Sheryl McFarlane's News Blog

My new site is up

2011-07-06T09:21:00.001-07:00

I've been busy building myself a new site which includes a wordpress blog and website rolled into one. I'm gradually transferring content. This is where all new posts will be located.

National Aboriginal Day and Summer Solstice Today

2011-06-21T13:06:00.001-07:00

Today is the summer solstice, but also National Aboriginal Day. I'm hoping to get to a few of the activities to celebrate with my First Nations and Metis friends. Just about right now, a Salish Welcome Totem is being raised at the Victoria Native Friendship Centre. I'll be there in spirit, and will try to get down soon to take a picture of it for you.

The Guardian's top non-fiction list

2011-06-14T10:46:00.000-07:00

The Guardian posted their 100 top picks for non-fiction. Sadly, there were quite a few of the titles that I hadn't read, but then I do tend more toward fiction, so I suppose I can be forgiven. Here are a few that I read, although I confess that when it came to Hawkings' A Brief History of Time, it was more of a "tried to read" kind of thing.

It makes me wonder if anyone has put a similar list together for kid's non-fiction?

Blink & Caution takes home the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award

2011-06-13T10:11:00.000-07:00

Here's a shout out to Tim Wynne-Jones for winning the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for fiction. Way to go Tim!

Michael Hauge's 6 stage plot structure

2011-06-07T13:40:00.000-07:00

Today I'm trying to apply Michael Hauge's "6 stage plot structure" to the young adult novel I've been working on. He also has a wonderful "Story Concept Template" that I find useful. If you don't know who Michael Hauge is and you have writerly aspirations, you may want to spend a little time on his website. You may even want to order a book or two. This guy is amazing. I took a two day workshop with him, and I would love to do more. He gets right the heart of your writing, doesn't mince words, and he's good. His credentials speak for themselves.

The Cat is Out of the Bag: Pajama Press

2011-06-02T14:44:00.000-07:00

My former publisher, Gail Winskill has started a new press. I'm super excited. They are starting out with three fabulous authors, who have all been edited by Ann Featherstone, my long-time editor. I just know that this new publishing house for children's titles will be great.

Help Slave Lake, AB rebuild their fire-devestated library

2011-05-21T11:22:00.001-07:00

My son-in-law has been up fighting the fire in Slave Lake Alberta. In a phone conversation to us he spoke about how terrible the destruction was. What a nightmare for the people of that fire-devestated town. My heart goes out to them. One of their losses has been their new public library. I'm so happy to see that support from other libraries, publishers and book lovers has been pouring in. Please consider helping with:
1) cash donations which can be made through www.slavelakelibrary.ab.ca on their "Make a Donation" link, or
2) donating new or nearly new books (they are asking for books no older than 2 years, probably to avoid musty cast-offs). These can be shipped to the Peace Library system headquarters for cataloguing and storage until a temporary library can be opened in Slave Lake.

ATTN: Books for Slave Lake Library
Peace Library System
8301 -- 110 Street
Grande Prairie, AB T8W 6T2

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T10:03:00.001-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful mom's out there, especially those who have taken the time to read to children.

Blogging vaction

2011-04-20T16:15:00.001-07:00

Life is crazy busy right now, so I've decided to cut myself a little slack. I'm taking a blogging vacation until things settle down a little. Feel free to peruse the past few years of posts. I'll still be tweeting and facebooking on occasion so I won't be disappearing entirely. Happy spring.

My friend Margaret

2011-04-17T09:36:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I visited my dear elderly friend Margaret in the hospital. She's had a stroke, and is making pretty good progress. But Margaret is a fish out of water in the hospital. She misses her books, even though she is still too weak to hold them. A smattering of magazines and a few soft covered picture books are not enough to feed Margaret's lively curiosity and active mind. She's one of those people who has read at least a book a day since forever. She can discuss Virginia Wolf, the latest Margaret Atwood, or the appropriateness of the ending of Lane Smith's It's a Book, with equal ease. Unfortunately, talking books don't work for Margaret as she is a little deaf and is in a room with several others.

Every Thursday since Margaret has been housebound (several years now) she has held a "salon" day where friends dropped by toting books and ideas. Lively discussions, wonderful snacks, and exotic teas have always been part of those Thursdays which I have missed since Margaret's illness. Still, Margaret is tenacious, and although she desperately wants to be home, with her books, and the lovely garden that her husband Ernst has created, Margaret is still with us. For that I am grateful. There aren't many people in this world as generous, kind, loving and cracker-jack smart as Margaret. Today after work, I will bring along my Kobo, and my boyfriend's iPad to see if either work for Margaret. I have my fingers crossed that one of them will do the trick.

Celebrate Teen Lit Day with Rock the Drop

2011-04-14T11:20:00.000-07:00

Yep, it's Teen Lit Day today, and there is no shortage of ways to celebrate. For ideas on how to make this day rock, check out YALSA (Young Adult Library Services).

Meanwhile, readergirlz, one of my favorite blogs, have come up with a pretty cool way to get the word out. It's called Rock the Drop! Here's what you do.

1. Visit their site (the link is above)

2. Download the same bookplate I've snagged below

3. Print it

4. Paste it into your favorite YA novel

5. Drop the book in a public place (bus stop, coffee shop, etc.

6. Snap a photo

7. Send it on over to readergirz AT gmail Dot com

8. check out their site to see the YA love

9. Thank the cool ladies at readergirlz

10. spread the word

Here's my contribution. I left it in the lobby of my local rec. centre and it was gone when I finished my workout an hour later. I know that whoever has it will enjoy Miss Smithers by Susan Juby.

National Volunteer Week

2011-04-12T11:04:00.000-07:00

This is National Volunteer Week, a special time in the year to celebrate how important volunteers are in our community. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that volunteers make the world go around. So, be sure to let volunteers know how much you appreciate them no only this week, but every day of the year. And while your at it, consider becoming a volunteer yourself if you haven't already...become a big sister or big brother, offer to drive seniors in your community to appointments, help out with a school fundraiser, volunteer at a shelter or soup kitchen, organize a beach or park clean-up, donate one on one time to a literacy group, or offer your building skills to Habitat for Humanity. There are endless ways that you can make our world a better place. Make a difference today. Volunteer!

When work is good...

2011-04-07T13:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I started playing around with a new picture book manuscript over lunch but had to leave it to get back to what I'd been working on earlier. Last night I dreamed about poka dot pajamas and this morning I got up and the words to the yesterday's picture book flowed through my fingers onto the screen. Magic I tell you...pure magic. Of course, tomorrow when I look at it again, I'll see all the little flaws that will require painstaking and finicky editing, but for now, I'm thrilled.

