Kyo Iona Maclear studied fine art and art history at the University of Toronto and also completed an M.A. in cultural studies there in 1996. Her graduate thesis: Beclouded Visions: Hiroshima-Nagasaki and the art of Witness was subsequently published by the State University of New York Press. She has written essays for several art exhibition catalogues and has also been published in many major Canadian art and cultural magazines. Maclear, who has Japanese ancestry through her mother, lives in Toronto. In recognition of her “exceptional body of work in children’s literature’, Maclear was awarded the 2023 Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People.
Non-fiction (Memoir)
Birds Art Life
Toronto: Doubleday Canada, 2017.
QL685.5 .O5 M176 2017
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
For Vladimir Nabokov, it was butterflies. For John Cage, it was mushrooms. For Sylvia Plath, it was bees. Each of these artists took time away from their work to become observers of natural phenomena. In 2012, Kyo Maclear met a local Toronto musician with an equally captivating side passion–he had recently lost his heart to birds. Curious about what prompted this young urban artist to suddenly embrace nature, Kyo decides to follow him for a year and find out.
…
Birds Art Life follows two artists on a yearlong adventure that is at once a meditation on the nature of creativity and a quest for a good and meaningful life.
Awards and Honours
2018 Trillium Book Award–English Language (Finalist)
2017 Alcuin Society Awards for Excellence in Book Design in Canada–Prose Non-fiction (First Prize) C.S. Richardson and Lauren Peters-Collaer, designers
Non-fiction (Memoir)
Unearthing
Toronto: Alfred A. Knopf Canada, 2023.
PS8625.L435 Z46 2023
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Three months after Kyo Maclear’s father dies in December 2018, she gets the results of a DNA test showing that she and the father who raised her are not biologically related. Suddenly Maclear becomes a detective in her own life, unravelling a family mystery piece by piece, and assembling the story of her biological father. Along the way, larger questions arise: what exactly is kinship? And what does it mean to be a family?
Thoughtful in its reflections on race and lineage, unflinching in its insights on grief and loyalty, Unearthing is a captivating and propulsive story of inheritance that goes beyond heredity.
Awards and Honours
2023 Governor General’s Literary Awards–Non-fiction, English (Winner)
Non-fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
Bloom: A Story of Fashion Designer Elsa Schiaparelli
Illustrated by Julie Morstad.
Toronto: Tundra Books, 2018.
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Here is the life of iconic fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli, who as a little girl in Rome, was told by her own mamma that she was brutta. Ugly. So she decided to seek out beauty around her, and found it everywhere. What is beauty? Elsa wondered. She looked everywhere for beauty until something inside of Elsa blossomed, and she became an artist with an incredible imagination. Defining beauty on her own creative terms, Schiaparelli worked hard to develop her designs, and eventually bloomed into an extraordinary talent who dreamed up the most wonderful dresses, hats, shoes and jewelry. Why not a shoe for a hat? Why not a dress with drawers? And she invented a color: shocking pink! Her adventurous mind was the key to her happiness and success–and is still seen today in her legacy of wild imagination. Daring and different, Elsa Schiaparelli used art to make fashion, and it was quite marvelous.
Awards and Honours
2018 Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award (winner: Julie Morstad, illustrator)
2018 The Globe 100 (Globe and Mail, 1 Dec. 2018)
Non-fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
It Began with a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way
Illustrated by Julie Morstad.
Toronto: Tundra Books, 2019.
PZ9.M2227 I823 2019
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Gyo Fujikawa’s iconic children’s books are beloved all over the world. Now it’s time for Gyo’s story to be told — a story of artistic talent that refused to be constrained by rules or expectations.
Awards and Honours
2019 Alcuin Society Award for Excellence in Book Design–Children, designer John Martz (tied for 2nd prize)
2019 The Globe 100 (Globe and Mail, 30 Nov. 2019)
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
The Big Bath House
Illustrated by Gracey Zhang.
Random House Studio, 2021.
