Margaret

This afternoon I'm having tea with my friend Margaret.  I love Margaret, and everyone should be lucky enough to have a friend like her.  Margaret, who is coming up to 84, holds a book and tea salon on Thursday afternoons.  That's the time when the local bookseller and various other friends drop by for tea and to talk about books. Margaret is eclectic.  She reads everything from literary fiction, to mysteries, from history and historical fiction, to social commentary, from picture books to young adult literature.  The only thing she stays away from is war stories.  Having lived through World War II in her native Finland, Margaret figures she's had enough war for a lifetime.

Until she was 80, Margaret used to make the 1mile or so trek from her home to the bookstore just about every day of the week.  I know because one of my daughters worked there for three years, and the three years before that, my editor's daughter worked there.  The bookstore has changed hands 4 times over the last 20 or so years, but Margaret has been a constant.  She'd walk down the hill, all 4' 10" of her, have a chat about what she'd been reading or whether this or that reviewer was off his rocker or right on the money.  She'd buy a book, and then  her husband Earnst would drive down and pick her and take her home.   The walk back would have been just a little too much.  She'd go home, read the book, and be back the next day for another one.  Margaret is voracious.  She reads faster and retains more than I've ever been able to.

These days, the book store comes to Margaret because she isn't able to get out any more.  She has a big window overlooking the garden that Earnst tends so lovingly.  Her world is one of books and her husband's garden.  Amber, the book seller, brings along a bag of books for the week for Margaret to choose from.  It's almost like a party.  All those books at once.  What a treat!  Margaret keeps up on reviews on-line, and she's always happy to have recommendations from friends.   I can't tell you how many books I've read on Margaret's recommendation, nor can I tell you have many of Margaret's books are in my 'to be read pile'. She's always giving me books, and not just for me either.  Sometimes when I arrive, she'll have a book just for Ali, who isn't a sci-fi fan, but Margaret is sure she'll like this one because the "world building is outstanding".  Or that wiener dog book she found for Katie because she knows that Katie is ga ga over wiener dogs. Yep, Margaret is a gem.  Everyone deserves to have a friend like Margaret. I'm so lucky that I do.

2011 Chocolate Lily short-list announced

So, I keep getting asked about the short-list for the 2011 Chocolate Lily Book Award (a BC reader's choice award), and I haven't been able to find the info anywhere.  In desperation, I email the founder yesterday, and it just so happens that the list was announced this morning.  So stop bugging me you guys.  Here it is.

Picture Book Category  

Bradley McGogg the Very Fine Frog by Tim Beiser Illustrated by Rachel Berman (BC) Tundra Books

Viva Zapata by Emilie Smith (BC) and Margarita Kenefic Tejada   Illustrated by Stefan Czernecki (BC) Tradewind Books

Penelope and the Preposterous Birthday Party by Sheri Radford (BC)   Illustrated by Christine Tipp  Lobster Press

Fred and Pete at the Beach by Cynthia Nugent   Orca Book Publishers

On My Walk by Kari-Lynn Winters (BC when book was published) Illustrated by Christina Leist (BC) Tradewind Books

Bubble Homes and Fish Farts by Fiona Bayrock(BC)  Illustrated by Carolyn Conahan  Charlesbridge

Stanley’s Beauty Contest by Linda Bailey (BC) Illustrated by Bill Slavin Kids Can Press 

Chapter books for Grades 3 - 5 Category 

Goldfish Don’t Take Bubble Baths ( Abby and Tess Pet Sitters) by Trina Wiebe   Lobster Press

Whiteout by Becky Citra   Orca Young Readers

Zach & Zoe Bully and the Beagle by Kristin Butcher   James Lorimer & Co

After Peaches by Michelle Mulder   Orca Young Readers

Clay Man: The Golem of Prague by Irene Watts Illustrated by Kathryn Shoemaker   Tundra

The Sky Tree by P. K. Page Illustrated by Kristi Bridgeman   Oolichan Books

Novel Category (Grades 5 –   

Venom by Nikki Tate   Orca Sports

The Ship of Lost Souls by Rachelle Delaney   Harper Trophy Canada

Bank Job by James Heneghan and Norma Charles   Orca Book Publishers

Simon Says Gold: Simon Whitfield’s Pursuit of Athletic Excellence by Simon Whitfield with Cleve Dheensaw   Orca Book Publishers

Counting on Hope by Sylvia Olsen  Sononis

The Giant Slayer by Iain Lawrence   Delacorte Press

Charlie: a Home Child’s Life in Canada by Beryl Young   Key Porter Books

Today's news

Today's news...Yesterday I bought paint to paint my bedroom.  Yeah!  I going from sunny yellow to the more sophisticated and about to be a gorgeous serene pale bluish green called Silver Mist.  Who comes up with these paint names and do they actually get paid? Hmmm...if they do, I just might consider a career change.  As it is, I won't start painting until after the work day since I'm back to editing my MIP today for my agent who insists that a little tweak here and another little tweak there will result is perfection.

Unhappy? Get yourself an iPhone.

