Rachel Wada is the award-winning illustrator of many picture books. Born in her mother’s hometown of Hamamatsu, Japan, she lived in her father’s hometown of Hong Kong as a child before relocating to Vancouver, British Columbia. She has a BFA in illustration from Emily Carr University of Art & Design.
Júlia Sardà
Júlia Sardà is an internationally acclaimed illustrator of many books for young readers, including The Liszts, Mary Before Frankenstein and Dave Eggers’s Moving the Millers’ Minnie Moore Mine Mansion. She is the author-illustrator of The Queen in the Cave and The Witch in the Tower. Júlia lives in Barcelona, Spain.
Roxanne Rainville
Roxanne Rainville is an illustrator and artist based in the Laurentians in Québec, with a passion for storytelling through art. With over fifteen years of experience as a professional artist and a background in teaching art to children, her work blends whimsy and emotion with a love for illustrating stories that challenge expectations and spark empowerment. She specializes in creating warm, expressive illustrations that celebrate imagination, wonder and the quiet beauty found in everyday life. Her recent work includes The Matilda Effect, a book highlighting remarkable yet forgotten women in history – a project that reflects her dedication to honoring overlooked voices. When she’s not drawing, Roxanne loves exploring the natural world, caring for her animals and bringing creativity into the hands of young artists.
Maya McKibbin
Maya McKibbin is a Two-Spirited multidisciplinary animator and illustrator living on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and səlilwətaɬ Nations. They are Irish-settler and Ojibwe, with roots in White Earth Nation, and have family diaspora from Zacatecas in Mexico. They grew up in ch’atlich and later in England. Maya is the illustrator of two award-winning picture books, and their work has also appeared in graphic novels.
Sunita Balsara
Sunita Balsara is a writer and illustrator living in Toronto, Ontario. A graduate of Sheridan College’s animation program, Sunita has worked on popular shows such as Bubble Guppies, Thomas & Friends and more. Ostinato, a short film she wrote, was an official selection at Comic-Con’s 2024 Independent International Film Festival. Namaste, Santa is her first book for children.