PZ7.M2227 B54 2021
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
In this celebration of Japanese culture and family and naked bodies of all shapes and sizes, join a little girl–along with her aunties and grandmother–at a traditional bath house. Once there, the rituals leading up to the baths begin: hair washing, back scrubbing, and, finally, the wood barrel drumroll. Until, at last, it’s time, and they ease their bodies–their creased bodies, newly sprouting bodies, saggy, jiggly bodies–into the bath. Ahhhhhh!
With a lyrical text and gorgeous illustrations, this picture book is based on Kyo Maclear’s loving memories of childhood visits to Japan, and is an ode to the ties that bind generations of women together.
Awards and Honours
2022 Governor-General’s Literary Award–Young People’s Literature–Illustrated books (Finalist)
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
Flo
Illustrated by Jay Fleck.
New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2018.
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Meet Flo! Flo is the littlest panda. She likes to explore, relax, and enjoy everything around her. She is never in a hurry. But . . . sometimes she takes too much time, and the other pandas get impatient. One day they find themselves in trouble. Can Flo’s floppy ways save the day? With Kyo Maclear’s sweet, spare text and Jay Fleck’s bold, bright illustrations, Flo is sure to be a favorite for even the busiest little pandas!
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
The Fog
Illustrated by Kenard Park.
Toronto: Tundra Books, 2017.
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Warble is a small yellow warbler who lives on the beautiful island of Icyland, where he pursues his hobby of human watching. But on a warm day, a deep fog rolls in and obscures his view. The rest of the birds don’t seem to notice the fog or the other changes Warble observes on the island. The more the fog is ignored, the more it spreads. When a Red-hooded Spectacled Female (Juvenile) appears, Warble discovers that he’s not the only one who notices the fog. Will they be able to find others who can see it too? And is the fog here to stay? Kyo Maclear’s witty story, brought to life with the delicate, misty artwork of Kenard Pak, is a poignant yet humorous reminder of the importance of environmental awareness.
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
The Good Little Book
Illustrated by Marion Arbona.
Toronto: Tundra Books, 2015.
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
While banished to a dusty study one day “to think things over”, a boy pulls a book off a shelf and with great reluctance begins to read. As the afternoon passes, the story nabs him and carries him away. Before long, this good little book becomes his loyal companion, accompanying him everywhere … until, one day, the book is lost. Will this bad little boy get back his good little book? Will the good little book survive on its own without a proper jacket? A quirky, enchanting tale of literary love and loss — and love found again — that will win the heart of even the most reluctant reader.
Awards and Honours
2015 Governor General’s Literary Award–Children’s Literature in English (Illustrated Books)(Finalist)
2017 Blue Spruce Award (Ontario Library Association’s Forest of Reading) (Honour book)
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
If You Were a City
Illustrated by Francesca Sanna.
San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2022.
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Just like people, there are so many ways a city can be. And this lively picture book explores all of them. From quiet and dreamy to bright and buzzing, the magnificent diversity of our world is celebrated by connecting the uniqueness of its places with the people who live in them. Wild, gritty, bookish, or sheltering—if you were a city, how would YOU be?
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
Hello, Rain!
Illustrated by Chris Turnham.
San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2021.
PZ7.M2227 H45 2021
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
A picture book celebrating all the reasons to love the rain! Flowers bloom in the garden. Umbrellas bloom on the streets. There are puddles for jumping and, later, a cozy home for hot chocolate and books.
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
Julia, Child
Pictures by Julie Morstad.
Toronto: Tundra Books, 2014.
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Julia and Simca are two young friends who agree that you can never use too much butter — and that it is best to be a child forever. Sharing a love of cooking and having no wish to turn into big, busy people who worry too much and dawdle too little, they decide to create a feast for growing and staying young. A playful, scrumptious celebration of the joy of eating, the importance of never completely growing up and mastering the art of having a good time, Julia, Child is a fictional tale loosely inspired by the life and spirit of the very real Julia Child — a story that should be taken with a grain of salt and a generous pat of butter.
Awards and Honours
2014 Governor General’s Literary Awards–English language, Children’s Illustration (Finalist)
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
Kumo The Bashful Cloud
Illustrated by Nathalie Dion.
