Ashley Spires - Author/Illustrator

Ashley Spires grew up in Tsawwassen, British Columbia, with her parents, her sister, a dog, eight cats and the occasional newt. As a child she was constantly making drawings, stories and small polymer clay figures, to say nothing of her cross-stitching prowess. Despite being told she wasn't the best drawer, she set out from Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design to become a children's book illustrator. Now, some twenty years later, she is known for creating many quirky beloved characters, including Small Saul, 2016's TD Grade One Book Giveaway, Larf and Binky the Space Cat, who is now featured on his own animated television series. Ashley's bestselling book The Most Magnificent Thing has been translated into nineteen languages worldwide and was recently adapted into a short animated film. She strives to make books that reflect her own struggles with making mistakes and how to learn from them. During the rare moments when she is not creating, she fosters orphaned kittens for her local animal shelter. She resides in Ladner, British Columbia, with her dog and many, many cats.