Professional development is better with muffins

2011-04-05T11:34:00.000-07:00

What a great morning. It started out at 5am. I was on Galiano Island visiting friends, but had to rush back to meet up with fellow author Julie Lawson for a little private professional development, and of course food; muffins and tea in this case. What fun. Be sure to catch Julie at the Victoria Children's Literature Roundtable on Monday, and watch for her new book, Ghosts of the Titanic.

Yikes...I missed International Children's Book Day

2011-04-03T10:06:00.000-07:00

Can't believe that I missed International Children's Book Day which was April 2, the birthday of Hans Christian Anderson.

I guess I was just too caught up in March Madness basketball and wedding stuff. More wedding venues coming up. Looking at a little community hall by a lake out of town, a friends farm, and then taking the ferry to Galiano Island where we'll check out a friend's place for the ceremony, and the community hall for the reception. So much to do!

Weddings and Basketball

2011-04-02T09:14:00.000-07:00

Today is all about weddings and basketball...I can already hear you saying,"What?"

It makes sense, honestly... In a few minutes I'll be heading out to the ferry to pick up my daughter & her longtime boyfriend ( I suppose I should be saying fiancé now that they are engaged) to look at wedding venues. As a former UBC basketball star, this 6 foot 8 inch sweetheart of a guy is very very into basketball. And, as it turns out, today is the showdown for "The Final Four" of NCAA March Madness; and will likely be some of the best college ball of the season. So, you see, weddings and basketball. They go together, at least in our family.

Poetry Month and Kidlitosphere Central

2011-03-31T21:23:00.000-07:00

Image 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.

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

2011-03-31T19:05:00.000-07:00

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

Jessie's Island, a best-seller since 1992

2011-03-29T18:32:00.000-07:00

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/

Don't miss BC Book Prizes Soirée 2011

2011-03-28T14:32:00.000-07:00

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

Harper Government has fallen

2011-03-25T12:50:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-25T10:39:00.000-07:00

Image 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/

A terribly sad anniversary.

2011-03-24T12:23:00.000-07:00

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

Happy World Poetry Day

2011-03-21T11:12:00.000-07:00

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!

a walk with Val & our dogs

2011-03-20T09:59:00.000-07:00

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.

March Madness

2011-03-19T11:57:00.000-07:00

Image by ACVB PR via Flickr

A whole day of March Madness. Love college b-ball!

Changing the World, One Child at a Time

2011-03-16T13:48:00.000-07:00

Image 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!

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

2011-03-15T11:18:00.000-07:00

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.

Icelandic children's author speaking at UVIC in early April

2011-03-14T17:58:00.001-07:00

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.

Canadian Children's Book Centre Story Writing Contest

2011-03-14T11:33:00.000-07:00

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!

Secure Footing in a Changing Literary Landscape

2011-03-11T09:02:00.000-08:00

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!'

Home from Hawaii

2011-03-10T13:37:00.000-08:00

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.

International Women's Day, celebrating 100 years

2011-03-08T00:00:00.000-08:00

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.

Image via Wikipedia

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

2011-03-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

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.

Vaccation

2011-02-27T21:08:00.001-08:00

Oscars tonight. Hawaii tomorrow. Life is not bad...I have a few posts scheduled to appear while I'm away. Otherwise, see you in two weeks.

Sheryl

No news is good news

2011-02-26T10:06:00.000-08:00

The news is that it's snowing here in Victoria AGAIN...
Fortunately, an Air Canada seat sale has come to the rescue. I'll be off to Hawaii on Monday morning, so take that snow! No, I'm not bringing my laptop, so no news will be good news at least until I get back.

Later.

Sid Fleischman Award for humor announced

2011-02-25T11:05:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to the Sid Fleischman Award Winner

Milo: Sticky Notes and Brain Freeze
by Alan Silberberg
Aladdin

SCBWI Golden Kite Awards announced

2011-02-25T10:54:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to the Golden Kite Award Winners

	FICTION: Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer Holm Random House Books for Young Readers
	NONFICTION: The Good, the Bad, and the Barbie by Tanya Lee Stone Viking Juvenile
	PICTURE BOOK TEXT: Big Red Lollipop by Rukhsana Khan Viking Juvenile
	PICTURE BOOK ILLUSTRATION: A Pocket Full of Posies by Salley Mavor

Golden Kite Honor Recipients

	FICTION: Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine Puffin
	NONFICTION: Fort Mose by Glennette Tilley Turner Abrams
	PICTURE BOOK TEXT: Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein Candlewick
	PICTURE BOOK ILLUSTRATION: Bunny Days by Tao Nyeu Dial

snowy day

2011-02-23T10:46:00.001-08:00

Oh my. This is what I woke up to. I've shoveled, because there was so much snow that Ruby disappeared when I let her out to pee. Just to clarify, she didn't run away. The snow was so deep it was over her head! She was quite freaked out... It's still snowing though and is supposed to keep going through tomorrow! Yikes.

Scars by Cheryl Rainfield

2011-02-22T11:58:00.001-08:00

Further to my Freedom to Read post, fellow author Cheryl Rainfield has just discovered that her book Scars is being challenged in KY. Talk about timing! Here's a link with Cheryl's take on the whole situation. You can help by blogging about the book or buying the book for yourself or a teen who has self-esteem issues. Literature can be the key that unlocks the door to a young person's personal hell. Why take that opportunity away, especially when it can be so helpful? Banning or challenging books isn't new, but we don't have to lie down and accept it. We all have the right to choose what we want to read, and what we don't. If you have difficulty with a book, close it. It's as easy as that.

Freedom to Read Week

2011-02-22T11:30:00.001-08:00

It's Freedom to Read Week so get involved. Get your students to make bookmarks using banned book titles, host a public reading of banned books, read a challenged book and leave it on a bus for a stranger to find, ask your local librarian for a list of classics that have been banned or a list of current literature being challenged, and share it with colleagues. For more ideas, check out the Freedom to Read Website above.

Google alerts

2011-02-20T09:41:00.001-08:00

I love Google alerts. This review of What's That Sound? In the City at Publisher Weekly just popped up.

Off to the Calgary City Teachers' Conference

2011-02-16T10:35:00.001-08:00

Off to Calgary for the Calgary City Teachers' Conference. It will be fabulous I know, such great organizers so I hope to see you there at one of my two workshops: one on writing and one on using picture books across the curriculum.

I only wish I had a warmer coat...brrr. It's supposed to be -15degrees Celsius tonight.

