In the Press.
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Granny’s Kitchen
by: Sadé Smith and Illustrated by Ken Daley
Now available in bookstores and on all major bookstore websites.
Purchase below.
Julie and the Mango Tree
by: Sadé Smith and Illustrated by Sayada Ramdial
Now available in bookstores and on all major bookstore websites.
Purchase below.
Sadé Smith signs with Bookends Literary Agency
On June 5, 2020, Sadé Smith signed with Bookends Literary Agency to be represented by Naomi Davis who landed her a two book deal with Emily Settle of Feiwel & Friends - An imprint of Macmillan Kids Publishers.
FOREST OF READING 2023
Blue Spruce Award
Granny’s Kitchen has been nominated for the Forest of Reading 2023 Blue Spruce Award. The festival will occur on May 16-18, 2023.
Author Visit
Riverside Public School
I had the most wonderful school visit with the grades K-3 students at Riverside Public School on November 21 in Mississauga to share JULIE AND THE MANGO TREE! The bright students did well with the fun activities and they asked some really good questions. Some of the students made me some beautiful artwork which really made my day. Thank you Riverside PS for having me, I had a blast!
Chickadee Magazine
Music Is Everywhere
Check out my story MUSIC IS EVERYWHERE illustrated by Janine Carrington in the November issue of Owl Kids Chickadee Magazine. The magazine hits newsstands on October 18, 2024. Subscribe at the link below for more amazing issues.
Author Visit
Clifton Public School
I had the most amazing time visiting with the grades 1-5 students at Clifton Public School on May 8 in Mississauga where we read GRANNY’S KITCHEN and JULIE AND THE MANGO TREE! We learned all about Jamaican food and fun places to visit and the kids spoke some patois while helping me read the book. I was very impressed with their amazing questions and responses to the activities and games we played. What a brilliant bunch of students. Thank you Clifton PS for having me, I hope to return to see you again soon!
Writing Workshop
Waterloo Memorial Complex
I had the wonderful opportunity of hosting a writing workshop for the Exploring Worldwide Art Forms event all the way in Waterloo on Thursday April 25 and we had the most amazing time. These aspiring authors sure understood the assignment and they crafted some amazing stories and even drew some illustrations too. They’re definitely great storytellers with bright futures ahead of them. I had a really great time!
Black Excellence Showcase
Oscar Peterson Public School
I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the BSA Black Excellence Showcase at Oscar Peterson Public School in Mississauga and it was absolutely AMAZING! There were presentations put on by the students with singing, step dancing, saxophone playing and a very powerful choreographed dance for the finale. There were vendors selling so many things from books to jewelry and there was even a Jamaican food truck right outside too! Principal Annie did a great job running this event and she’s so kind and generous. Thank you to all who stopped by and thank you to Oscar Peterson PS for having me, I had a great time!
Author Visit
Corsair Public School
I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Corsair Public School in Mississauga on April 17, 2024 to present GRANNY’S KITCHEN and JULIE AND THE MANGO TREE to the grades 1-5 students. We had a super fun time doing the activities and learning about Jamaican culture. They did a fantastic job helping me yell out “Gyal, you betta can cook!” And they got the Jamaican accent on point! They also had some great questions such as “Pelle or Messi?” (I said Pelle of course) and the crowd went wild! What a wonderful day!
PB Rising Stars
Summer Mentorship Program
I’m thrilled to announce that I will be a mentor for the 2024 PB Rising Stars Summer Mentorship Program where I’ll be assisting an aspiring author to work on their writing craft and help them on their journey to being published. There are so many amazing authors and illustrators who are mentoring this summer and it’s going to be a BLAST!
Check out all the mentor profiles HERE.
Applications open March 18 - April 4, 2024.
Peel Black Book Fair
McClure Public School
I took part in the Peel Black Book Fair at McClure Public School put on by the Black Parent Advisory Steering Committee and it was so nice to see so many local black authors getting together in one space to showcase our work. Some faces were familiar and some were new and it’s great to know that more black authors are coming out to provide black literature for our youth. Thank you to everyone who stopped by. Events like these are very much needed in the community to allow us to be present and have our voices heard because REPRESENTATION MATTERS!
