Volume 40 Number 2 Spring 2018 ISSN0708-594X

IN THIS ISSUE • I@ABCDEFG@H EIGJ SKLB • SLFC@D CKN@FLO – Gillian O’Reilly • TKL CSARN ML@ACBOKGY PBCHBNI – Sylvia McNicoll Plus all of our regular features Logo variation by Barbara Hartmann

Introducing… Emil Sher By Heather Camlot “Sometimes you can feel old-sweatshirt comfortable with someone you just met and two- left-shoes awkward with people you’ve known for ages,” says T—, the protagonist in Emil Sher’s Young Man with Camera, describing how he feels about his new school librarian. I feel the same way about Emil. I had met Emil a year ago at the Forest Festival of Trees party in Toronto. As these things go, we spoke long enough to establish that we were both from Montreal. But when I contacted him last summer to discuss his participation in CANSCAIP’s Packaging Your Imagination (PYI), we quickly learned just how much in common we have, from living blocks apart, to our fathers growing up in the same neighbourhood, to our favourite place on earth—our parents’ cottages in the Quebec Laurentians, some 30 minutes from By the time we re-met at PYI, I felt old-sweatshirt each other. comfortable, like I had known Emil my whole life. And by the time I finished interviewing him for That makes a lot of sense. The world isn’t full of this profile, our commonalities grew so large that happy endings, so why do we disproportionately he commented on Twitter: “If our small world gets need them in our fiction? The back cover quote by any smaller it’ll fit into our hands.” author Gary D. Schmidt, whom we both (not It’s a captivating phrase that exemplifies the surprisingly) adore, reads: “It reminds us that Art poetic beauty of Emil’s writing, regardless of always confronts, and sometimes confounds, whether he’s crafting a novel, a picture book, a Darkness.” Emil smiles. “I love that quote. To have poem, a play, a film, a radio drama—or a tweet. an author whose work I love affirm my And for his writing, he has intentions… he got it.” accumulated numerous honours, “I think part of the including a Canadian problem with bad writing Into the darkness Screenwriting Award, a gold medal for children is it’s too black Darkness seems to be a common at the New York International and white. I write in the thread in Emil’s work. With the Festival and a Governor’s General greys…We underestimate exception of his musical adaptation nomination. of Roch Carrier’s picture book The Emil has a way of turning a a child’s need to confront Hockey Sweater and to a lesser phrase and playing with words that and ultimately understand extent the children’s play Bluenose, reminds me of Norton Juster and that there is darkness in his oeuvre on the whole is quite his classic novel The Phantom this world… Books can serious, with topics ranging from Tollbooth. They both write with an help us navigate through the Holocaust to mercy killing to unapologetic love of language. the darkness.” bullying. While not all of these “After I started getting stung works are for children, he says that with names, I twisted their sharp ends into writers shouldn’t be afraid of the darkness and something too round to cut,” T— says in Young shouldn’t draw a line between older and younger Man with Camera. “In the first grade I turned audiences. Moron! into Morondo. In fifth grade, Retard! “I think part of the problem with bad writing became Retardo. Adding an o softens things. for children is it’s too black and white. I write in Otherwise we’d say ‘Hell’ every time we answer the the greys. And they inherently know that life is phone.” grey,” he explains. “We underestimate a child’s Emil and I start our conversation with Young need to confront and ultimately understand that Man, the young adult novel that Emil says he paid there is darkness in this world, and that’s okay. a price for. The ending angered many people. It That’s the joy of writing. Books can help us made me mad the first time I read it; it made me navigate through the darkness.” That said, mad the second time as well. “I think for every kid children’s literature should never be part of a who makes an active choice that will affirm solution to a problem, but a doorway into something within us as readers, there are probably understanding who we can become, he says. half a dozen who don’t make those decisions. The “We’re all works in progress, and literature can decision that T— makes is rooted in who he is. It’s inch us further along that road. We are complex, a true decision. I don’t regret making that truth,” we are fallible, we are layered. And books can help Emil explains. “But ask yourself, why am I so us discover this.” frustrated with T—? Why am I so angry with T—? The best place to see the darkness is from the I would rather provoke anger or dissatisfaction margins of society: T— is marginalized because of than indifference.” his scars, Hana Brady in Hana’s Suitcase is

2 marginalized because of her religion. If you’re in characters he wants to invest in. He points to the middle of things, Emil explains, you can’t see Hana’s Suitcase by Karen Levine and the beautiful the big picture, but staying on the edge and relationship of a brother and sister sent to writing from that edge gives one an invaluable Theresienstadt concentration camp in perspective into human nature and how we treat Czechoslovakia; to The Boy in the Moon by Ian and mistreat one another. He finds the people on Brown and the journey of two parents to raise a the margins quite compelling—why are they severely disabled son; to Edward the “Crazy Man” there? By chance? By circumstance? by Marie Day about a boy’s attempt to help a man He says, however, that he with schizophrenia. They don’t would never dwell in the have to be loveable, or even darkness. There has to be likeable characters, but if he’s enough light to give readers going to spend time with them, hope and to show us that we he has to be touched by their can get through this. If you go company. beyond the margins, there is an He also likes to work with absence of light; too far in and themes. The Hockey Sweater is you’re blinded by it. about identity, Hana’s Suitcase is about hope. A theme helps From page to stage guide the challenge of preserving and transforming The funny thing is, Emil is the world of the story. The incredibly funny. His is a self- theatrical production must be a deprecating humour, a well- different experience, but one crafted one-liner. When I that is hopefully as meaningful emailed him from Montreal as the original experience. while attending The Hockey In Hana’s Suitcase, Emil includes a screen Sweater: A Musical, he replied, “I’ll be thrilled if projection. In the stage direction, he writes: “A you hang around for the second act.” The play single name—an inmate at Theresienstadt— received a standing ovation. And get this: Emil was appears then fades on the screen. Another name a warm-up act for Jim Carrey at a Montreal appears, then fades. The names appear and fade, comedy club. We list other people who write dark one at a time.” but are hilarious in person, like director Atom The people are here, then they are not. Egoyan and author Michael Redhill. “Humour is “Some audience members will get it in a far more challenging to pull off, and it isn’t taken moment, some will get it weeks later, some may as seriously. Maybe that’s why I’ve resisted,” Emil never fill in the blanks, but I absolutely want says. “When humour fails, it fails miserably, when subtext, I want the reader or audience member to drama fails, it’s not as deep. But I probably should. fill in the blanks as they choose to. Or they may It would make for a more compelling balance.” He not,” Emil says. certainly pulled off humour with The Hockey He’ll read a book several times and highlight Sweater, with lines like “God loves everyone. Even what he finds theatrical about it, what works in the Maple Leafs” and the surprise reveal of what terms of character, what specific lines of dialogue the priest wears under his cloak (I’m not telling). are gorgeous, what aspects of this written world he Which brings about the discussion of turning wants to preserve on the stage, which can also be books into plays. The first thing Emil looks for is