Canadian Writers Speak Out on Copyright

2011-02-15T09:31:00.000-08:00

The Book Business

2011-02-14T10:26:00.000-08:00

So it's happened...after months and months of teetering on the edge; Borders has gone under. They declared bankruptcy today. Some of you might be shrugging your shoulders. "Big deal," I can hear you saying. Well, just so you know, it is a big deal. Things are in lock down mode. Staff aren't being paid, and debts, including those to publishers & distributors aren't getting paid either. That means that vulnerable publishers don't have money to pay royalties or go ahead with printing spring and maybe even fall lists. I already know of a few writers who've had books cancelled, and the list serves are abuzz with talk about what all this means. Don't forget, this event isn't in isolation. Last week HB Fenn (a publisher and one of Canada's largest distributors) went down, and the week before Key Porter Books closed show...and Key Porter books have published some of the biggest names in books in Canada, including Margaret Atwood! It's so discouraging to be involved in books right now. Senior writers are worried if they'll have enough money to pay their bills, and so many of us had gone back to part-time work to keep the wolf from the door.

I know there will always be readers, and books will always be published in one form or another. But with it being less lucrative to publish, will only a few houses and on-line book giants control what is available? Will vibrant young writers bursting with ideas and talent want to be involved in a business that can't support them? It's all so worrisome...and I can only hope that there are still a few out there who will want to take chances, who will want to bring out books that are just safe but push creative and intellectual boundaries. I look forward things settling down in the book business soon. But I hope we don't end up with a mediocre model. I know it's hard to be creative when financial worries keep knocking at your door, but I also know that books change lives.

All of you out there who've been touched by this have my every sympathy.

Sad state of affairs

2011-02-11T11:05:00.000-08:00

Oops. Posted this last night on the wrong blog!!
A sad state of affairs...too tired to blog after a day of working on the second of two conference presentations for next week, my 24 minute interval run, then walking the dog. Sadly, this is NOT how I looked now...& I'm pretty sure it's not how I'm gonna look at the end of April when I run the 10k. But dreaming is good.

This mornings drama

2011-02-08T10:00:00.000-08:00

Stayed up way too late last night working; not successfully I might add, on a project. Was woken up this morning by a minor earthquake! I think I might use this. Very disorienting, and could make for a nice bit of drama, a case of "write what you know". It does remind me yet again though, that I should really put an earthquake kit together. I did used to have one, but not since moving to my tiny house where a spot would have to be found in a space with no space left...Yikes!

More sad news in Canadian publishing

2011-02-05T12:42:00.000-08:00

According to Publishers Crystal Stranaghan & Jared Hunt, Gumboot Books of Vancouver, BC will no longer be in
operation after March 1st, 2011. The reasons given ack of improvement in the economic climate, and
some unexpected health issues. Such sad news.

Ann Walsh is February speaker for Victoria Children's Literature Roundtable

2011-02-05T12:33:00.001-08:00

Next Victoria Children's Literature Roundtable Meeting: Monday, February 21, 2011

Victoria Children’s Literature Roundtable Meeting
Monday, February 21, 2011, 7:30 pm
Nellie McClung Branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library,
(Cedar Hill & McKenzie).
Doors Open at 7:00 pm, come and browse the Cadboro Bay Books table.
Everyone welcome! Cost: $5.00 at the door, Students $4.00, $25.00/year

Guest Speaker: Author Ann Walsh
Ann Walsh is well-known for her novels set in Barkerville during the Gold Rush in B.C. She will talk about her wide range of titles, such as Forestry A-Z, Horse Power, The Doctor’s Apprentice, and Your Time, My Time.

Ann Walsh is February speaker for Victoria Children's Literature Roundtable

2011-02-05T12:32:00.000-08:00

Next Victoria Children's Literature Roundtable Meeting: Monday, February 21, 2011

CBC News - Canada - H.B. Fenn book distributor eyes bankruptcy

2011-02-03T16:30:00.000-08:00

Image by National Media Museum via Flickr

More sad news in the book world in Canada. CBC News - Canada - H.B. Fenn book distributor eyes bankruptcy.

First Key Porter Publishers and now Fenn. Sure hope their restructuring plans work out. The publishing world is facing very very tough times.

2011 Share The Love Book Event

2011-02-03T09:25:00.001-08:00

There are so many ways to share the love of books...
Buy a book for a child
Donate gently used books to a charity
Read a book to someone you love
Read to a stranger
Leave your favorite book on a bus for a stranger to find
Join a book club
Drop off a favorite book at a friend's place
Set up a book exchange between coworkers or classmates
Buy a book from your local independent bookstore
Visit your favorite author and their publisher's webpages and leave them an I love your books note
Review a book that you loved on-line via Facebook, Goodreads, etc.
Tweet about a good book.
Spread the word, and for more suggestions, visit Jenna @ One Mystake at a Tyme for more info. and to post on how you've been sharing your love of books.

Julie Lawson has a new book coming out...

2011-02-02T21:14:00.000-08:00

Had a lovely walk & chat today with fellow author Julie Lawson. Can't wait to see her new book coming out with Scholastic. Should be out soon so watch for it.

Night of Hearts: Artists for Aids

2011-02-02T11:16:00.000-08:00

Tonight is the Night of Hearts: Artists for Aids event. Artists on this island community of ours are so generous, but you can help too. Bid on a painting and you may have the privilege of hanging a beautiful piece of their work in your home or office as well as supporting peoples with AIDS. Even if you don't live in Victoria, you can check out their work here. Some of the artists include: George Littlechild, Phyllis Serota, Wendy Skog, Frances Semple, and Roberta Pyx.

Philip Pullman speaks out against library cuts

2011-02-02T10:38:00.001-08:00

No matter where you live, libraries are being hammered. Not only do they have to make do with less, but their dollars have to cover increasingly expensive technologies as well as books. So far, librarians and library administers have come up with creative ways to keep services going, but there comes a point when it will be impossible to keep afloat no matter how Herculean the effort. Libraries are bleeding, not only here in North America, but in England. Many of us have stood up to support our libraries, but our voices aren't being heard. Philip Pullman, author of The Golden Compass, has added his voice to the chorus. Perhaps someone will listen if enough of us speak out. Read his speech here.

New Youth Literacy Website

2011-02-01T18:34:00.001-08:00

Fellow author Pam Withers and a few colleagues have set up a pretty cool non-profit youth literacy website that you may want to check out. It's called "Keen Readers" and it's full of resources including: articles, tips, interviews, reviews, writing contests, and even a blog that parents, mentors and kids will find useful. For example, I found a whole page of resources for reluctant readers. Here's the link.

SCBWI New York Conference blog link

2011-01-29T10:31:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

The SCBWI New York Conference is in full swing, and I'm soooo envious of anyone who had a chance to go. Fortunately, there is some fantastic blogging going on if you want to stay in the loop. Check out this link.

BC Council of Families announces winners of Writing Contest

2011-01-28T16:02:00.000-08:00

BC Council for Families has announced the winners to the writing contest in celebration of Family Literacy Day (yesterday). I've pasted in the news release below.

Announcing the Family Writes Story Contest Winners

Celebrating National Family Literacy Day through Family Stories

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Vancouver, BC – January 27, 2010 – Today the BC Council for Families is pleased to announce the winners of its first annual Family Writes Short Story Contest. Among the winning stories are tales of cherished family memories, comic misadventures, and heart-rending stories of the experiences of refugees.

