ROBERT PRIEST is a poet, novelist, songwriter, playwright and journalist. His most recent book of poems for children is: The Secret Invasion of Bananas. Blue Pyramids: New And Selected Poems, (ECW) was published in late 2002. His twelve other books of poetry have won numerous prizes including an Acorn Award and two Special Choice Awards from the Children’s Book Centre.

Robert is also a prolific songwriter/singer. His EMI release: Tongue 'n Groove, contains a good cross-section of his work from 'spoken-word' to funk to folk-protest. For two years he wrote and recorded topical songs for CBC Radio and has co-written songs with Alanis Morrisette and Tom Cochrane. He also penned the hit, Song Instead of a Kiss for Grammy award-winning singer Alannah Miles. This composition garnered Robert international acclaim as a lyricist who manages to combine depth and insight with accessibility. It is these same qualities plus a good deal of humour which have made his works for children so popular in Canada.

His numerous books, recordings and plays for children include: Daysongs Nightsongs (1993), a collection of poems; Knights of the Endless Day, which in 1992 was produced at Toronto’s famed Young People’s Theatre, drawing sell-out crowds and rave reviews; and “Minibugs and Microchips,” a play which won a Canadian Chalmers Award in 1998. A novel based on Knights of the Endless Day was published in 1993 by Viking and was the recipient of a Special Choice Award from the Canadian Children’s Book Centre.

In 1994, Robert published two more books for children: A Terrible Case of the Stars (Penguin) and The Ballad of the Blue Bonnet (Groundwood).

Robert has a very active touring schedule. For the past twenty years he has given readings and lead creative writing workshops across Canada, Britain, the U.S. and the Middle East. He has been a Writer-In-Residence for WiER since the early 1990's. In addition he has written and performed on such shows as Sesame Street and Vidkids. Beginning in January 2004 Robert as “Dr. Poetry,” offers satirical tips on 'Word Health' for CBC Radio's new poetry show: WordBeat.

He is also a frequent contributor to NOW magazine.

Robert continues to write poems, songs, plays, skits and novels for both adults and children. He lives in Toronto, Canada with his family.

You can see numerous videos of his poems at www.poempainter.com.