Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Ruby is a Reader


What a crazy busy week.

My new puppy Ruby has settled nicely, and although she is pint-sized, she's claimed my yard as her territory so be warned neighborhood cats! House training is going well with only a few accidents. I do have to watch my computer power cord though, because she finds it most attractive. I confess that I am a little on the tired side given that she hasn't yet figured out that night time is for sleeping and it's probably why I've come down with a cold. But, I'm thrilled to say that Ruby is a reader. Here she is checking out Gordon Korman's Born to Rock, an awesome book about a kid who discovers that his real dad is a rock star.

In non-Ruby news, I managed to get to the Cowichan School District's Young Author Conference all day yesterday and had the opportunity to work with some very fine student writers. This was the first year that grades 10-12 were included in the Conference, and they were so good that they blew me away with at least two of them writing publishable quality poetry. It's so good to connect with young writers of this calibre.

At the other end of the spectrum, I visited kindergarten and grade one classes in Oaklands Elementary School here in Victoria. I just love those kindies! I'm hoping to see a few pet stories come out of that visit!

I also want to congratulate all of the Orca Authors and Illustrators for an awesome book launch held at Bolen's Books. My dear friend Andrea Spalding has the sweetest new board book that you won't want to miss if you or someone you know has a new baby in their life.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

A busy week ahead

Spring has finally arrived, and after taking a few days off to get my garden back into shape, I am back to work.

Tomorrow I head to Calgary for their wonderful Young Author's Conference where I'll be working with middle grade students. This is such a super conference, and it serves a huge number of students by bringing in dozens of writers. The organizers and kids are awesome, and I can't wait to get there although I'm really hoping the weather is good since I lack a winter coat. Last year I was not terribly lucky since Calgary was hit with a snow storm which left me stranded for more than 8 hours! I'm optimistic though since that can't possibly happen two years in a row. Or can it? Keep your fingers crossed for me and I'll keep you posted.

I'll be back to Victoria just in time for a visit to Oakland's Elementary School primary students, and hopefully, I'll have a package of pre-conference student writing waiting for me when I get home. I should have just enough time to read the work of grades 10, 11, and 12 students who are participating in the Cowichan Young Author's Conference. It's been a while since I've worked with older high school students and I'm excited about helping these promising young writers take their work to the next level. Talk about hitting all the age groups in a single week!

And to top the week off, I will be bringing my new puppy home from Saltspring Island. Somewhere in there I have to do some fencing. Yikes but life is busy. Better get back to work.

Thursday, April 02, 2009

Flat Stanley spends a weekend with a children's author




I spent a lovely weekend with girl friends at French Beach this past weekend, and one of my friends brought along two versions of Flat Stanley that her twin grandchildren had sent to her. The idea is that you take Flat Stanley with you on various adventures and send back pictures which the children can share with their classmates. Hmmm. I think that Flat Stanley has done quite a bit of traveling, but I wonder if he's spent a weekend with a children's writer? Here are a few pictures of Linda and I on the deck of our rental house with the two Flat Stanleys. The sunset is gorgeous, and I can assure you that both Flat Stanleys loved the beautiful view from our balcony. So hello to Adam Seifred of Bertschi School in Seattle and to Ava Seifred of Bush School in Seattle.

Puppy update



Puppy update. I popped over to Saltspring yesterday for a little visit with my cutest ever puppy, Ruby. Can't wait until after the
Calgary Young Author's Conference because that's when I get to bring her home. Yippeeee.

Millstream Elementary Rocks


I spent the day out at Millstream Elementary School and had the most wonderful time. The teachers and students at this tiny little Sooke, BC school are awesome. I had time with every one of the kindergarten to grade 6 classes. They had great questions, and were a superb audience. I can't wait to get the lovely poster the kids welcomed me with, but they will all be signing it before it gets mailed to me.