Federation of BC Writers - Off the Page Program

Known as the “Wizard of Words” or simply as “Mr. Wiz,” Lee Edward Födi has been writing and illustrating stories about magic, monsters, and mystery for as long as he can remember. Growing up on a farm, he was subjected to various horrible chores such as cleaning up after chickens, pigs, geese, and younger siblings. He was often in trouble for his constant daydreaming. There was a time when his father harbored hopes that his son would take over the family business—but these aspirations came to an abrupt end when the young author accidentally ran the tractor over his dad’s outhouse. (Thankfully, his dad was not inside at the time.) As a result, Födi went on to pursue his love of art, mythology, and storytelling, all of which (luckily) do not require any skill in operating heavy machinery.

Födi is the author and illustrator of The Chronicles of Kendra Kandlestar, which include The Box of Whispers, The Door to Unger, and the The Shard from Greeve. He has also illustrated several picture books for other authors, including The Chocolatier's Apprentice, a national bestseller.

Födi is an engaging public speaker, specializing in presentations and workshops for elementary-aged children. He has taught programs in Canada, the United States, England, and South Korea. In addition, he is a co-founder of Dream Workshop, a Vancouver-based not-for-profit program in which children's authors, illustrators, and performers help kids publish their own books. As the lead mentor for Dream Workshop, Födi finds continual inspiration in the enthusiasm, ingenuity, and talent of his students.

Födi studied at the University of British Columbia and has a degree in English Literature and a diploma in Fine Arts. He lives in Vancouver, the beautiful Canadian city nestled between the mountains and the Pacific Ocean.

"As a perfect introduction or addition to any child's fantasy collection, Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers, enriches and engages the minds of its readers, creating a completely different style of magical realm in which its readers are inevitably swept away to...very strongly recommended to all children already fans of the fantasy literature and would make a popular addition to both school and community library collections as well."
[Midwest Book Review, April 2006]

unger

Everyone knows that the creatures of the outside world are forbidden by magic to enter the land of Een. That's why young Kendra Kandlestar is so surprised when a giant Unger arrives in the middle of the night to deliver a cryptic message: If she can find the fabled Door to Unger, she will be able to unlock the truth about her long-lost family. Soon, Kendra finds herself on an epic adventure in which she must tangle with dwarves, monsters, and one strange, magic-peddling faun. Can Kendra trust this peculiar cast of characters? Will she be able to discover the secret about her family?