Thursday, March 31, 2011

Poetry Month and Kidlitosphere Central

Garden with some tulips and narcissusImage via Wikipedia
April is an exciting month.  Spring is in the air.  The publishing world is aflutter with fabulous new books, and the entire month is a celebration of poetry. There are poets and poetry out there to inspire pretty much anyone and everyone.  At Kidlitosphere Central, more than a dozen Kid's Lit and YA Lit bloggers have stepped up to share all things poetry;  from a Poetry Potluck to a Poetry Party...from EduHaiku to Teen Poetry, you'll want to check out the links.
Enhanced by Zemanta

No more running...at least not for a while

My running career, such as it is, is on hold...back to walking.  Could be worse.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Jessie's Island, a best-seller since 1992

Pleased as punch to hear that my second book, Jessie's Island, continues to make the The Association of Book Publishers of BC's best seller list.  Not bad for a book that I published in 1992! http://books.bc.ca/

Monday, March 28, 2011

Don't miss BC Book Prizes Soirée 2011


BC Book Prizes Soirée 2011

Event Date(s)
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Location
The Listel Hotel, Impressionist Gallery
1300 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC
7:00 - 9:00 pm | free
Event Description


The West Coast Book Prize Society invites you to the 8th annual BC Book Prizes Soirée on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at The Listel Hotel.
It’s a great opportunity to mix and mingle with nominated authors and BC’s vibrant literary community while supporting the BC Book Prizes On Tour program.
Enter to win great door prizes and bid for weekend getaways, prize-winning books and many other treats in a fabulous Silent Auction while enjoying light refreshments from The Listel Hotel.
Finalist authors will sign copies of their books at the People’s Co-op Bookstore table.

The BC Book Prizes Soirée 2011 is made possible by the following sponsors:

  • The Listel Hotel
  • People’s Co-op Bookstore
  • Please contact us if you’re interested in sponsoring the Soirée

Friday, March 25, 2011

Harper Government has fallen

The big news is that the Harper Government has fallen and Canadians will be going to the polls sometime in May.  Now's the time to let your MP's know that the arts matter!  Make your vote count.

Earth Hour is March 26 at 8:30 PM

The logo for Earth HourImage via Wikipedia
Tomorrow is earth hour.  Help the planet by unplugging for an hour.  At 8:30 PM on Saturday March 26, people around the globe will be switching off their lights for Earth Hour.  To find out more and to find out about other ways to help our planet, visit www.earthhour.org/
Enhanced by Zemanta

Thursday, March 24, 2011

A terribly sad anniversary.

Today is a terribly sad; it's the 20th anniversary of the abduction of Michael Dunahee, a 4 year old boy who disappeared from a park in Victoria, BC.  His parents appealed for information about their son again on this most difficult day.  They still have no idea if he is alive or dead.  I can't even imagine their anguish.  My heart goes out to them and to the families of all children to have disappeared. Here is a site where you'll find a few links if you want to support them

Monday, March 21, 2011

Happy World Poetry Day

Happy World Poetry Day!  \Celebrate by sharing a poem with someone you love, or with a stranger...an unexpected door just might open in your life.

A Leaf For Hand In Hand

    By Walt Whitman



A leaf for hand in hand!
You natural persons old and young!
You on the Mississippi, and on all the branches and bayous of the
Mississippi!
You friendly boatmen and mechanics! You roughs!
You twain! And all processions moving along the streets!
I wish to infuse myself among you till I see it common for you to
walk hand in hand!


Sunday, March 20, 2011

a walk with Val & our dogs

Had an lovely walk with the awesome Val Wyatt, non-fiction editor for Kid's Can Press.  Our dogs raced up and down the beach while we had a great chat.  It's so refreshing to be able to talk to someone about the changes and trends in the business we both love and have spent so long working in.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

March Madness

ASAA March Madness 2011 015Image by ACVB PR via Flickr
A whole day of March Madness.  Love college b-ball!
Enhanced by Zemanta

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Changing the World, One Child at a Time

MangoesImage by Mahesh Khanna via Flickr
Took a break to eat absolutely yummy fresh mango.  Still reading story entries for the Canadian Children's Book Centre writing contest, "Changing the World, One Child at a Time".  Hope to get out to do a few hours of yard work because everything is leaping out of the ground faster than you can say spring!
Enhanced by Zemanta

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Canadian authors speak up: Is this country good to its writers?

An interesting Globe and Mail post this morning about working as a writer in Canada. Well worth reading, even though they didn't feature any kid's book writers.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Icelandic children's author speaking at UVIC in early April

Yrsa Sigurðardóttir, author, at the Edinburgh ...Image via Wikipedia
Yrsa Sigur›ardóttir is an Icelandic children's writer and civil engineer involved in large scale hydro electric projects.  She'll will be speaking at the University of Victoria on Monday, 4 April, 7:30 pm at the Clearihue Building, Room A311 


With characters like the Little Mermaid, Pippi and the Moomins, Scandinavian literature has a secure place in the hearts of children. But what of other Scandinavian writers for the young? Yrsa may not be well-known among English speakers, but that's all the more reason not to miss this chance to explore the literature of another culture, especially the work of one of it's award-winning authors.



Enhanced by Zemanta

Canadian Children's Book Centre Story Writing Contest

Off to pick up the package of stories sent by the Canadian Children's Book Centre.  I wonder how many there'll be this year.  Last year I had about 200!  This year I'll be judging the grade four stories and poems guided by the theme of Changing the World One Child at a Time.  Check out the Canadian Children's Book Centre website for more info on Book Week and how you can be a part of it.  Can't wait to dig in to those stories!

Friday, March 11, 2011

Secure Footing in a Changing Literary Landscape

Last night was my first run in 2 weeks...ugh, unpleasant, painful, totally back of the pack stuff; but at least I did it despite flying in on a red-eye flight & having zero sleep.

No time to play catch up though.  Today is the Writers' Union of Canada's all day symposium, "Secure Footing in a Changing Literary Landscape."  Several writer friends who are coming from out of town will be staying over, and I have to come up with a quick but delicious dinner.  So, will have to hit the grocery store on the way home.

My take on the changing literary landscape of the future is that we writers will have to continue to be creative while being especially resourceful with the little we make, but hey isn't that what we've been doing all along!'

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Home from Hawaii

Tired but happy to be back home from Hawaii.  We had a lovely time...some rain, but still warm.  The humpback whales were breaching & spy-hopping, the waterfalls were roaring & raging, the trade-winds were blowing & howling, and we loved every minute of it.

Tuesday, March 08, 2011

International Women's Day, celebrating 100 years


Happy International Women's Day. Although we didn't really start celebrating IWD here in North America until the 1970's, this is the 100th year celebration.  Join with women across the world to celebrate the strides we have made since 1911.
A 1932 Soviet poster for International Women's...Image via Wikipedia
Enhanced by Zemanta

Wednesday, March 02, 2011

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

Today's the day to wish Dr. Seuss a happy birthday.  He published 44 children's books, with off-the-wall c characters and dynamo rhyme. We all know his books, Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat in the Hat, an How the Grinch Stole Christmas, but my fav. has always been One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish. His birthday  has been adopted as the annual date for National Read Across America Day, an initiative on reading created by the National Education Association so happy birthday Read Across America Day too.