Meet the Authors & Illustrator
Frank Banfield
Author of Vunga: Tales of an Island Boy
Frank Banfield is a retired psychotherapist. A late bloomer, he graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor of Social Work degree in 1997 at age sixty-two. Then he and his wife taught English in China for three years. Back in Canada, Frank returned to McGill and graduated with his Master of Social Work degree. He and his wife are members of the London Writers Society and Canscaip Friends. Vunga: Tales of an Island Boy is his first book. The tales, illustrated by teen artist, Eva Parada, are suitable for older teens and adults, especially those who grew up as mischief makers.
Eva Parada
Illustrator of Vunga: Tales of an Island Boy
Eva Parada spent much of her high school graduating year working on the Vunga illustrations. She has always been serious about drawing and is intrigued by how deeper emotions can be expressed without words. Eva is planning to study animation and art therapy. Her goal is to work with young children and their families, especially those who, like herself, have suffered similar experiences of illness and loss. When she’s not drawing, Eva enjoys walking and listening to music.
Pearl Lee
Author of Zebra-girl
Pearl Lee is a lifelong storyteller and former teen-in-turmoil.
She started writing at an early age, buying a pencil and copybook with her first-ever allowance. Later, she typed mystery stories on a rented typewriter for her sister and cousins. When she’s not writing, Pearl enjoys cycling and reading.
Pearl holds graduate degrees in Creative Writing (Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec) and Teaching Reading (Reader Response Theory) and Writing (McGill University, Montreal, Quebec). She was also an active member of the Montreal Storytellers Guild for many years.
Pearl currently lives in London, Ontario with her husband Frank Banfield. Frank is the creator of the Vunga tales, a collection of short stories about a mischievous island boy growing up in Grenada. They are both members of the London Writers Society and Canscaip Friends. Zebra-girl is Pearl’s first young adult novel.
Books
Vunga: Tales of an Island Boy
