APPLY TO HOST STACEY CHOMIAK (IN PERSON)
BIOGRAPHY
Stacey Chomiak (she/her) is an artist, author and LGBTQ+ speaker. She worked as a designer and art director in the animation industry for 13 years, and is now focusing her talent on writing and illustrating kids books that represent the queer community. Her illustrated memoir Still Stace: My Gay Christian Coming-of-Age Story published in 2021. Most recently she illustrated Rainbow Boy and the Pride Parade, which published in May 2025 by Beaming Books. Stacey loves to dance with her two kids, cycle by the river, and paint anything that inspires her. More info can be seen on staceychomiak.com.
Home Location: Chilliwack, British Columbia
Creator Type: Author-illustrator
Genres: Picture books, illustrated novels, young-adult fiction
Website: staceychomiak.com
Tour Region: Quebec
Target Audience: Kindergarten to Grade 12
Cost: For one 60-minute presentation: $300 plus 5% GST
NOTE: The fee of $300 (plus tax) will be paid to The Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) upon receipt of an invoice from the CCBC. After Book Week, the CCBC will pay the author their presentation fee of $250 (plus taxes, if applicable).
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTIONS
We All Belong in Kids Books
Target Audience: Kindergarten to Grade 5
Preferred group size: 10 – 35 students
Maximum group size: 60 students
Stacey will share with students why representation in kids books is so important for all of us. Her books represent the LGBTQ+ community, but she will also share why diversity of all kinds in crucial in today’s world. Stacey will outline themes in the picture books she has illustrated, focusing on her latest,Rainbow Boy and the Pride Parade. Stacey will share with the students the process of creating this book, they will read it together, and then she will lead a draw-along for everyone to draw their own Rainbow Boy!
Required equipment: Laptop and projector or screen
Required materials: Paper, pencils, erasers for myself and kids; document camera or whiteboard for draw-along
You Want to Be a Professional Artist, Too?
Target Audience: Kindergarten - Grade 8
Preferred group size: 10 – 35 students
Stacey will share her experience as both a professional artist in over a decade in the animation industry, as well as a children’s book illustrator. She will go over some dynamic examples from some of children’s favourite cartoons, to explain what it’s like to paint for a living! Then she will talk about the picture books that she illustrated, including Still Stace, which she both wrote and illustrated. Stacey will be focusing on her latest picture book, Rainbow Boy and the Pride Parade, and then she will lead a draw-along for everyone to draw their very own Rainbow Boy!
Required equipment: Laptop and projector or screen
Required materials: Paper, pencils, erasers for myself and kids, document camera or white board for draw-along
How I Found My Queer Voice
Target Audience: Grades 9-12
Preferred group size: 25 – 50 (80 maximum)
Stacey will share her experience of growing up feeling out of place in her own world, and how her years of self-discovery was eventually channeled into her illustrated memoir Still Stace: My Gay Christian Coming-of-Age Story. She will share how the book came about, the process of not only writing and illustrating it, and also some of the pushback that has come as a result of being a visible queer person in society. This presentation hopes to inspire the students to find their voice and stand up for their own authenticity. Themes include social justice, activism and LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Required equipment: Laptop and projector or screen
Required materials: none
Queer Storytime for Families
Target Audience: All ages / grades
Preferred group size: 15 - 35 people (60 maximum)
These days we need more safe and joyful spaces for LGBTQ+ people, their families and friends! Join us as queer Canadian author and artist Stacey Chomiak reads her queer kidlit picture books, talks about the importance of diverse families in children’s media, and shares how a book gets made from words to pictures. Bring your artistic side – she will do a draw-along at the end for all ages. Fun for the whole family!
Required equipment: Laptop and projector or screen
Required materials: Paper, pencils, erasers for myself and kids; document camera or whiteboard for draw-along
BIBLIOGRAPHY
PICTURE BOOKS
Rainbow Boy and the Pride Parade. Written by Taylor Rouanzion, illustrated by Stacey Chomiak. Beaming Books, May 2025.
Who You Will Be. Written by Taylor Rouanzion, illustrated by Stacey Chomiak. Philomel Books/PRH, May 2024.
Rainbow Boy. Written by Taylor Rouanzion, illustrated by Stacey Chomiak. Beaming Books, January 2021.
ILLUSTRATED NOVEL (YOUNG ADULT)
Still Stace: My Gay Christian Coming-of-Age Story. Written and illustrated by Stacey Chomiak. Published by Beaming Books, October 2021.