About
Karen Krossing wrote comics and poetry as a kid and dreamed of becoming a published writer. Today, she’s the author of many books for kids and teens, including picture books and novels. She won the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award for Canada in 2015 and 2023 and has been a finalist for the Ontario Library Association White Pine Award and the Joan F. Kaywell Books Save Lives Award, among other honors. She holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and she’s on faculty at Whale Rock Workshops and Humber School for Writers. Watch for her upcoming books with Groundwood, Owlkids, Charlesbridge, and Orca in 2026 to 2028.
Karen offers writing workshops for all ages and readings and book talks. She’s a freelance writer and editor for educational clients. She also mentors writers for kids and teens.
Karen lives with her family in Toronto, on the traditional territory of the Wendat, Haudenosaunee, and Anishinabeg and the treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit.
New in February 2026
One Cosmic Rock
Illustrated by Julia Vasileva
Many millions of years ago, one cosmic rock began a journey that would reshape life on our planet forever. A poetic look at a defining event in Earth’s history.
Coming April 2026
The Cloud That Stuck
Illustrated by Dorothy Leung
Some clouds just won’t go away. A timely, sensitive picture book for young readers who have weathered stormy days – and sunny ones too.
More Picture Books
Sour Cakes
Heavy emotions meet a deep well of understanding in this uplifting sibling picture book.
2021 Ontario Library Association Best Bets selection
One Tiny Bubble
The Story of Our Last Universal Common Ancestor
The wondrous true story of one tiny bubble that sparked all life on Earth – including yours.
Winner of the 2023 SCBWI
Crystal Kite Award for Canada
My Street Remembers
How many footsteps have walked your street in the past? This picture book peels back the history of one city street in North America to reveal the greater story of the land on which we live.
A 2025 Quill & Quire Notable Book
A 2025 Winnipeg Free Press Best Book
Finalist for the 2025 Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award
The Buzz
“A superb speaker and workshop presenter, Karen Krossing loves to nurture young writers and help them reach their potential.”
Kingston WritersFest
The Cloud That Stuck is “a gentle, hopeful picture book about mental health and resilience.”
MaiStoryBook
One Cosmic Rock is “a joyous, lyrical celebration of planetary life.”
Kirkus Reviews
My Street Remembers is “a historical account with a wholly original perspective, imbued with a crucial environmental message.”
Kirkus Reviews
Karen’s Latest Novel
Monster vs. Boy
Middle-Grade Novel
No one in the ramshackle house knew that a monster—who was smaller than a bear cub—lived in Dawz’s bedroom closet. She called herself Mim.
Follow Along
My Writing News and Views
Happy Book Birthday to One Cosmic Rock
Today is the official publication day of One Cosmic Rock, wonderfully illustrated by Julia Vasileva, and I'm thrilled it's out in the world! It's a companion book to One Tiny Bubble, illustrated by Dawn Lo, which won the 2023 SCBWI Crystal Kite Award for Canada, among...
New Book Deal: Forever Fries
Many years ago, I began a prose novel for teens that just never worked, even after multiple rewrites. Later, I tried writing it as a novel in letters. Finally, I began writing it as a verse novel. It took a while to learn this new-to-me form. I took courses with...
A Picture Book Primer
Want to Revise Your Picture Book Manuscript? Thanks to writer and editor Jesse Weiner for hosting me on her Inksations blog! Please check out my guest post, "Deconstruction and Reconstruction: A Primer on Picture Book Revision." Do you have a picture book manuscript...
Schedule a Visit
Karen Krossing offers in-person and virtual visits to schools, libraries, festivals, and conferences, including book talks, writing workshops, lectures, and keynotes. She loves meeting readers and writers of all ages. Read more…
Book a Mentorship
Karen loves working one-on-one with pre-published and published writers to support their writing, submitting, and publishing journeys. Read more…