Have you ever stopped to think about the buried creeks and waterways tucked under our parks, homes, and streets? There’s a wetlands near my home where a creek burbles to the surface briefly before it’s contained underground again. It sparked My Creek Speaks, written by me and illustrated by Hawlii Pichette. This lyrical nonfiction picture book is a way to connect and reconcile with the waterways that sustain us. It’s also a cross-cultural creative collaboration that I’m grateful to be part of. I’m an author of settler heritage, and Hawlii is a Mushkego Cree (Treaty 9) urban mixed ancestry artist and illustrator. Together with Groundwood Books, we can’t wait to share our creation with you in Fall 2026.
I’m a fan of Hawlii’s first picture book, BENJAMIN’S THUNDERSTORM, wonderfully written by Melanie Florence. Please check it out!
Have you ever stopped to think about all the footsteps that have walked your street—yesterday, today, and tomorrow? That thinking sparked My Street Remembers, written by me and illustrated by Cathie Jamieson. This lyrical nonfiction picture book is a way to connect and reconcile with the land where we live. It’s also a cross-cultural creative collaboration that I’m grateful to be part of. I’m an author of settler heritage, and Cathie is an Anishinaabe artist of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Together with Groundwood Books, we’ve created something special that we’re excited to share with you in Fall 2025.
I adore Cathie’s illustrations, including her art installation “The Gathering in Place,” currently on display at the YDZ Experience Centre in Toronto:
I signed a new book contract last week, and I’m feeling really happy about it! I now have five picture books in the works with wonderful illustrators and publishers, including three with Groundwood Books that have become a series! Please watch my Coming Soon page for details, but for now, I’ll just post this teaser. I have so much gratitude to my agent Ginger Knowlton of Curtis Brown for all her support and encouragement.
I’m thrilled to be co-creating One Cosmic Rock: The Asteroid That Changed Our World with illustrator Julia Vasileva! A companion book to One Tiny Bubble: The Story of Our Last Universal Common Ancestor, this new picture book tells the story of the asteroid responsible for the dinosaurs’ extinction 66 million years ago. It also celebrates the resilience of life on Earth and the evolution of the diverse life-forms thriving today. It’s coming in Spring 2026 from Owlkids Books, with many thanks to my agent Ginger Knowlton of Curtis Brown for negotiating the deal!
I’m honoured that One Tiny Bubble, illustrated by Dawn Lo, has been included in the TD Summer Reading Club 2024! This club is Canada’s biggest, bilingual summer reading program for kids of all ages, interests, and abilities. It’s offered at more than 2,000 public libraries as well as online. I love how it celebrates Canadian authors, illustrators and stories, and inspires kids to read!
Once a month, children’s author Vikki VanSickle goes on CTV’s Your Morning to recommend Canadian kids’ books. Recently, Vikki was on the show to talk about Halloween-themed titles for all ages, and included Monster vs. Boy. My book was in great company!
Plus, this book has received wonderful reviews over the last few weeks:
“While some readers may pick up Monster vs. Boy because of the promise of a horror story, Karen Krossing’s latest middle-grade novel is more a reflection of what we see and fear in others before we know them….Karen Krossing also reminds us of the magic of books and reading.” CanLit for Little Canadians
“Monster vs. Boy is a heartfelt and charming story about family, community support, and the power of acceptance of yourself and others.” The Miramichi Reader
“Rich with fantasy, the novel explores the definition of family, the power of friendship, and the healing that comes from confronting the trauma we may have locked behind closed doors.” Canadian Children’s Book News