Toronto: Tundra Books, 2022.
Publisher’s Synopsis (From the Penguin Random House Canada website)
Kumo is a cloud whose only wish is to float unseen. When she’s assigned cloud duty for the day, she feels overwhelmed by self-doubt and her fear of being noticed. But after learning that closing your eyes isn’t a good solution to your troubles, Kumo pulls her fluff together and does her duties — drifting, releasing rain and providing shelter — meeting some new friends along the way and inspiring the imagination (and capturing the heart) of a small daydreamer like her.
Fiction
The Letter Opener
Toronto: HarperCollins, 2007.
PS8625 .L435 L48 2007
Publisher’s Synopsis
Naiko is working in the Undeliverable Mail Office, a cavernous space that resembles a giant pawnshop. Immersed in orphaned letters and keepsakes, she attempts to reunite these lost treasures with their rightful owners, a task that offers a glimpse into the lives of complete strangers. When Naiko’s co-worker, Andrei, an enigmatic Romanian refugee who becomes the object of her curiosity and affection, suddenly vanishes, her fascination with the mysteries of his life intensifies. In her desperate search for clues to explain his disappearance, she discovers the elusive nature of truth.
Awards and Honours
2008 Amazon.ca/Books in Canada First Novel Award (Finalist)
2009 K.M. Hunter Artist Award — Literature (Winner)
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
The Liszts
Illustrated by Júlia Sardà.
Toronto: Tundra Books, 2016.
PZ7.M2227 L58 2016
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
The Liszts make lists. They make lists most usual and lists most unusual. They make lists in winter, spring, summer and fall. They make lists every day except Sundays, which are listless. Mama Liszt, Papa Liszt, Winifred, Edward, Frederick and Grandpa make lists all day long. So does their cat. Then one day a visitor arrives. He’s not on anyone’s list. Will the Liszts be able to make room on their lists for this new visitor? How will they handle something unexpected arising? Kyo Maclear’s quirky, whimsical story, perfectly brought to life with the witty, stylish illustrations of Júlia Sardà, is a humorous and poignant celebration of spontaneity.
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
Mr. Flux
Illustrated by Matte Stephens.
Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2013.
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Martin and his neighbors eschew change until eccentric Mr. Flux moves in and shows them that change can be big or little or even fit inside a box, and not at all scary. A tongue-in-cheek tale loosely inspired by the 1960s art movement known as Fluxus.
Fiction (Juvenile, Graphic novel)
Operatic
Illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler.
Toronto: Groundwood Books, 2019.
PZ7.7.M32 O64 2019
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
It’s almost the end of middle school, and Charlie has to find her perfect song for a music class assignment. The class learns about a different style of music each day, from hip-hop to metal to disco, but it’s hard for Charlie to concentrate when she can’t stop noticing her classmate Emile, or wondering about Luka, who hasn’t been to school in weeks. On top of everything, she has been talked into participating in an end-of-year performance with her best friends.
Then, the class learns about opera, and Charlie discovers the music of Maria Callas. The more she learns about Maria’s life, the more Charlie admires her passion for singing and her ability to express herself fully through her music. Can Charlie follow the example of the ultimate diva, Maria Callas, when it comes to her own life?
This evocatively illustrated graphic novel brilliantly captures the high drama of middle school by focusing on the desire of its finely drawn characters to sing and be heard.
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
The Specific Ocean
Illustrated by Katty Maurey.
Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2015.
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
In this gently told picture book, a young girl is unhappy about having to leave the city for a family vacation on the Pacific Ocean (which she used to call the Specific Ocean). As the days pass, however, she is drawn to spend more time in and near the water, feeling moved by its beauty and rhythms. “The ocean does its own thing, rolling backward and forward. Wash, swash, splush, hush. There is no late or hurry or racing in ocean time.” By the end of the vacation, the girl has grown to love the ocean and now feels reluctant to leave it behind. But as she soon realizes, it doesn’t ever have to leave her. “Calm. Blue. Ruffled. Gray. Playful. Green. Mysterious. Black. Foggy. Silver. Roaring. White. No matter where I am, this specific ocean will be with me.”
