TIFA Kids: Are These Authors Related?

TIFA Kids is back at the Toronto International Festival of Authors with family friendly events for everyone! Running from October 21 to 31, there are readings, activities and Q&As for every member of the family. It turns out, it's not just a family affair at home, but also on screen. Did you know these TIFA Kids authors are actually related?


Basil and Kevin Sylvester headshotsBasil & Kevin Sylvester

Child-parent duo Basil and Kevin Sylvester will be presenting their latest novel, The Fabulous Zed Watson! Basil, like Zed, is non-binary, a writer and based in Toronto. Dad Kevin is the award-winning author/illustrator of more than thirty books, also based in Toronto. Together they have co-authored The Fabulous Zed Watson!, and with Kevin’s illustrations, brought Zed and his friends' adventures to life. Basil and Kevin have quite the morning planned out for their audience, from a hilarious reading of Zed’s adventures to chatting about philosophical questions. You won’t want to miss the fun!

The Fabulous Zed Watson! with Basil & Kevin Sylvester
Saturday, October 23 at 10:30am ET

Jeffery and Shezza Ansloos headshotsJeffrey & Shezza Ansloos

Another child-parent duo at this year’s Festival is Jeffrey and Shezza Ansloos, who are presenting their collaborative picture book, Thunder and the Noise Storms. Jeffrey is an educator and psychologist who works with Indigenous children, youth and families. Mom Shezza Ansloos is a speaker and educator who advocates for children through the education system. The Cree writers created their picture book to depict sensory overload and coping strategies that could be managed by integrating neurodiversity with Indigenous worldview. Tune in and learn how to listen with wonder when the world gets too loud and chaotic.

When the World is Too Loud – with Jeffrey & Shezza Ansloos
Monday, October 25 at 1pm ET

Debbie Ridpath Ohi & Ruth Ohi headshotsDebbie Ridpath Ohi & Ruth Ohi

Author-illustrators and sisters Debbie Ridpath Ohi and Ruth Ohi are both set to take the stage at this year’s Festival with their own exciting and interactive events. Japanese-Canadian and based in Toronto, Debbie Ridpath Ohi and Ruth Ohi are both passionate about creating children's books. They have both illustrated and written several bestselling children’s books, many of which have been nominated for prestigious awards. Debbie Ridpath Ohi will present her latest picture book, I’m Sorry, the fourth in The New York Times bestselling-series with author Michael Ian Black. Ruth Ohi will introduce her newest picture book, Choose Kindness, featuring Bunny and friends. Be sure to catch both of these events!

Sorry is the Hardest Word of All with Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Friday, October 29 at 1pm ET

Kindness is a Superpower with Ruth Ohi
Thursday, October 21 at 1pm ET

Eric and Terry Fan headshotsEric & Terry Fan

Eric and Terry Fan are award-winning children’s book creators, finalists for the Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Book Awards, creators of It Fell From the Sky and well—brothers. The creative duo are a part of not one, but two Festival events, with tons of whimsical fun in store for young readers! For the Festival's opening weekend, The Fan Brothers will give a family-friendly presentation of their new picture book about community, art, the importance of giving back and the wonder that fell from the sky, called It Fell From the Sky. Later in the week, The Fan Brothers, along with other CCBC Book Award finalists, will demonstrate their illustrative styles and discuss the importance of picture books during child development for a grown-up audience.

It Fell From the Sky with Eric & Terry Fan
Saturday, October 23 at 1pm ET

Illustrating for Children – An Artist’s Experience
Tuesday, October 26 at 1pm ET

David and Nicola Yoon headshotsDavid Yoon & Nicola Yoon

Did you know that these two young-adult romance authors have a romance of their own? Bestselling authors and husband-and-wife duo Nicola Yoon and David Yoon are set to appear together on the TIFA Kids virtual stage to discuss their new novels: Nicola’s Instructions for Dancing and David’s Frankly In Love. Join the Yoons to hear about their stories of love and belonging and to find out more about the launch of their new publishing imprint, Joy Revolution, dedicated to young-adult romance novels by people of colour, about people of colour.

Love in the Afteryoon: David Yoon & Nicola Yoon
Saturday, October 30 at 4pm ET


TIFA Kids is proud to present 30+ free virtual events from October 21 to 31, bringing new adventures each day. Check out the full TIFA Kids event lineup here, and join in on all the fun!

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