Biography
Cyndi Marko writes and draws books for kids, but she doesn’t mind if adults read them, too.
Cyndi was born in Smithers, BC, Canada. She has fond childhood memories of itchy sweaters, frostbite, and tunneling through deep snow to get to school. She spent most of her time as a kid drawing pictures, reading books, and making up stories. Not much has changed, except Cyndi’s mom makes her buy her own crayons now (well, most of the time, anyway. Thanks, Mom!)
Cyndi lives in Medicine Hat, Alberta with her quiet kids and noisy cats. She’s always busy making more books so doesn’t have a lot of spare time, but when she can she enjoys cooking, fabric crafts, watching spooky movies, and playing Dungeons & Dragons. https://www.cyndimarko.com/
Presentations
READING, WRITING, AND DRAWING COMICS WITH CYNDI MARKO
If you ever wanted to know what makes up a comic, how to read a comic, or even how to make your own comic, then grab pencil and paper and join author-illustrator Cyndi Marko for a fun interactive workshop! Plus Cyndi will share her secret to drawing hard things the easy way!
Maximum audience size for workshops: 20 for kindergarten, 40 for grades 1-7. Students must be in level-appropriate groups.
Maximum audience size for presentations: Flexible as long as all students can see and hear Cyndi and are in level-appropriate groups.
For kindergarten and grade 1, Cyndi modifies her sessions to be age/level accessible. She also offers talks for high school students on illustration as a career path. Maximum 30 students per session.
Fees
Half Day of two 60 minute sessions (30 minutes for kindergarten): $325
Full Day of four 60 minute sessions (30 minutes for kindergarten): $650
Virtual sessions: $200 for a single session; $500 for bundle of three sessions (may be split over multiple days).
Session Requirements
Depending on the presentation or workshop space, Cyndi will be requesting flip charts, whiteboard, markers, and paper and pencils for the students. For assembly-style presentations, a projector, screen, and microphone.
Bibliography
Mabel is (Not) a Lightning Bug: A Graphic Novel. Penguin Workshop, 2026
Mabel Makes (Up) a Friend: A Graphic Novel. Penguin Workshop, 2025
Let’s Monster Up!. Beach Lane Books, 2025
Gilly’s Monster Trap. Beach Lane Books, 2023
The Legend of Gnawface: A Graphic Novel (Sloth Sleuth #2). Clarion Books, 2023
The Super Five. Teacher Created Materials, 2022.
Boo! Hiss!. Aladdin, 2022
Sloth Sleuth (Sloth Sleuth #1). Clarion Books, 2022
Jurassic Peck (Kung Power Chicken #5). Scholastic, 2020
This Little Piggy: An Owner’s Manual. Aladdin, 2017
Heroes on the Side (Kung Pow Chicken #4). Scholastic, 2014
The Birdy Snatchers (Kung Pow Chicken #3). Scholastic, 2014
Bok! Bok! Boom! (Kung Pow Chicken #2). Scholastic, 2014
Let’s Get Cracking! (Kung Pow Chicken #1). Scholastic, 2014