Ok, I admit it, I'm procrastinating. It's raining outside so I won't be planting those pole beans or parsnips today so I told myself that it's time to do a little housework. I washed the dishes as a warm-up, and managed to vacuum the living room rug and clean the bathroom before running out of steam.  While I regroup, I thought I might fill you in on an interesting phenomenon I read about in Salon...the iPhone can make you happy.  According to a research project undertaken at Stanford University, 72 percent of students interviewed said that their iPhone made them happier.   Maybe my dissatisfaction with the day has nothing at all to do with the minuscule amount of housework that I've gotten done, or the fact that we've only had one sunny day in the last two weeks!   Maybe I just need an iPhone to make me happy!  Here's a link to the article, which, despite my flippant comment above, is actually quite good.

JK Rowling: The fringe benefits of failure | Video on TED.com

You may have seen this already post of JK Rowling at Harvard, but it's so cool, and after recently attending my youngest daughter's university graduation ceremony, I think it's worth watching and listening to again.  As an author she is amazing, but as a woman, mother, and fellow human being, she raises the bar for us all.

J.K. Rowling Speaks at Harvard Commencement from Harvard Magazine on Vimeo.

Librarians Do Gaga

I just came across this great Librarian video. Enjoy!

In defense of librarians

Below is a letter that my friend and fellow author, Helaine Becker sent to the National Post re:  a derogatory comment about librarians.  It's such a great letter, that I want everyone to read it.   Yeah Helaine!  And if you think this letter is great, you can check out her books too.  You'll find a link to her website at the bottom of the page.  PS. Helaine is really really funny:)


Dear Mr. Gunter,

I was enjoying your analysis of Easy Rider in this morning's National Post
("Getting over Easy Rider, "June 2,2010) when I was caught short by this
sentence: "The teens who were prompted by its anti-establishment message to
pledge themselves to change the world are today school librarians and public
broadcasting technicians living in suburban bungalows, looking around the
next bend at pensionability and wondering whether to open a B&B in Niagara."

Yikes! There's a sweeping stereotype there! 

I know you were trying to humorously make a point about becoming the essence
of establishment self-focus. But clearly, you have not met many school
librarians, nor do you fully appreciate what they do every day. (I can't
speak for the broadcasting technicians.)

I am not a school librarian, but in my career as a writer of children's
literature, I have had the great privilege of meeting and spending time with
hundreds of school librarians across North America - from Nunavut to New
Brunswick, from the Jane-Finch Corridor in the GTA to the rural communities
of Manitoba, Alberta and Yukon; in Texas, California, New York and Lima
(Peru). Virtually every single one of the people I met are still honoring
that pledge to change the world.

Don't be fooled by the prim reading-glasses-on-chains cartoon image.
Teacher-librarians are true revolutionaries, trying to change and improve
society by empowering the most vulnerable members of society: children. 

Their working conditions: abysmal. 

Their weapon: literacy. 

Their opposition: entrenched bureaucracy that gives lip service to literacy
and equity, but shows its true colors by gutting schools of books and
trained staff. 

Meet, for example, Nina W., a school-librarian in the great State of
California who currently has responsibility for three inner city schools,
virtually no support from administration (when I visited with her two weeks
ago, nearly 600 teachers had just been let go and were engaged in costly and
divisive legal hearings instead of teaching in the classroom). Yet despite
being stretched nearly to the breaking point, Nina still managed to
administer a Reading is Fundamental book program for Kindergarten and grade
1 students, organize author visits to inspire hundreds of children, and
facilitate delivery of books to needy schools that were collected on an
independent book drive.

Or meet Fabienne T., who works in a remote Northern community. Her student
body contains a high number of kids who come to school hungry, tired and
unprepared to learn because of upheaval at home and in their community. For
these children, literacy is truly a foreign concept - their own culture did
not even have a written language 40 years ago! Many elders there are
actually suspicious of reading as a form of learning, since their own
educational system involved a more active approach, being out on the land.
Yet Fabienne cheerfully strides from school to school, bringing books and
enthusiasm and a desire to help improve the opportunities available to her
charges. Those opportunities will only open to them when they possess the
skills needed to "make it" in the contemporary world, so with her copies of
"Clifford the Big Red Dog" and "Twilight" in hand, Fabienne is truly
managing to change their worlds.

Or why not let me introduce you to Jenny E., who teaches in a tough primary
school in one of Toronto's most challenging neighborhoods. To see what she
has done with these old-too-soon kids is nothing short of miraculous, and
she's been doing it for more than 20 years, day in and day out (I'm sure the
number is higher than that, but I don't want to embarrass her!). 

The crisis facing school libraries today is an issue that has not yet
surfaced in the Canadian consciousness. Yet let me assure you, it is very
real, pervasive, and will have long-term consequences. Only a tiny
percentage of Canadian school libraries meet the minimal standards (Set by
the Canadian Library Association ) required to achieve learning objectives
in all curricular areas, not just literacy. 

A fully functional school library is the heart of a school, providing
necessary sustenance and support for teachers and students. It is at the
vanguard of "best practices," incorporating information literacy into school
culture, and it the avenue through which students learn how to do research,
analyze sources and interpret media messaging. 

School librarians are professionally committed to freedom of thought and
speech, and to the notion that teaching kids how to learn is the root of all
education. If that's not progressive, I don't know what is.

I know, I know, you didn't really mean to disparage school librarians -
yours was a throwaway comment designed for a laugh. But it perpetuated a
lie, and was a disservice to some of the most revolutionary members of our
society. But! Here's the good news! You can easily correct that disservice!