The Family Writes contest challenged kids and grownups to write a story about a memorable moment in their family life, to highlight the importance of families – the love and support that families provide their members, the daily triumphs over challenges, and the fun and laughter that families bring into our lives. The stories were judged on originality, creativity and overall quality of writing.

“We were truly impressed with the stories that were submitted,” said Marilee Peters, Director of Communications. “I’d like to thank everyone who participated in this contest. All of us here at BC Council for Families have been moved and inspired by the heartfelt family stories. We’re pleased to be announcing our winners on Family Literacy Day, as a way to raise awareness of the benefits of adults and children engaging together in reading and writing activities.”

As Max Tell, one of the contest judges and a noted children’s entertainer and storyteller, commented, “Our family stories have more meaning to us than any others. They shape our values and our lives, whether we like it or not. They make us who we are. Family stories are gifts, heirlooms to be shared from one generation to another, to be remembered, cherished and passed on to those we love.”

Family Writes story contest winners will receive free copies of the Family Writes Storybook – a commemorative illustrated volume of the collected stories.

And the winners are:

“Sonny Don” by Sonny Don Van Netten. Category: Children’s Heartwarming
“Trouble in Paradise” by Kale Blakely. Category: Children’s Humorous  
“Heavenly Sounds” by Carolynne Scholfield. Category: Adult’s Humorous
“Sands of Time” by Jasmin McKenzie. Category: Adult’s Inspirational
“Daddy's Little Helper” by Gary Thandi. Category: Adult’s Heartwarming

Check out all the winning stories online at bccf.ca/families/connect.

About the BC Council for Families 

The BC Council for Families is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that is a leader in family life education, advocacy and research. Committed to strengthening families and family-serving professionals in BC, the Council provides research and resources on family issues, including practical, affordably priced publications on diverse family topics. Through its training, support and professional development programs for family service workers the Council ensures that families throughout BC can continue to access award-winning parenting programs such as Nobody’s Perfect Parenting, My Tween and Me, and Parent-Child Mother Goose.

About the Contest Judges:
We are honoured to have had the participation of some of BC's best storytellers, children's writers, and children's literature experts on our Family Writes Contest judging panel. Our thanks go out to judges Max Tell, Sheryl MacFarlane, Nan Gregory and Phyllis Simon.

  For further information:  
Marilee Peters   
Director, Communications   
BC Council for Families
604-678-8884, ext. 234 |   marileep@bccf.ca

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News Releases

A Health Care Valentine

2011-01-27T19:19:00.000-08:00

Image by Sérgio Savaman Savarese via Flickr

Any of you BC'ers out there might want to send a valentine to the Health Minister of BC to ask him to do a better job of caring for our seniors...I've already sent mine. It seems to me that if BC can host the Olympics, we should be able to afford to take care of senior citizens who've spent their working lives paying the health care system.

Family Literacy Day

2011-01-27T11:02:00.000-08:00

Image by San Jose Library via Flickr

Oops. Today is Family Literacy Day. I'm going to celebrate by packing up a box of books for donation to a group that supports families and reading, like the Single Parent Family Resource Centre. You can support Family Literacy too, even if you don't have books to donate. Check of ABC Life Literacy for ideas.

A brief review of The Library of the Early Mind

2011-01-22T21:56:00.001-08:00

On January 20th The University of Victoria had the honor of hosting the Canadian premiere of the "Library of the Early Mind," a documentary by Edward J. Delaney and Steven Withrow to a packed house. It was the most wonderful evening and a great way to celebrate my 58th birthday...it began with a children's book donation to support local groups who support children. The Dean of Education, Dr. Ted Riecken, welcomed the audience and introduced a children's literature panel. Dr. Sylvia Pantaleo introduced the film and gave a little background on it's creators. After the documentary was shown, the panelists, including myself, Kid's Can Press editor and non-fiction writer, Val Wyatt, Governor General short-listed illustrator, Kristi Bridgeman, and Victoria Public Library Children's and Youth Services Coordinator, Tracy Kendrick, were led in a lively discussion led by moderator, Dr. Pantaleo. The film was so jammed packed full of the most interesting interviews and insights that the discussion could have gone on for hours. Creators like: Chris Van Allsburg, Daniel Handler (AKA Lemony Snicket), Lois Lowry, David Small, Mo Willems, Patrick Lane, and many others, offered inspirational insights and pearls of wisdom about the impact of children's literature on children and the adults they will become. Social responsibility, creativity, cultural impact, new media, the importance of literature, and the ability of literature to open doors were only some of the subjects touched on. In addition to interviews with creators, critics such as Roger Sutton and Anita Silvey were interviewed. Librarians such as Betsy Bird and editors like Arthur Levine also offered their insights. There were three things disappointing about the film. The first is that it didn't include any Canadian talent. The second is that it was over far too soon. And the third was that one could not stop the film repeatedly to take notes; there was just too much to take in. I can only hope that it will soon be available on DVD. Every school, library, and writer will want one. Thank you to Edward and Steve for devoting the time and resources to the creation of this wonderful documentary. Thank you to a fabulous panel for providing a Canadian perspective. And thank you to Dr. Sylvia Pantaleo and The Department of Education of the University of Victoria for bringing it to Canada.

New Mystery Award for kids' books

2011-01-19T13:19:00.000-08:00

Great news...The Canadian Children's Book Centre has just announced a new mystery award for kid's books...

The John Spray Mystery Award will honor excellence in the children's mystery book format and comes with a $5000 cash prize. The first John Spray Mystery Award will be given out in November of this year for a mystery (thriller, crime novel, or 'whodunit') aimed at readers ages 8-16. That means another short-list folks, and I love short-lists. For more info, visit the CCBC.

Martin Luther King Day

2011-01-17T10:02:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Happy Martin Luther King Day. We don't celebrate it here in Canada, but Betsy Bird has provided at great list of books if you want to find out more about this amazing American who influenced so many.

Huck Finn controversy links posted on my other blogs

2011-01-14T12:43:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Check out my other blogs listed in the sidebar for links on the Huck Finn controversy.

Words to live by

2011-01-13T00:16:00.001-08:00

Obama's Arizona speech moved me to tears. Here is the link, and here are a few of the words that all of us who want a better world for our children ought heed.

"We recognize our own mortality, and we are reminded that in the fleeting time we have on this Earth, what matters is not wealth, or status, or power, or fame -– but rather, how well we have loved -- and what small part we have played in making the lives of other people better."

Thank you Mr. President.

2011 Newbery and Caldecott Medals & 2011 Printz Award winners

2011-01-10T20:40:00.001-08:00

Finally getting back to the blogging. I promised the ALA youth media award winners, and here are the big three.

Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool and published by Delacorte Press

Newbery Honor Books

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm, published by Random House Children’s Books

Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus and published by Amulet Books

Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Rick Allen and published by Houghton

Mifflin Books for Children

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia and published by Amistad

Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children

A Sick Day for Amos McGee illustrated by Erin E. Stead. The book was written by Philip C. Stead, and is published by Roaring Brook Press

Caldecott Honor Books

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave,” illustrated by Bryan Collier, written by Laban Carrick Hilland and published by Little, Brown and Company
Interrupting Chicken written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein and
published by Candlewick Press.

Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults

Ship Breaker written by Paolo Bacigalupi and published by Little, Brown and Company

Printz Honor Books

Stolen by Lucy Christopher and published by Chicken House

Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King and published by Alfred A. Knopf

Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick and published by Roaring Brook Press
Nothing by Janne Teller and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Just so you aren't totally overwhelmed, I'll list more of the ALA awards later. For now, get out there and read some really fine books. I know that's what I'll be doing. Congratulations to all the winners including those who were honored. High praise indeed.

Tweeting on Twitter

2011-01-07T14:39:00.000-08:00

Image via CrunchBase

Yes, I've finally done it...I've joined the ranks of millions tweeting. In fact, I think I might like it since the posts are short and sweet. On the other hand, there are sooo many. I'll have to be careful to keep my WIP in my sights and ignore twitter while I'm working. You can locate me by going to twitter and searching for "@sherylbooks" or follow the link on the sidebar.

Library of the Early Mind coming to Victoria

2011-01-05T12:14:00.000-08:00

Mark your calendars for an exciting children's literature event. Library of the Early Mind, a documentary that explores children's literature, is coming to Victoria on January 20th at UVIC at the David Lam Auditorium at 7pm. This free documentary will be followed by a children's literature panel moderated by Professor Sylvia Pantaleo to discuss the film's themes from a Canadian perspective. The panel features, Valerie Wyatt, an editor with Kids Can Press and the author of the award-winning How to build Your Own Country, Kristi Bridgeman, illustrator of the Governor General's short-listed Uirapurú written by the late P.K. Page, Tracy Kendrick, Coordinator of Children's and Teen Services for Victoria Public Library, and Sheryl McFarlane, author of Waiting for the Whales.

Happy 2011

2011-01-04T14:16:00.001-08:00

Image by by Lorena via Flickr

Welcome back and happy 2011 to everyone. I'll start posting in a few days...I rang in the new year with a bit of a bad back, but watch for posts again in a few more days.

Silent Monks Singing Halleluia

2010-12-29T10:37:00.000-08:00

I came across this very cool video on one of the blogs that I adore and regularly follow is Smart Bitches Trashy Books. If you smart commentary on romances, check them out, but even if you don't, you'll love the following clip.

One of

Celebrating the local talent

2010-12-29T09:33:00.000-08:00

Sad to say that most writers and artists are under appreciated in their home towns, but here in Victoria, we like to celebrate the local talent...

Check this out. BCLocalNews.com - Something old, something new

Happy Holiday Season

2010-12-23T10:19:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Wishing everyone a happy holiday season...Back soon.

A Baking and Books Post with Adrienne Mason

2010-12-23T10:17:00.000-08:00

This Baking and Books post comes from Adrienne Mason, who is an awesome writer as well as the editor of Know: The Science Magazine for Curious Kids.

Every Christmas we read Kevin Major's House of Wooden Santas. We love the wood carvings that are unveiled throughout the book and it's fun that you read a section of the story every night in December. It is the first book that comes out of the Christmas book box! But my absolute favourite is The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, written by Susan Wojciechowski and illustrated by P. J. Lynch. This book is beautifully illustrated and the story is so heart-warming. It makes me weepy almost every time I read it even though I know how it's going to end. I won't tell you much more than that. Run out and find yourself a copy! (For writers, this is a book that demonstrates the "show don't tell" technique of great writing.)

There is food in The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, including gingersnaps. Here is our family's favourite gingersnap recipe. They are very yummy and easy to make.

Adrienne's Gingersnaps

3/4 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup molasses

2 cups flour

1 tablespoon ginger

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

granulated sugar

Cream shortening, then add sugar, egg and molasses. Mix in flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Form teaspoonfuls of doug into round balls, roll in granulated sugar and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 to 15 minutes.

Have a great Christmas!

Adrienne http://www.knowmag.ca/

A book-related gift activity for kid's to try from Kristi Bridgeman

2010-12-20T10:37:00.000-08:00

Illustrator Kristi Bridgeman writes " Here is a fun gift recipe that would lend itself to the images that I researched for my latest book Uirapuru... set in the rainforests of Brazil."

Kristi goes on to say that " I loved that the research for my illustrations end up taking me on these fabulous adventures in books and on the internet. Part of the story is about the creatures of the night... so I set to work looking up all the nocturnal birds and bugs and animals of the Brazilian rainforest that Icould find. I ended up discovering many rare and colourful creatures, and found photos of insects that are as big as cats! I was inspired to use the photo research for illustrations in the book. I know my kids loved the images of creepy crawly bugs.... it might be their favourite picture in the book.

Here is my recipe for adding toy bugs to the inside of a bar of glycerine soap. It makes a great gift, but it's not edible."

Bug Soap Bar (Parent Help required)

You'll Need:

*2 soap molds: clean single-serve yogurt containers work perfectly

*Insect toys; use new or clean and dry plastic bugs that will fit into the bottom your yogurt container.

*1 bar of glycerine soap (clear or nearly clear looks best)

Directions:

*Lightly oil the molds (You'll need two molds for this recipe).
*Warm and melt the bar of soap in a small saucepan on a very low setting.
*Once melted, let cool a bit, stirring to keep it liquid.
*Fill each mold with about 1 inch of liquid.
*Place the toy upside down about halfway into the soap
*Fill the mold to cover it.
*Tap to remove air bubbles and let cool overnight.

Once cooled the soap should pop out of the plastic mold easily. Wrap it in a bit of kitchen wrap with a ribbon to make a nice gift, helps wash away those bugs! :)

Hint: if the toy floats up, let the first inch of soap cool before adding the next layer. You'll have to reheat the glycerine soap for the second pour.

A Baking and Books Post from Helaine, Becker

2010-12-19T10:06:00.000-08:00

A few years back I met Helaine Becker at a conference and she totally wowed me. She's so much fun, and so are her books. Just yesterday when I was browsing through the bookstore with my Xmas list (yes, I'll be giving plenty of books for Xmas and I hope you will too) I came across A Porcupine in a Pine Tree which is a total hoot. But Helaine has plenty more books to make you laugh.

