On Wednesday, June 17th, I'll be heading to Quaker Road Public School for my final author visit of the 2025–26 school year.

It's hard to believe how quickly this year has flown by. Since stepping back into schools as a visiting author, I've had the opportunity to meet hundreds of students from Kindergarten to Grade 8, sharing stories, laughter, and hopefully a little inspiration along the way.

At Quaker Road, I'll be working with two groups of students:

Grades 3/4 will dive into the world of humorous short story writing, exploring how everyday moments can become unforgettable adventures. Through examples from William and Thomas's many misadventures, students will discover that some of the best story ideas begin with a simple question:

"What could possibly go wrong?"

(As it turns out... quite a lot.)

Grades 5/6 will put on their detective hats as we investigate the ingredients of a great mystery. Together, we'll examine clues, red herrings, suspicious suspects, and surprising twists before students begin crafting mysteries of their own.

One of my favourite parts of these visits is watching students realize that authors don't simply sit down and magically produce perfect books. Stories grow from imagination, persistence, revision, and a willingness to embrace wild ideas.

Whether it's a disastrous bee-catching plan, a missing muffin mystery, or a spooky adventure involving the Itchygooney Witch, every story starts with someone asking, "What if?"

As this school year comes to a close, I'm incredibly grateful to the teachers, librarians, administrators, and students who have welcomed me into their schools. Thank you for your enthusiasm, your creativity, and for reminding me why stories matter.

Here's to one final visit, a few more laughs, and perhaps the beginning of some future authors' writing journeys.

Wish me luck... and let's hope no one brings a real swarm of bees.

Mark Gunning