3 depicted visually, through set, costume and A world of his own direction. “It’s like clay,” Emil says. “I have to shape His own story ideas come from various places. The it into something else.” picture book Away, recently named to the 2018 He begins the structure by writing scenes on USBBY Outstanding International Books List, tells post-it notes and then rearranging those post-its the story of a child who refuses to go to sleep-away in terms of moments, which he does with his camp, all conveyed through post-in notes. It was fiction as well. Another shared technique: he inspired by a New York Times essay about a boy doesn’t write linearly. “If I have an idea for scene who lost his mother and then discovered that she seven, I’ll write scene seven. I’m had laminated the little notes not going to wait until I reach they had left each other. The that scene.” He also doesn’t wait play Mourning Dove, in which a until a scene is perfect to move father loves his severely on. He needs the work to be disabled daughter so much complete, even if messy, in that he takes her life, was order to finesse. “You have to inspired by the case of have a world to pull apart.” Saskatchewan farmer Robert If you’ve seen The Hockey Latimer. Other stories, such as Sweater or Hana’s Suitcase on Young Man, just show up and stage, you’ll know that Emil the magical process begins. pulled them apart and rebuilt That process includes plotting them. For example, in the and knowing the broad arc, but former, Emil created a father not creating a detailed outline. figure for protagonist young Instead, Emil creates what he Roch; in the latter, the Small calls a blueprint, akin to a Wings, the group of tenacious bulleted list, whether he’s Tokyo schoolchildren working on a board book or a demanding more information 42,000-word novel. “It’s about Hana Brady, are liberating for me. I have a sense represented by just two. of where it’s going, but the I wondered if he worried what those who loved freedom to not know where it’s going.” the books would think. “Faithfulness doesn’t make Same with his characters. He doesn’t know a good play,” he says. “Once you choose to adapt, them very well when he begins, but with the you have to be at peace with that. We honoured writing process he gets to know them better. “I the spirit of [The Hockey Sweater] and we made leave enough wiggle room to allow them to tell me choices that were true to the book and to the how the story will progress and I learn so much world of the story. [Roch Carrier, Ian Brown and about them in the writing.” George Brady—Hana’s brother] all said ‘Go make What he does know about his characters is they this world your own.’ It’s a relief that an author usually have to make a choice and there are likes it, but at the end of the day, I’m beholden to consequences that stem from that choice. In his the story.” work-in-progress YA novel, when a young man involved in a hit-and-run discovers who the victim is, he knows he must come clean despite the ramifications. In The Hockey Sweater, young Roch

4 must wear the appalling Maple Leafs jersey (a lack A loss of words of choice in this case) and must deal with the dire Emil calls writing “agonizing” and “frustrating” repercussions. (Emil and I remain staunch and a “joyous struggle.” He calls revising Montrealers even though we live in Toronto; my “rewriting,” a process that usually involves a radical choice of “appalling” is quite accurate.) restructuring and abandoning characters and For Emil, giving voice to characters is at the scenes. heart of his writing; voices to people who have He had great training while editing books for stories to tell, but who might not believe they are CBC Radio One’s “Between the Covers,” which worth telling, who we may not serialized Canadian literature. think are people who have things to “We’re all works in There, he had to cut books in half say, who we might not always hear. progress, and literature can and determine what was essential This sense of social justice— inch us further along that to the story. He saw just how many choices and consequences, voice to road. We are complex, we detours a book could take, would the voiceless—runs through much are fallible, we are layered. wonder where the editor had been, of Emil’s work and was a part of his and learned just how invaluable a upbringing. His mother was a And books can help us good editor can be. special education teacher and discover this.” He is very open to having another Holocaust survivor who shared her set of eyes on his work. “I have no sense of story with rapt listeners at the Montreal Holocaust ownership when it comes to my stories,” he says, Memorial Centre. While he wasn’t raised in a happily pointing to everyone who makes a book particularly religious household, he does say that (or play) happen, from editor, to illustrator to the notion of social justice always hovered designer and more. “I will fight for what I believe overhead. “I was always aware that Jews were at the is important to me, but I have very thick skin.” forefront of change. It’s not exclusive to Judaism of He praises his editors, including Rick Wilks at course, but it makes me give second thought to Annick Press (A Button Story, A Pebble Story), the something that is always fleeting.” late Sheila Barry of Groundwood Books (Away) His childhood home was infused with culture, and Anne Shone at Scholastic Canada (Young Man in which plays and books were prized. He still with Camera, Mittens to Share), and insists his remembers being affected by Charlotte’s Web in achievements comes from patience, perseverance grade three, as well as by Jean Craighead George’s and a lack of ego. “I think I’m a good writer, but I My Side of the Mountain about a boy trying to live think success comes to those who are left standing. in the woods and by Sydney Gordon’s The Scalpel People are worn down. People become cynical. I and the Sword about Dr. Norman Bethune. Like refuse to become cynical,” he says. “There are those books, Emil strives to tell a story with stories that will not be told, but let’s rejoice in the meaning, a story that matters. “Stories should ones that are. I’m so inspired by my peers—we’re move us and move us towards another place where still doing this despite the odds.” we contemplate questions we haven’t After three hours in a local café on a chilly day contemplated before.” He uses Hana’s Suitcase as talking craft and building up that list of an example. “You don’t have to understand it—I’m commonalities (vegetarian, same sleep-away 58 and I still don’t understand it. But I do know it’s camp, married by the same rabbi… ) it’s time to full of hope.” wrap up. He was surprised that I have 2,500 words to write, noting he’s not worth more than 500.

5 He’s so blatantly wrong, but his humility and humour keep me from arguing. So much more can be written about Emil; his early career, his family, his generosity, the librarian who called Young Man “sickening,” to name a few. But every story must come to an end. Or does it? A few days after the interview, Emil emails me with post-interview thoughts and one of his works-in- progress—a humorous middle-grade novel. A new chapter has begun.

HEATHER CAMLOT is the author of the middle- grade novel Clutch, which has been nominated by the Ontario Library Association for the 2018 Silver Birch Fiction Award and was named a 2017 Best Book by Kirkus Reviews. She is the speaker coordinator for CANSCAIP’s Packaging Your Imagination conference as well as a journalist, editor and translator. For more information, please visit her website at www.heathercamlot.com.

6 Congratulations CANSCAIP Members! ORDER OF CANADA

Jan Andrews has been posthumously named a Member of the Order of Canada in recognition of her “devotion to preserving our oral literature [that] enriched Canada’s cultural life.”

The Canadian Children’s Literature Roundtable’s Information Book Award Jan Thornhill for The Tragic Tale of the Great Auk (Groundwood Books) The Canadian Children’s Literature Roundtable’s Information Book Award Honour Book Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch with Tuan Ho for Adrift At Sea: A Vietnamese Boy’s Story of Survival (Pajama Press)

7 CANSCAIP SASK HORIZONS Report: Our first “First Thousand Words Editing Fundraiser” was an NOTEWORTHY amazing success! Originally proposed by Alice WRITING FOR CHILDREN COMPETITION Kuipers, a member of the Prairie Horizons 2019 CANSCAIP is pleased to announce the winners Conference organizing committee, the idea was and finalists of the 20th annual Writing for that people could submit the first thousand words Children Competition. Each of the winners of their manuscript and one of our five volunteer receives $1,000. CANSCAIP sends the winning and editors would give them feedback for a fee. The finalist entries to publishers Annick Press, Kids editors, all published authors themselves, were Can Press and Scholastic Canada. Alice Kuipers, Alison Lohans, Gillian Richardson, Miriam Körner and Sharon Plumb Hamilton. The WINNER Picture Book/Early Reader fundraiser only ran in January, and the organizers Kate (A. K.) Riley for “Snow Song” hoped for 20 or so submissions. They FINALISTS Picture Book/Early Reader underestimated… by a lot! 98 people submitted • Carlynne Kobewka for “Watson Goes Camping” 120 manuscript beginnings! The editors were • Laurie Malabar for “A Perfect Fit” impressed with the quality of the writing • Erin Silver for ‘The Slap Shot” submitted, and the writers were impressed with • Margara Zuleta for “Cheel” the excellent feedback they received. Win-win! Add another win, because over $3000 was raised WINNER Chapter Book/Middle Grade/ which will go towards future CANSCAIP Prairie Young Adult Horizons conferences. Thanks to our hard- Kim Woolcock for “Rise” working editors and to all the CANSCAIP FINALISTS Chapter Book/Middle Grade/ members who submitted something and/or Young Adult passed the word around. We hope to run this • Rita Bailey for “Blood upon the Rose” fundraiser again next January. • Mary Pocrnic for “Bird Brain” Also of interest: Meet Our Members! Every • Falon Reed for “Shadow of the Moon” two weeks, another of our members is profiled on • Brian Slattery for “I Am the Notorious Ninja our website. Take a peek into their writing spaces Thief” and processes. skcanscaip.wordpress.com. The 2017 Writing for Children Competition And looking ahead, save this date: Prairie received almost 300 entries. All the entries were Horizons Conference - May 17-19, 2019. evaluated by first-round readers who selected USING SOCIAL MEDIA: From time to time entries to proceed to second-round. The second- CANSCAIP would like to help promote its round readers selected entries to proceed to the Members and Friends and their work on our social jury, and the juries selected two winners and eight media, through #FollowFriday as well as other finalists. Everyone who entered the Competition campaigns. Do you know of a CANSCAIP Member will receive their evaluation comments. or Friend whose work (behind-the-scenes or The next Writing for Children Competition public) you admire and feel deserves more opens in March. Deadline for entries: May 31, recognition? Or are you a Member or Friend who 2018. For complete details go to would appreciate a shout-out? If so, please fill out www.canscaip.org. this form. We promise your info will not be shared

