Orysia Dawydiak was the first child born to immigrant parents who settled in Northern Ontario. She grew up with a foot in both worlds, on a diet rich in Ukrainian traditions and stories. She lives on a small farm on Prince Edward Island where she raises sheep and dogs. She writes books on livestock protection dogs, and has also written award-winning fiction for children and young adults. Her first novel is the House of Bears. She has written four other middle-grade and young adult fiction novels. She won the first PEI Book Award for Children’s Literature for Rika’s Shepherd. She is the author of Kira’s Quest and Kira’s Secret, which was nominated for the Hackmatack Award, and most recently, the third and last book in the series, Kira’s Crossing.

Visit her website at orysiadawydiak.com.