Let me suggest that, next Fall, you accompany me to some representative
school libraries in the GTA. Let me show you how we are letting down
Canadian students by underfunding our school libraries. Let me show you how
the mouth-noises that insist "we support literacy" are a lie when in fact
the school libraries in our country are short of books and staff.

On a personal note, it was in a school library that I first fell in love
with books. That early exposure and support has enabled me to live a full
and productive life as a literate citizen. 

When I speak to kids during my school presentations, I often ask them, "Why
are you learning how to read?" The typical response is, "so I can get a job
one day." "So I can get good grades." Or simply a shrug of shoulders - we
are made to read and write because the grownups want us to. 

I tell the kids that all of those answers are all acceptable ones, but are
not the best reasons. Do you really want to learn to read just so you can
grow up to become an obedient worker bee, or to boast a meaningless A on
meaningless report card? No.

No, The real reason you should want to learn how to Read well, Write well
and Speak well is because these are the tools that give you power - both the
power over your own life, and the power to persuade others to make
improvements to our world.

School librarians are bringing power to the people, every day. Please give
them their due. 

Sincerely,

Helaine Becker
Author

www.helainebecker.com

www.helainebecker.blogspot.com

Follow me on twitter! Twitter.com/Helainebecker

Cool Book Shelf

I don't really have any news today so I thought I'd make some up.  Here's my idea of the perfect book shelf.  Unfortunately, I need the floor to ceiling kind at my place to accommodate all the books!

What's Shaking The School: A Principal's Retrospective

For any of you former Margaret Jenkins students, parents, or teachers, retired elementary school principal Judy Bertram has just self published a book about her former principalship, What's Shaking The School. In my opinion, Judy was one of the best principals I've ever met. And, in my career as a teacher and author, as well as in my role as a parent, I've met quite a few! This is one self published book that I'll definitely be picking up. Click here order your copy.

Project ALA

It won't be long before the next big ALA kid's book gala where this year's Newbery and Caldecott Awards etc. will be presented. When doing a quick search, I came across this funny mash up of red carpet fashion. It involves "four days at ALA, three intrepid interviewers, two expensive video cameras & one $3.99 red bath mat (aka red carpet)". It's a virtual who's who of kid's books with Jon Scieszka (who was at the time the Children's Literary Ambassador, Betsy Bird, Roger Sutton (editor of The Horn Book)Laurie Halse Anderson, Ellen Hopkins, Linda Sue Park and John Green all making red carpet appearances. The fashionistas all agree that success is "all about the story". There are also a series of interviews as well if you want to check those out too. Enjoy!

The Girl Effect

Even though it's not exactly book related, this is the coolest vid. Enjoy

University Graduation

Finally getting around to downloading pictures from my camera. Here are a few of my youngest daughter's graduation. I can't believe I've (ok they did a little to help!) gotten all three girls through university!

The

big surprise was that one of my fav Canadian comedians, Rick Mercer, was getting an honorary doctorate at her ceremony. He's so funny. I wish I would have gotten a better pic but this was the best I could do with my lack of talent and point & shoot camera. It didn't help that I was barely out of the hospital and not at my best.

Picturing Canada by Gail Edwards & Judith Saltman

While I was in Vancouver I got a call from Ron Lightburn with some good news. Ron illustrated my first book, Waiting for the Whales, which is still in print after 19 years (note to self; plan party for the book's 20th anniversary in 2011). It seems an illustration of our book was one of two featured in a National Post article about a new book called Picturing Canada: A History of Canadian Children's Illustrated Books and Publishing by Gail Edwards and Judith Saltman.

In my mind, a book that documents the history of children's illustrated literature in Canada is long overdue and I'm thrilled that the book is finally out. The US, the UK, and Australia all have scholarly works documenting children's literature in their respective countries, and it's about time that we, here in Canada, acknowledged the contribution that the publishing industry and it's creators have made to our cultural growth. I recall being honored five or six years ago when Professor Judith Saltman arrived on my doorstep to interview me. We had tea, caught up on mutual friends and industry news, and shared titles of favorite books. She was both gracious and professional as she explained that mine would be one of dozens of interviews which would be integrated into her text and include: authors, illustrators, publishers and librarians and other professionals across the country. Her enthusiasm was contagious, but I admit that after a few years went by I forgot about her project. Now, after reading the National Post article, it has been rekindled. So, Picturing Canada will be on my list when I hit the bookstore next. I'm excited to read about Edwards' and Saltman's insights, and I'm curious about what my fellow creators and publishers had to say. Most of all, I'm thankful to be working in an industry that I continue to love after more than twenty years.

Saltspring Island

Saltspring Island was groovy as usual. The Saturday market is like going back 30 years...tie-dyed t-shirts, hippy skirts, long hair and beards, and guitar players with their cases open for donations, hand-made candles, and lavender jelly, organic smokies (vegie or turkey), plenty of pottery, fresh herbs etc. and a 5 foot nothing guy playing a digaree do & doing a little healing thing with some sort of animal bone thingy...so much fun. I wish I could have stayed a second night but as it turns out, I got pretty sick the next day too but it was just as well that I headed back home since I ended up being sick for a week...a major drag.

