Most of you have probably seen the Re-Seussification Project over at Betsy Bird’s blog, but having been away, I just caught it. What a fabulous series of mash-ups. Don’t miss it.
The Re-Seussification Project
04 Mar 2012 Leave a comment
in News Tags: Betsy Bird, children's book illustrations, mash-up, Re-Seussification Project
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
03 Mar 2012 Leave a comment
in News Tags: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Gauguin exhibit, SAM, Seattle
Just back from Seattle. Had an awesome time and it felt like we were there much longer than 3 days. I love staying downtown and being able to walk just about everywhere: to the market, the art gallery, restaurants, and jazz bars. Visited with my nephew, his wife, and my two sweet as can be great nieces, and ate really good, hand made pasta at a little restaurant they took us to. We also saw the fabulous Gauguin exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum (SAM). And we went to see Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at Jazz Alley. If you like that big swing band sound of the forties with lots of horns, they are well worth seeing. They’ve been together and unbelievable 19 years and their still cranking out great big band jazz tunes! If you didn’t catch them on Dancing With the Stars recently, here’s a taste of their music.
They’ve arrived!
27 Feb 2012 Leave a comment
in Events, For Educators, For Kids, For Parents, for teens, News Tags: Canadian Children's Book Centre, Canadian Children's Book Week, writing contest
I’ve been waiting for the stories from the 2012 Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s Writing Contest and I just got the call that they’ve arrived. I have stories from grade 4 again this year. Guess what I’ll be doing for the next while!
If you missed the contest deadline this year, there’s always 2013. And, don’t forget that dozens of authors and illustrators will be touring the country to promote books and reading all week long. Your school might even be lucky enough to be hosting a visiting author or illustrator.
Winning entries for the writing contest will be announced during Book Week, May 5-12.
Parent and Child’s 100 Greatest Books for Kids
25 Feb 2012 Leave a comment
in For Educators, For Kids, For Parents Tags: Parent and Child's 100 Greatest Books for Kids
Hurray, the 100 Greatest Books for Kids list from Parent and Child is out! But quite a few of my all time favs didn’t make the list. Here are a just a few great books that were passed over. There isn’t a single solitary Michael Morpurgo title on the list, which is a real shame as he’s such a fabulous writer. I love Dear Olly but there are others I love too. I can’t understand how The Golden Compass by the wonderful Philip Pullman could have been left off the list. Two of my favorite picture books didn’t make the list either, The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch and Bread and Jam for Francis by Russell. I was smitten with Silverwing by Kenneth Oppel, and I really really miss not having Beverly Cleary’s Ramona on the list not to mention Kit Pearson’s A Handful of Time.
There are others too, but, I’d be interested to find out which of your favorites were left out?
John Martz
24 Feb 2012 Leave a comment
in News Tags: Dear Flyary, Dianne Young, John Martz, Kids Can Press
Ok, I have to let you know about this fabulous illustrator/cartoonist I’ve just discovered, John Martz. I can’t say new, because he’s clearly been around for a while, but he’s new to books. Dear Flyary, written by Dianne Young, looks terrific judging by the trailer he posted on YouTube. It should be out next week with Kids Can Press and I can’t wait to read it.
Freedom to Read Week
24 Feb 2012 Leave a comment
in Events, For Educators, For Kids, For Parents, for teens, News Tags: Freedom to Read Week
It’s that time of 
the year again, the time when I remind you just how lucky we are to have the freedom to read what we choose. Freedom to Read Week is February 26-March 3. But our freedom to read is a fragile and tenuous thing that can be chipped away if we aren’t vigilant. Freedom to Read Week is one way to ensure that books that have been challenged or even banned, get our support.
Lawrence Hill Wins Freedom to Read Award
23 Feb 2012 Leave a comment
in News Tags: Freedom to Read Award, Lawrence Hill, The Book of Negroes, The Writers' Union of Canada
THE WRITERS’ UNION OF CANADA PRESENTS FREEDOM TO READ AWARD TO LAWRENCE HILL
Toronto – The Writers’ Union of Canada has just announced that the recipient of its 2012 Freedom to Read Award is the Canadian author Lawrence Hill.
“We are delighted that Lawrence Hill will be this year’s recipient,” said Greg Hollingshead, Chair of the Union. “We felt that he deserved this honour on the basis of his reasoned and eloquent response to the threat to burn his novel The Book of Negroes.”
The title The Book of Negroes is drawn from that of a 1783 historical document, which lists the names of Black Loyalists who, having fought for the British during the American Revolutionary War, were to be transported to Nova Scotia. Roy Groenburg of The Netherlands, finding the use of the word “Negro” in the title of Mr. Hill’s novel offensive, burned the cover and publicly threatened to burn the book.
In response, Mr. Hill offered to speak to Mr. Groenburg. He also wrote an op-ed piece in The Toronto Star, which said, in part, “Burning books is designed to intimidate people. It underestimates the intelligence of readers, stifles dialogue and insults those who cherish the freedom to read and write. The leaders of the Spanish Inquisition burned books, Nazis burned books.”
To this, Hollingshead adds, “It is important that during Freedom to Read Week we recognize individuals such as Lawrence Hill who speak out against challenges to this freedom.”
The recipient of the Union’s 2011 Freedom to Read Award was John Ralston Saul, who in 2009 was elected to the presidency of International PEN for a three-year term. The 2011 award will be presented on the evening of February 28 at the Book and Periodical Council’s Freedom to Read event at the Gladstone Hotel at 1214 Queen Street West in Toronto.
ABOUT THE WRITERS’ UNION OF CANADA
The Writers’ Union of Canada is our country’s national organization representing professional authors of books. Founded in 1973, the Union is dedicated to fostering writing in Canada, and promoting the rights, freedoms, and economic well-being of all writers.
Film project looking for writers
22 Feb 2012 Leave a comment
in Help for writers Tags: film producer, film project, Fran Neff
Fran Neff, a film producer in New Jersey is starting on a new project and is looking for writers. Right now there is no payment, but if the film is picked up there will be some compensation.
Here’s Fran:
As most of you know I am a Film Producer.
Here is what we want you to do if you would like to take part.
We’ve all lost someone very special to us. A husband, wife, parent, child or
friend, etc..
What if they could come back for just one more day? 24 hours.
The name of the project is called: “The Day”
What would you say to them?
What would you ask them?
How would you spend the 24 hours with them knowing they would be gone for good
after that?
If it was possible how would you spend that “one more day”?
Write a brief, but detailed story answering the question.
(The most 4 – 5 paragraphs if you can, but if you need more please do not let it turn into a Novel! LOL!)
Please send your stories to the following email address:
If we select your story you will be contacted.
Please put your information when sending your story. (Name, phone etc…).
If you wish to remain Anonymous please let us know and we will respect your wishes.
Thankful for The Canada Council and Public Lending Rights
21 Feb 2012 Leave a comment
in Help for writers, Writing Life Tags: Canada Council, Canadian Minister of Heritage and Official Languages, PLR Canada, Public Lending Rights
I am so thankful for The Canada Council who supports creators in all sorts of ways, including PLR or Public Lending Rights. The program pays an annual stippend to authors and illustrators whose books appear in Canadian libraries. The program samples libraries across the country for book titles and the more your titles are found, the greater the amount the creator(s) receive (although there is a reduction as the title ages and there is also a maximum amount granted per creator). It’s a fabulous program for creators and I urge all Canadian writers and illustrators who haven’t yet registered their books to do so here. If you aren’t an author, you are welcome to drop the current Minister of Heritage and Official Languages a line to let him know that you appreciate the support for the literary arts in Canada.
Sheryl McFarlane 