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
Spork
Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault.
Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2010.
PZ7 .M2227 S76 2017
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
His mum is a spoon. His dad is a fork. And he’s a bit of both. He’s Spork!
Spork sticks out in the regimented world of the cutlery drawer. The spoons think he’s too pointy, while the forks find him too round. He never gets chosen to be at the table at mealtimes until one day a very messy … thing arrives in the kitchen who has never heard of cutlery customs. Will Spork finally find his place at the table?
Awards and Honours
2010 Horace Mann Upstanders Book Award (Shortlist)
2010 Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities, IBBY (Winner)
2011 Best Children’s Books of the the Year, Bank Street Children’s Book Committee (Winner)
2011 Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award (Canadian Children’s Book Centre) (Finalist)
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
Story Boat
Illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh.
Toronto: Tundra Books, 2020.
PZ7.M2227 S77 2020
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
When you have to leave behind almost everything you know, where can you call home? Sometimes home is simply where we are: here. A imaginative, lyrical, unforgettable picture book about the migrant experience through a child’s eyes.
Fiction
Stray Love
Illustrated by Heather Friese.
Toronto: HarperCollins Canada, 2012.
PS8625 .L435 T56 2012
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
Virginia Wolf
Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault.
Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2012.
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Vanessa’s sister, Virginia, is in a “wolfish” mood — growling, howling and acting very strange. It’s a funk so fierce, the whole household feels topsy-turvy. Vanessa tries everything she can think of to cheer her up, but nothing seems to work. Then Virginia tells Vanessa about an imaginary, perfect place called Bloomsberry. Armed with an idea, Vanessa begins to paint Bloomsberry on the bedroom walls, transforming them into a beautiful garden complete with a ladder and swing “so that what was down could climb up.” Before long, Virginia, too, has picked up a brush and undergoes a surprising transformation of her own. Loosely based on the relationship between author Virginia Woolf and her sister, painter Vanessa Bell, Virginia Wolf is an uplifting story for readers of all ages.
Awards and Honours
2012 Governor General’s Literary Awards–English language, Children’s Illustration (Winner)
2013 Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award (Canadian Children’s Book Centre) (Finalist)
2013 TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award (Finalist)
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
The Wish Tree
Illustrated by Chris Turnham.
San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2016.
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Charles wants to find a wish tree. His brother and sister don’t believe there is such a thing, but his trusty companion Boggan is ready to join Charles on a journey to find out. And along the way, they discover that wishes can come true in the most unexpected ways.
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
Yak and Dove
Illustrated by Esme Shapiro.
Toronto: Tundra Books, 2017.
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Friends Yak and Dove are complete opposites. Yak is large and Dove is small. Yak has fur and Dove has feathers. Yak is polite. Dove is ill-mannered. Yak likes quiet. Dove likes noise. One day as Yak and Dove list their differences they come to the conclusion that maybe they aren’t meant to be friends. In the hope of finding a new best friend, Yak holds auditions. But when a small feathered contestant sings Yak’s favorite song, the two begin to think that maybe they are alike after all . . .
Awards and Honours
2017 IODE Jean Throop Book Award (Winner)
Selected Criticism and Interpretation
Kim, Christine. “Racialized Diasporas, Entangled Postmemories, and Kyo Maclear’s The Letter Opener.” In Cultural Grammars of Nation, Diaspora and Indigeneity in Canada, eds. Kim, Christine, Sophie McCall and Melina Baum Singer. Waterloo, Ont.: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2012, 171-190.
PS8089.5 .M55 C84 2912
Read, Robyn. “A Stadium of Small Things: Collecting Contemporary Canadian Fiction.” Ph.D. diss., University of Calgary, 2010.
Available from Proquest Dissertations and Theses
Links
Kyo Maclear personal website
Publisher Chronicle Books
Publisher HarperCollins
Publisher Kids Can Press
Publisher Penguin Random House Canada
Publisher Tundra Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House Canada
Macmillan Publishers, owner of the Farrar, Straus and Giroux imprint