Joanne Foster, Ed.D., is the award-winning author of nine books. She has worked in the fields of Educational Psychology, and Gifted Education, for over 35 years. She has a Master’s degree in Special Education and Adaptive Instruction, and a Doctoral degree in Human Development and Applied Psychology. She taught for many years in the teacher training program at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto, where she also served as the gifted liaison, and provided broad-based community support and targeted expertise relating to learning, teaching, and high-level development.
Dr. Foster, a prolific author across different genres—parenting, education, and children’s non-fiction—is now reaching out and welcoming a new audience of young readers (and their families) as she pivots to works of juvenile fiction with exciting rhyming picture books! Her writing is grounded in her professional expertise, and her experience as a parent, teacher, consultant, university instructor, and community advocate. Most importantly, her writing is fueled by and is reflective of her love of learning and her passion for creative expression.
Joanne’s newest book is Grumblesome, a 32-page picture book with colorful artwork by gifted illustrator Brandon Dorman. It’s the story of a little boy with BIG feelings, who uses resolve and creativity, and ultimately discovers the power of love and forgiveness. Her previous book is Ignite your Ideas: Creativity for Kids (recipient of the 2025 Bronze Moonbeam Award for children’s nonfiction, and the 2025 Winner of American Best Books Award for children’s nonfiction). She co-authored (with Dona Matthews) the multiple award-winning Being Smart series, including the fully updated 3rd edition entitled Being Smart about Gifted Learning: Empowering Parents and Kids Through Challenge and Change.
Joanne also wrote ABCs of Raising Smarter Kids: Hundreds of Ways to Inspire Your Child (Award Finalist, American Best Books), Bust Your BUTS: Tips for Teens Who Procrastinate (recipient of the Independent Book Publishers Association’s Silver Benjamin Franklin Award for teen non-fiction), and Not Now, Maybe Later: Helping Children Overcome Procrastination She co-authored (with Dona Matthews), Beyond Intelligence: Secrets for Raising Happily Productive Kids. (Now available in a popular Chinese edition.)
Dr. Foster’s articles are featured in numerous publications including online at The Creativity Post, and in First Time Parent Magazine, and in issues of Best Version Media Magazines distributed regionally across Canada and the US. She has a Master Class on Igniting Your Child’s Creativity—and Why It’s Important in association with BabySparks, an online parenting platform. She is also listed on the Writers Directory for Parenting Media Association.
Dr. Foster gives keynote addresses, offers presentations on a wide range of topics, and shares information and insights on podcasts, in interviews, and in interactive forums. Throughout her writing, and in the course of her work with parents, teachers, and other professionals across North America and beyond, she provides leadership in areas of learning, children’s well-being, and educational strategies for supporting optimal development. She also shares lots of resource material on her BLOG, on her RESOURCES page, and on each of her BOOKS pages as well. Visit Joanne’s website at www.joannefoster.ca