rowing up on a farm, Lee Edward Födi was subjected to various horrible chores such as cleaning up after chickens, pigs, geese, and younger siblings. He continually craved adventure and often found himself searching between the cracks of here and there in hopes of discovering an enchanted world populated with magical monsters, talking animals, and other creatures of faerie.

Several years later, he had the stroke of good fortune to stumble upon the secret Land of Een and now he is most pleased to have the official title as chronicler of the adventures of Kendra Kandlestar.

When he is not chronicling, “Mr. Wiz” (as he is so often called) spends his time speaking at schools or helping kids sculpt their own stories through creative writing workshops.

He enjoys traveling, and especially exploring castles, mazes, tombs, and temples around the world—not to mention tiny places hidden between the cracks of here and there.

For a list of upcoming appearances by Lee Edward Födi, or to book him for an event, please visit www.leefodi.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who are the Kendra Kandlestar books for?
It seems to me that most of the Kendra Kandlestar fans are 6-11 years old, but I receive lots of correspondence from readers of all ages. I think The Chronicles of Kendra Kandlestar are for anyone who loves a good adventure story filled with fantastical characters and settings. If you want to see of the cool artwork that some readers send me, check out the Kendra Kandlestar Facebook page.

2. Where do you get your ideas?
I am inspired by mythology and world folklore. Since I was a small boy, I have always been fascinated by the tales and mysteries of the ancient world. Now, as an adult, one of my greatest joys is to travel to ancient sites around the world. Some of the places I have visited include the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, Stonehenge in England, Chitzeniza in Mexico, the Mayan ruins of Tikal in Gautemala, the Great Wall of China, and of course many other temples, castles and extravagant examples of architecture around the world. Such visits help connect me to the magic of Een.

3. Will your books ever be made into movies?
I’m a writer and illustrator, so I concentrate on telling these stories through books. However, I do think Kendra’s epic adventures would make a great basis for a movie—but such a movie won’t be made by me personally.

4. How do you come up with the character names?
The Eens have a very “sing-song” quality to their names because they are a magical people, with a close affinity to nature. You will notice that all of their first and last names start with the same sound (this is called alliteration). The names Kendra Kandlestar, Gregor Griffinskitch, and Honest Oki and are just a few examples. I like to think that the name of each character really matches his or her personality.

5. How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. In fact, I wrote my first book when I was five or six years old. Most of my stories that I wrote as a kid were just like the Chronicles of Kendra Kandlestar, filled with magic, monsters, and mystery.

6. Do you visit schools?
Yes, I love to visit schools and tell children about the Land of Een. Just visit leefodi.com to find out more information about asking me to come visit your school or to teach a writing workshop.

7. Where can I buy the Kendra Kandlestar books?
The Chronicles of Kendra Kandlestar are available at most retailers in Canada and the US, or through Amazon. Visit the book store page for a list of convenient online links, or to download the book info sheet, which you can take into your favorite bookstore to help them find the book for you. I also offer book sales directly from me as part of an author visit to a school. For more information about hosting me at your school and arranging a direct book sale, send me an Een-mail by visiting the contact page.

8. Do you have study guides for teachers?
Yes, you can download free teacher guides by visiting the books page. If you have any additional questions, send me an Een-mail by visiting the contact page and I’ll answer as soon as possible.

9. Have the Kendra Kandlestar books won awards?
Happily, yes! Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers and Kendra Kandlestar and the Door to Unger have both won the Mom’s Choice Award®. The Box of Whispers was also recommended in 2007 by the Canadian Toy Testing Council. The Door to Unger was an award-winning finalist for the National Best Book Awards. The Shard from Greeve was picked as one of 2010's best books for kids and teens by the Canadian Children's Book Centre.

10. What are you working on right now?
I’m currently chronicling the fourth Kendra Kandlestar book. You can get updates by visiting the Kendra Kandlestar blog.