Community Event
Peel Youth Village
This year, we’re so lucky to have an extra day to celebrate BLACK HISTORY MONTH. I attended an amazing BHM event put on by the Blackstone Foundation Library at the Peel Youth Village in Mississauga, Ontario on February 29, 2024 to read Granny’s Kitchen. We did some activities and author Sheena Blake read her beautiful book Choose to be Your Vision. There was African drumming, yummy Jamaican food and the kids had a great time sharing their visions too. It’s always great to share our stories with the community and this was a perfect event to conclude Black History Month!
Author Visit
Castlebridge Public School
I had a blast visiting Castlebridge Public School in Mississauga, Ontario on February 28, 2024 to present Julie and the Mango Tree to the grades K-5 students. The kids knew so much about Jamaica and many had even been there. The students from the BSA (Black Student’s Alliance) were amazing and they really enjoyed seeing and holding the coconut from in my display. One thing about the students at Castlebridge, they sure know their fruits!
Author Visit
Rowntree Public School
A time was had at Rowntree Public School in Brampton, Ontario on February 26, 2024 where I presented Julie and the Mango Tree and Granny’s Kitchen to the grades K-3 students. We had so much fun learning about mangoes and filling up the giant plate with our favorite foods. Julie, Shelly-Ann and Mr. Mango joined us for story time too. This visit was a great one!
Author Visit
Derrydown Public School
I visited my friends at Derrydown Public School in North York, Ontario for a second time on February 22, 2024 where I presented Julie and the Mango Tree to the grades 1-3 students. I was so happy to see them again and I was amazed at how much these brilliant students know about Jamaica (one student even knew what a naseberry was). One class wrote me letters and I am forever grateful for that very kind gesture. I also met a super awesome aspiring author who is writing a book and I can’t wait to see when it’s completed. I had the best day EVER!!!
Author Visit
Fred Varley Public School
The second half of my day at Fred Varley Public School in Markham, Ontario on February 21, 2024 was a writing workshop with the grades 5-8 students. We went through all the steps on how to write a children’s picture book and the students had so many brilliant ideas, it was amazing! They all did such a phenomenal job and I was very impressed with the cool ideas they came up with. I definitely saw some aspiring future authors!
Author Visit
Fred Varley Public School
I had the wonderful opportunity of visiting the students at Fred Varley Public School in Markham, Ontario on February 21, 2024 and what a pleasure it was. I spent the entire day there to present Julie and the Mango Tree to the grades K-5 students and we had a blast learning all about mangoes and Jamaica. The students were really bright and such a great audience and the staff was very welcoming. Oh, what fun!
Author Visit
Edenbrook Hill Public School
I visited Edenbrook Hill Public School for the first time in Brampton, Ontario on February 15, 2024 to present Julie and the Mango Tree and Granny’s Kitchen for the grades K-5 students. The students helped me read Granny’s Kitchen and we had a blast doing all the fun activities throughout the presentations. Afterward, we had a hilarious Q&A session and the students asked some really awesome questions like “What is my favourite fruit?” Well, mangoes of course!
Author Visit
Homestead Public School
I was invited back to Homestead Public School in Brampton, Ontario on February 12, 2024 to present Julie and the Mango Tree for the grades K-5 students. It was so nice to return and see so many familiar faces. These students sure knew a lot about Jamaica and they were a terrific audience. I got a really warm welcome from the amazing staff and it was such a pleasure to present at this school for a second time. I hope to return again soon. Gotta love Homestead!
Cyril Clark Public Library
I had a visit to the Cyril Clark Library on Saturday February 10, 2024 in Brampton for a presentation of Granny’s Kitchen! We had such a great time doing the fun activities and the young readers also helped me to read the book. They sure knew their way around the kitchen and we learned about the Jamaican flag and some super fun facts. How fun!
Author Visit
David Suzuki Public School
I visited the students in grades K-5 at David Suzuki Public School in Markham, Ontario on February 6, 2024 to present Julie and the Mango Tree! Some of the students had been to Jamaica and they knew so much about it already, how amazing! This school has so many programs from Book Clubs to a BYA (Black Youth Alliance). I really enjoyed meeting the students from the BYA and they were absolutely amazing and so well spoken. They asked many great questions and we had the best conversation EVER. What a memorable day!
