Ishta Mercurio

I loved having this conversation with you and Jen! Thank you for that, Matthew.

Listen Back: Ishta Mercurio and Jen Corace share Small World Ishta Mercurio and Jen Corace share SMALL WORLD, their new picture book. The story circles around Nanda, a girl who dreams of space. As Nanda grows, her experience of the world and also her view of th...

Listen Back: Ishta Mercurio and Jen Corace share SMALL WORLD, their new picture book. The story circles around Nanda, a girl who dreams of space. www.matthewcwinner.com/post/listen-... 📚👍🏽 #kidlit #podcast #ChildrensBkPod @ishtamercurio.bsky.social

Two smiling people at Kate Blair's book launch: Debbie and Caroline, bookstore in the background.

Three smiling people at Kate Blair's book launch: Debbie, Brian, and Kari. Bookstore in background.

Four smiling people at Kate Blair's book launch

Three smiling people outside Queen Book sin Toronto

More photos from @kateblair.bsky.social's book launch for WE BURY NOTHING at Queen Books in Toronto. @parentclub.bsky.social @brianmcl.com @angrykem.bsky.social @ishtamercurio.bsky.social @maureenmcgowan.bsky.social @bevrosenbaum.bsky.social #KidLit #CanKidLit

Funny story, four years ago this guy tried to overthrow the government, stole a bunch of sensitive documents, committed business fraud, ran a bunch of two-bit scams, and then you'll never guess what happened

Some legal organizations to support in the coming year:

National Immigration Law Center:
www.nilc.org

Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project :
firrp.org

Transgender Law Center:
transgenderlawcenter.org

Center for Reproductive Rights:
reproductiverights.org

ACLU www.aclu.org

The jurors! (My name is in there. It was SUCH a privilege to jury the Marilyn Baillie Award. I don’t have the words for it.)

And the winner is Skating Wild on an Inland Sea, by Jean E. Pendziwol and illustrated by Todd Stewart!!!

(Jean used to be in a critique group with me. She gave me feedback on Small World, which won the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award. CRIT PARTNERS WILL GIVE YOU LIFE.)

#ccbcbookawards

The representative from TD, keeping us in suspense.
#ccbcbookawards

THIS ONE.

It’s time for THE BIG ONE, you guys!

#TDaward #ccbcbookawards

Everybody go to this website and buy original picture book art!!!

And the Marilyn Baillie Award goes to Jack Wong for When You Can Swim. (I juried this award. There were so many truly great books. This one was amazing.)

Jack called out @canscaip.bsky.social and their annual conference, Packaging Your Imagination, which he attended two days ago.
#ccbcbookawards

We saw a wonderful and touching slideshow of the various winners of the Norma Fleck Award for Non-fiction over the years, but I can’t show it to you because this platform doesn’t allow videos.

After a 1 yr hiatus, we have a new Non-Fiction Award on the scene: the Sharon Fitzhenry Award.

The Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction goes to Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold, by Jessica Outram.
#ccbcbookawards

SO ANNOYED WITH MYSELF for not getting a photo of that book cover.

It’s gorgeous.

But I have had two glasses of wine in under an hour, and my typos are plentiful and I was typing and I missed it.

Here’s a screenshot from Goodreads, which is only good for building TBR lists:

Amy Mathers thanks everyone involved with the #AmyMathersTeenBookAward, from jurors to donors, and presents the award to winner Abdi Nazemian for Only This Beautiful Moment.
#ccbcbookawards

TD Grade One Book Giveaway announcement!!!!

Over 550,000 Grade 1 students will get a copy of this book, folks. #impressive #VioletShrink #ccbcbookawards

Correction: Tho Pham.
#ccbcbookawards

The Jean Little First Novel Award goes to The Cricket War, by Tao Pham and Sandra McTavish. (Sandra is speaking, with ASL provided.)
#ccbcbookawards

I forgot the photo of Elly, who is always elegant:

The WINNER of the Arlene Barlin Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy (presented by Elly Barlin-Daniels, speaking) is Bone Smith, by Nicki Pau Preto.

And the David Booth Children’s and Youth Poetry Award goes to Robot, Unicorn, Queen, by Sharon Bramer and illustrated by Irene Luxbacher. (Irene got choked up during her acceptance speech. I have so much admiration for this woman and her work.) #ccbcbookawards

The WINNER of the Richard Allen Chase Memorial Award: Alone, written by Paul Tom, illustrated by Mélanie Baillairgé, translated by Arielle Aaronson. Awesome acceptance speech (delivered in French!) from Paul Tom.

Am I brave and bold? Yes.

Is this my second cab sav of the evening? Also yes.

Am I confident that I will drink them fast enough that there’s almost no chance I’ll spill either of them? Once again, yes.
#ccbcbookawards

Pictured above: my favourite (white) power suit, paired with a glass of fine cab sav; the many awards being presented tonight; me and co-author Kari-Lynn Winters; @kidsbookcentre.bsky.social Executive Director, Stephanie Wells, welcoming us to the evening’s celebrations. #ccbcbookawards

It’s Canadian Children’s Literature’s night to get fancy and celebrate the best of our industry! So delighted to be at the #ccbcbookawards once again, this time as a juror and board member. @kidsbookcentre.bsky.social

“When writing for children, we always want to leave them with a piece of hope.”
- Wanda Taylor sharing wisdom and reminding us why we do this at #PYI2024 #canscaip

Her speech was so good, I forgot the photo.

“Not everyone loves to read, but everyone loves stories.”
- Melanie Florence kicking us off with a bang at #PYI2024

A lively group of five people, including Jack Wong and Debbie Ridpath, smiles around a restaurant table filled with plates, drinks, and phones. The setting is cozy and bustling, with other patrons visible in the background, creating a friendly and casual social gathering vibe. The group appears to be enjoying food, conversation, and camaraderie.

Two woman smile for a selfie in a lively, warm lit gathering space. The background shows other attendees engaged in conversation, with decorative wall art adding to the cozy, social ambiance.

Debbie Ridpath, Julien Chung, and Kate Jenks Landry pose together with cheerful smiles at a social event. The background features a TV showing a baseball game, a bright chandelier, and large windows looking out onto an urban scene. Their name tags and casual attire contribute to the friendly, relaxed atmosphere of the gathering.

Four women, Jenna, Em, Loretta, and Ishta, sit together around a table in a cozy restaurant setting, smiling and enjoying drinks and appetizers. The background shows other patrons mingling, with a casual, warm ambiance accentuated by decor and hanging lights. The gathering appears relaxed and friendly, ideal for conversation and connection.

A few more pics from tonight's fun @canscaip.bsky.social Social at Firkin on Yonge in Toronto. Photos include @elliearscott.bsky.social @katejenkslandry.bsky.social @lorettagarbutt.bsky.social @ishtamercurio.bsky.social
#CanKidLit