Emma's Story

Deborah Hodge is the author of thirty-five books for children. She specializes in writing engaging nonfiction for young readers and loves the challenge of using few words to explain big thoughts.   Many of Deborah’s books have received awards and been published internationally. Her honours include twice winning the Children’s Literature Roundtable of Canada’s Information Book Award, and receiving the Honour Book distinction from the National Jewish Award for Children’s Literature for Rescuing the Children: The Story of the Kindertransport. Her work has also been featured on such lists as IBBY’s Outstanding Books for Children with Disabilities for Lily and the Mixed-up Letters. Before she was an author, Deborah was a teacher and curriculum writer for the BC Ministry of Education. She says, “Although I’m not teaching anymore, I still feel like I’m talking to my students whenever I write a book. I love the process of trying to create something that young readers will find interesting.”   Deborah was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and lives with her family in Vancouver, BC.   For more information, please visit her website at www.deborahhodge.com

Tundra artist Song Nan Zhang was born in Shanghai. He received a Masters degree from the Beijing Central Institute of Fine Arts, and his paintings have been exhibited in galleries around the world. After teaching at the Central Institute for several years, he visited Montreal, Canada, and decided to settle there with his wife and two sons to pursue his painting full time. His works on canvas have been regularly exhibited in eastern Canada, notably at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.