Calgary-based Ginger Mullen has been telling stories in schools, libraries, early childhood centres, and community organizations since 1992. Ginger is currently a non-touring member of YABS and not available for Taleblazers due to prior commitments.
Edmonton-based Tololwa Mollel is a storyteller, dramatist, and an award-winning author of over twenty books for the young and not so young in English and in Swahili, the national language of his native African country of Tanzania. Tololwa will be available for both in-person and virtual presentations for 2024.
Red Deer author Sigmund Brouwer's Rock and Roll Literacy presentation has reached over 1,000,000 students in schools across Canada and the United States. He is a bestselling author of both children and adult books, and based on this, he has established two on-line courses for teachers and librarians to use in the classroom or for distance learning. Sigmund is available for both in-person and virtual sessions and is open to travel.
Passionate in her craft, Mary Ann’s present day intergenerational storytelling is an evolving art form that blends an engaging educational experience with animated entertainment. Mary Ann is currently a non-touring member and will not be available for Taleblazers 2023, but she is open to inquiries for private bookings. She can be reached at prmalippiatt@gmail.com or 780-941-3843.
For over twenty-five years Kathy has brought her stories and popular writing workshops to schools, libraries, concerts and festivals across Canada and internationally. Kathy is offering both in-person and virtual sessions for 2024-25 and is open to travel.
With over fifty picture books and children's novels to her credit, Canmore-based Hazel Hutchins is an experienced presenter who takes delight in sharing her stories and creative writing tips with elementary students across Canada and beyond. Hazel is an active member of YABS but is no longer touring.
Award-winning writer Alison Hughes has also been a finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Awards, the Alberta Literary Awards, and nine times for Canadian children’s choice awards. She has published 16 books for children of all ages and has given lively presentations and workshops for children all across Canada. Alison will be available for in-person and virtual bookings beginning in late October. She prefers to stay within 1 hour radius of Edmonton, but will consider overnight travel for multiple days of bookings.
Sue Farrell Holler writes for children of all ages – from preschool to young adult. Her YA novel, Cold White Sun, was a 2019 finalist for a Governor General’s Award for literature for young people – text, won the R. Ross Annett Award for children’s literature and the U.S.-based High Plains Book Award. Her new picture book (Spring 2022) is Finding Moose, a companion story to her popular 2020 title, Raven, Rabbit, Deer. Sue is available for in-person and virtual bookings.
For more than thirty years, Karen Gummo has performed far and wide as a creative storyteller, probing her Scandinavian heritage, seeking to learn and decipher world wisdom, and undertaking many school residencies. Karen is available for in-person Taleblazers bookings during the first week of October 2023.
Joan is an internationally acclaimed author with more than 20 titles, and translations in five languages. She enjoys partnering facts and storytelling to engage young readers in science, engineering, and other STEM topics. She will be available for both in-person and virtual bookings in 2024-25 and is open to travel.