8 with any third parties. And be sure to follow use, here are the specifics: Digital submission is CANSCAIP on Twitter and Facebook. preferred, so scan your art at 300 dpi and email the file to offi[email protected]. Put CANSCAIP Logo FOLLOW CANSCAIP: Looking for some new Submission in the subject line. We’d love to have friends? There is now a handy page on the colourful, playful art. Those who find scanning a CANSCAIP website where the Twitter handles of challenge can send paper art to the CANSCAIP our professional members are listed (http:// office. canscaip.org/page-1862893). Let’s follow each other and help promote each other’s work. Follow CANSCAIP @CANSCAIP. MEET CONNECT SHARE! FINDING CANADIAN BOOKS: 49thShelf.com is a website devoted to Canadian children’s books. Produced by the Association of Canadian Publishers together with the Canadian Publishers’ Council, and with funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Ontario Media Development Corporation and a lead sponsorship from Amazon.ca., its purpose is to make it easier for readers to discover Canadian books in all Never miss a meeting: www.canscaip.org/ genres, from bestselling authors to new talent, EventsCalendar! Add CANSCAIP events from publishers large and small, from all regions straight to your calendar or inbox with of the country. handy RSS and calendar tools. CREATIVE WRITING: If you are teaching a course Montreal: CANSCAIP meetings are held in writing or illustration for the children’s market, regularly. For more information, contact we’d love to send you a package of brochures Carol-Ann Hoyte. [email protected] about CANSCAIP and about Packaging Your Toronto: Meetings are held on the second Imagination to distribute to your students. Wednesday of each month, ten times a year Email our office (offi[email protected]) to let (no meetings in July or August). Meetings in Helena Aalto know how many you may need. 2018: April 11, May 9, June 13, September 12, October 10, November 14, December 12. See LOGO VARIATION: Our front-page logo variation website for location and topic: is by Barbara Hartmann. You can see more of her www.canscaip.org/Monthly-Meetings. work in The Abaleda Voluntary Firehouse Band (by Dianne Young) and Fishes In the Ocean (by Magee Saskatchewan: Holds virtual meetings Spicer and Richard Thompson). monthly on the 15XY. Your Saskatchewan representative is Sharon Plumb Hamilton. ILLUSTRATORS: We are looking for more logo skcanscaip.wordpress.com. variations to dress up the NEWS. For inspiration, you can view our current ones at the logo site on our home page (and see below). If you are a full CANSCAIP member/illustrator and would like to submit your version for possible

9 expected worksheets with adjective/adverb exercises, red pencil marking, goals and learning objectives and outcomes clearly defined. They From the needed evaluation tools, and were inclined to think that the students were… well… having too by Sharon JenningsPresident’s Desk much fun. That afternoon, these two women followed me A few years ago, I was invited to a Canadian around to my classes, making notes. Thank International School in an Asian country. I spent goodness the kids were still very enthusiastic, and almost three weeks abroad, all expenses paid we had some really terrific sessions taking up the above and beyond salary and, as stories that I had asked them to well, the owner/principal of the write. The owner of the school school organized and paid for showed up at the last class of the several excursions and fabulous day—grade six—and (given what I dinners. assumed she’d been told), was It was the best of times, but… really pleased at how engaged and I’ve never worked so hard in my attentive the kids were. I’d given life! The classes were small, eight to them a bare-bones haunted house twelve students, and I assumed paragraph a couple of days ago and incorrectly that classes would be asked them to rewrite it using combined for my sessions. The description that brought in all five principal, however, wanted each Photo by Debbie Ridpath Ohi (six?) senses. They did so with tiny class to have me to themselves, gusto. One vice principal said (and and so I did six to eight sessions every day, ranging I quote because I’ve never forgotten the sweet taste from JK to grade six, with a few toddler groups of victory), “The story is better.” “No,” I corrected. thrown in. Over my stay, I visited each class four to “The story is stronger.” The owner of the school five times. Keeping track of what I did and said said, “Stronger. That’s the right word.” As Sheldon and assigned to each class was a job in itself. Cooper would say: “Bazinga!” It was fun. The kids liked my stories and Long story short: the teachers expressed thanks assignments and cheered when I walked into the for the insights from a “real” writer about writing, room. They chased me in the schoolyard, begged the vice principals left me alone, the owner never to talk to me, asked me to read again and again, mentioned the ‘problem’, and I wasn’t sent home and they each bought several copies of books that in disgrace. the school had ordered for my visit. What could go I might have dismissed this as a wrong? misunderstanding about an author visit, except At the end of the first week, two of the vice that this wasn’t the only time that I’ve encountered principals sat down with me at lunch and the expectation that creators of children’s books informed me that I was a disappointment, not should present as if we are consultants sent from worth the money, and in short, not what they the Board of Education to assist the classroom expected. What they expected was someone who teacher. Over the years, I’ve heard a few speakers would teach writing in the same fashion as the urge us to dovetail our school presentations with curriculum guidelines that they followed. They curriculum requirements and use educational

10 jargon. Why? If we were doctors or police officers, knowledge and techniques, and engage the learner would we have to do so? Of course not; we’d talk in a different way. And perhaps any confusion can about how we do our jobs. be cleared up quite easily: if you’re invited in to That’s how I’ve always approached a school teach writing, explain that you will teach how to workshop or a gig as a writer-in-residence—as a write a story. § professional writer talking about my job and sharing my process. So I talk about brainstorming Writing for Children Competition 2018 an idea and researching a topic. We go through the CANSCAIP (Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, revision of a scene, paragraph, or even a single Illustrators and Performers) welcomes entries by sentence, and I explain ‘show don’t tell’. I talk unpublished writers for the 21st annual Writing for about tags and beats in dialogue, elastic time, in Children Competition. medias res, and opening hooks, ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’ level Two winners will be awarded $750 for a picture characters and inciting incidents. I underscore the book/early reader entry and a chapter book/middle amount of editing I do, and the number of drafts I grade/young adult entry. Eight finalists will also be write, because I know that I’m giving a useful prod selected. to the teachers: “Remember how many times All writers will receive feedback from the readers Sharon edits!” And, as part of the value of an who evaluate the entries. CANSCAIP submits the author visit, I always leave the teacher with ideas winners and finalists to publishers Annick Press, Kids for creative writing assignments. Can Press, and Scholastic Canada for their But I can’t pretend to knowledge and training consideration. Some Writing for Children that I don’t have. I can’t use educational Competition winners and finalists have been vocabulary instead of my author jargon. Teaching published. is hard work, and the best teachers are always ELIGIBLE WRITERS upgrading their skills. I can’t walk into a classroom • Unpublished writers who do not have a and fake an expertise I haven’t acquired. published book or e-book in any genre, and who My goal with any author visit is to fire up the do not have a contract with a publisher for a students about books and capital “S” Story, about future book reading and writing. I want kids racing to the library bookshelves, anxious to find out what • Self-published writers whose book has sold happened next in the story I didn’t finish reading fewer than 100 copies aloud. By sharing how my stories got started—the • Writers who are over the age of 18, and are true life event that got me thinking—I hope to citizens or permanent residents of Canada encourage them to be alert to story possibilities. • Writers with an entry in a previous Writing for I want kids to discover that books reflect their Children Competition can re-submit that entry, experiences, and I want them to understand that and/or submit a new entry. they, too, can be writers. Naturally, as mentioned ENTRY FEE: $30 for one entry, $50 for two entries, above, I share some of the tools real authors use, $75 for three entries. and urge the kids to get started. And yes, I do want For further details as well as complete information them to have ‘too much fun’! on HOW TO SUBMIT ENTRIES please go to Perhaps, after all, we are consultants in the www.canscaip.org. classroom, just not the way my International DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES is midnight May 31, 2018. School principals expected. We impart new