While on Saltspring I bought the cutest little original water color painting by for my daughter's graduation and a lovely cheese slicer with wood carved handle for my other daughter's birthday. The grad was lovely although no dinner for me as I was still not doing solid food. Pictures to come soon...

Saltspring Island

Yeah. Long weekend coming up. Ruby (my puppy) and I are heading over to Saltspring Island. The weekend agenda will include: good friends, good food, good wine, and probably a pile of books to exchange. We'll go to the market, walk the beaches, and catch up (since we all live in different places). I love my girl friends.

Life Above All, a film based on Chandra's Secret

OMG...this is so exciting. My friend Dennis Foon is off to Cannes. Dennis, an award-winning playwright, and novelist, wrote the screenplay for a fantastic YA novel, Chandra's Secret by Allan Stratton, about a 16 year old girl who looks after her younger siblings in the face of her father's death in the diamond mines and her mother dying of AIDS. The story is as compelling as it is uplifting; children parenting children with courage and grace in the face of poverty, abuse and AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.

The film is called Life Above All, so watch for it. In the meantime, yeah Dennis. Have fun in Cannes, and send us back some celebrity pics.

The Victoria Children's Literature Roundtable presents Carolyn Hart

Carolyn Hart: Cultural Diversity in Picture Books

Monday May 17th, 7:30 pm
at the Victoria Children's Literature Roundtable

Note: Roundtable meetings now take place at the Nellie McClung Branch Library, 3950 Cedar Hill Road, lower entrance.

Carolyn Hart is a mother of two boys, a teacher, and a children's book reviewer. She is also the BC Regional Officer for the Canadian Children's Book Centre. She makes presentations about early literacy and outstanding children's books to parent groups and professional organizations throughout BC.

Carolyn will speak about new picture books that celebrate our cultural diversity. She will also demonstrate activities and games that match the themes of the featured books. "When we make wise choices with the books we read to children, we can help diminish stereotyping and help youngsters develop respect for human diversity and curiosity about our world."

The VCLR is open to the public. Members free, drop-ins $5, students $4. Meetings are held at the Nellie McClung Branch Library, 3950 Cedar Hill Road, at 7:30 pm. Come early and browse the bookseller's table, and bring a friend!

Orca Book launch today!

Oops...I meant to upload this invite to the Orca Book launch but forgot. Sadly, it's too late to get there now, but it's never to late to drop by your local bookseller to pick up one of these great titles

BC Kids books to be featured in Korea

Taxes done and done! Before I head out to the garden to attack the weeds I have to get books ready for the Canadian Embassy in Korea which is showcasing BC children's authors and illustrators at their book fair this year. Very cool. I'll be sending The Smell of Paint, my young adult novel, as well as the Korean version of This is the Dog. I'll get the cover scanned in so you can check it out just as soon as I fix my scanner.

tax time

Home again and immersed in taxes. Yah yah, tax time has come and gone, but I'm just getting to it, wading my way through paper piled practically to the rafters. Thinking back over a year it's hard to believe I actually considered changing careers...It turns out that my income this past year is about the same as the year I began my writing career...so sad. Fortunately this year, luck is with me...I've received writing grants from both The Canada Council and The BC Arts Council and I'm lucky enough to have Suzie Townsend of Literary FinePrint Management as my agent. Life could not being looking better.

And speaking of Suzie, I just received two books from her in today's mail. She calls her self a book-fairy with good reason. Not only is she an insightful editor, she sends books! I can't wait to read them. The first is I heart you, You haunt me by Lisa Schroeder, and the other is an ARC The Duff by Kody Keplinger. (no image yet available). I'm tempted to crack the covers, but taxes first...well, maybe a little peek...damn you Suzie!

Whew. The 10 K was a success. Managed to find my friend despite the 60,000 other people who showed up to run. We totally rocked it, and loved the music every kilometer or so and the chocolate milk, oranges and bananas at the end tasted sooo sweet. The sun warmed us all the way through downtown, along the seawall, over one bridge, past False Creek and back to downtown over a second bridge. We walked the few kilometers home afterwards, even up that huge steep hill...showered, walked back down the hill to Granville Island to meet up with the rest of the fam for a lovely mother's day lunch, then barely made it back up the hill...collapsed on the couch and am now watching Vancouver whip Chicago. Sorry Black Hawks, but you're going down! After the game I'll fall into bed...read a few pages of The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo and sleep like a baby.

Happy Reading, Running or Renovations

I can't believe I'm watching hockey, but here I am, in Vancouver live streaming the Canucks getting their butts kicked by the Chicago Black Hawks! After several days of helping my daughter work on her new (aka 1960's) but oh so in need of renos condo, we ordered take out sushi and are watching the game which is being played just down the road, but tickets are out of the ball park (or hockey arena as the case may be) for most YA authors, myself included. After days of slaving away, I fall into bed, which in this case translates into a well worn second or possibly third hand couch, and fall asleep after a few pages of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, by Steg Larsson. I'm enjoying the book, and would probably be farther along if it weren't for above mentioned renos. I'll get back to you on whether it's worth the 841 page read although I have managed 240 pages these last few nights.

Tomorrow I pick up my # and chip for the 10K Vancouver Sun Run which is Sunday. I'll let ya know how that goes too. It's my mother's day present to myself!

