadian Pigs by Jocelyn Watkinson as well as his own book, I Do Not Eat Children. Students will then participate in a lively improvisational art and caption game that will finally determine who reigns supreme, the words… or the pictures?

    MAKING MONSTROSITIES

    Grades K-5

    50-60 Minutes, or two 30-minute presentations for kindergarten groups

    What happens to all the books that don’t get made? Prepare yourself as Marcus opens his Vault of Monstrosities, and discover that what lies inside is not just monstrous… but also wonderful! Focusing on the themes of creativity and resilience, Marcus will take students on a behind the scenes tour – from manuscript, to artwork, to printed copy, and all the parts in-between, to see how books sometimes do, and sometimes don’t, get made. The presentation will include readings  and discussions of Travel Guide for Monsters Part Deux: A Canadian Adventure, and I Do Not Eat Children, as well as a raucous call and response monster-drawing game that will teach students how fun it can be to make monstrosities!

    Virtual Visits:

    The classroom must have access to a camera and Google Meet or Zoom, and drawing materials for the students.

    In-Person Visits:

    The classroom will need a smart board or presentation screen, a pad of chart paper, and drawing materials for the students. Additional activity sheets will be provided. Marcus prefers a maximum group size of 35 to allow for higher personal engagement.

    Contact Marcus to book a visit:

      Hannigan, Jess (Hamilton, ON)

      Jess Hannigan is a writer and illustrator making picture books, editorial artwork, and more in Hamilton, Ontario. Spider in the Well is her first picture book. It’s a JLG Gold Standard Selection as well as a Kids Indie Next List pick. Some of her clients include The New York Times, Reader’s Digest Canada, Cottage Life Magazine, and The New Yorker.

      In-Person Presentations: $500 plus HST for one session, $900 for two, $1200 for three. These are currently available in Kitchener/Waterloo and the GTA only.

      Virtual Visits: $300 + HST for up to one hour, $200 + HST for each additional presentation on the same day.

      Awards:

      • Society of Illustrators, Warby Parker Visionary Scholarship Award‏‏‎ 2020
      • 2020 World Illustration Awards, New Talent Exploration Category Award

      Book Topics: Mischief, Lying, Deception, Humorous Stories, Money, Justice, Unfair Labour

      Presentation Format:

      My full presentation sessions are generally a 1hr presentation that covers how I developed my career, artistic style, and how I wrote and illustrated the book Spider in the Well. This can also include a reading of the book, of course! I end the session with a live drawing and a Q&A.

      Also available is a shorter, story time session (30-45min), with a brief intro about myself, a reading, and Q&A. Good for younger listeners!

      I typically work with children ages 4-9, but I’ve also enjoyed presenting to older kids/teens about my life as an author and artist, and provide advice for making creative work that you really like.

      I’m happy to work around your needs or hear out your presentation ideas!

      Other Notes:

      • A projector/screen is required for in-person visits, as well as a microphone for larger groups.
      • For any drawing activities, an easel with paper, markers, and crayons for the kids to draw along with.
      • A teacher/facilitator must be present for in-person presentations.

      Contact Jess to book a visit:

        Syed, Anoosha (Milton, ON)

        Anoosha Syed is a Pakistani-Canadian author, illustrator, and character designer for animation. She has illustrated over forty books, including I Am Perfectly Designed by Karamo Brown, APALA honor book, Bilal Cooks Daal by Aisha Saeed and her author/illustrator debut, That’s Not My Name!

        Book topics: Empathy, First Day of School, Self-empowerment, Food and Culture. Family, South Asian and Muslim

        Awards:

        • Forest of Reading Blue Spruce Award Honour 2023
        • APALA Honor for Bilal Cooks Daal
        • Society of Illustrators Original Art Show
        • Royal Society’s Young People’s Book Prize Shortlist
        • Featured in Netflix series ‘Bookmarks’
        • Featured in Eric Carle museum
        • Otter Award nominee

        Virtual Visits:

        • $300 + HST for up to one hour 
        • $200 + HST for each additional presentation on the same day

        I usually work with children ages JK-Gr 3. But older kids/teens can also benefit from learning about the life of an author/illustrator, and a love for writing and drawing!

        PRESENTATION FORMAT

        My session is a 1hr presentation that covers my career, how I wrote and illustrated the book That’s Not My Name!, and the importance of diversity/inclusivity in books. It ends with a live drawing demonstration and Q&A

        I also offer a shorter 30-45min storytime session (best suited for JK-SK) that includes an intro on myself, a reading, and Q&A. 

        This is a guideline of what I offer, but I am happy to be flexible and work around your school needs; if you’d like me to focus on any particular topics, books or activities we can definitely discuss!

        Other notes
        A projector is required for in-person visits, and microphone + podium for larger groups.
        For drawing activities, an easel with paper as well as paper, markers, crayons for the children to draw along with.
        In-person presentations for JK-2 max 30 per group, teacher/facilitator MUST be present.