11 first. A combination of printmaking, mixed media, collage and little felted puppets, animate the Welcome! stories Claudine weaves. She moves between by Monique Polak mediums, exploring new ways of communicating with words and imagery. She loves the forced In this column we welcome our newest limitations of the picture book and that each is its Members. own little world tucked between covers. Her books ANTONIA BANYARD is include Priscilla Pack Rat: Making Room for the author of one novel Friendship (Magination Press/American for adults, Never Going Psychological Association 2017). Back, and three non- ANDREW LARSEN lives in fiction books for middle a Toronto readers: Dangerous neighbourhood that has Crossings!, and (co- tall trees, old houses and authored with Paula lots of stories. He lives Ayer) Water Wow!: An with his wife and two Infographic Exploration, children. Sometimes and Eat Up!: An Andrew goes looking for Infographic Exploration of Food. She has a BA stories and sometimes (University of Victoria) and a M.Phil (University of stories come looking for Queensland), both in creative writing. Antonia has him. As a boy, Andrew worked in book publishing or graphic design for dreamt of being a hockey player. His first job was 20-plus years. She immigrated to Canada from delivering newspapers to the houses in his Zambia as a child, and currently lives in Nelson, neighbourhood. He has had many jobs over the BC. years, but once he started a family, Andrew CLAUDINE CRANGLE’s discovered his true calling: he became a stay-at- first published piece was home dad and started writing stories. He still loves a short story in her to skate. Andrew spends his days cooking, school newspaper when cleaning, daydreaming and writing. He often visits she was in grade three. schools and libraries, where he encourages All historical references children to discover their own stories. Andrew’s for “How Christopher many titles include Bella and the Bunny (Kids Can Columbus Discovered Press 2007), The Man Who Loved Libraries: The America” were Story of Andrew Carnegie (Owlkids Books 2017) unconsciously lifted and The Bagel King (Kids Can Press 2018). from the lyrics of a Bob COLLEEN NELSON is the author of YA novels Pulse Dylan song. The story got laughs, but the purple Point (Yellow Dog 2018), Sadia (Dundurn 2018), mimeograph reproduction didn’t do justice to Blood Brothers (Dundurn 2017), Finding Hope Claudine’s drawings. Writing and illustration go (Dundurn 2016), 250 Hours (2015), The Fall (2013) hand in hand for Claudine. As she writes, she and Tori by Design (2011). The Fall and Tori by imagines how the idea will be communicated and Design both won the McNally Robinson Book of furthered with imagery. The image often comes

12 the Year Award. The Fall novels and picture was also nominated for books, including Words the White Pine Award. That Start With B, Love Currently living in is a Four-Letter Word Winnipeg with her and Days That End in Y. husband, two young sons Frequently referred to as and three grown “Canada’s Judy Blume,” stepchildren, Colleen Vikki’s novels Summer manages to eke out time Days, Starry Nights and every day to write, but The Winnowing were usually in the early both finalists for the Red morning after a strong cup of coffee. A junior high Maple Award. If I Had a Gryphon is her first school teacher for ten years before having picture book. After obtaining an MA in Children’s children, Colleen is familiar and comfortable with Literature from UBC, Vikki’s career began in the tricky phase of life called “adolescence.” Now a bookselling at The Flying Dragon Bookshop, teacher-librarian in Winnipeg, Colleen is which earned her the 2011 CBA Young Bookseller constantly on the lookout for books that will catch of the Year award. Currently she balances writing the attention of her reading-reluctant sons. with her duties as the Marketing and Publicity Manager for Young Readers at Penguin Random MELIKA SAEEDA grew up in Tehran. As a child, she House Canada. spent hours flipping through magazines and getting lost in the illustrations. In 1991, she began DANIELLE YOUNGE-ULLMAN is the author of the painting at an art university. After getting her BFA, YA novel, Everything Beautiful Is Not Ruined. she studied graphic design at Tehran’s TM Originally published by Viking (US) and Razorbill University. She also started freelancing in (Canada), Everything Beautiful Is Not Ruined has illustration, beginning with children's magazines also been published in France, UK, Denmark, and books. Eventually she became art director of Italy, Sweden and Holland, and was a finalist for one of her favourite magazines from her the 2017 Governor General’s Literary Award, ALA’s childhood. Over the past 10 years she has Best Fiction Young Adult of 2017, and the Prix illustrated more than 30 children's books in Jeunesse des Libraires du Quebec, 2017, and was Turkey and Iran, and many of her illustrations also named on of CBC’s Best Books of 2017. have appeared in Iranian children's magazines. Danielle’s other work includes the YA novel, Lola Her works have been shown at exhibitions and Carlyle’s 12 Step Romance (Entangled Teen/ book fairs in Iran, the Emirates and South Korea. Macmillan, 2015), the adult novel, Falling Under Melika’s style draws upon elements of traditional (Penguin, 2008), and her short story, Persian miniatures. She loves to experiment with “Reconciliation” was published in Modern Morsels, new media in an effort to appeal to children, like a McGraw-Hill Anthology for young adults, in the girl who was inspired by those magazines so 2012. Danielle lives in Toronto. § many years ago.

VIKKI VAN SICKLE is a devoted member of the Canadian children’s book industry. She is the author of a number of acclaimed middle grade

13 Book Week, Sylvia has been invited to participate NEWS ROUNDUP in a local Young Authors Conference organized by the Kamloops/Thompson School District. Sylvia By Elizabeth MacLeod says it will be an inspiring day of writing Deadline for SUMMER NEWS: May 20, 2018 workshops with elementary and secondary We’d love to hear from you! Let us know about your students. On April 21, she and two other Nova new books, tours, awards, launches, etc. Email the Scotia authors (JESSICA SCOTT KERRIN and Tom details, including your town and province, with the Ryan) will give readings at the Halifax Central subject line: SUMMER NEWS to: Library before they all hit the road for TD Book [email protected]. Week 2018. Sylvia lives in Crescent Beach, NS. ATLANTIC REGION NANCY ROSE is excitedly waiting to see the fourth SHEREE FITCH’s picture book in her series make book Pocket Rocks (Orca its debut on July 17. The Book Publishers), Secret Life of Squirrels: illustrated by Helen Back to School (Hachette Flook, is now available in Book Group), continues paperback. Nimbus the adventures of Mr. Publishing is launching Peanuts, a most unusual Sheree’s poem, squirrel, and his friend Everybody’s Different on Rosie, as they get ready Everybody Street as a for the first day of school. After some back-to- trade book illustrated by school shopping, Mr. Peanuts helps Rosie unpack Emma Fitzgerald. Sheree has signed a contract for boxes as she sets up her classroom. While she gets a second book with Running the Goat Press. everything ready for the first day, he practices his Nimbus adds If I Were the Moon, illustrated by new bus route. Nancy photographs the wild Leslie Watts, to Sheree’s backlist, as well as a 10th American red squirrels in her backyard as they anniversary edition of her adult novel Kiss the Joy interact with miniature homemade props in As it Flies. Sheree will attend the Bologna dioramas that she sets up on her deck). Nancy Children’s Book Fair as a book seller; the Northrup lives in Hubley, NS. Frye Festival in April; Book Expo in New York in May as an author; and be a closing keynote SUSAN WHITE will release her young adult novel speaker at Atlantic Libraries Annual Conference in Headliner (Acorn Press) in May. She is the author June. Mabel Murple’s Book Shoppe and Dreamery of four previous middle level novels and two adult opens for a second season on July 2 in River John. novels. Her first novel The Year Mrs. Montague It will host Wordplay Children’s Bookfest, this year Cried (Acorn Press) won the Ann Connor Brimer featuring CANSCAIPer PAULETTE BOURGEOIS. award in 2012. Susan lives on the Kingston Sheree lives in River John, NS. Peninsula, NB. SYLVIA GUNNERY will tour in British Columbia during TD Book Week 2018 with her novel Road Signs That Say West (Pajama Press). She’ll present in Kamloops, Salmon Arm and Kelowna. Prior to

