Get To Know Kari-Lynn!

History

Dr. Kari-Lynn Winters, born in St. Thomas, Ontario, is a Canadian author who has gained recognition for her work as a children's book writer, academic scholar, and playwright. She has lived in various locations across North America, St. Catharines, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Grants Pass, Ashland, Chapel Hill, Barrie, Vancouver, and has even spent some time in Grenada. Her urge to travel and explore different cultures has allowed her to gain diverse experiences and perspectives, which she incorporates into her writing.

Winters' first picture book, Jeffrey and Sloth (2007), was published by Orca Book Publishers and has received positive reviews from readers. The story follows a boy who struggles with writer's block and creates an imaginary creature to help him write his story. Since 2007, Kari-Lynn has authored over 33 award-winning books. She won Silver Medals for the 2009, 2010, and 2013 Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s literature Prize, and the 2009 Chocolate Lily Award, which is voted for by school children across British Columbia. Kari-Lynn has also been nominated several times for the Blue Spruce award, which is voted for by school children across Ontario.

Career

After completing her doctoral program in literacy and arts education at UBC, Kari-Lynn moved through the ranks to become a full Professor in the Department of Educational studies at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario. At Brock, she teaches language arts, dance/drama-in-education and mentors teacher candidates in their elementary cohort group.

Kari-Lynn enjoys being in the classroom as a student, teacher, and presenter. Her master's thesis, which explored the efficacy of using the arts to strengthen less proficient students' reading comprehension, won the Master's Research Award in 2005 for the best thesis in Canada in her field. Before that, she taught elementary students in North Carolina for three years and in Toronto for two years. Kari holds a teaching degree from the University of Toronto in regular and special education for children ages 3-13. She is also a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada (in Montreal) where she earned a certificate in technical theatre.