Book Magic: A Conversation with Teresa Toten

Teresa has been a children’s author for over twenty years. She has been the recipient of many awards, including the Governor General’s Literary Award for her young adult novel The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B, and she has been involved in literacy issues for almost as long as her writing career. Teresa took a few moments to speak with First Book Canada about being an Author Champion.

Why do you work with First Book Canada?

I was invited to do a children’s writing workshop in Hamilton, Ontario, and was so impressed by the organization and the enthusiasm of the First Book Canada volunteers. I’m enthusiastic about First Book’s commitment to accessibility and quality education. I’m equally enthusiastic about the quality and passion of their volunteers and the entire organization!

The most fun and rewarding by far is diving deep into rooms full of young adults and the teachers and specialists who care about them.

What is the most memorable part of working with First Book Canada? 

I still meet young adults or their teachers who I may have met for a moment years ago at a First Book Canada event and they tell me how much that (and leaving with a few books!) meant to them. I’ve been blessed with many awards, but the most fun and rewarding by far is diving deep into rooms full of young adults and the teachers and specialists who care about them.

Owning your own book is a powerful magic.

What role did books play in your life when you were growing up?        

I was a library rat in every way. I was raised in a house without books or the money to buy them. I still have the two books that were given to me as a Christmas present a thousand years ago. They meant and still mean that much to me. Owning your own book is a powerful magic.

Thank you, Teresa, for being an Author Champion and getting books to kids!

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Learn more about our Author Champions!

Are you an author who has worked with First Book Canada and you want to share your experience? Contact our Communications Coordinator.