14 QUEBEC felt by a socially marginalized teenager” (Association of Jewish Libraries), and JUDITH HENDERSON is that it’s a “gritty, touching, well-told story with excited to announce the great character development… that vividly release in fall 2018 of The illustrates the confusion, elation, pain and self- Missing Donut. It’s the doubt typical of adolescence” (CM Magazine). In first of three books from February she signed copies of her book for the series “Big Words librarians and other readers at the OLA Super Small Stories” (all Kids Conference in Toronto. Karen lives in Pierrefonds. Can Press). The book is illustrated by New Yorker ANNE RENAUD has been busy promoting her T.L. McBeth and is a picture book Mr. Crum’s Potato Predicament (Kids collection of short stories Can Press) around Montreal. In November she was with a twist. They all include the Sprinkle Fairy, at the Westmount Library, where she gave a who owns a word factory in Sicily. She has a team reading, followed by a crafting project where of Sprinklers who sneak a big word into a small children made their own chef’s hats. space—with gargantuan consequences. Judith is an Emmy Award-winning children’s TV composer and producer. The Missing Donut is her first book. Or as Judith likes to say, it’s her antecedent book. That’s a big word that means it’s the one before the next! Judith lives in Montreal.

LYDIA LUKIDIS is excited to announce her two latest books, The Space Rock Mystery and A Real Live Pet (Kane Press). Both are creative nonfiction, part of the “Science Solves It!” series, which is geared for grades 1 to 3. Both books are slated to Anne made a repeat appearance on February 17 at come out in spring 2018, but are available for pre- Bonder Bookstore. On March 25 she celebrated order now. Lydia lives in Montreal. the launch of her latest children’s book, Fania’s Heart (Second Story Press), at the Montreal KAREN NESBITT’s debut Holocaust Museum. The book tells the story of young adult novel, ten-year-old Sorale’s discovery of a tiny, heart- Subject to Change (Orca shaped book among her mother’s belongings. The Book Publishers) won launch consisted of a guided tour of the museum, the 2018 Quebec Writers’ where patrons could view the heart, followed by a Federation (QWF) Prize reading from Anne’s book. Anne lives in for Children’s and Young Westmount. Adult Literature and has been shortlisted for the RAQUEL RIVERA celebrated the release of Yipee’s Ontario Library Gold Mountain (Red Deer Press) in February. It’s a Association’s White Pine young adult historic adventure set in the Old West Award. Reviewers say, “Nesbitt’s debut novel and featuring Yip Yee, an orphaned Chinese brilliantly captures the anger, angst and alienation labourer who hopes to be a cowboy, and Na-tio, a

15 young Apache making his way in a changing Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People. This title world. Despite the frosty launch date, it was a is part of the “Remarkable Lives Revealed” series. warm welcome for Yipee, with special guest Kylie lives in Uxbridge. readings by fellow Montreal authors MONIQUE LANA BUTTON is excited POLAK, Alan Silberberg and Kate Lavut. Raquel for the release of her lives in Montreal. new picture book, My ONTARIO (OUTSIDE TORONTO) Teacher’s Not Here! (Kids Can Press), which Welcome to new Friends: Elizabeth Campbell, will be published this Oshawa; Josie Elfassy, Richmond Hill; Paul April. “I’m brave about Hock, Fergus; Laurel Karry, Carlisle; Lesley school when Ms. Nutt, Woodstock, Gordon Sangster, Oro Seabrooke is here. How Medonte; Kerry Sutherland, Etobicoke; Susan does school work when Yoon, Ottawa. your teacher’s not HOLLY BENNETT’s here?!” Find out how these adorable characters, newest book, Casting illustrated by Christine Battuz, survive the day Lily (Orca Book with their very first supply teacher. After Publishers), went on sale unpacking from her Rainforest of Reading March 13. It is part of the adventure in March, Lana will be heading to “Limelights” series on northern Alberta in May for TD Canadian the performing arts for Children’s Book Week. She’s honoured to be readers ages 11 to 14. participating in these incredible programs. Lana Casting Lily is a lives in Burlington. departure from Bennett’s SUZANNE DEL RIZZO is fantasy titles, with no excited that she has ghosts, druids or magic whatsoever—except the illustrated the new magic of theatre. Ava is thrilled to land a part in a picture book Sun Dog historical play at an outdoor summer theatre. But (Pajama Press), written is she good enough to hold her own in a by DEBORAH KERBEL. It professional production? Ava struggles with her will be published in May character, with the vocal demands of outdoor 2019. Sun Dog is a love acting and with the annoying ego of her cast mate letter to life in the Arctic Kiefer. Then one bad move jeopardizes Ava’s Circle from the chances of being able to perform on opening perspective of a sled dog night. Holly lives in Peterborough. pup. Suzanne’s latest picture book, My Beautiful KYLIE BURNS is pleased to announce her most Birds (Pajama Press), a 2017 NYT Notable recent book is Simone Biles: Gold Medal Gymnast Children’s Book Selection, was selected as the and Advocate for Healthy Living (Crabtree Books). recipient of the Inaugural Malka Penn Award for Readers will discover interesting facts and details Human Rights in Children’s Literature. She was about this four-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Best presented with this award at a ceremony held on Female Athlete award-winner and one of Time March 6 at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center at