When I asked her about recipes for my Baking and Books Posts, this is what Helaine had to say. "Mother Goose Unplucked is, I think, one of my “best” books – I love how all the very various ideas and activities in it all link together in a coherent, snarky way. There’s a lot of fun poked at Miss Goose, and her fairy tale friends! The recipes are a just a “Taste” of what’s in the book (I know, I’m terrible with puns, can’t resist them). Follow this link for Helaine's recipe.

"My other favorite parts? The poem Smelly Smelly Cinderelly, and the comic strip, Old MacDonald’s Dog. " As you can see, Helaine has the sure fired recipe for humor, so check her and her books out.

A Savory Baking and Books post from Laura Langston

2010-12-18T09:52:00.000-08:00

Laura Langston writes, "In my current YA 'Hannah's Touch,' Hannah and her friends must plan a menu around a specific country in foods class. They choose Mexico. For an appetizer, they make guacamole."

Thanks Laura. Guacamole is one of my all time favs. In fact, when I was growing up a good friend of mine had an avocado orchard! Keep a couple of avocados on hand for an easy snack to serve friends who drop by during the holiday season.

Image by Kate Tomlinson via Flickr

Guacamole

2 ripe avocados
2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 medium cloves garlic, finely minced
1/2 teaspoon salt (more to taste)
1 green onion, finely chopped
fistful cilantro (about 1/4 cup) washed, squeezed dry and minced

Mash avocado. with lemon. Stir in remaining ingredients. Taste and adjust if it needs more salt or lemon. If you think it needs more, add little bits at a time until it's right.

OPTIONAL:
1/4 teaspoon pureed chipolte paste
2 tomatoes, juice squeezed out/chopped

NOTE: Lemons give off more juice when they're warm. In a hurry? Heat one lemon in the microwave for 20 seconds before you juice it.

Don't Write the Obit for The Picture Book Yet

2010-12-17T10:35:00.000-08:00

In October The New York Times printed an outrageous article about how the picture book was dying. While there has been lots of blogger activity refuting the claim, an official rebuttal has finally come out from Publisher Weekly. Check it out "Don't Write the Obit for The Picture Book Yet".

A Baking and Books Post from Nikki Tate

2010-12-17T10:21:00.000-08:00

Here's another Baking and Books recipe from author, Nikki Tate.

One of my favourite authors is Polly Horvath. Her quirky sense of humour and oddball characters never fail to delight me! One of the things I most enjoyed about her novel Everything on a Waffle was the inclusion of all kinds of recipes. At this time of year, I'm always looking for cookie recipes and this one is easy and delicious.

Aunt Tilly's Lemon Sugar Cookies

Mix together a cup of sugar and 2 sticks of butter and some salt. I don't remember how much Miss Honeycut said, so go with a pinch. Put in some grated lemon zest. Add 2 eggs and 2 teaspoons of vanilla. Beat it all together and add 2 1/2 cups of flour. Roll it out and cut with a drinking glass into rounds and bake at 350 degrees. She didn't say how long but probably until slightly brown. That will usually do it.

Image via Wikipedia

Happy holidays!
Cheers,
Nikki

Another Baking and Books post from Linda Bailey, author of The Stanley Books

2010-12-16T15:05:00.001-08:00

Here's another delicious Baking and Books post from Linda Bailey.

Linda Bailey’s Cranberry-Oatmeal-Nutty-White-Chocolate-Chip Cookies

I'm not usually a baker, having a "salt tooth" rather than a "sweet tooth." But when Vancouver Kidsbooks invited me to launch Stanley's Beauty Contest at their store, I felt that it would be an excellent idea to contribute a batch of cookies. After all, there was a huge, delectable dog cookie prominent on the book’s cover, and much of the story revolved around Stanley's pursuit of that cookie . . .

My original thought was to make dog cookies. This faded with the recognition that most of the launch guests were likely to be human. So, passing on Stanley’s favourite ingredients, I went for my own instead, and in an orgy of personal excess, came up with cookies that were a combo of ALL my own favourite cookie ingredients in the whole wide world. The result was Cranberry-Oatmeal-Nutty-White-Chocolate-Chip cookies.

They were a hit! In fact, the next time I launched a Stanley book (Stanley’s Little Sister), requests for a cookie sequel poured in from various quarters — even though there are absolutely no cookies whatsoever, of any description, in the new book. Enjoy!

2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pistachios, almonds — or none, if allergic)
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup white chocolate chips (or white chocolate bar, broken up)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Beat butter and sugar till light and fluffy. Beat in eggs.
In separate bowl, combine flour, oats, baking soda and salt.
Stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Combine thoroughly.
Stir in nuts, cranberries and chocolate chips.
Drop heaping tablespoons of cookie dough onto ungreased cookie sheet. Pat with fingers or spoon.
Bake for 10 – 12 minutes, until golden.

Arf!

Where are you Bear? by Frieda Wishinsky

2010-12-11T09:33:00.000-08:00

Where are you Bear? A Canadian Alphabet Adventure is Frieda Wishinsky's latest book about a Sophie, a traveling bear. It just so happens that Sophie is very fond of applesauce... and so is Frieda. Applesauce is yummy either hot or cold. It's easy to make and take along and it can be served for a snack or as a delicious after meal treat. Fortunately apples are grown in lots of places, and if you don't have time to make applesauce, you can munch on an apple while reading Where are you Bear?

Sophie's Applesauce (Bear's Favourite)
Ingredients

5 large apples
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon maple syrup

Peel, core and cut apples in slices or chunks (you can use a combination of local apples like Empire, Cortland or Macintosh)
Put water into a saucepan with brown sugar.
Bring to a boil.
Place apples in the saucepan.
Simmer for 20 minutes uncovered until tender.
Mash apples with a fork or potato masher to desired consistency.
Add vanilla, and maple syrup to taste.
Serve it warm or cold.
***For an extra treat, add vanilla ice cream***

Zoe Toft and another Baking and BooksPost

2010-12-10T08:13:00.000-08:00

In keeping with the Baking and Books theme, Zoe Toft sent me this link to her awesome post about gingerbread houses and...you guessed it, Hansel and Gretel by the Grimm Brothers, illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger and retold by Anthea Bell. Check out her post "Museums, Wicked Witches and Calories Galore".

A Baking and Books Post: Olivia Helps with Christmas goes perfectly with Xmas Cocoa Kisses

2010-12-09T12:47:00.000-08:00

Here's another kid-friendly Xmas cookie recipe. This one will require adult help, especially when using the stove top. And if you're looking for a great story to read with impatient little ones who can't wait for Xmas, Olivia Helps with Christmas by Ian Falconer is the perfect book. And best of all, it features one of my favorite quirky characters.

A Baking and Books Post: Kid-friendly Xmas Nut recipe is the perfect compliment to a Xmas story

2010-12-08T18:59:00.000-08:00

**I've decided to spice up the holiday season with a series called Baking and Books. Watch my news blog for more baking and books posts.