Author Visit
St. John Paul II Catholic School
My visit with the grades K-3 students on February 5, 2024 at St. John Paul II Catholic School in Oakville, Ontario was so much fun! We learned so many amazing things and read Julie and the Mango Tree which was such a delight. These wonderful students asked so many great questions and they were the perfect audience. The staff was also so amazing and welcomed me with open arms (tears) and I’m so grateful to have been invited to share my book with these students. What a fabulous day!
Waterloo Public Library
My visit to the Waterloo Public Library on February 3, 2024 was SPECTACULAR! I presented Julie and the Mango Tree and everyone got in on the Mango Madness! Even the babies had a great time and there were fun activities afterward for the older ones. Ken Daley (the illustrator of Granny’s Kitchen) stopped by which was the icing on the cake! This library is absolutely gorgeous and I’m so grateful to have been invited to share my book. I hope to visit again in the near future.
Author Visit
Rowntree Montessori School
On February 2, 2024, I made another visit to the grades K-3 students at Rowntree Montessori School in Brampton, Ontario, but this time I visited the Downtown location to read Julie and the Mango Tree! We learned some fun facts about the different types of mangoes and we also learned some fun stuff about Jamaica. The students were very polite and articulate and I was amazed with the kindergartens who were so focused and grasped every bit of information they learned. What a bright bunch of students!
Author Visit
Rowntree Montessori School
On the second day of Black History Month, I made a visit to Rowntree Montessori School Academy in Brampton, Ontario on February 2, 2024 to read Granny’s Kitchen to the grades K-3 students! We learned about the different types of Jamaican food and the students helped me read the book by yelling out Granny’s favourite catch phrase. I must say their patois was spot on. One of the students came up to me and said my books inspire her and that really warmed my heart! (Who’s cutting onions?)
Author Visit
Rowntree Montessori School
My visit to Rowntree Montessori School at the Central Park campus in Brampton, Ontario on February 1, 2024 was a wonderful way to celebrate the beginning of Black History Month. The grades K-3 students helped me read Granny’s Kitchen and they did a wonderful job speaking patois! We learned so many fun facts about Jamaica and the students had so many awesome questions. What a great time was had!
Clarington Public Library
What better way to kick off the start of Black History Month than to visit the Clarington Public Library in Bowmanville on February 1, 2024. I had the most wonderful time presenting Granny’s Kitchen to the grades 2-3 students and library goers who dropped in. These young readers were so fun and we had an amazing time reading and learning new things. I received such a warm welcome and I hope to visit again soon.
2024 OLA Super Conference
I attended the 2024 OLA Super Conference on Thursday January 25, 2024 at 10:30am for the BOOK TASTING EVENT put on by CANSCAIP to present my newest book JULIE AND THE MANGO TREE illustrated by Sayada Ramdial. This annual event is run by the Ontario Library Association where librarians from all across Canada attend to find out about new and upcoming books. It was a Mango-Licious time!
Sankofa’s Pen Meetup
Winter 2024
The Winter 2024 Sankofa’s Pen meetup on January 21 was a treat! We gathered together at Ethiopian House Restaurant located at 4 Irwin Ave in Toronto where we shared our books and discussed great topics and opportunities that are sure to benefit our amazing group of Black Canadian KidLit Creators. This was a really fun day with yummy food to make it even better!
The Needle and the Knife (Interview)
I had the wonderful opportunity of doing an interview with Kate Jenks-Landry for her blog THE NEEDLE AND THE KNIFE. So many great questions were asked and answered and I enjoyed every second of it. Please check out the 10 Questions with Sadé Smith interview on her website by clicking the link below and check out more amazing interviews on her blog.
Author Visit
Churchill Meadows Public School
I had the honour of presenting virtually to the students at Churchill Meadows Public School in Mississauga, Ontario on December 12, 2023. I read Julie and the Mango Tree and boy did we get hungry! The students were so fun and full of laughter, what a great bunch. Shout out to Tiana Davis from Aunty T’s Kitchen 101 (@auntytskitchen101 on Instagram) and the BSA (Black Student’s Association) for putting this event together. The students baked some yummy treats with Aunty T after story time. YUM!
Weston Village Winterfest
Vendor Market
Oh, What FUN!!!
