Each year, Kids Write 4 Kids brings together a diverse and thoughtfully curated judging panel, including past KW4K winners alongside award-winning authors, editors, educators, storytellers, and passionate champions of children’s literature. Meet our 2025–2026 judging panel and explore the contest rules and regulations!
Firdaus El-Darymli
Firdaus El-Darymli is a Grade 9 IB student at Merivale High School in Ottawa, Ontario. She has been writing stories since she was nine and has always been in love with books. Through her writing, Firdaus enjoys telling emotional stories with strong morals, often using techniques like symbolism. The Legend of the Paper Cranes, her KW4K winning story from the 2024-2025 year, is one of her favourites, especially for its message of small actions and peace. She hopes to make a positive impact through her writing and is thrilled to be part of the KW4K judging panel this year.
Isabel Roscoe
Isabel Roscoe is a junior high student living in Edmonton, Alberta. She loves reading and writing fantasy. She also enjoys doing art and has recently started learning how to paint with the hopes of illustrating her very own novel in the future. Her story, Memoirs of a Tree Lord, was recognized and published by the Ripple Foundation during the 2024-2025 Kids Write for Kids writing competition. Like most of her stories, it is inspired by her love for mythology and folklore. This year, Isabel is excited to join the judging panel, and she is looking forward to seeing the creative works of other students.
Laura Bontje
Laura Bontje studied English and drama at Queen’s University before moving through a variety of jobs and following her heart to work as a fiction editor. When she’s not editing other people’s stories, she writes her own, including the picture books Was It a Cat I Saw?, When the Air Sang, and the forthcoming fossil-filled story Marian’s Big Dig. Laura lives in London, Ontario, with her family and a fluffy grey cat who likes to snuggle while she’s trying to type.
Scott Chantler
Scott Chantler is an acclaimed creator of graphic novels for kids and adults, including Squire & Knight, Bix, Two Generals (nominated for two Eisner Awards, selected for Best American Comics 2012, and named by CBC’s Canada Reads as one of the 40 best Canadian non-fiction books), and the Three Thieves series (winner of the Joe Shuster Award for Best Comic for Kids and a YALSA Great Graphic Novel for Teens). In 2015, he became Canada’s first Cartoonist-in-Residence at the University of Windsor. He lives and works in Stratford, Ontario.
Yewande Daniel-Ayoade
Yewande Daniel-Ayoade (Yay-wan-day Daniel Ah-yaw-ah-day) is a Nigerian-Canadian author of stories that celebrate West African history and culture. She has a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s in business administration. Her book, The Little Regent won the 2024 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book award, and was a finalist for the Children and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary award and the Forest of Reading, Blue Spruce award. Her next book, Dele and Aminata’s Jollof War will be released in fall 2026.
Emily Dean
Emily is the co-owner of Fablefern Bookshop in Saint John, New Brunswick. Fablefern was established from a lifelong love of reading, shared between two best friends. She gets to spend her days talking about books with co-owner Liz, and her daughter Hayden — the other 2/3 of the Fable Girls. As a bookshop owner, Emily is passionate about making books more accessible for her community, while creating a space where people feel welcome and accepted. Emily is also a freelance proofreader and copyeditor.
Hilary Leung
Hilary Leung is a celebrated children’s book author and illustrator based in Toronto. His vibrant illustrations and delightful stories introduce young readers to important themes like consent, sharing, and celebrating differences. From a grumpy giraffe and affectionate ladybug to The Legend of Ninja Cowboy and Bear, his stories celebrate friendship, courage, and preschool milestone moments. Beyond his books, Hilary is dedicated to promoting literacy and creativity through school visits and workshops.
Samia Madwar
Samia Madwar is a senior editor at The Walrus, where she has edited award-winning features and essays. She has previously held roles at Up Here and Canadian Geographic magazines, and has mentored emerging journalism professionals through programs administered by the Canadian Association of Journalists and the National Media Awards Foundation. Over the past few years, she has judged the Online Journalism Awards, the National Magazine Awards, the American Society of Magazine Editors Awards, the National Newspaper Awards and more. She lives in Toronto.
Willie Poll
Willie Poll is a Métis children’s author and educator who has worked with schools, libraries, and youth across Turtle Island. Originally from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, she has lived in many communities — from dog mushing in the Northwest Territories to relaxing on the sandy beaches of Prince Edward Island, where she now resides with her one-eyed pug, Queen Puggington, and her pony, Gandalf. Willie has spent her life storytelling, learning from the land, and being inspired by the incredible youth she’s met along the way. She’s delighted to join this year’s panel.
Ron Tite
Ron Tite is an entrepreneur, speaker, and best-selling author who blurs the lines between art and commerce. He has served as creative director for some of the world’s most respected brands, including Air France, Google, Microsoft, Volvo, and more. Ron is the founder of Church+State, co-founder of Group 219, and an investor and advisor to Wavy. He’s produced award-winning films and podcasts, created a branded art gallery, written for stage and screen, and authored three books on creativity and purpose. He speaks globally on creativity, leadership, and growth.
Tanya Trafford
Tanya Trafford has worked in publishing for more than twenty-five years, editing award-winning books of all genres. She particularly enjoys working on children’s books and supporting creators in finding the heart of their stories so they can share them with the world. She lives on the very west coast of Canada, on Vancouver Island.
Linda Trinh
Linda Trinh is a Vietnamese Canadian author and she writes fiction and nonfiction for kids and grown-ups. Her stories are about figuring out who you are and what you believe. She is the author of the award-winning early chapter book series, The Nguyen Kids, and the upcoming fantasy chapter book The Healer and the Phoenix. She has been a reader for the Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers (CANSCAIP) Writing for Children Competition and has been a mentor for The Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC) BIPOC Writers Connect conference.