Happy reading, running or renovations...

Later.

I'm a Boo Hoo Bird

I can't believe I'm so forgetful! I even had it in my calendar, but I missed Jeremy Tankard last night. I'm a boo hoo bird for sure. He was in Victoria for the Victoria Children's Literature Roundtable which I chaired for many years. Roundtables bring in speakers, for parents, teachers, and librarians, support a Canadian Information Book Award, and do lots of literacy work. I'm so sad that I missed Jeremy because his presentations rock and his books are fabulous. He's hardly ever out here on the west coast, so who knows when I'll catch up with him again...sigh. Hope you had a great turnout Jeremy, and I hope you sold a ton of books.

2010 BC BOOK PRIZES

Last night was the BC Book Prize gala. It was awesome, and the food was sooo good, but the best thing of all was being in a huge room full of people where everyone there loves books as much as you do.

I was honored to be asked to announce one of the awards. Several people asked me to post my comments. Here they are.

I'm honored to have been asked to present the Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize, supported by Kate Walker & Co. and awarded to author & Illustrator of picture books, picture book stories, illustrated non-fiction books. This is a relatively recent prize, and is particularly important because it divides the awards into two categories whereas previously there was only one; meaning books for babies were weighed against books for teens. Harris, considered the matriarch of Canadian Children's Literature in English, knew how important stories were for children. In her 94 years she wrote 20 books for young people & I am fortunate to have been able to call her a friend. She often began her stories with "I bide the time..."

One of the best ways to support books for children is to buy a book for a child. If you don't have children in your life, you can always donate a book to a school in your community.

Here are the nominees in the category Of illustrated books for children.

Bubble Homes and Fish Farts by Fiona Bayrock, illustrated by Carolyn Conahan, published by Charlesbridge is a creative, innovative and entertaining take on thematic science for young children supported by illustrations that illuminate and compliment the text. Read it for a whole new take on gas.

Ella’s Umbrellas 
by Jennifer Lloyd, illustrated by Ashley Spires and published by Simply Read Books is delightful and the perfect picture book to cheer up young readers on a drizzly day with a rhythmic text, bright illustrations and a message that speaks of good turns rewarded.

Maggie Can’t Wait by Frieda Wishinsky, illustrated by our own Dean Griffiths from here on The Island and published by Fitzhenry & Whiteside is a child centric story built around the conflicting emotions children sometimes experience when a new sibling arrives. The illustrations admirably capture the emotional range of the characters in a way that make them jump off the page.

On My Walk 
by Kari-Lynn Winters, illustrated by Christina Leist
 and published by Tradewind Books is a celebration of sounds heard by a boy, his mom and his dog on a walk. It’s told with onomatopoeic flare with the story complimented and extended by the illustrations.

Vanishing Habitats by Robert Bateman with Nancy Kovacs, illustrated by Robert Bateman and published by Scholastic Canada / Madison Press is a hopeful, engaging environmental science book for the young that does not sugarcoat the extent or significance of habitat loss. It is visually stunning, making it all the more powerful in it's message.

...and the winner is Maggie Can't Wait by Frieda Wishinski and Dean Griffins. Frieda was unable to attend but Dean is here to accept.

I only wish I could share Dean's acceptance speech here with you. It was very very moving.

Happy Earth Day plus and update

Earth Day update: Here's another great title that I missed. Check out Compost Stew by Mary McKenna Siddals.

Hey it's Earth Day, so do something for our planet with the help of books...eat locally, walk or take the bus instead of driving...bring cloth bags to the grocery store...carry a reusable water bottle...anything to help our planet...and pass the word along.

Back Home

Back from a great trip to Calgary and the Young Author's Conference. The writing groups I had were great, and it was good to hear Michael Kusugak give the keynote. I haven't seen him for ages, and aside from being a little grayer, he was as charming as ever. He told a couple of stories I'd heard him tell before, but the highlight was his string stories. He has a new book out which has gotten great reviews so check it out. One of the things I love about this conference is running into old friends like Michael, Dennis Foon (check out the trailer to his new family movie, A Shining of Rainbows), author John Wilson, and author/illustrator Deborah Turney Zagwin.

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

So, I was trying to decide what to bring this afternoon to read on the plane to Calgary where I'll be doing a couple of Young Author workshops. I was considering the second in the Luxe series by Anna Godbersen, but when I went looking through my "to be read" pile, which, by the way, has grown into a pile plus a whole bookshelf...all I could find was the third book. (:

I'll just have to let romance go until I can hit one of my fav. independent bookstores to pick up the second book. While looking, I did run across a fantasy title that my friend's son gave me for Xmas. It isn't new, but The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss did win the Quill Award, and I noticed that Ursula LeGuin blurbed it and I love her books, so I think I'll give it shot and let you know how it goes when I get back.

