Sylvia McNicoll's most recent book, What The Dog Knew,(Dundurn Press) tells the story of the close relationship between Naomi and her dog, Diesel. The connection is so close, in fact, that Naomi, quite literally, has the voice of Diesel in her head. A book about family, second chances and the intuitive sensibility of a faithful companion. Find out more at https://www.dundurn.com/books_/t22117/a9781459749894-what-the-dog-knows ..read more

Nancy Hartry is a an award-winning children's writer whose latest release, Snow Doves, tells a delightfully poignant story of Sami, a young boy who is coaxed into embracing his very first winter in Canada. Along with illustrator, Gabrielle Grimard, Nancy tells the story without using a single word. Find out more about Snow Doves and Nancy's other work at https://nancyharty.com ..read more

Carmen Mok is a graphic artist and illustrator. Today, we gather in conversation around the release of her newest creation, "Tough Like Mum", written by Lana Button and illustrated by, yup, Carmen Mok. A great conversation about, among other things, illustrators as co-authors. Find out more about Carmen at https://carmenmokstudio.com ..read more

Lana Button is a children’s author, educator and entertainer who is passionate about supporting, encouraging and entertaining young children. She writes picture books that support empathy, self-reliance, resilience and anti-bullying behaviors. Lana's latest picture book is Tough Like Mum. In this tender exploration of a mother-daughter relationship, Kim and her mother learn that in order to support and truly take care of each other, they need to be tough -- and that sometimes being tough means showing vulnerability and asking for help. Find out more about Lana at https://lanabutton.com ..read more

Today we welcome Ontario-based author, Jean Mills, to the Launch Pod. Her latest YA novel, Larkin on the Shore, was released in January 2020, just before the pandemic lockdown. Here's a description of her novel: Larkin Day is a messed up 16-year-old. She just escaped a nasty year in high school to spend a summer of refuge in seaside Nova Scotia. It’s here she learns that the best way to heal is to give in to something greater than yourself. But when an arsonist attempts to destroy that one thing she holds dear, Larkin is forced to figure out a way to expose the criminal while keeping her life ..read more

The world of sports is filled with images of achievement, teamwork and a drive to be the best you can be. But, what if you’re an athlete who feel the need to hide part of yourself away from the world? What if the highly public sports culture in which you are immersed forces you to be very private about an essential part of your identity? Today on the Canadian Launchpod, two authors who have new books out that take us into the lives of LBGTQ2 athletes who are bringing their true selves out into the open. Paul Coccia’s new YA fiction release, The Player, tells the story of Cooper a goalie for a ..read more

"Chris Dearing is positive his family’s long streak of bad luck is finally over. Sure, he’s thought that before, but this time is different. He’s reclaimed his grandfather’s land in the Yukon - the land his granddad swore was full of gold. Now Chris just has to wait for his father to get out of jail so they can start mining their family fortune." Join Canadian YA author Natalie Hyde as she weaves a story of adventure and intrigue in Canada's north. Natalie joins me today on the Canadian Launchpod. Find out more about Up the Creek and other books by Natalie at https://nataliehyde.com ..read more

The Adventures of Grandmasaurus is a role reversal story where the kids know better than the adult. On a field trip to the museum Grandma inhales some museum dust and magically sneezes herself into different dinosaurs. The kids have to keep reminding Grandmasaureus how to properly act out in the world. For example: you can’t run in a museum even if you are a Raptor! Author Caroline Fernandez joins me on the Launch Pod to talk about her new book and what it has been like releasing it during a pandemic. For more, visit https://parentclub.ca ..read more

Saumiya Balasubramaniam's new picture book, Two Drops of Brown in a Cloud of White, (Ill. Eva Campbell) is a heart-warming tale of a mother and child who have two different perspectives on the first winter in their new home. In today's conversation, we explore those perspectives and how the imagination of a child can help to warm (if not melt) the heart of a reluctant and resistant adult. Two Drops of Brown in a Cloud of White is published by Groundwood Books (https://groundwoodbooks.com ..read more

The idea for Family for Faru came to author Anitha Rao-Robinson in 2016 when her daughter volunteered at a rhino orphanage in South Africa. Beautifully illustrated by Karen Patkau, Family for Faru shines a light on the plight of many rhinos in that country, the result of poaching. Anitha is donating 40% of her royalties for the book to support several rhino charities. Find out more about Anitha at https://anitharobinson.com Learn more about Karen's work at https://karenpatkau.com ..read more