16 the University of Connecticut. Suzanne lives in DEBORAH KERBEL is thrilled to announce the Oakville. arrival of twins—two new releases coming this spring! Her debut picture book, Sun Dog (Pajama CAROLINE EVERSON is pleased to announce that Press), illustrated by the brilliantly talented her first picture book, Song on the Wind (Fifth SUZANNE DEL RIZZO, is for children ages 3 to 7. House), has been published. It is a rhythmic Deborah’s seventh novel for young readers, My bedtime story with beautiful illustrations by Anne Deal with the Universe (Scholastic Canada), is for Marie Bourgeois and it has received a starred ages 8 to12. Both books will be published in May. review from Kirkus. Caroline lives in Port Hope. Deborah says there might be a book launch (or NAN FORLER, author of two) to celebrate. She lives in Thornhill. Bird Child and HEATHER KIRK’s latest Winterberries and Apple book is Seeking Peace: Blossoms, is eagerly The Quakers (Borealis anticipating the spring Press). The introductory- release of her new level, 271-page, picture book, Trampoline nonfiction book was Boy (all Tundra Books). published in fall 2017. This book is illustrated The book is about one of by Marion Arbona, who the longest nonviolent was a finalist for the 2015 resistance movements in Governor General’s Award for Illustration. history. For more than Trampoline Boy invites the reader to embrace each 365 years, the Quakers, also known as the person’s unique perspective in a happy celebration Religious Society of Friends, have opposed all of the joy of jumping. This simple story, suitable forms of violence and used pacifist techniques to for preschoolers, touches on themes of inclusion, make change. They have fought for religious neurodiversity and friendship. Trampoline Boy is tolerance, for respectful coexistence of nations, for now available. Nan lives in Waterloo. improvements in prisons and mental hospitals, for ELLEN S. JAFFE will present a talk at the Canadian the abolishment of slavery and more. Seeking Writers Summit in June 2018 on her creative- Peace has been receiving good reviews from writing workshops with “Among Friends,” an Quaker groups, including the Canadian Friends organization for adults with mental health Service Committee based in Toronto and the challenges in Etobicoke, Ontario. This monthly Friends Council on Education based in group has been on-going for almost 12 years, with Philadelphia. Seeking Peace is meant for students some participants attending since the beginning in senior high school, as well as for average adult and new people welcome to join. Ellen will talk readers. It is illustrated with almost 100 images. about the development of the writing process, the Heather lives in Barrie. group’s trust and connection with each other, HELEN MASON has won the 2017 Middle East support of the staff and what she herself has Youth Nonfiction Book Award for A Refugee’s learned. She is awed by the group’s dedication, Journey from Afghanistan and A Refugee’s Journey motivation and the power and beauty of their from Syria (both Crabtree Books). The books are writing on a wide variety of subjects. Ellen lives in in the “Leaving My Homeland” series and came Hamilton.

17 out in early 2017. They were Amazon Hot New book is a hymn to the earth…” Caroline is an Releases in February 2017 and were also starred author, teacher and two-time Governor-General’s- selections on the Canadian Children’s Book Award winner. She lives in Ottawa. Centre’s 2017 Best Books for Kids and Teens List. MARSHA SKRYPUCH is pleased to announce that The Middle East Outreach Council judges praised following the success of the 2017 Scholastic US the titles for “their clear writing, vivid pictures and edition of Making Bombs for Hitler (Scholastic broad usefulness to K to 12 teachers.” Although the Canada, 2012) and the 2018 Scholastic US edition books are intended for elementary-level readers, of The War Below (published in 2014 by Scholastic educators felt that the content was sophisticated Canada as Underground Soldier), The Stolen Girl enough to interest both middle-school and will be published by Scholastic US in the spring of struggling high school readers. Helen lives in 2019 (published in 2010 by Scholastic Canada as Wellington. Stolen Child). Books from this trilogy have now JENNIFER MOOK-SANG’s been published in Australia, China, Korea, New picture book Captain Zealand and Portugal, as well as the United States Monty Takes the Plunge and Canada (English and French). In addition, (Kids Can Press) was Don’t Tell the Enemy (Scholastic Canada 2018) will nominated for the 2018 be published by Scholastic US in fall 2019 as Don’t Rainforest of Reading Tell the Nazis. Marsha lives in Brantford. award. Along with KATHY STINSON was CANSCAIPers LANA pleased to be the subject BUTTON (who wrote of an interview in the Willow Finds a Way, recent CCBC’s Children’s published by Kids Can Book News. She’s also Press) and KARI-LYNN WINTERS (Bad Pirate, delighted with the Pajama Press), she travelled to St. Lucia in March release of the paperback for the Rainforest of Reading festival with edition of Harry and OneWorld Schoolhouse Foundation. This Walter (Annick Press). Canadian organization supports literacy in the It’s a story of next-door Eastern Caribbean, where weather and economics neighbours who are best have devastated most libraries. Run entirely by friends until one of them—is it the young boy or volunteers, the festival is inspired by the OLA’s the old man?—has to move. Kathy lives in Forest of Reading program and will be attended by Rockwood. 8,000 school children over three days. Jennifer looks forward to meeting the young readers to TORONTO share her love of reading. She lives in Burlington. Welcome to new Friends: Susan Adach, J.C. CAROLINE PIGNAT invites readers to celebrate the Farquhar, Sarah Groundwater-Law, Paula wonders of nature with her new picture book, Hillick, Sandra Hodgson, Analia Longhi, Poetree (Red Deer Press). Through Caroline’s Michelle Pincus. sparse acrostic poems and François Thisdale’s rich illustrations, Poetree celebrates the beauty found LENA COAKLEY is happy to announce that her first in every stage of life. SHEREE FITCH says, “This middle-grade novel will be coming out this fall.

18 Wicked Nix, the story of to figure out how to help not just Miguel but other a feral boy lost in the families similar to his. Like its predecessor, Tagged woods who believes he is Out (both James Lorimer & Co.), Sliding Home a fairy, will be published features lots of fast-reading baseball action and it’s with interior set in Toronto’s Christie Pits. illustrations by Jaime THEO HERAS’s book Where’s Bunny?, the third in a Zollars. Lena is series illustrated by RENNÉ BENOIT, arrived in particularly pleased that stores in March. It follows the same duo from Hat she will soon be one of On, Hat Off and Baby Cakes (all Pajama Press) at those fantasy authors bedtime—tidying up toys, taking a bath and with a map at the brushing teeth, all while looking for the elusive beginning of her book, something she has always Bunny of the title. Finally a story, a song, a wanted to be! The American paperback of Lena’s goodnight kiss and Bunny is tucked securely in most recent young adult novel, Worlds of Ink and bed: “Good night, Bunny.” The book is aimed at Shadow (both books Amulet Books and little ones from birth to three. HarperCollins Canada), was published on March 6. SUSAN HUGHES is pleased to announce the PHILIPPA DOWDING is pleased to announce she publication of two has two new books coming out this spring—and picture books. One is they include evil twins and robots! Oculum What Happens Next (Dancing Cat Books) is for readers ages 10 to 13. It’s (OwlKids Books), a middle-grade dystopia set in a world recovering beautifully illustrated by from environmental ruin, where robot mothers Carey Sookocheff and raise human children in a perfect, domed garden edited by Debbie world. But no one can speak of Outside or Love, Rogosin and Karen Li. which are forbidden. Then one of the children What Happens Next is a finds a secret door... Philippa’s second book is Alex raw, realistic story told by an unnamed protagonist and the Other (Dundurn Press). It’s for ages 8 to 12 who is made to feel different from everybody and is the fourth book in the award-winning else―even invisible sometimes. After confiding in “Weird Stories Gone Wrong” series. Alex is the Mom, the child confronts the bully by turning a loneliest boy at school. Then one day, his evil twin fascination with science into an opportunity to appears and starts to take over his life, at school, at find common ground and maybe help the bully home, then everywhere. Can Alex stand up to his see the world in a new way. The other is the evil twin? And who is the real Alex, anyway? Walking in the City with Jane: A Story of Jane JOYCE GRANT’s latest middle-grade baseball book, Jacobs (Kids Can Press), with gorgeous Sliding Home, comes out in April. It’s the second illustrations by Valérie Boivin and edited by Stacey book about the fictional Toronto Blues, a young Roderick and Katie Scott. This inspiring story of baseball team with more heart than talent. Second Jane Jacobs offers young readers a glimpse into the baseman Miguel is struggling to help bring his mind of one of our greatest urban activists, whose father to Canada from El Salvador. Carefree influence is still felt today. catcher Sebastian and the rest of the Blues will try