Eric Walters and Impossible 2 Possible

So this morning I was going through my email and heard from friend and fellow author Eric Walters. Now Eric always has something crazy on the go; sometimes it involves tigers at book launches, or a press release in New York with NBA players, or building schools in Africa, so I opened up his message with interest. "I wonder what Eric's up to these days," I asked myself. But even from a guy whose been full of surprises over the years, Eric's news was a bit of a shocker. It seems he's hooked up with high performance athlete Ray Zahab and the Impossible 2 Possible Team. The plan is to run 250 kilometers across sand dunes and hard pack of the Sahara Desert in Tunisia to raise funds for Ryan's Well Foundation. Now I have to tell you that Eric is no elite athlete; I'm not saying he's in terrible shape. It's just that he's an average guy my age who lives in the suburbs, has kids, and plays a little recreational sports when he has time...But there is something just a little bit different about Eric and you only need to have a short conversation with him to know what that is...the guy is crazy committed to making the world a better place for kids. An even more obvious thing about Eric is that his commitment is infectious. So, this brings me to back to his latest venture. All I can say is I'm glad it's you Eric and not me pitting yourself against an unforgiving environment while trying to keep up with much younger elite athletes. I'll be watching the video feeds and following the blogs that will be broadcast to schools across North America though Eric. And I know a whole lot of other people will be too. The well of funds that this crazy venture brings in is gonna cost you in aches and pains that you've never imagined buddy. But then I'm guessing you know that. I'm also guessing that wild horses wouldn't be able to stop you from doing it. Way to go Eric and good luck.

You or your school can help Eric out by raising funds and donating online at the above website.

Yeah Calgary Young Authors' Festival

Calgary Young Authors' Festival is coming up this weekend. I love going to this festival. It's a district-wide one day program for kids from grades 4-10 who love writing or illustrating. The teachers are fantastic, and so are the 1200 or so kids who attend every year. While I'll only see about 50 in two separate workshops, they'll pack the high school gym for the keynote speech. This year my workshop, Rock Your Writing, is going to be on editing. Sound boring?...No way! Editing is the heart and soul of any creative profession. I've asked kids to bring in a first page and will take them through a couple of different ways to edit. We'll be ditching the passive voice, blasting boring verbs out of existence, and trolling for the perfect hook to reel in readers. We'll be cutting and pasting and building characters that jump off the page. I'm so excited.

I'm just hoping that any and all snow storms hold off until after I've come and gone. Now that I think about it, a chinook wouldn't hurt either!

In the meantime though, the rest of the week is work work work on the new novel.

Shine of Rainbows

Thought I'd pass along this bit of news from my film-maker friend Dennis Foon. His new family movie, Shine of Rainbows will be opening this weekend in Vancouver, Langley and Victoria. It's based on the Lillian Beckwith novel of the same name. Go see it if you get the chance.

Cinemark Tinseltown in Vancouver

Cineplex Colossus in Langley

Empire University 4 in Victoria

Here's the link for the trailer.

Easter Weekend

Had a lovely few days with my lady friends and a fantastic few days of writing. Woke up this morning to a tree down over my front walkway. I'm headed to Vancouver right after work to see my lovely three daughters; hopefully the ferries will be running and we won't encounter any other trees down on route. I have the chocolate eggs for the easter egg hunt (yes my girls still want an easter egg hunt every year even though they're in their 20's) and I have the turkey roast pan packed for our turkey dinner on Sunday. I think I'm expected to make apple pies on Saturday as the other baker in the family is putting in a 12 hour nursing shift at Vancouver Children's Hospital. Still, it will be fun to see everyone, and of course the ferry always gives me a few hours of reading time. I've got a pile of books I'm whittling away at. I just finished The Earth, My Butt, & Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler and I'm hoping to get through Big Fat Manifesto by Susan Vaught. Hope all of you have a lovely easter weekend.

I'm off

I'm excited to be spending the next few days with a group of women that I have been going away once a year with for the last 22 years. What a treat it will be to have some down time with these women from near and far to catch up on what everyone has been reading, where they've travelled, how their families are doing, and what they are up to professionally and socially. Our group began as a weekend get-a-way for a loosely connected group of professional women who were raising children and never seemed to have time for themselves. This was some "just us time." Over the years, some of us have retired, some have changed professions and some have lost loved ones. We've shared sad times and happy times, grown grayer, and I like to think a little wiser. The thing that has always been the one constant in our little group is the mutual support and respect we give each other. I suppose as long as that happens, I'll be heading out to see these wonderful women year after year.

Canadian Children's Book Centre announces a change in dates for Canadian Children's Bookweek.

The Canadian Children's Book Centre has announced that Canadian Children's Bookweek will be moved from the fall to the spring. This is great news as touring in November can sometimes being a little dicey; especially if you happen to be touring in the north and get caught in a snowstorm...something that's happened to a few of us.

Sadly, that means this year there won't be a touring program this year since it will take CCBC a little time to make switch things over. But don't fear, Canadian Children's Book Week will be up and running by next spring (2011). To find out more, visit the Canadian Children's Book Centre.

New York Times article about reading.

Here's a link to a New York Times article about a dad and daughter who read together from grade 4 until she moved into a dorm for her first year of university. It brings me back to the years when I read aloud to my girls and has me wishing I'd carried on a little longer. It really speaks to the power of sharing books.

Sad news about Sid Fleischman

Sad news. Sid Fleischman, who has been ill for some time, passed away March 17 in his home. His humor has been a light in the life for so many young people. Although he was 90, he will still be missed. Here is a link to an article about one of children's literature's favorite sons.

New review of Laurie Halse Anderson's Wintergirls posted on my teen blog

Not much news aside from gutter cleaning and a few more pages done on my novel.