The Weston Village Winterfest Market located at The Artscape Weston Common at 34 John Street, Toronto on Sunday November 26 was a delight! There were so many vendors selling a variety of wonderful things from handcrafted jewelry to lovely smelling candles and books. There was delicious food too. What a great event in a great community with supporting neighbours and passersby. Can’t wait for the farmer’s market to pop up again in the new year!
Packaging Your Imagination CANSCAIP
I had the honour of being on the Breaking In panel at the CANSCAIP (Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators and Performers) Packaging Your Imagination conference at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute in Toronto on October 21, 2023. I was really excited to take part in this conference and I hope to take part again in the future to share wonderful and important topics about literature. Thank you to all who attended, I hope you gained some insightful information. Happy Writing!
Author Visit
Rolph Road Elementary School
Family Literacy Night at Rolph Road Elementary School in Toronto, Ontario on November 2, 2023 was a very eventful evening. There were so many awesome stations revolving around literacy that the students and their parents were able to enjoy. Literacy Yoga…what a great idea! I had the wonderful opportunity to end off the night with a live reading of Granny’s Kitchen and the students helped me read the book! What a wonderful evening.
COOK ‘N’ BOOK
Harvest Edition
Online virtual Instagram Live event with author Nadia Hohn where we talk about her new book The Antiracist Kitchen and Julie and the Mango Tree. We will be cooking up a storm and following some delicious recipes from our books while discussing Nadia’s very important new book topic. Be ready to eat.
Both books are now available wherever books are sold.
Peel Black Book Fair
Back to School Fun Fair
YOU’RE INVITED!!!
Come on over to the Peel Black Book Fair located at David Suzuki Secondary School in Brampton on Saturday September 23 at 1pm-5pm to diversify your bookshelves with awesome books by black authors! This is a great event put on by the Black Parent Advisory Steering Committee to promote diverse literature in the community and to support local black authors. I hope to see you there.
REPRESENTATION MATTERS!
Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA)
I was invited by Toronto Lit Up to attend TIFA (Toronto International Festival of Authors) at the Harbourfront Centre. Toronto Lit Up is the wonderful organization that sponsored my book launch for Julie and the Mango Tree in August. I had a conversation with the audience and had my very first public reading ever! It was so exhilarating and I am grateful to have taken part in this awesome festival. I hope to attend again next year!
Weston Village Farmers Market
Back to School Fun Fair
YOU’RE INVITED!!!
Come on over to the Weston Village Farmers Market located at The Artscape Weston Common at 34 John Street, Toronto on Saturday September 2 at 9am-1pm to grab some fresh foods and awesome books! There will also be a fun fair with carnival rides and attractions. We would be so happy to see you pass through, and please be sure to come and say hello!
FEED ‘N’ READ
Back 2 School Edition
Online virtual Instagram Live event with Tiana from Aunty T’s Kitchen where we will be making quick and easy school lunch and snack ideas that the kids can make themselves (Life Hack)! These yummy recipes are kid-friendly and kid-approved and will be provided for you to follow along during the live or to try at home. Can’t wait to dig in!
STORYBOOK NOOK
CNE - Kids’ World (Day 2)
Day 2 of the Storybook Nook inside the Kids’ World at the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) which took place on Wed. August 30, 2023. We did some arts & crafts and read Julie and the Mango Tree. The kids were so creative while decorating their chef hats and mangoes. What a wonderful day I had with these friends!
FEED ‘N’ READ
Back 2 School Edition
As promised, here is the recipe for Mango Smoothie that is shown in the back of the book Julie and the Mango Tree. This recipe is quick and easy to make and can be followed by kids (with adult supervision, of course).
It’s MANGO-LICIOUS!
Enjoy! (Recipe provided by Sadé Smith)
STORYBOOK NOOK
CNE - Kids’ World (Day 1)
I’m so excited to be taking part in the Storybook Nook inside the Kids’ World at the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition)! I will be there on Wed. August 23, 2023 & Wed. August 30, 2023 to do some fun arts & crafts and to read some books. I will be reading Julie and the Mango Tree and Granny’s Kitchen so come find me under the big white tent!
Times: 1pm & 4:30pm EST (both days).
YOU’RE INVITED!!!