19 BEV KATZ is thrilled to 2018 Notable Books for a Global Society. announce the sale of her #NotYourPrincess also won the American Indian hi-lo middle-grade novel Library Association’s Youth Literature Award and Who is Tanksy? to Orca’s was a finalist for the Young Adult Library Services “Currents” line, after a Association Nonfiction for Young Adults Award. It long break from writing. is also an Amelia Bloomer Project, Top Ten With a backdrop of a selection, for notable feminist literature for 0 to 18 class election not unlike year olds. Mary Beth is looking forward to a certain recent attending Forest of Reading events in Toronto, American one, new girl London, Durham and Waterloo where she’ll be Tanya secretly becomes sharing her experiences about writing Stormy her school’s anonymous graffiti artist. “You’ll Seas, which is a Silver Birch Nonfiction Award laugh! You’ll cry!” says Bev. The publication date nominee. will be announced later. Bev, a former in-house ELIZABETH MACLEOD took part in the CANSCAIP fiction editor and currently a popular freelance presentation at the Ontario Library Association editor, continues to offer low-cost editing across Super Conference in Toronto on February 2. She all genres. talked about her book Top Dogs: True Stories of ANDREW LARSEN is pleased to announce the May Canines that Made History, which is nominated publication of The Bagel King (Kids Can Press), for the Silver Birch Nonfiction Award. Liz’s latest illustrated by Sandy Nichols and edited by Yvette book, Super Cats: True Stories of Felines that Made Ghione. The Bagel King is inspired by Larsen’s History (both Annick Press), was released in father-in-law and his Sunday morning ritual of March. In Super Cats, readers learn about felines delivering freshly baked bagels to his children and ranging from therapy cats and spy cats to cat gods grandchildren. It tells the story of what happens and Maneki neko (Japan’s world-famous lucky one particular Sunday when the bagels don’t cat). Kirkus Review says about the book, “With a arrive. The Bagel King is a warm, uplifting story colourful layout and plentiful photographs, this and includes a number of Yiddish words in the nonfiction book for younger readers explores cats text which are translated in a brief glossary before in history… MacLeod goes beyond common the title page. “Who’s hungry for bagels,” asks factoids to share more surprising information… Andrew. Even ailurophobes can appreciate the fascinating information about felines…” Check out MARY BETH www.annickpress.com/Top-Dogs and LEATHERDALE is pleased www.annickpress.com/Super-Cats to find lesson to announce that her plans for both Top Dogs and Super Cats. books Stormy Seas and #NotYourPrincess, the RUTH OHI enjoyed celebrating books with anthology she co-edited students and families in Burlington, Hamilton, with Lisa Charleyboy, Caledon, Toronto, Oakville, Mississauga, have both been selected Markham, Newmarket and Nobleton this past as Best Bets by the winter. She looks forward to more library and Ontario Library school visits this spring, including Quebec’s Association and named Morrin Festival. Ruth says she’s super-excited

20 about the release of Fox and Squirrel Help Out for France’s prestigious Prix Sorcieres. The (Scholastic Canada) coming this fall. paperback edition of Everything Beautiful Is Not Ruined will be published in May by Razorbill BARBARA REID is Canada. thrilled to announce a show and sale of the original artwork from her newest book Picture the Sky (Scholastic Canada) at Evergreen Brickworks in Toronto. The launch was on Sunday, March 4 with a story time and book signing. The exhibition continues until April 12. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to Evergreen to support programming for arts and children. Evergreen is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to making cities flourish. Email [email protected] for more information. In celebration of Family Literacy Month this January, Barbara gave family Plasticine workshops at four Toronto Public Library Branches. As Honorary Chair of Family Literacy Day, Barbara took part in a family workshop at the Native Child and Family Services Centre in Scarborough on January 27. It OLA Forest of Reading presenters included (left to right) HEATHER CAMLOT, LIZ MACLEOD and MARY BETH was a fabulous evening of drumming, stories, chili LEATHERDALE. Photo by MARTHE JOCELYN and Plasticine, says Barbara. Teachers and librarians attending the Ontario DANIELLE YOUNGE- Library Association Super Conference were treated ULLMAN’s Governor- to a lively session on February 2 when ten General and White-Pine CANSCAIPers presented their books that are nominated young adult nominated for 2018 Forest of Reading awards. novel Everything HEATHER CAMLOT, VICKI GRANT, LINDA Beautiful Is Not Ruined GRANFIELD, ANDREW LARSEN, MARY BETH (Razorbill Canada) was LEATHERDALE, ELIZABETH MACLEOD, MIREILLE named one of the MESSIER, LORNA SCHULTZ NICHOLSON, ALLAN Ontario Library STRATTON and KARI-LYNN WINTERS talked about Association’s Best Bets of their books and definitely showed why schools and 2018 at the OLA Super libraries should hire CANSCAIPers to give Conference in February. It is also included on the presentations. Special thanks to emcee SHARON Young Adult Library Services Association’s 2018 JENNINGS for being such a terrific author Best Fiction for Young Adults list and shortlisted wrangler.

21 MANITOBA, SASKATCHEWAN, Written for middle ALBERTA grades, Solve This! shows how engineers dream up Welcome to new Friends: Ainslie Chaze, ideas, bring them to life Winnipeg; Faye Holt, Calgary; Suzanne Leclerc, and find creative Steinbach, MB; Mandy Paproski, Edmonton. solutions to the MARTY CHAN is making his way to Ontario during problems they encounter the first week of May. He’ll be visiting schools and along the way. Each libraries to promote a love of reading with his challenge invites readers “Magic of Literacy Tour”. Marty will be in Killaloe to think creatively to on April 30 and May 1 and he currently has problem solve, then see openings May 2, 3 and 4 for the Toronto area. how different National Geographic explorers Marty lives in Edmonton. tackled the challenge. One of the big lessons? There’s often more than one solution! Joan has ANITA DAHER’s latest produced a speaker demo, as well as a book trailer middle-grade novel, for her middle-grade title Dark Matters, Nature’s Forgetting How to Reaction to Light Pollution (Red Deer Press). Breathe (Yellow Dog, an Please visit http://www.joangalat.com/watch- imprint of Great Plains book-trailers/ to view. Two other new titles include Publications), will Cultural Traditions in Ghana and Cultural launch April 12. Traditions in Turkey (Crabtree Books). In March, Thirteen-year-old Tia is Joan will be visiting schools in Vancouver. Joan angry. After her mother lives in Parkland County, Alberta disappeared, she and her eight-year-old brother COLLEEN NELSON is excited to announce the landed in a string of temporary foster-care release of her newest young adult fiction, Sadia placements. But this time it’s different. Away from (Dundurn Press). Fifteen-year-old Sadia Ahmadi the city, in the heart of New Iceland lake country, is passionate about one thing: basketball. But her leaving isn’t easy. When a freak late spring best friend Mariam wants to get noticed by the snowstorm and a herd of runaway horses lead Tia popular crowd and has started de-jabbing to a ranch, positive change is within her grasp, but (removing her hijab), at school every morning. accepting the love offered by her foster family Sadia’s mom had warned her that navigating high means betraying the mother who abandoned her. school could be tricky. When tryouts for an elite A prairie tour is planned immediately following basketball team are announced, Sadia jumps at the the launch. Anita has also adapted this novel into opportunity. Her talent speaks for itself. Her head a screenplay and is working in partnership with scarf, on the other hand, is a problem, especially SoGo Films toward production. Anita lives in when a discriminatory rule means she has to Winnipeg. choose between removing her hijab and not playing. Mariam, Sadia’s parents and her JOAN MARIE GALAT is pleased to announce the teammates all have different opinions about what release of her new nonfiction title, Solve This! she should do. But it’s Sadia who has to stand up Wild and Wacky Challenges for the Genius for herself and fight for what’s right—on and off Engineer in You (National Geographic Kids). the court. Colleen lives in Winnipeg.

