This year's illustrator is Ashley Spires. Ashley was born and raised in British Columbia where she resides still with her cats Gracie and Charlotte. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design and a Graduate Diploma in Illustration from Sheridan College.

Ashley's book A Bloom of Friendship (written by Anne Renaud, Lobster Press) was nominated for the Silver Birch Award and the Red Cedar Book Award.

Other books illustrated by Ashley are:
Our Song (written by Peter Kuitenbrouwer, Lobster Press)
My Mom Loves Me More Than Sushi (written by Filomena Gomes, Second Story Press)