Book Launch
You’re invited to the Mango Madness book launch for Julie and the Mango Tree! Come on out to A Different Booklist located at 779 Bathurst St. in Toronto on Saturday August 12, 2023 at 4pm to help us celebrate the release of this adorable book illustrated by Sayada Ramdial. I promise you there will be soooo many mangoes there!!! This event is sponsored by Toronto Lit Up / Festival of Authors.
Caribbean Camera Newspaper
by Yolanda T. Marshall
I had a great time doing an interview with Author Yolanda T. Marshall for the August Sweet Times Edition for the Caribbean Camera newspaper. Great topics were discussed to kick off the carnival season with fellow black authors. Article by Yolanda T. Marshall.
Soul Perspectives Radio
with Kym Dominque-Ferguson
I was ecstatic to be on the Soul Perspectives Radio Show on CKUT 90.3fm on August 8, 2023 where I had a great conversation with Kym Dominique-Ferguson. He also played some great music in between the interview. Be sure to have a listen and dance while you’re at it!
Chat with the Illustrator
with Sayada Ramdial
Online virtual Instagram Live event with illustrator Sayada Ramdial where we talk about our new book Julie and the Mango Tree that releases on August 8, 2023. Watch the chat to learn about Sayada’s journey to becoming an illustrator!
Most Anticipated Kids’ Books in August 2023
Barnes & Noble
Julie and the Mango Tree has made it to the Barnes & Noble list of Most Anticipated Kids’ Books in August 2023! I’m so happy to see this beautiful book amongst these other wonderful titles. Article by Barnes & Noble.
National Mango Day
Blog by Heather Macht
July 22 was National Mango Day and what better way to celebrate than with a wonderful Seasons of Kidlit blog post about Julie and the Mango Tree. Check out this awesome interview with Author Heather Macht and enjoy the Mango Madness!
Recipe for Sweet Stories
Blog by Krishana Johnson-James
I am truly honoured to be interviewed by Krishana for the Inspiring People segment on the Planting our Stories blog post. Check out this insightful interview with Author Krishana Johnson-James and join in on the Recipe for Sweet Stories!
Chat with the Illustrator
with Ken Daley
Online virtual Instagram Live event with illustrator Ken Daley where we celebrate the one year anniversary our book Granny’s Kitchen! Watch the chat to learn about Ken’s journey to becoming an illustrator and how he came up with the characters for Shelly-Ann and Granny!
Local Authors Showcase
Brampton Library
I’m happy to announce that Granny’s Kitchen has been selected for the Brampton Library 2023-24 Local Authors Showcase! Please come on out to the Book Fair on Saturday June 17, 2023 at the Brampton Farmers' Market at Gage Park located at 45 Main St. S. Brampton, ON L6Y 1M9. You will be able to meet some great local authors and have the opportunity to purchase some awesome books! Admission is FREE!!!
Time: 8am - 1pm.
Author Visit
McKay Public School
I took a long drive all the way to Port Colborne to visit with the grades 1-5 students at McKay Public School on June 8, 2023. The staff and students were amazing! They invited me for their Literacy Week event where they had different stations and activities set up to enjoy some of the books that were nominated for the 2023 Forest of Reading. I was honored to come in as their in-person Author and we had a book signing as well as a writing workshop for the grade 5 students. They came up with some wonderful stories. I absolutely loved where their imaginations took them!
Black KidLit Creators Dinner
Sankofa’s Pen KidLit Creators
When black KidLit Creators meet up, it’s always a great time! Dinner with Sankofa’s Pen KidLit creators group at Afrobeat Kitchen Restaurant located at 1510 Queen St W. Toronto.
What a wonderful day with wonderful KidLit creators! Event organized by author Nadia Hohn.
40 Canadian Kids Books to Read in Spring 2023
CBC Books
I’m happy to announce that Julie and the Mango Tree is on the CBC BOOKS list of 40 Canadian Kids Books to Read in Spring 2023! It is such an honour to be alongside such amazing authors, all of these books look like really great spring/summer reads. Article by CBC Books.
Tropical Creatives Podcast
with Kevin George
I had the wonderful opportunity to be interviewed by Kevin George from the Tropical Creatives Podcast to promote Caribbean literature. We talked about the publishing process and the importance of sharing Caribbean stories with the world so Caribbean children can see themselves in books. Representation Matters!