Here’s an easy kid-friendly Xmas recipe that you and your child can make together. Later you can munch on these yummy nuts while reading a favorite story during the upcoming holiday season. The Christmas Day Kitten by James Herriot was one of our family's favorites... And if nuts are a problem for your little one, watch this blog for other Xmas books and recipe options...coming soon.

Xmas cookie time

2010-12-02T09:35:00.000-08:00

It's Xmas cookie time again! Here's our first sample. Fortunately, Cloe is taking them all home with her for her Xmas/birthday/housewarming party on Saturday. More baking today!

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T12:36:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends down south. Don't forget that too much turkey can be soporific. I wonder if Beatrix Potter was the only children's author to use that delightful word. Anyone out there know of others?

Snowy weather

2010-11-22T10:31:00.000-08:00

This is what it looked like out my window when I got up this morning.

Dec. 4 is Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day

2010-11-18T10:10:00.000-08:00

So many independent book stores have gone under. It's about time that we started supporting our local booksellers. So here's your chance. December 4 is the first annual Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day. If every reader with a child celebrates this day, booksellers and bookstores won't become an endangered species!
READ DREAM GROW

2010 GG Awards announced.

2010-11-16T09:15:00.000-08:00

The 2010 GG's have been announced. Check out the news release here. And, at 2pm Canada Council for the Arts is doing a "live chat" with the winners. If you have the time today, hustle on over.

Check out my two new reviews

2010-11-12T12:05:00.000-08:00

I've posted new reviews of books on both my book review blogs. Check them both out.

Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki and Salt by Maurice Gee.

A Pittance of Time - Terry Kelly

2010-11-11T09:55:00.000-08:00

Thanks Sheree Fitch and Valerie Sherrard for the link. This is a very moving video clip done by Terry Kelly.

Lest we forget

2010-11-11T09:40:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Today's post is a poem written by John Gillespie Magee, a young Canadian pilot who did not survive World War II. He wrote this at age 19 a few months before he died.

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth

of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,

I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung

My eager craft thro' footless halls of air....

Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue

I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace

Where never lark nor even eagle flew—

And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod

The high untrespassed sanctity of space,

Put out my hand, and touched the face of God

*Thanks to my friend Linda Granfield for the reminder. She's one of those special people in the world who has been able to lead the way in helping us celebrate fallen soldiers without glorifying war itself. Thanks for all your work Linda.

Home sweet home

2010-11-06T18:59:00.000-07:00

Arrived home sweet home last night and my puppy was super joyful. So nice to be loved...
Today was laundry, bill-paying, shopping, walking Ruby and catching up on my mail...writing up conference talks, updating bios & booklists, etc.

The next travel installment

2010-11-02T22:38:00.001-07:00

Here's the next travel installment...

Weather has been fabulous...we're so lucky. Went to Arches National Park and had a really hard time leaving. It's one of those magical places in the world, especially with so few tourists visiting during the late fall. Having stayed in nearby Moab, Utah, we were able to get there quite early. The sky was crystal clear, and we definitely need our toques, gloves and down jackets. We did several short hikes which added up since the elevation was between 3900 and 5800 feet. One of the hikes we took was led by a young volunteer and his theme was survival of the park. This is a place whose survival is in our hands. These parks are such a treasure. This is a place I want to go back to...

Down the road in another canyon cut by this lovely sedate river, we discovered some amazing petroglyphs. There were dozens of panels that stretched about 125 feet along a rock face. I'm including one of the panels.

We left these amazing petroglyphs just as the sun was setting and drove some long hours through two mountain passes that had me white knuckling the steering wheel so that we could be close to Zion National Park the next morning. It was worth the drive even though it was probably the most developed of the parks we'd been to, complete with shuttle busses. See for yourself.

The road out of Zion to Bryce is seriously scary with 1000 foot drops and no rail guards and a series of tunnels blasted through the sandstone during the depression. One of the tunnels was over a mile long.

We stayed just outside of Bryce National Park that night and it's a good thing we did. Although we woke up to sunny clear skies, by 2 pm, the first snow storm of the season hit. The altitude made for hard hiking. We started out at 6500 feet and topped out at 9100 feet. The last time I was there (30 years ago) I hiked the entire way up to Rainbow Ridge, but this time, we drove most of the way. Still, it was beautiful.

After Bryce, we did a lot of driving...and driving...and driving until we hit the Columbia River Valley. We decided to go to the top of the ridge for the views and discovered wind, and power in the form of 500 + wind turbines (soon to be 1000) in high ranch country. I was kind of excited about the whole renewable energy in action concept until we had lunch in the tiny town of Bickleton (population 90) where a man by the name of Bob, the County Highways Supervisor informed us that most of the power produced in the area goes to California...go figure!

At least Bickleton is getting a new school out of the deal, although not much else seems to have changed there in the last fifty years.

The last place on our list to see was Mount St. Helens National Volcano Park. On the way there the rain was coming down so hard that we could hardly see the road. We were almost ready to cancel the Mount St. Helens portion of the trip, but decided to hang around to see if the weather cleared. Lucky us...it did. The views were stunning. I remember when this volcano blew back in 1980. The blast snapped trees as if they were matchsticks, and ash filled the air for months. It changed the face of the valley, and the pacific northwest. It reminded us that nothing is permanent. After a few hours of fog, and a climb of a few thousand feet (by car, not foot), this was our reward...

We've only a few days left before crossing the border and taking the ferry home. It's been a wonderful adventure. Glad to have shared a little of it with you...

Sheryl

Next part of the trip

2010-10-31T20:23:00.000-07:00

Apologies. It's been ages since my last post, but between driving, hiking, visiting, and reading natural history material in preparation for our next stop, I have been slack with posting. But, we've been having a wonderful time so far.

After a few days of visit mom, we went to Bodie, California, an abandoned mining town which sits at nearly 9000 feet. It was fascinating.

Then onto Manzanar, California, the home of a US Japanese internment camp in the middle of Owens Valley (the place where water was taken from to feed LA; it's the basis of ChinaTown, a movie about how corruption let to 95% of the Valley's water being sucked dry). Apparently it used to boast being fertile orchard country.

After another long drive, that included a tour through Death Valley before we visited the Grand Canyon. These photos don't come close to the grandeur...

Then onto my brother Bart's in Phoenix. We cruised around Canyon Lake, which I hadn't been to since I was a kid (it's one of the nearby lakes where we used to camp when I was a kid). We also went to the Museum of Music which is world class, and so well done; it was amazing and well worth a visit if you're in the area.

When we left Phoenix we headed for more Canyon Country. The first stop was Monument Valley where a lot of the westerns were filmed. We also visited Gooseneck State Park.

We've been covering a lot of miles, but every day seems to be a highlight. We visited Mesa Verde, one of the homes of the Anasazi (a word no longer in use by the way) which totally blew me away. The drive up and down just about did me away, with hairpin turns and steep cliffs, it sits atop the very high dessert mesa pictured here.

