TAMLA T.
YOUNG
WRITER. EDUCATOR. PERFORMER.
FOLLOW ME
Tamla T. Young (she/her) is a mom, educator and writer whose journey blends education, creativity, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge.
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Raised in North America as a child of the Caribbean diaspora, her stories draw from family, culture, and lived experience, enriched by her love of languages, travel, and the arts.
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Her debut picture book, Ready, Set, Mango! (OwlKids Books, 2025), illustrated by Raz Latif, is a 2026 Children's Book Council, Kids Favourite and reflects her ability to weave personal experiences into stories that resonate across cultures.
DEBUT BOOK
Two competitive cousins are in for a surprise as they fight to find the perfect fruit. On an island vacation with their auntie, cousins Tee and Dee set out to find mangoes to make smoothies. As the best of friends, but also the worst of rivals, the girls see everything as a competition, and they immediately begin to argue about who can find the perfect mango first.
Packed with atmospheric details that evoke the sights and sounds of island life and inspired by a memory from the author’s own early years, this playful take on childhood rivalries prizes friendship and laughter above fighting and competing.
WRITING
Young, T. (2017). A Journey into Anti-Racism. In: Abdulle, A., Obeyesekere, A.N. (eds) New Framings on Anti-Racism and Resistance. SensePublishers, Rotterdam. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6300-950-8_6
Young, T. (2026). Building a Union for All: Sustaining the Work of Justice, Joy and Institutional Change. ETFO Voice, Spring Issue. Read Here
Young, T. (Coming Soon). Chapter 10: A BLACK WOMAN IN EDUCATION: UPLIFTMENT, RESISTANCE, SILENCE, AND VISION. In: In Words of Our Own book series.
EDUCATION
& PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
Master of Education, Social Justice Education, University of Toronto, Ontario / 2019
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Bachelor of Education, Faculty of Education, University of Windsor, Ontario / 2011
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Bachelor of Arts, Spec. Hons., York University, Ontario / 2006
Creative Writing Certificate - University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies / 2024
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AWARDS
& RECOGNITION
Children’s Book Council – 2026 Kids’ Favourite (Ready, Set, Mango!) Read Here
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Banff Centre For Arts & Creativity – Early-Career Children's & YA Writer's Residency / 2025
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Toronto International Festival of Authors – Toronto Lit Up / 2025 Read More
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​Writer's Digest -Featured in "Breaking IN" column / 2025 Read Here
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We Are Teachers – Featured in “We Love These 2025 Caribbean Children’s Books for Your Classroom Library” / June 2025 Read Here
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Next Chapter Festival - Featured Author / 2025 Read Here​
PBParty Honourable Mention / 2025
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PB Rising Stars Honourable Mention / 2024
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Enter the magical world of storytelling and creative writing with a unique school visit from Tamla T. Young, an author who doubles as an elementary school teacher! Tamla is a passionate educator and captivating storyteller, who brings literature to life in the classroom and beyond. With engaging presentations, interactive storytelling sessions, and hands-on activities, Tamla’s school visits inspire young minds, ignite imaginations, and encourage a lifelong love of reading, writing and learning. Don't miss this exciting opportunity to spark creativity and curiosity in your students with a visit from Tamla!