COOK ‘N’ BOOK
Malaika, Carnival Queen Edition
As promised, here is the recipe for Apple Crisp that was made during Cook ‘N’ Book: Malaika, Carnival Queen Edition with Author Nadia Hohn and myself. DELICIOUS!
Enjoy! (Recipe provided by Nadia Hohn)
(Scroll down to watch the video)
COOK ‘N’ BOOK
Malaika, Carnival Queen Edition
As promised, here is the recipe for the Apple Cobbler Bites that were made during Cook ‘N’ Book: Malaika, Carnival Queen Edition with Author Nadia Hohn and myself. YUM!
Enjoy!
(Scroll down to watch the video)
COOK ‘N’ BOOK
Malaika, Carnival Queen Edition
Online virtual Instagram Live event with author Nadia Hohn where we talk about her new book Malaika, Carnival Queen that launched on May 2, 2023. Available now wherever books are sold. How exciting!
Author Visit
Homestead Public School
I had a great day visiting with the grades 1-3 students at Homestead Public School in Brampton, Ontario on May 10, 2023. These students were amazing and they sure know their fruits! A few grade five students specially requested their attendance at the presentation because they have never read a book that takes place in Jamaica (where they are from). They really enjoyed Granny’s Kitchen because it felt like home. This was a very memorable visit!
Canadian Children’s Book Week
CCBC
I’m participating in the 2023 Canadian Children’s Book Week from April 30-May 6, 2023. This wonderful event is put on by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre where selected authors are sent on tour to schools all across Canada! It’s such an exciting experience to visit with kids all around the country! Thank you to all who registered. Pics coming soon.
Six Questions
Mary Boone Writes Blog
I had the wonderful opportunity to be featured on an amazing blog called Six Questions hosted by Mary Boone on www.boonewrites.com. I was asked six awesome questions and I gave six awesome answers. Click the link below to check out my interview!
Author Visit
Ellwood Memorial Public School
I visited with the Grades K-3 students at Ellwood Memorial Public School on April 28, 2023 in Bolton, Ontario. We had a blast learning about Jamaican culture and these students really impressed me while they figured out the words and phrases in Patois so quickly! They are ready and set to go to Jamaica now. This was a really fun visit!
Author Visit
St. Marguerite D’Youville Catholic School
I took a trip all the way out to London, Ontario to visit the Grades K-3 students at St. Marguerite D’Youville Catholic School on April 27, 2023. The students and staff were so great and welcomed me with open arms, I felt so appreciated. We talked about the kitchen and Jamaica and the students learned about hurricanes, and then I was bombarded with lots and lots of hugs! This was such a fun visit and well worth the 2 hour drive. I hope to visit this bunch again soon.
Author Visit
Pineland Public School
I had a visit with the grades 2-4 students at Pineland Public School in Burlington, Ontario on April 21, 2023. What a wonderful set of students! We learned a lot of Fun Facts about Jamaica and the kitchen and the students had a blast participating in the fun activities. We ended off with reading Granny’s Kitchen and learning the valuable lessons involved in the story. What a great day!
Author Visit
Rolling Meadows Public School
My visit with the students at Rolling Meadows Public School in Burlington, Ontario on April 19, 2023 was a fun one! This time, I held a writing workshop for the grades k-3 students. These students absolutely amazed me with the fantastic ideas they came up with while learning how to write a story. They even made stories of their own by following the easy templates from the Kids Korner tab on www.sadetsmith.com. We also read Granny’s Kitchen of course!
Author Visit
Victoria Park Elementary School
I had the pleasure of visiting the students at Victoria Park Elementary School in North York, Ontario on April 12, 2023 to present to the grades k-3 students. These students were very well travelled and the pictures of Jamaica looked all too familiar to a lot of them. One student revealed that she lived in 8 different countries so far! What an amazing time we had reading Granny’s Kitchen and learning about yummy Jamaican food.
Author Visit
Barondale Public School
I was welcomed back to Barondale Public School in Mississauga, Ontario on April 3, 2023 to present to the grades 4 & 5 students as requested by the principal and the students themselves. We had a great time learning Patois and the students figured out the sentences and Patois phrases by working together as a team. We then finished with a reading of Granny’s Kitchen. Who says older students don’t enjoy picture books?!