I've just posted a new teen review of Laurie Halse Anderson's Wintergirls so check it out.

Off to Vancouver

I'm off to Vancouver today. So excited to see my girls although I'll be doing a fair bit of schlepping scrubbing and painting since one of them is moving. Before I go though, a couple of the girls I met at Pueblo Ingles in Spain last year are showing up for a weekend in Victoria, so we are going to rendezvous downtown. And I have to keep my commitment to my running buddy for the upcoming 10K, so I have to fit in a 25 minute run this morning on top of a dog walk. But, the sun is peeking out between the clouds, so it's all good. I'll even have time to read a book on the ferry. The trouble is, that when I popped into Cadboro Bay Books the other day I picked up 6 new young adult titles and I have to figure out which to bring. I think Wintergirls by Laurie Hals Anderson might win out because I've really been wanting to read it. For all you Halse Anderson fans out there, the cover is fabulous. Here's a peek. There's also a pretty cool trailer that you can see at Amazon, but I'm not sure how to download it, but do check it out because the author talks about her approach to writing and it's quite interesting.

BC BOOK PRIZE SHORTLISTS ANNOUNCED

BC BOOK PRIZE shortlists were announced today:

Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize
- Counting on Hope by Sylvia Olsen, Sono Nis Press
- The Gryphon Project by Carrie Mac, Penguin Group Canada
- Inferno by Robin Stevenson, Orca Book Publishers
- Return to Bone Tree Hill by Kristin Butcher, Thistledown Press
- The Ship of Lost Souls by Rachelle Delaney, HarperTrophyCanada

Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize
- Bubble Homes and Fish Farts by Fiona Bayrock
Illustrated by Carolyn Conahan, Charlesbridge
- Ella’s Umbrellas by Jennifer Lloyd
Illustrated by Ashley Spires, Simply Read Books
- Maggie Can’t Wait by Frieda Wishinsky
Illustrated by Dean Griffiths, Fitzhenry & Whiteside
- On My Walk by Kari-Lynn Winters
Illustrated by Christina Leist, Tradewind Books
- Vanishing Habitats by Robert Bateman,
Scholastic Canada Ltd.

Congratulations to everyone!

Awesome news.

Got some awesome news yesterday. My grant application for Professional Writers was successful. That means less work time, and more writing time. I'm so thrilled and thankful for living in a country that supports the arts.

Bird in flight

If you're into kids' books, chances are you've read or at least heard of Besty Bird and her amazing blog, A Fuse #8 Production. Not only is Betsy prolific and quirky, she's usually right on in her reviews. As knowledgeable about kids' books as she is passionate, she's a shining light for readers, sifting through a sea of books and directing us toward the best. By day, Betsy is a librarian in New York City, but after hours she's all about her blog which she was enticed to move to the School Library Journal website a while back. Bird has been a juror for the Newbery Book Awards, tackled the issue of "review as promotion in disguise" in Amazon.com's "Vine Voices," and been involved in Blogger Awards. I'm pretty sure is a super duper speed-reader judging by the breadth of the books she can talk about intelligently. Not surprisingly, this one-woman wonder of kids' books has been flying under the radar for years. Now though, Bird is finally causing a flap outside the cosy world of children's books with the recent Forbes article. Check it out. Besty, you deserve these cu-does and more...

This is the Dog makes it's You Tube debut

Here's a You Tube Link sponsored by the Oshawa Public Library of Chrissie Wysotski reading This is The Dog; a book that I wrote and Chrissie illustrated.

Back from Hawaii

Arrived back home from Hawaii to daffodils, magnolias, and forsythias in full bloom. It was such a treat to be away, touring volcanoes, swimming with dolphins, and watching the sunset at 13,803 feet on Mauna Kea. What a wonderful place to spend a week!

I must confess that despite bringing my running gear, I didn't run once. In my defense, I did do quite a bit of walking. And yes, I did come back with some new story ideas, so it wasn't all play. Now, I'm back to work finishing up a novel that began with a trip to Spain and a 300 kilometer walk that I did more than a year ago, proving that travel and inspiration can go hand in hand.

Hawaii

So exciting. Only one more day before a week in Hawaii...sunshine, snorkeling, whale/dolphin watching, checking out the volcano and sunset and stargazing on Mauna Kea, the highest mountain in the world (if you consider the height from the sea bed that is), the conservatory which is supposed to be stunning, and of course lots of beach reading. I'm in the middle of The Astonish Life of Octavian Nothing: Traitor to the Nation, which is so interesting, although I'm thinking of bringing something a little lighter for the beach.

Ruby is lucky too. My dog sitter has a year old pug that she's bring along so Ruby will have lots of company.

Can't wait despite the crazy early flight. This time, I'm going to remember my camera...I'd so love to set a book there.

Connecting with collegues

Yesterday morning I had a surprise visit from Andrea and David Spalding from Pender Island. They were on their way to an appointment, so the visit was short and sweet, but so nice to see them. They were just back from The Yucatan in Mexico, and we traded travel stories before they rushed off.

After a full day of work, I took Ruby for a quick walk before I headed downtown to pick up Ann Walsh, a writer and editor from Williams Lake who is in town for a mon

th reprieve from the snow. We had a hilarious adventure trying to figure out the GPS (neither of us had our reading glasses) and arrived late at our Island CWILL meeting (CWILL being Children's Writers and Illustrators).

