BC Council for Families

We're honoured to have the participation of some of BC's best storytellers, children's writers, and children's literature experts on our Family Writes Contest judging panel.

Sheryl McFarlane gave up sunny Arizona for the wild weather of the West Coast more than 30 years ago. She is the author of thirteen books for kids and teens, including the multi-award winning Waiting for the Whales and Jessie's Island. Her most recent title, The Smell of Paint, is a young adult novel that follows an athlete who faces unexpected hurdles both on and off the track. It was awarded the Moonbeam Award for Young Adult Fiction in the U. S and was a Best Books of the Year pick by the Canadian Children's Book Centre. Sheryl hosts two book review blogs, one featuring kids books, and a second for teen books. You can find them through her website www.sherylmcfarlane.ca.

Max Tell, the International Troubadour, his stories and songs are filled with wit, wonder and word play, fun for the whole family. Since February 2010, Max’s stories and songs have received accolades in six national and international competitions. In September 2010, Max appeared on CBC Radio One’s North by North West with host, Sheryl MacKay. And in October he headed on his 7th Pacific Rim tour, a 60 show tour of Colombia.

Nan Gregory has been a professional storyteller for twenty-five years, telling to audiences of all ages in venues as varied as school auditoriums, festival stages, libraries, churches, private homes, and, one winter, from the back of a horse drawn sleigh. She is the author of award-winning picture books for younger children and a junior novel. She has numerous times served as a judge for The Writers Union of Canada short prose competition in both the adult and children’s categories.

Phyllis Simon is the founder and co-owner of Kidsbooks, Canada’s largest children’s bookstore, celebrating 27 years in business as an independent. With three bookstores located throughout the Lower Mainland, Kidsbooks has been a strong supporter of literacy endeavours and has been promoting and encouraging reading amongst children, teens and adults. Phyllis’ career in books began as a children’s librarian with the Burnaby and Vancouver Public Libraries from 1973-1983. She is the wife of Dr Art Hister, mother of two fabulous sons, and soon to be a grandmother for the first time!