The Birdman

Veronika Martenova Charles is an award-winning author and illustrator whose books include: Maiden of the Mist: A Legend of Niagara Falls; Stretch, Swallow, & Stare; The Crane Girl; and The Birdman. Veronika has studied at Ryerson University, the Ontario College or Art and Design, and recently completed her graduate studies in Folklore at York University. Veronika Martenova Charles lives in Toronto.A native of Montreal, Annouchka Gravel Galouchko has lived in Iran, Egypt, Mexico, and Austria. Winner of a Governor General’s Award for illustration and nominee for French language text (Sho et les dragons d’eau), she has exhibited her paintings widely. Annouchka’s partner, Stéphan Daigle, is an internationally known painter and illustrator of books, magazines, and corporate images. He, too, was born in Montreal. The couple’s collaboration on The Birdman has resulted in an exceptional blend of color and design, along with depth and symbolism that belie its prettiness. Stéphan and Annouchka live in Quebec with their eight-year-old son, Sacha.