One of Manitoba and Canada’s premier children’s entertainers, Fred Penner is beloved by children and parents around the world. He has created a family-centred legacy based on his belief in our ability to “make a difference in the life of a child”; exemplified in his many charitable works dedicated to the well-being of children. Mr. Penner’s wife, Odette Heyn, was instrumental in setting his path of entertainment for children and their work in Sundance, a dance company for children, set the wheels of his career in motion. He has performed his award-winning songs, such as the classic, The Cat Came Back, at venues throughout North America. For 13 seasons, he crawled through a hollow log and greeted his television audience in Fred Penner’s Place. The series aired on CBC in Canada and on Nickelodeon in the U.S. An author and narrator of children’s books, he has spoken at many early-childhood education conferences. He has also been a spokesperson for such charitable organizations as UNICEF and World Vision. The recipient of two Juno awards, he has been a member of the Order of Canada since 1991.
