Simone DaCosta to Launch "I Am Beautiful: When I Look at Me, I See..." at Toronto Urban Book Expo

TORONTO, ON (December 2014) - Canadian writer Simone DaCosta will be launching her young adult non-fiction title I Am Beautiful: When I Look at Me, I See... at Kya Publishing's Toronto Urban Book Expo, taking place on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at the Toronto Public Library's Malvern Branch from 12:00pm to 4:00pm.

This inspirational book, created for middle school aged Black girls, aims to empower and liberate them to believe that they are beautiful, despite society's notion of what "beauty" is.

"In an era where the popular idealistic images of beauty are based on the western world's realism of beauty, it illustrates that beauty begins with knowing who you are, believing it, and accepting yourself as you are," said Simone.

A writer, author, and publisher, Simone DaCosta has published a devotional day planner Remember to Pray,  a 2013 Day Planner, as well as two children's books: A Silly Rhyming Alphabet Book About Animals from A to Z, and her recently published book Emily-Rose's Day at the Farm.

Readers of all ages are welcome to come and celebrate the launch of I Am Beautiful: When I Look at Me, I See... at the Toronto Urban Book Expo; this event is free of charge.

For more information about Simone DaCosta, please visit http://www.simonedacosta.com. For additional details about the Toronto Urban Book Expo, please visit http://www.kyapublishing.com. 

Angela Walcott to Launch Children's Book "I Want To Be" at Toronto Urban Book Expo

TORONTO, ON (December 2014) - Canadian writer Angela Walcott will be launching her children's book I Want to Be at Kya Publishing's Toronto Urban Book Expo, taking place on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at the Toronto Public Library's Malvern Branch.

The picture book, the second title in Angela's self-illustrated children's book series, was written in response to the social media campaign #WeNeedDiverseBooks, and will be a perfect fit for the second annual Black History Month book fair that will feature urban fiction, African-Canadian literature and self-help books from her writing peers from the Greater Toronto Area.

Angela, whose work has appeared in CPA Magazine, This, Sway, Marketing Edge, and Share was the founder and editor-in-chief of the Ryerson University-funded Perfect Bound Magazine; her creative writing also appears in "Re-Imaging the Sky," an anthology of newcomer women. A member of CANSCAIP and the African Canadian Writers for Children and Young Adults, Angela has also written and illustrated the children's book "Mix It Well."

The Northword Publishing story I Want to Be revolves around a young child who is imagining his future role within society. ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ is a universal question that every child will face, and this book encourages young children to investigate the possibilities. Common themes of looking ahead and staying focused are key while mini lessons about numeracy, history, pattern recognition, and multiculturalism permeate.

"This story isn't about a single child's dreams, it is about every child's right and ability to dream," says Angela. "It encourages early readers to follow along, actively participate, and anticipate what is to come next in a charming rhyming sequence."

Readers of all ages are welcome to celebrate the launch of I Want to Be with a book signing, reading, prizes, and activities for kids! Light refreshments will also be provided; this event is free of charge.

For more information about North Word Publishing, please contact northwordpublishing@gmail.com. For additional details about the Toronto Urban Book Expo, please visit www.kyapublishing.com. 


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I Want To Be" is available online at www.amazon.com and can also be purchased at Knowledge Bookstore, Accents Bookstore, and A Different Booklist. ISBN 9780991752027 | $14.99

New Video Posted - Experts Discuss Canadian Urban Fiction

Kya Publishing has just posted new video from the TORONTO URBAN BOOK EXPO 2014, featuring Journalist Angela Walcott as she chats with cultural experts Sean Liburd (Knowledge Bookstore), Ian Andre Espinet (IAE Entertainment), Mel Dube (recording artist), and journalist/author Dalton Higgins on the subject of Canadian Urban Fiction and culture. 


Video by Kevin Williams and Stacey Marie Robinson.
Location: Toronto Public Library (Malvern Branch)

The next TORONTO URBAN BOOK EXPO is scheduled for Saturday, February 28, 2015. #TUBE2015