I thought Mesa Verde was amazing. Then we went to Chaco, New Mexico, another home of the "Ancient Ones" ( 850-1100 AD). It was desolate and beautiful and amazing. It's been called the North American equivalent to Stonehenge since the building site is aligned such that light shines through corner openings at specific times of the year to capture solar and lunar cycles. It was a major cultural centre for the Pueblo peoples and comprised the largest buildings in North America until the 19th century. It's mainly quarried sandstone, but the Chacoans hauled wood for roofing from as far as 50 miles away... without the aid of the wheel!

Next installment in our Four Corners visit is Arches National Park and then Bryce Canyon and points north.

Goodbye Seattle, welcome to Reno

2010-10-17T12:20:00.000-07:00

So far, the weather has been lovely. Had a great visit with my nephew and family in Seattle with gorgeous sunny days. Visited the Pike Street Market, read books with my grand niece Abby, bounced baby Chloe on my knee, and went out for a fabulous dinner with Brian and Diana.

After Seattle, we did a long day's drive to get to Susanville, CA where we had fabulous chili rellenos in a family Mexican food restaurant before crashing. Arrived at mum's place the next morning and have been hanging out for a few days, drinking tea, catching up on family news and going for 5k runs to burn a few calories for the out-of-proportion meals she insists on serving.

Since mum isn't into computers, we are at Starbucks in Reno, Nevada, using WiFi to catch up on email and drinking a London Fog. Not a lot of gambling going on for us though...we walked into a casino but the cigarette smoke chased us away after only a few minutes...I hear there are non-smoking places, but we haven't discovered them so far.

Time to head south tomorrow to visit Bodie, California, a mining ghost town which just might make a really great setting for a novel. I'm hoping so...I've always wanted to write something set in a mining town since my dad was a miner and I grew up in small mining towns. It never hurts to think of the next book, even if you're only mid way through the first draft of the work in progress.

Sad & Excited

2010-10-12T11:57:00.001-07:00

Just said goodbye to my girls after a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. I'm sad and excited all rolled into one. I treasure the time we spend together now that they each have their own busy lives, but this leaving was made easier because tomorrow is day one of a month long road trip to the American Southwest where I'll get to reconnect with my mom and sibs, and where I'd love to set a novel (after the one I'm working on now).

This has to be a short and sweet post as I'm on the run to get a million errands done. My next chore (hee hee) will be to pick out a couple of books from my bedside pile to bring along. I had planned to bring Inkdeath, the third in Cornelia Funke's Inkworld series but I've decided against it as I'm having a hard time getting into it even though I grew to care about Meggie, her parents and the fire-eater Dustfinger in the first two books. No worries though...the pile to choose from is BIG!

Returned home from a writing workshop to an almost complete renovation

2010-10-11T18:00:00.000-07:00

I returned home from Quadra Island where I spoke to a grade 4/5 class, followed by a two day writing workshop with 5 other Vancouver Island writers. When I left the bathroom was totally pulled apart with renovations taking longer than planned. The reno is almost complete. Just waiting on special order part. In the meantime, I now have a deep, comfortable bath for bubble baths which I love love love, especially after a run.

Canadian Thanksgiving coming up.

2010-10-05T14:08:00.003-07:00

Image by bucklava via Flickr

I'll be on wonderful Quadra Island, BC working for the next several days and will be picking my girls up from the ferry on my way back into town on Friday night. They'll be home for the long weekend (Canadian Thanksgiving) so no posts for a while, especially since I have to make apple, pumpkin and blackberry pie to keep everyone happy! Not to mention turkey! Hope you all have a great book to read!

Five K down and it's only 10:30

2010-10-03T10:34:00.000-07:00

Here are my friend Trish (in the blue vest) and I closing in on the finish line of this morning's 5K Run for the Cure. Now it's time for a quick cup of tea and a shower, before work.

Sheryl McFarlane's News Blog

My new site is up

National Aboriginal Day and Summer Solstice Today

The Guardian's top non-fiction list

Blink & Caution takes home the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award

Michael Hauge's 6 stage plot structure

The Cat is Out of the Bag: Pajama Press

Help Slave Lake, AB rebuild their fire-devestated library

Happy Mother's Day

Blogging vaction

My friend Margaret

Celebrate Teen Lit Day with Rock the Drop

National Volunteer Week

When work is good...

Professional development is better with muffins

Yikes...I missed International Children's Book Day

Weddings and Basketball

Poetry Month and Kidlitosphere Central

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

Jessie's Island, a best-seller since 1992

Don't miss BC Book Prizes Soirée 2011

BC Book Prizes Soirée 2011

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

Harper Government has fallen

Earth Hour is March 26 at 8:30 PM

A terribly sad anniversary.

Happy World Poetry Day

a walk with Val & our dogs

March Madness

Changing the World, One Child at a Time

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

Icelandic children's author speaking at UVIC in early April

Canadian Children's Book Centre Story Writing Contest

Secure Footing in a Changing Literary Landscape

Home from Hawaii

International Women's Day, celebrating 100 years

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

Vaccation

No news is good news

Sid Fleischman Award for humor announced

Congratulations to the Sid Fleischman Award Winner

SCBWI Golden Kite Awards announced

Golden Kite Honor Recipients

snowy day

Scars by Cheryl Rainfield

Freedom to Read Week

Google alerts

Off to the Calgary City Teachers' Conference

Canadian Writers Speak Out on Copyright

The Book Business

Sad state of affairs

This mornings drama

More sad news in Canadian publishing

Ann Walsh is February speaker for Victoria Children's Literature Roundtable

Next Victoria Children's Literature Roundtable Meeting: Monday, February 21, 2011

Ann Walsh is February speaker for Victoria Children's Literature Roundtable

Next Victoria Children's Literature Roundtable Meeting: Monday, February 21, 2011

CBC News - Canada - H.B. Fenn book distributor eyes bankruptcy

2011 Share The Love Book Event

Julie Lawson has a new book coming out...

Night of Hearts: Artists for Aids

Philip Pullman speaks out against library cuts

New Youth Literacy Website

SCBWI New York Conference blog link

BC Council of Families announces winners of Writing Contest

Announcing the Family Writes Story Contest Winners

About the BC Council for Families

A Health Care Valentine

Family Literacy Day

A brief review of The Library of the Early Mind

New Mystery Award for kids' books

Martin Luther King Day

Huck Finn controversy links posted on my other blogs

Words to live by

More ALA post on my other blogs

2011 Newbery and Caldecott Medals & 2011 Printz Award winners

Tweeting on Twitter

Library of the Early Mind coming to Victoria

Happy 2011

Silent Monks Singing Halleluia

About the BC Council for Families 