FEED N READ: Easter Edition
with Aunty T’s Kitchen
Online virtual Instagram Live event with Aunty T’s Kitchen where we will be making Jamaican saltfish fritters and talking about books. We will also be discussing Jamaican culture during Easter time. Be sure to tune in for a fun surprise! Click below for Aunty T’s yummy recipe for Saltfish Fritters.
(Note: Recipe calls for thyme, not nutmeg)
Author Visit
Lambton-Kingsway Junior Middle School
I had a super fun time with the grades K-2 students at Lambton-Kingsway Junior Middle School in Etobicoke, Ontario on March 28, 2023. We discussed things about Jamaica and so many of the students had revealed that they had already been there on vacation. We all agreed that the beaches and the yummy food were the best part! We also learned some Patois and read Granny’s Kitchen. Fun, fun, fun!
Author Visit
McKinnon Public School
The grades K-4 students at McKinnon Public School in Mississauga, Ontario on March 27, 2023 were awesome! We learned about the colours on the Jamaican flag and we learned some fun facts about Jamaica before reading Granny’s Kitchen.
One student told me that I inspired her to keep writing so she can become a published author when she grows up. That made my day and reminded myself why I do what I do.
Traditional vs Self Publishing
Advice from six black Canadian authors who have done both.
Blog post by Nadia Hohn on byblacks.com.
Author Visit
Dunrankin Public School
My visit with the grades K-3 students at Dunrankin Public School in Malton, Ontario on March 22, 2023 was a fun one! This school has a lot of Caribbean students and they sure knew about Jamaican fruits and they definitely knew their way around the kitchen.
The students helped me read some parts of Granny’s Kitchen in Patois! What a fun time I had with these smart students.
14 Caribbean Picture Books Out in 2023
Social Justice Books
Blog post by Summer Edward on Social Justice Books.
Author Visit
St. Leo Catholic School
I had a wonderful visit with the grades K-3 students at St. Leo Catholic School in Brooklin, Ontario on March 2, 2023. We had a great time learning new fun facts about Jamaica and the kitchen.
The very thoughtful students made me Thank You cards and some classes made their Recipes for a Good Book. I’m not crying, you’re crying!
Author Visit
Moraine Hills Public School
What a great way to wrap up Black History Month at Moraine Hills Public School in Richmond Hill, Ontario on February 28, 2023. The students were so funny and brilliant while they participated in the fun activities. We learned some words in Patois and shared our experiences of going to the beach.
I really enjoyed hearing about the student’s vacations!
Author Visit
Derrydown Public School
What a super fun visit I had at Derrydown Public School in Toronto, Ontario on February 27, 2023. I was very impressed with how much the students knew about Jamaican food and culture. One student knew what Guineps are and another student knew what a Star Apple is too! They were the first ever to guess those fruits correctly during one of our activities.
Smart bunch of students over at Derrydown!
Author Visit
McKee Public School
My visit with the kindergarten students at McKee Public School in Toronto, Ontario was a really fun and educational day on February 24, 2023. The kindergarten students were so funny and smart and they really knew their way around the kitchen. We read Granny’s Kitchen and had a great discussion afterward.
Such awesome students!
Author Visit
Sherwood Mills Public School
I had a visit with the students at Sherwood Mills Public School in Mississauga, Ontario on February 22, 2023. The students asked some really mature and interesting questions and participated so well in the activities before we read Granny’s Kitchen. The staff are amazing too!
We had a great day!
The SKOOP!
with Sick Kid’s Hospital
Virtual Storytime
What a fun time I had singing and dancing with the children at Sick Kid’s Hospital on The SKOOP. Virtual story time was a blast, we learned some fun facts and we sang ‘Life is a Highway’ as requested by one of the kids. My puppy Ziggy also made a surprise guest appearance!
Oh, what fun!
Buy That Book!
with Danielle Marietta
on IG Live
Online virtual Instagram Live event with author Danielle Marietta for her weekly segment of BUY THAT BOOK!
Author Visit
Belfountain Public School
I had a fun time visiting Belfountain Public School in Caledon, Ontario on February 16, 2023. The students participated so well in the activities and they listened attentively for the read-aloud of Granny’s Kitchen.
