Jon-Erik Lappano is an award-winning and best-selling children’s author, educator, and presenter. His debut picture book, Tokyo Digs a Garden, illustrated by Kellen Hatanaka, won the Governor  General's Literary Award and was a finalist for the TD Canadian Children's Literature  Award, the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award and Japan's Sakura  Medal. His latest book, The Language of Birds, illustrated by Zach Manbeck, was a Vancouver Sun #3 international bestseller and an Amazon best book of the month. He has also written Maggie's Treasure, illustrated by Kellen Hatanaka, selected  as a 2021 International White Raven Title, and Song for the Snow, illustrated by Byron  Eggenschwiler, which was published in September 2021 to wide acclaim. His fourth book, Martin and the River, is illustrated by Josée Bisaillon was published in  March 2022, and was a Recommended Summer Read by CBC Books, The Toronto Star and a recommended title of the Canadian Children’s Book Centre. 

Jon-Erik has a Masters of Education from the University of Toronto, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and a Bachelor of Environmental Studies  from York University, where he studied environment, culture and communication. He  is currently represented by Emily Van Beek and Estelle Laure of Folio Literary Agency. Jon-Erik lives in  Stratford, Ontario, with his family.