I so love kid's writers. No one was phased by our late arrival. Such a wonderfully supportive group. It was good to see Michelle Mulder whose social justice books for kids are really filling a void as well as Adrienne Mason, a great science writer and the editor of Know Magazine. I don't get a chance to see Adrienne often as she lives in Tofino, a five hour drive from here, but fortunately, she was on her way to a science education conference in San Diego. I also met Heather Sander, a local fantasy writer, for the first time. The evening flew by with each of us sharing news and information about recent changes in publishing as well as meaningful ways to connect given the issue of distance. All in all, a great evening.

Cybils Announced

Looking for a good book? It's your lucky day...The 2009 Cybils Awards were just announced. For those of you who don't know, The Cybils are a grassroots award for kids/teen books created by avid book bloggers. Lots of categories, like picture book, early reader, teen fiction, poetry, non-fiction mean that there is something for everyone. For more great books, be sure to check out the short lists too.

Lambs

Off to Galiano Island this weekend. Love it there. I can walk and think and write. My friend tells me it's lambing season and I can't wait to see them. Two more were lambs were born this morning. They are going to be so cute and cuddly. I'm definitely bringing my camera as well as my laptop, so expect pictures.

running

Not exactly book related news, but I'm so pleased that I'm now one month into training for the Times Colonist 10 Kilometer run. One month down, another couple to go. The best advice I had from one of my writer friends was to run with a buddy. I'm so glad I took her advice. It's so much easier to keep up with running 3 or 4 times a week with my buddy. We encourage each other, especially on days when one or the other of us is inclined to poop out. Maybe there's a book in here somewhere...

Wordle is so cool. Try it.

I just discovered this very cool site that plays with words. Here is a puppy poem I did this morning. Isn't it cool! So check out www.wordle.net to create your own fun poems.

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Victoria Book Fair

What fun. I love book fairs, and I especially love book people. Once a year, all the book sales reps. meet up in Victoria to showcase what's coming up for the spring season. While the event is aimed at booksellers, I usually manage to get in to have a peak at what's coming and say hi to some old friends. I made it to last night's wine & cheese, where I caught up with all sorts of people I hadn't seen for a while. Mel Bolen of Bolen Books was there celebrating 35 years of bookselling. Congratulations Mel. Sadly, so were some of the folks from Duthie's books; a Vancouver bookseller that has weather their share of hard times and recently closed it's doors. I was pleased to see that Jim Munro from Munro's Books is still going strong. I met up with the folks who rep. my books, ran into Susan Juby who will be speaking at this morning's author breakfast (wish I could have gone to that; she is so funny), and the always charming David Buchard in his buckskin jacket. All in all, a lovely night, and best of all, still home in time to read a few pages of a good book.

Yeah!

Yeah! Just got word that I've gotten the Writing Grant I applied for. Thank you thank you BC Arts Council.

The Catcher in the Rye

I was so sad to read in the paper this morning that J.D. Salinger has died. For those of you who are saying, "Who?," he was the author of The Catcher in the Rye; one of my all time favorite books. This is one of those classics about not fitting in that is well worth the read.

Celebrate Family Literacy Day

Tomorrow is Family Literacy Day. Celebrate by reading your favourite kid's books with a young person. For tips on family activities or to find out about local events, check out ABC Canada.

The Onion Spoof on Adults who love kids' books

You gotta love The Onion and their spoofs. Here's a link to a video spoof that is priceless.

using literature as a teaching tool

I love it when kids enjoy my books, but as a former teacher, I believe that literature can go above and beyond a good read. Visit my website to see how teachers and parents can use my books to extend learning. And, while your at it, check out this home-school based article that uses Jessie's Island as well as other titles as teaching tools.

Katherine Paterson adds Nation Ambassador for Young People's Lit. to her many accolades

What great news... Katherine Paterson has added the title of National Ambassador for Young People's Literature to her long list of accolades. I have loved so many of her books including: Jacob Have I Loved, Bridge to Terabithia, and The Great Gilly Hopkins and The Master Puppeteer. So for the next two years Paterson will be selling the message that books and reading are life tools that can grow a child's world.

Publisher Weekly has a great article. Check it out.

2009 Kids' Book Bash is bak

The Victoria Kids'Book Bash held at Fairfield Community Place was wonderful. Author Della Burford posted a short video that you can check out on YouTube.

Orca Book Publisher is celebrating 25 years

No excuses for the lack of news aside from "the lack of news".

But I am excited to report that my friends and fellow authors, Andrea and Dave Spalding will be in town on Friday to stay overnight. We'll all get dressed fancy to attend the 25th anniversary of Orca Book Publishers. Should be lots of fun, with their children's book covers on display and a silent auction to support literacy. I do love Orca Books, and told Times Colonist reporter Katherine Dedyna just that in a phone interview. The article won't be out until the second week in November, but hey, you can all celebrate now by going out and reading, or better yet, buying and then reading, one of Orca's titles. With classics and a great new list to choose from, how can you go wrong!

And now I'm off to my pilates class so that I can drink champagne on Friday without any guilt whatsoever about those extra calories.

Later,

S.