What a fun set of students!
Author Visit
Caledon Central Public School
I had the most fantastic time at an Author visit to Caledon Central Public School in Caledon, Ontario on February 16, 2023. We learned about Jamaican food and culture and the students had an amazing time learning Patois! Thank you to the wonderful staff for their warm welcome and very generous hospitality.
This was such a great day!
Author Visit
Barondale Public School
Author visit to Barondale Public School in Brampton, Ontario on February 13, 2022.
The students had a blast guessing the kitchen utensils from my goodie bag and even more fun helping me to read Granny’s Kitchen.
Such a fun time!
Author Visit
Dorset Drive Public School
I had the pleasure of visiting the students at Dorset Drive Public School in Brampton, Ontario for an Author visit and presentation on February 7, 2023. The students had some really awesome questions and I even met some young and aspiring writers.
What a wonderful bunch of students!
OLA Super Conference
Forest of Reading Breakfast
I was invited to the 2023 OLA Super Conference and breakfast by the Forest of Reading at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
I attended some really great presentations and met so many great authors and publishers. I also got a LOT of free books!
FOLD Kids
Book of the Month
I’m happy to announce that GRANNY’S KITCHEN has been selected for the FOLD Kids (Festival of Literary Diversity) February Book of the Month. What a great surprise!
Black KidLit Creators Brunch
Sankofa’s Pen KidLit Creators
Black KidLit Creators brunch with Sankofa’s Pen KidLit creators group at Boukan Edible Bliss Restaurant located at 774 Danforth Ave. Toronto.
Such a great time with wonderful KidLit creators!
The Scratching Pen
Podcast
I had a great chat with Dr. Beverly Jones-Durr on the Scratching Pen Podcast. Take a listen!
Author Visit
Beryl Ford Public School
I had the honour to visit the students and the wonderful staff at Beryl Ford Public School in Brampton, Ontario for an Author presentation on December 22, 2022. These brilliant sets of students had some really great questions, I was amazed. We had a great time reading Granny’s Kitchen.
Oh, what fun!
Melanin Djali Project
Podcast
Youtube podcast with Louisa Ibhaze for the Melanin Djali Project.
COOK N BOOK:
Holiday Edition
on IG Live
Online virtual Instagram Live event with author Nadia Hohn where we discuss Jamaican food, traditions and culture during the Christmas holidays. And of course, Books!
SCBWI
Bookstop!
I’m participating in the 2022 SCBWI Bookstop. Click the link to check out my book and support the Kidlit community. Please feel free to leave a comment in the Guest Book.
Jamaican Diaspora
Magazine
I had the pleasure of being featured in the September Issue of Jamaican Diaspora Magazine. What an honour!
Canadiancookbooks.ca
with Nada
September 19 issue feature for Canadians & Food, Recipes and Giveaways on Canadiancookbooks.ca
Jamaican Diaspora Podcast
with Janice
I had such a great conversation with Janice on the Jamaican Diaspora podcast. Take a listen!
FEED N READ
with Aunty T’s Kitchen
Online virtual Instagram Live event with Aunty T’s Kitchen.
Top 10 Summer Reads
for black Canadian kids
Blog post on byblacks.com.
Author Chat
on Facebook Live
Online virtual Facebook Live event with Food Temptress Cookbook Store.
COOK N BOOK
on IG Live
Online virtual Instagram Live event with author Nadia Hohn.
COOK N BOOK
on IG Live
Online virtual Instagram Live event with author Nadia Hohn.
COOK N BOOK
on IG Live
Online virtual Instagram Live event with author Nadia Hohn.
AUGUST PICTURE BOOK PREMIERS
Online virtual event with Books of Wonder bookstore in NYC.
Author Interview
Interview with Miriam Moore-Keish from We Need Diverse Books.
VIRTUAL BOOK LAUNCH
Online virtual book launch with Eye See Me Bookstore.
PICTURE BOOK PALOOZA
Online virtual event with School Library Journal.
Events / Blogs / Book Signings
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Events
Check out past and upcoming events.
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Blogs
Check out interviews and blogs about Sadé Smith.
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Book Signings
Check out past and upcoming book signings.
Questions or Inquiries: