upcoming & recent events
december 2012
reading: Main Street Library, Toronto.
may 2012
readings in Calgary: Diana visits six schools & reads to over 1000 children in grades one through six.
february 2012
reading: Deer Park Library, Toronto
book signing: Ontario Library Association Superconference, Metro Convention Centre, Toronto.
reading: Bialik Hebrew Day School, Toronto. Diana reads to 350 kids as part of the school's reading month.
january 2012
reading and book giveaway: Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto.
december 2011
kids discover Starfall: Centre Of Gravity, Toronto. A magical afternoon for kids featuring an author reading and performances by some of the book's characters.
book launch and photo exhibit: Rouge Concept Gallery, Toronto. A celebration with Starfall's creators and performers who appear in the story.
east enders shoot for the stars
insidetoronto.com article by Joanna Lavoie
East Toronto residents Diana Kolpak and Kathleen Finlay are inviting the young - and the young at heart - to join them on a mythical, magical, wonderful and beautiful journey to find starlight and sunshine.
Kolpak, who has lived in the Beach...for the last eight years, and Finlay, a 10-year resident of the Greenwood Avenue and Gerrard Street East area, are the creators of a whimsical children's book called Starfall. read the full article
debut children's book author brings magic to kids' rehabilitation hospital
openbooktoronto.com - february 2, 2012
Last week in the therapeutic playroom at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, author Diana Kolpak entertained children with a reading of...Starfall. Each child received a signed copy of her book and had the opportunity to ask Diana questions following the reading...Diana hopes “that what [children] take away from the story is that they can always find strength, hope, and courage within themselves."
Diana and photographer Kathleen Finlay are donating part of their book’s proceeds to therapeutic clown programs.
teacher testimonial
K.B. White-Tucker, Bridlewood School, Calgary
I am a Kindergarten teacher with the Calgary Board of Education. Your wonderful book, "Starfall" just came into our Learning Commons in the spring...It has been inspirational. Kindergarten is studying the idea of "voice." We are hoping to demonstrate to the children that their voice is more than their "sound voice." It is their "statement to the world," their ideas, choices and actions. We will be using Meera's experience of diligence, persistence and triumph to help our youngsters learn about goal-setting...thank you for writing such a lovely, quiet story of strength and determination.