        Contact Anoosha to book a visit:

          Crawley, Oksanna (Brampton, ON)

          CANSCAIP and SCBWI member. Author/Illustrator of picture books, early reader books. Available for virtual presentations or in-person presentations for grades K-8. Oksanna lives in Brampton, Ontario.

          Virtual presentation (30 minutes or 1 hour) $100.00

          In-person presentation (1- 2 hours)  $250.00 (ability to project images from author’s laptop, prefers one or two classes)

          Oksanna is the co-author and illustrator of the picture book, PIRATE GLITTERBEARD, published by Rebel Mountain Press.

          “My class giggled with delight as I read this book to them. They loved the whimsical characters and the vibrant pictures. Pirate Glitterbeard breaks down all the stereotypes of how a pirate should act and look. This book should definitely be on the shelves of EVERY classroom. Highly recommended.” ~Karen Williams teacher/librarian

          Oksanna has also written a non-fiction book for children about her favourite Canadian artist, Tom Thomson, which will be published in 2024 by Fitzhenry and Whiteside.

          A series of over 30 books for early readers, SUPER HAMMY’S ADVENTURES, which she wrote and illustrated is available from Blueberry Hill Books.

          Oksanna is a retired teacher and would be happy to tailor her presentation to the needs of your students. She loves to talk about how a book comes to life from idea to final product, how to approach illustrating a picture book from thumbnail sketch to final illustration, how to construct or plot a story, how to write a non-fiction book, etc.

          School Presentations include a PowerPoint presentation

          Contact Oksanna to book a visit:

            Zaman, Farida (Ontario)

            Farida is a Canadian-South Asian Writer and illustrator of picture books and other works. She is  a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and the Canadian Society of Authors, Illustrators and Performers.

            Rates are as follows: Virtual Visits: $150 School visits: $250 plus travel expenses outside GTA.

            For school visits Farida can provide an introductory slideshow showing what Farida does and how Farida works as an author and illustrator,  adapting it to the age of the audience.  

            Farida likes to get children involved, asking them questions and getting them doing hands-on activities as much as possible. Farida is an Ontario based presenter and a member of Writers Union. Farida does virtual  and school visits. Teachers guide PDFs available by email request

            Aliya’s Secret- A Ramadan Secret

            Written and illustrated by Farida Zaman

            Ramadan is coming, and as Abba and Ammi prepare for their month-long fast, Aliya hugs a secret to her chest: she’s going to fast too! Ammi says she’s still too young to fast, but Aliya is determined. At school, she refuses her snack, her lunch—even the cupcakes Sanjay’s mom drops off for his birthday. But when she gets home, she can’t resist Ammi’s sweet, syrupy baklava. Before Aliya can stop herself, she reaches out and takes a big bite. Aliya is disappointed in herself, but Ammi explains that there are many other ways to celebrate Ramadan besides fasting, like performing acts of kindness! Together, Aliya and her parents spend the month preparing and delivering meals to people in need. This joyful look at Ramadan is based on the author’s own childhood experiences and is rich with facts and details about the holiday. Readers familiar and unfamiliar with the holiest month in the Islamic calendar will get swept up in the festivities, and perhaps be inspired to share a meal with their community.

            Recently Farida wrote and illustrated her first picture book called “I Want to Be” A Gutsy Girls  ABC. She has worked with a variety of mediums on the project – watercolour, gouache, acrylics, and Procreate.

            Farida’s  workshops will consist of the following:

            • Intro
            • Reading my book (Picture Book)
            • Art/ creative workshop
            • Sharing the art

            Contact Farida to book a visit:

              McLeod, Cinders (Toronto)

              Writers’ Union Member. Now doing virtual visits only: $200 for one 60 minute session, $350 for 2, $525 for 3, $675 for 4. Maximum 4
              sessions per day. JK to SK: two 30-minute sessions for the price of 1.

              Cinders presents to JK to Grade 3. Single class size is best for discussion, but Cinders is flexible.

              Author-illustrator of the Moneybunnies financial literacy for young children series, published by Penguin N.Y. She is also a well known human rights cartoonist and musician. Cinders has 20 years’ experience in Canadian and British books and newspapers, is the creator of the 8-year-old Broomie Law cartoon and one of the few published, women political cartoonists in the world. She is also an experienced performer (singer, songwriter, double bassist with a record on Billy Bragg’s label) and cartoon workshop presenter. She wrote and illustrated EARN IT! SPEND IT! SAVE IT! and GIVE IT! for ages 3- 8 because it’s never too early to teach children about money. The Moneybunnies series is popular with STEM educators.

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              Hohn, Nadia (Toronto)

              The Writers Union member. Picture book. All ages. $350 for 1 session (60 min) $ 600 for 2 sessions of 60 minutes (1/2 day)$ 400 for 2 x 30 minute sessions (great for JK to 1). Full day (4 sessions) $ 1000. + kilometrage. Can present in English and French.

              Malaika’s Costume (2016) and Malaika’s Winter Carnival (2017).

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