Children’s non-fiction has been surging in popularity and BC authors are at the forefront of exciting STEM, history, nature, sustainability/ecology, and social justice books for young readers. Get inspired by their accessible storytelling on topics as diverse as swimming with sharks, growing greener cities, and celebrating IBPOC environmental defenders. Learn how these award-winning authors got their start, explore the ins-and-outs of adapting complex topics for different age groups and reading levels, and take home tips on how to incorporate non-fiction kidlit into lesson plans and/or break into writing it yourself! This event is open to all ages and encourages teachers, librarians, students, nature-lovers, and aspiring writers to join us for a fast-paced panel discussion with Q&A.
Hybrid events are held in person, you will also be able to watch it live streamed from our Youtube channel.
Location: Room C400, UBC Robson Square
Type: Panel
Sponsored by CWILL BC
Moderator: Mark Leiren-Young, Sharks Forever: The Mystery and History of the Planet’s Perfect Predator (Orca Book Publishers)
Readers: Megan Clendenan, Cities: How Humans Live Together (Orca Book Publishers) | Anuradha Rao, One Earth: People of Color Protecting Our Planet (Orca Book Publishers)
About The Moderator
MARK LEIREN-YOUNG is an award-winning author, screenwriter, playwright and filmmaker. Mark has written several books for young readers including Sharks Forever: The Mystery and History of the Planet's Perfect Predator; Orcas Everywhere: The Mystery and History of Killer Whales (winner of the City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize); Big Sharks, Small World; Big Whales, Small World & Orcas of the Salish Sea. Mark hosts the podcast Skaana covering ocean-related environmental issues and is actively involved in the fight for the survival of the endangered southern resident orcas. He lives in Victoria, British Columbia.
About The Readers
Megan Clendenan is a freelance writer and children’s book author. She has worked for a range of non-profit organizations including ones that focus on environmental law, women’s empowerment, affordable housing, mental health, and urban food security. She loves writing non-fiction that explores history, society and the environment, and hopes to inspire young readers to think critically about the world around them. She is the author or co-author of three middle-grade non-fiction books, including DESIGN LIKE NATURE: BIOMIMICRY FOR A HEALTHY PLANET, FRESH AIR, CLEAN WATER: OUR RIGHT TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT, and CITIES: HOW HUMANS LIVE TOGETHER. She lives with her family in North Vancouver. Find her at meganclendenan.com
Anuradha Rao is a Registered Professional Biologist, writer and facilitator. She has worked on research, conservation, mapping, planning, policy, restoration and stewardship projects across Canada and in 12 other countries. She is the author of the book One Earth: People of Color Protecting Our Planet (Orca, 2020) and more than two dozen other publications. She is currently Senior Environmental Specialist, Marine Ecosystems, on staff with Tsleil-Waututh First Nation. Her major projects for Tsleil-Waututh have been to manage their initiatives on marine water quality policy and nearshore habitat restoration. Her worldview and approach to science are influenced by her own Indian culture, and the teachings of Indigenous knowledge holders. These teachings and the principles of ecology have shown her that everything and everyone is connected, and that we must remember this in our actions and interactions. Anu finds her happy place when she walks off a beach and snorkels among the creatures of the sea.
