author of more than a dozen books for kids & teens
07 Nov 2012 Leave a comment
in News Tags: Susan Juby, Susin Nielsen, Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable, Vancouver Kids' Books, YA lit
If you plan to be in Vancouver on November 13, this is a must see. These two women are awesome young adult writers, but they’re both really funny. They’ll be at Vancouver Kidsbooks on West Broadway at 7pm. Beer, wine, cheese and chit chat are on the agenda.
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06 Nov 2012 Leave a comment
06 Nov 2012 Leave a comment
in Events
Last night’s launch at Bolen’s Books was wonderful. A full house. Of course, it was not without it’s quirks…the mall where Bolen’s is located is under construction. Just as we were about to start, we were given a warning that a building evacuation drill was about to start. Fortunately, we were given an exemption, so carried on.
Sheen Lott, the illustrator of Island Santa, and I were up first. I talked a little bit about the story behind the book, and the inspiration behind the story. I wanted everyone to know that the proceeds for Island Santa will go to support Jeneece Place, a home away from home for Island families who need to leave their communities to get medical services for their children. I was able to thank David Holmes, a veteran sea rescue coxswain who helped me chart the course that course of Santa’s boat at the draft stage of the book. While I’m familiar with the local water’s, it’s from a kayaker’s point of view. David kindly helped me calculate realistic time lines for a boat of the size of the Blue Fijord (Santa’s boat prior to it’s sinking in 2006). After I read a few pages, Sheena did the most succinct explanation of the illustration process I’ve ever heard.
Our mini-presentation was followed by short talks by five other Orca authors. It was a lovely evening.
05 Nov 2012 Leave a comment
Tonight at 7pm at Bolen’s Books at the Hillside Mall in Victoria, BC.
See you there…
02 Nov 2012 Leave a comment
in News
A blogger recently sent me the link to this lovely review of my first book, Waiting for the Whales. It’s wonderful to know that a book I wrote more than 20 years ago is still meaningful to today’s readers. If you’re on the lookout for a well-written blog for parents that covers everything from gluten-free recipes to book reviews to tips for getting through the day without sleep, you won’t be disappointed with Happy Little Feet.
02 Nov 2012 Leave a comment
in Events
Get a jump on your Christmas list with autographed books! Join us for the launch of seven new books for kids and teens at Bolen’s Books on Monday Nov. 5 at 7PM. 
22 Oct 2012 5 Comments
Tonight is long and hard. I am island because I live on an island. I am alone in my grief. The ferries don’t run until morning. The planes are grounded for the night. Surrounded by the beautiful Pacific and her rugged shores is something I have loved since I arrived here oh so many years ago. But not tonight. Tonight is a prison sentence. My mum is alone in a hospital bed in an ICU a thousand miles away and I am here. Family surround her, but I know in a way, that she is her own little island. When morning comes, I will be on a plane, but it will be late afternoon before I arrive. I hope that I am in time to sit by her bedside, hold her hand, and tell her that I love her. I hope and even though I long ago left my faith behind, I pray.
Here is a picture of mum and dad on their wedding day.
20 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in Award News
Vancouver, BC author and VCFA Faculty member Sarah Ellis has been nominated for the The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA), the world’s largest award for children’s and young adult literature. Sarah was chosen as one of 207 candidates from 67 countries. This award is named for Astrid Lindgren, one of Sweden’s most important authors.
The recipient or recipients of the 2013 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award will be announced on 26 March 2013 at 1 pm.
We’re rooting for you Sarah!
18 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in Events, For Educators, For Parents
Author Pamela Porter
Monday Oct. 22nd, 7:30 pm at the Victoria Children’s Literature Roundtable
Pamela is the author of four collections of poetry, two verse novels, and a novel and picture book for children. Her most recent verse novel, I’ll Be Watching (2011), was shortlisted for the 2012 Bolen Books Children’s Book Prize.
Pamela’s first verse novel, The Crazy Man, won the 2005 Governor General’s Award, the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, the Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children Award, and other accolades.
Pamela lives in North Saanich with her family and a menagerie of rescued horses, dogs, and cats, including a formerly wild mustang.
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 Tall Tales 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:
16 Oct 2012 2 Comments
in News
What a busy few days…my leaky roof has a temporary fix, my mini-library got hit by a winter storm it’s books are drying out in front of my fireplace, and I hosted one of my dearest Gulf Island friends overnight and taken her in to the hospital bright and early this morning to have knee replacement surgery. I’ll be heading back to see her this afternoon before catching the second presidential debate, and then again tomorrow before I head off to Vancouver and a writing workshop with the ever effervescent, joyful and lip-slippery Sheree Fitch, author of Maple Murple, No Two Snowflakes and many other fine books for children and adults.
In the meantime, I’ll be pondering on how to keep my little library open through the wild windy wet weather of the west coast. I’d love to build a little house for it, but sadly, I lack the skill set…but feel free to send your ‘easy and inexpensive to build’ solutions my way.
Sheryl McFarlane 