Krista-link-a-la (Tina Petrova)
was born in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. Her mother Maria immigrated from Pohorela, Slovakia. Her father Mikael’s parents originated from an area of the Ukraine thought to be Ruthenia.
She was named for her maternal grandmother Kristina Pompura - Fur, the wife of Juro Yanchura- Siman. Her maternal grandparents immigrated to Sault Ste. Marie in Northern Ontario, Canada to work at the Steel Plant. Soon after they immigrated and found work and housing, they assisted several families from their mountain village to do the same. Growing up from sturdy Slovak and Ukrainian stock, gave her extremely large feet for a child. This genetic trait was passed on to the first granddaughter, Katya (Kayte) who surpassed the family record for girls by achieving a whopping Size 12 shoe as a teenager. It’s true that her brother Ken (Kenko) possessed a super cool pair of RED size 13 running shoes, which were the inspiration for a play she wrote at age 8 for the neighborhood children on Pentagon Blvd. in Sault Ste. Marie called “Rindicella and the Size 13 Running Shoe.” The little play turned into a lifelong career. Tina is an award winning Actor, Director / Producer and Writer, currently living in Toronto Canada. www.tinapetrova.com |
Joanne Deane
is a graduate of the O.C.A. (Ontario College of Art). This is her first foray into illustrating children’s books. When not at her drawing board, she is very involved in her community as a yoga teacher and community gardener.
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