Natural History Museum and then Mr. Springsteen

The Natural History Museum was just a few blocks away from where we were staying, which was awesome.  I haven’t been there since I took my kids 20 years ago.  It’s an excellent museum (aside from a very old bird exhibit that looked like it had been done a hundred years ago).  They have a very good dinosaur exhibit. Some think it’s because of  the La Brea Tar Pits, but that’s a misconception as the tar pits came later.

  

 

 

Baseball first then Bruce

Went to a Dodgers’ baseball game the first night in LA. It was way more fun than I thought it would be.  And guess what…they still sell peanuts and popcorn.  This guy has been at it for 25 years!

We had great seats just off the first baseline, but had to ditch them when it started to rain in the last inning. Too bad the Dodgers lost to the Atlanta Braves.

Can’t wait to see Bruce Springsteen tomorrow night!

Storyteller, Bernice Gei-Ying in Victoria for Children’s Bookweek

Canadian Children’s Book Week

Touring Storyteller Bernice Gei-Ying

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

Bernice Gei-Ying’s traditional Chinese tales are popular with children and adults alike. Bernice tells spellbinding stories by Canadian author Paul Yee, as well as stories created from her own imagination. Sponsored by Canada Council for the Arts.

For more information about Book Week, visit www.bookweek.ca/book-week/2012.

Please bring lightly used children’s picture books to donate to “1000X5” Children’s Book Recycling Project.

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. Come early and browse Cadboro Bay Books’ table, and bring a friend! Doors open at 7 pm.
For more information about the Roundtable, call 250-598-3694, find us on Facebook, or visit:
www.victoriachildrensliteratureroundtable.blogspot.com.

Tonight’s dragon boat paddle

Great paddle tonight with my dragon boat team.  We’re really coming together as a team.  The sun was just sinking when we pulled in to the dock tonight.  Hard to beat.

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The Boss

  Two more days before my trip to LA to see Bruce Springsteen.  Yes folks, I’m talking about “The Boss” and the Wrecking Ball Tour with the fabulous E Street Band

The Rising may just be my favorite album of all time, so when I was offered the chance to see it’s creator in LA, I practically  lept out of my jeans. Love might not be a strong enough word for the  way I feel about this guy’s music.  His songs are stories I have grown up.  His lyrics make me laugh, cry, and celebrate.  Some take pain and hurt to a whole new level and others make me glad to be alive. He speaks to a generation in a way that every artist hopes for.  On top of all that, Bruce has incredible sex appeal. Do I sound like a groupie or what!

50 Marketing Tips for Under $50 Bucks

If you’re just getting started in the kid’s book business, Tina Nicholas Curray has a great blog called Tales from the Rushmore Kid that is well worth checking out. She does tons of interviews with industry people and has a very useful list of 50 Marketing Tips for Under $50 bucks that you may want to keep in mind for when you first book hits the stores or e-readers.  Tips include things like acquiring a domain name, sending out review copies, affordable business cards, plan a contest or give-away, pitch an appearance to local TV and radio stations, and visiting the main branch of your local library.  She advises against book signings as their day has passed.  If you live in Canada, be sure to send a copy of your book to the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, and contact your local Children’s Literature Roundtable to let them know about your new book.  They might either book talk your book, or consider having you speak at one of their programs.

And if you find something that works, remember to pass the suggestion on to fellow writers.  One of the best things about publishing for kids, is how this community of writers, illustrators and bloggers support one another.

Science in Society Youth Book Award

Congratulations to Tanya Lloyd Kyi!

The Canadian Science Writers’ Association  recently announced  that Tanya Lloyd Kyi’s 50 Poisonous Questions (Annick Press) has won the Science in Society Youth Book Award. Entries were judged on the basis of initiative, originality, scientific accuracy, clarity of interpretation and value in promoting a better understanding of science by the public.  Way to go Tanya.

While you’re picking up a copy of 50 Poisonous Questions, you may also want to add The Blue Jean Book to your cart. It’s a fabulous book about that takes you behind the seams of bluejeans.

Celebrating 24 years of friendship

For many years I’ve been going away with a small group of women friends for a few days. I’ve just returned from our 24th trip together.  Eating, drinking, talking, sharing stories and poems and catching up with each others lives. We’ve been through so much together.  I have shared virtually every story I’ve written with these women.  They always have my back…and, after all these years, this time together continues to be one of life’s treasures.

CLA Winners for 2012 CLA Book Awards

Congratulations to the winners!

 the 2012 CLA Book of the Year for Children Award Winner:

The Whole Truth by Kit Pearson, published by HarperCollins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012 Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator’s Award Winner:

My Name is Elizabeth! published by Kids Can Press, illustrated by Matthew Forsythe and written by Annika Dunklee

 

 

 

 

2012 Young Adult Book Award Winner:

All Good Children by Catherine Austen, published by Orca

 

 

 

 

Meet the winning authors in Ottawa at the CLA Book Awards Reception on Thursday, 31 May from 7-9 pm. Enjoy cocktails, appetizers and light dinner fare while mixing and mingling with the authors and your colleagues! Take home a book of your choice – an amazing evening for $ 30! Book now at:

CLA delegates can register for this event here: http://www.cla.ca/conference/2012/


This is the Dog is going to the gallery

Over the years, I’ve had the good fortune to work with some very talented illustrators.  I heard from one of them this morning.  Chrissie Wysotski, the illustrator of This is the Dog, sent me this framed picture from the book.  It will be one of the illustrations featured in two upcoming exhibits sponsored by the Ontario Library Association.  The Blue Spruce 10th Anniversary Illustration Art Exhibit during the Festival of Trees in May 2012 at Harbourfront in Toronto, and at the Canadian Nation Exhibition in Toronto from August 17th  – September 3rd , 2012.  Of course you may want to read the book too, especially if you are a dog lover.  It’s available at most libraries, and can be ordered from your favorite independent book seller.


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