How a Teacher’s Personal Journey Became a Forest of Reading Favourite

Some stories stay with us not just because of what they say, but because of how they reflect the people we love and the journeys we share. Still My Tessa by Sylv Chiang is a thought-provoking picture book that explores the bond between a mother and her child during a time of change. A French elementary school teacher by day and an award-winning writer by night, Sylv drew on her experiences both at home and in the classroom to create this Forest of Reading–nominated story with a gentle and affirming narrative for children navigating questions around identity and acceptance. In our exclusive interview, Sylv shares the personal inspiration behind the story, her writing process, and how Still My Tessa can be used as a tool to support empathy, understanding, and inclusive dialogue at home and in the classroom.

At Teachers on Call, our dedicated team of in-person and online tutors is committed to helping students excel academically while fostering a love of learning. We believe that recreational reading—and Forest of Reading titles like Still My Tessa—can play a vital role in supporting students’ personal growth and encouraging meaningful conversations. What makes the Forest of Reading so special is its celebration of diverse voices, highlighting authors from a wide range of backgrounds and professions across Canada—including educators like the elementary school teacher behind this interview, who brings firsthand experience teaching children and a deep understanding of their questions.Whether you're a parent, educator, or caregiver, this blog highlights how Sylv Chiang’s story can be a springboard for meaningful conversations. Read on!

Spotlight on Canadian Stories: The Forest of Reading and Its Festival

The Forest of Reading, run by the Ontario Library Association, is Canada’s largest recreational reading program, designed to celebrate Canadian literature and inspire a love of reading in children and youth. With a wide range of award categories—including Blue Spruce (K–Grade 2), Silver Birch Express and Silver Birch Fiction (Grades 3–6), Yellow Cedar (Grades 4–8, non-fiction), Red Maple (Grades 7–8), and White Pine (high school Grades 9 - 12)—the program offers something for every young reader in both English and French. The excitement builds all year and culminates in a joyful, interactive festival each May at downtown Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON M5J 2G8), where students meet authors, attend workshops, and vote for their favourite books. At Teachers on Call, our tutoring service loves how this program empowers young readers (and aspiring writers) to make their voices heard—promoting literacy, critical thinking, and civic engagement in a fun and memorable way.

About the Author: Sylv Chiang

Sylv Chiang is a middle school French teacher and children's book author who loves creating stories that reflect the real lives of kids today. She has taught French Immersion, Extended French, and Core French in the Toronto District School Board. She wrote her Cross Ups series for young readers who might be more into video games than books—and that’s totally okay. Still My Tessa is her first picture book, inspired by a deeply personal story from within her own family. Sylv grew up in Toronto and now lives in Pickering, Ontario with her family.

About the Illustrator: Mathias Ball

Still My Tessa is beautifully illustrated by Mathias Ball - a Canadian artist from a small coastal town called Goderich on the eastern shore of Lake Huron - whose warm, expressive style brings depth and tenderness to the story. A graduate of Sheridan College’s illustration program in Oakville, Ontario, Mathias draws inspiration from nature, animals, and the imagination of children. Their artwork perfectly complements Sylv Chiang’s narrative, helping young readers connect emotionally with themes of love, identity, and acceptance.

Sylv Chiang on Family, Identity, and Still My Tessa

You're a teacher by day and a writer by night—how do those two roles influence each other?

Teaching has a huge influence on my writing! Being in a school setting and interacting with children day-to-day helps me to better understand what it’s like to be a child in today’s world. At the very least, I know how children actually behave and what issues concern them right now. Those are things that change over time and it’s helpful to be on the front lines with today’s youth. 

Being a teacher also means I have a good idea of what teachers are looking for when they pick a book for a read-aloud or a novel study. And from time to time I have been known to use my colleagues and students as beta readers for my works in progress. They give incredible feedback!

Still My Tessa is your first picture book—what inspired this story, and how did your personal experience shape it?

Still My Tessa is based on my own family. When my older child told the family that they are non-binary, my younger child, Evelyn, adapted to using gender-neutral language so much quicker than my husband and I did. It was really fascinating to me how many times I would mess up and use the wrong word, despite my best intentions.

I remember one time when I accidentally used the word “sister” and Evelyn said, “Tessa’s not my sister anymore.” It was said as a simple statement of fact and a gentle reminder to me. But it made me wonder - what would someone think if they overheard just those words out of context? That’s when I realized that others might find this transition that our family was going through interesting or even learn from it. I sat down and wrote a first draft of what would become Still My Tessa which included that sentence with all the context needed to understand our situation.

What was it like shifting from writing for middle-grade readers in your Cross Ups series to crafting a picture book for younger kids?

I was very fortunate because Still My Tessa just tumbled out of me. The first draft was written in one morning. Of course, there were many revisions to strengthen the story, but overall it was a far speedier process than writing my novels. 

But that isn’t always the case. My next picture books are taking me much, much longer to write. There are many, many versions of those. They have taken as long to write as any novel.

As a teacher, how do you approach explaining tough topics—like the ones in Still My Tessa—to younger children in a way that makes sense to them?

I don’t think we give kids enough credit. Some things that adults think are tough topics, like changing your pronouns, are really not that hard for kids to understand. In fact, adults often take longer to learn than kids. That’s why Evelyn learns to use Tessa’s new pronouns in just one week while the parents in the story take longer to adjust. Evelyn taking the lead in being an ally is important to the story. Young readers can see themselves in her.

Congratulations on Still My Tessa being nominated for the Blue Spruce category of the Forest of Reading program! What does this recognition mean to you?

I love the Forest of Reading program and am so honoured that Still My Tessa was selected as a Blue Spruce book this year. The fact that so many children across Canada will read this story warms my heart. I know how this program inspires students to read and empowers them to select books that mean something to them. As someone who has always loved to read, I am so happy that this program exists because it helps turn more kids on to reading. 

Where do you feel most inspired to write—do you have a special writing spot or routine that helps you get into a creative zone?

Fortunately, I can work anywhere, at a desk, on a couch, in a coffee shop - as long as I’m in the right mood. I am happiest in the summer on my back deck. I think nature is inspiring. 

I wish I had a routine. I am all over the place. My writing organization (The Writers’ Community of Durham Region - or WCDR) has zoom meetings called Write-Ins. We talk for a bit, then write for a bit, then check in, and write some more. Lately, they have been very helpful. I like to join the Write-In calls because it gives me a set time to write, like office hours.

And I get my best work done when I have a deadline! Those are very helpful!

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At Teachers on Call, we are excited to celebrate the impact of Canadian authors and their stories through our Hooked on Books series, where we are interviewing many of the talented authors nominated in this year’s Forest of Reading program. These conversations are a valuable resource for educators, parents, and students alike, offering insight into the creative process and the themes that resonate with young readers today. Whether you’re supporting your child’s learning journey at home or in the classroom, we’re here to guide them in discovering stories that not only entertain but also open doors to understanding the diverse world around us. Check out more of our recent Hooked on Books interviews, such as Toronto-based Sandra McTavish’s The Cricket War or Vancouver-based Roz MacLean’s More Than Words.