The new Harry Potter movie comes out tonight at midnight. Kids and adults who are now old enough to have grown up with Harry Potter will be lining up to catch the last in what has been a decade long dance with book characters that have become larger than life. Here’s what what of my fav. local humor writers had to say.
The last big screen Harry Potter
14 Jul 2011 Leave a comment
in News Tags: film versus books, Harry Potter
Big Sisters
13 Jul 2011 Leave a comment
What a treat. My daughter Cloe, who has been a Big Sister for about 5 years now, brought her Little Sister home for a visit. They went bike riding, toured downtown, picked strawberries in my back garden, went for a hike and walked to Willows Beach. We only managed to make one pancake breakfast, but we did sneak in a BBQ between rain showers yesterday. I was sad to have to put them onto the ferry this afternoon, but at least I was able to send Nomi home with piles of books as she’s an avid reader.
If you have a spare bit of time, Big Sisters and Big Brothers need you. You can make an incredible difference in a young person’s life. Don’t wait, sign up today.
This was a wedding weekend
10 Jul 2011 Leave a comment
in News
This weekend I went to Devon and Channa’s wedding. They were so beautiful dancing together that it made me cry, hence the slightly out of focus picture. It’s so wonderful to watch my daughter’s friends grow up and I love that I’m still so connected to them. 
- My daughter Cloe & I at Channa’s wedding
- Daniel, Cloe & Channa…still best friends.
Daniel & I. These beautiful bridal bouquets came from Daniel's & my gardens
A brand new deck…well almost
08 Jul 2011 1 Comment
I’m finally finished. It took three days and three of us to clear, power wash, re-stain and put all the plant pots back on the miles of deck I have . I think the biggest job was moving the 25 or so very heavy ceramic plant pots off and back on the deck. Or, maybe it was doing all the edging. With decking on three of four sides of my house there was a lot of edging! I meant to take before, during and after pictures but I forgot. I did get one in process picture and here is one of the finished work…it looks so good. Now I can relax and just enjoy it with friends, or a good book and a glass of wine…if it would only stop raining!
Maureen Johnson podcast
07 Jul 2011 Leave a comment
in Uncategorized Tags: Maureen Johnson, podcast, Young Adult Literature
I’m delighted that Meghan Cox Gurdon’s recent condemnation of dark young adult novels did not go unchallenged. Fortunately, the blogosphere rallied to defend literature that may be dark, but is relevant to many young people’s experiences (self-harm, drug use, rape, suicide, etc.). For some young readers, such literature may offer eye-opening insights, or even be a life-saver. To hear more on the subject, you may want check out the following podcast with Maureen Johnson, who has been a strong advocate for young adult literature.
Cornelia Funke’s List of 10 top fairytales
06 Jul 2011 Leave a comment
in Uncategorized Tags: Cornelia Funke, Fairy Tales
I came across this article about Cornelia Funke’s top ten list of fairytales in the Guardian. http://gu.com/p/3vc7d I find it an interesting list. I don’t think that most of us in North America would have much overlap, and some of them I haven’t even heard of. My all time favorite fairytale, The Siix Swans, was on her list though.
3. The Mistress of Copper Mountain
4. The Story of a Boy Who Went Forth to Learn Fear
5. Gold Foot
7. The Birthday of the Infanta
8. Donkeyskin
9. Merlin and Vivien, as told in Brittany
10. Dreamfighter and Other Creation Tales by Ted Hughes
Antiques
01 Jul 2011 Leave a comment
Happy Canada Day!
This car rolled off the assembly line when I was a year old. I think we're both holding up pretty well!
Canada Day started out with strawberry shortcake at Jeanne & Dawson’s followed by a stroll along the waterway of the Gorge where I dragon boat on Mondays and Wednesdays. We enjoyed the sunshine, antique car show, and junk food in the form of hot dogs.
2011 Canadian Roundtable Information Book Award Short-list
01 Jul 2011 Leave a comment
in Award News
One of these fantastic information books will be our next winner.
You must be a Roundtable member to vote, so what are you waiting for…join today…it’s inexpensive, and you’ll be supporting and promoting literature in Canada. For more information, visit http://vancouverchildrenslitroundtable.wordpress.com/
2011 Best Books for Kids & Teens; Another reason to join CCBC
30 Jun 2011 Leave a comment
The Canadian Children‚s Book Centre Presents Best Books for Kids & Teens 2011
TORONTO, JUNE 30, 2011 ˆ The Canadian Children‚s Book Centre is pleased to
announce that the publication of the 35th annual guide to the best books for
children and young adults — Best Books for Kids & Teens 2011. This respected
guide (formerly known as Our Choice) contains over 325 titles for readers from
toddler to teen.
All of the titles in Best Books for Kids & Teens have been handpicked by
expert committees of educators, booksellers, school and public librarians from
across Canada. The reviewed materials include picture books, audio books,
graphic novels, and powerful teen fiction.
Best Books for Kids and Teens can be purchased at select bookstores and online
at: http://www.bookcentre.ca/best_books_for_kids_and_teens/2011.
CCBC members will receive a copy of Best Books for Kids & Teens as part of
their membership package, as will subscribers to Canadian Children‚s Book News
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) is a national, not-for-profit
organization founded in 1976. We are dedicated to encouraging, promoting and
supporting the reading, writing, illustrating and publishing of Canadian books
for young readers. Our programs, publications, and resources help teachers,
librarians, booksellers and parents select the very best for young readers.
For more information visit http://www.bookcentre.ca.
For further information contact:
Holly Kent
Sales and Marketing Manager
Canadian Children‚s Book Centre
416 975-0010 ext. 221
holly@bookcentre.ca
I passed by Vancouver’s sympathy riot wall…
24 Jun 2011 Leave a comment
in News
Some of you may not have heard, but the last game of Stanley Cup finals for hockey took place in Vancouver, BC last week. When Vancouver lost the game, a riot ensued. It was a little shocking, but shouldn’t be a huge surprise given that 100,000 people were (many of them young males full of testosterone and alcohol). There are huge questions about about why, but the thing that really impressed me was that huge number of people who showed up the next day, alerted through social media sites, to clean up. A spontaneous outpouring has ensued on the boarded up windows that were smashed. Words are powerful tools for healing, even after something so terrible. Yesterday I was in Vancouver and I passed by some the boarded up shops wall where thousands have posted about what a fabulous city Vancouver is despite the riot. Here are a few pictures I snapped.
Sheryl McFarlane 