22 KRISTINE SCARROW’s newest release is The 11th program, where plaques of two of her recent books Hour. There was a launch for the book at McNally were created and placed on lamp posts around the Robinson Booksellers in Saskatoon on March 6. city. She also attended a lovely Vancouver This is Kristine’s third young adult novel. She is Children’s Literature Roundtable Celebration also the author of If This Is Home and Throwaway event at University of British Columbia, where Girl (all Dundurn Press). Kristine lives in local authors and illustrators with recent awards or Saskatoon. nominations were featured. Deborah lives in Vancouver, BC. BRITISH COLUMBIA, YUKON, NUNAVUT, NWT TANYA LLOYD KYI is offering, along with Rachelle Delaney and Stacey Matson, a master class in pitch Welcome to new Friend: Pamela Verhagen, writing on April 21. Go to inkwellvancouver.com/ Victoria, BC. offerings/ to find out more. Tanya lives in Vancouver, BC. KAREN AUTIO’s book Kah-Lan the Adventurous Sea Otter (Sono Nis Press), illustrated by Sheena JULIE LAWSON celebrated Lott, is now featured on a Reading Lights plaque the release of her new installed near Science World in Vancouver. young adult novel A Reading Lights (pwp.vpl.ca/readinglights/) is a Blinding Light (Nimbus collaboration between Vancouver Public Library Publishing) last November and the Children’s Writers and Illustrators of B.C. with launches in both Society to celebrate those behind British Victoria and Halifax. While Columbian children’s books and to inspire the love in Nova Scotia, she of reading. Karen lives in Kelowna, BC. attended numerous musical and theatrical LEE EDWARD FÖDI has events marking the signed a three-book deal December 6 centenary of the Halifax Explosion. with HarperCollins for a They included a preview performance of a play middle-grade fantasy based on No Safe Harbour (Scholastic Canada), series. The first book, Julie’s earlier work on the subject. The play was The Secret of Zoone, is performed by drama students in Chester, Nova scheduled for 2019 and is Scotia, at the Chester Playhouse. They were about a boy who, with thrilled to meet the author and Julie was equally the help of a flying tiger, thrilled to meet them. She was impressed by the stumbles through a care and respect shown to her words by the secret door and into a playwright, who also directed the play. In February magical station at a crossroads between worlds. Julie signed books at the OLA Conference in Rachel Letofsky of the CookeMcDermid Agency Toronto and in May she will attend BookExpo in brokered the deal for world rights. Lee lives in New York City. Julie lives in Victoria, BC. Vancouver, BC. SHERYL McFARLANE is pleased to announce the DEBORAH HODGE is looking forward to a series of publication of her newest picture book, I Love upcoming spring library visits in conjunction with Kisses (Source Books), illustrated by Brenna the Vancouver Public Library’s Reading Lights Vaughan. Whether it’s “raspberry jam and bread

23 kisses” or “I’m sorry that you’re sad kisses,” I Love Margaret and their separation when Michiko’s Kisses is a reminder that love is as diverse as it is family is sent to a Japanese internment camp in universal. Sheryl says she “enjoys showering her the interior of British Columbia. Ellen lives in grandchildren with kisses, hugs and, of course, Burnaby, BC. books!” She lives in Victoria, BC. INTERNATIONAL DEBORAH (DEB) PATZ GORDON KORMAN is hosted the Michael pleased to announce that Wiese Productions Restart (Scholastic (MWP) book table at the Canada) has been Digital Media Youth nominated for the Silver Expo in North Vancouver Birch Award of the in February, including Ontario Library her latest book Write! Association, which Shoot! Edit! A Complete honoured Masterminds a Guide for Teen few years ago. His newest Filmmakers (MWP). The release is Supergifted, event was held at Argyle Secondary School and which is a companion novel to the very popular hosted by the Digital Media Academy. It Ungifted (all three HarperCollins Canada). He’s welcomed hundreds of youth, students and their been on a short promotional American tour for the families to learn about the numerous educational new book. Coming out in May will be and employment opportunities available in the Whatshisface (Scholastic). Gordon says it’s digital media industry. The Digital Media Youth “something a bit different that brought on a lot of Expo is in its sixth year but this was the first time laughing during the writing process! So it’s the expo featured a book table and sales. In the business as usual!” Gordon lives in Long Island, second week of spring break in March, Deb taught New York. a multi-day Screenwriting for Teens workshop at the Vancouver Public Library. Using her teen Editor’s note: Members can be contacted via filmmaking book, she introduced participants to a the form on their CANSCAIP site Membership “three-headed” (three-iteration) approach to the page. creative process. Deb lives in Coquitlam, BC.

ELLEN SCHWARTZ’s early chapter book The Princess Dolls (Tradewind Books) with illustrations by Mariko Ando, will be released in May. Set in 1942, the story tells of best friends Esther and Michiko, their fascination with Princesses Elizabeth and

24 Second Chances Giving New Life to a Worthwhile Book By Gillian O’Reilly

If you could write your book over again, how would you change it? This can be a hard question to ask an author, fraught as it is with regrets and second thoughts. Some of us, however, have had that second chance—a revised version of a previously published book. We have discovered how satisfying it can be. Why a new edition? There can be many reasons—updating facts, adding more information, recasting a book for a different age group, or changing the format for a more modern look, to name a few. The impetus can come from an author who feels there is still life in the story or from the publisher who is responding to changing Janet Lunn, writer of historical fiction, to create a market demands. Over and above the challenges history of Canada from pre-human habitation to of updating and recasting a book, there can also the present, with full-colour illustrations by Alan be technological challenges that restrict the Daniel. Chris recalls with amusement how he and possible pathways to a new edition. Janet took opposite roles to what one might have For Christopher Moore and Janet Lunn, a major expected. “When we started, Janet was so revision of The Story of Canada was a necessary determined to be historically accurate while [my part of seeing their book in print again in 2016. It attitude was] as long as it’s colourful and full of meant tackling an unwieldy chapter and updating stories.” an important map—and it allowed them to rewrite Chapter 10, the final chapter, ended with the an epilogue they had never been happy with. For death of the Meech Lake Accord; an epilogue Cora Lee and me, the revamp edition of The Great described two young men who sailed their Number Rumble (2016) called for updating and catamaran through the Northwest Passage. With shortening the book and converting chunks of text subsequent editions in 1996, 2000 and 2007, Chris into info-graphic presentations—and we used it to and Janet simply added to the final chapter. “With rework two chapters we had never been happy each update, we extended Chapter 10. It kept with. getting longer,” Chris recalls. The Story of Canada was first published in 1992. The book went out of print with the collapse of Louise Dennys (then at Lester & Orpen Dennys) Key Porter in January, 2011. The fact that The Story brought together Chris Moore, a historian, and of Canada had sold steadily and well—solely in the

25 Canadian market—encouraged the authors to things, and the response that we had surely kept think it could have a new life. They pitched it to us strong in that commitment.” publishers for some time without success. Chris This faith in the book was important, because confesses, “I thought all the Canadian publishers Janet, Chris and their editor Sandy Bogart- would snap up the opportunity to Johnson, faced one big limitation. republish this book, and was a bit For a book published in a time of miffed that they passed on it.” less computerized printing Eventually, however, they found technology, any small change a home with Scholastic Canada. meant redoing a whole page—a Diane Kerner, Vice-President, costly endeavour. The fewer pages Publishing, explains, “Scholastic that needed to be altered the already knew what a great book The better. They had to pick and Story of Canada was—in fact, we’d choose carefully, selecting what published a special edition for our absolutely needed updating and school markets a few years before, what could be dealt with in other so we had a fair idea of what the ways. So, for instance, instead of possibilities and the challenges replacing every mention of were likely to be. And with the Micmac or Iroquois, they opted for original authors and illustrator on a publisher’s note that explains to board, we were confident we could readers that terminology can make a success of it. change and that names like these “We were able to make a few have generally been replaced by small but necessary changes to the the current terms Mi’kmaq and original material, and the authors Haudenosaunee. somehow managed to squeeze the However, Chris and Janet could be last 25 years into a single concluding justifiably proud of their 1992 chapter—a challenge in itself! But treatment when looking at editors Sandy Bogart Johnston and elements they didn’t have to revise Erin Haggett were 100% committed or explain. For instance, they had to making the book the best it could always referred to Indigenous be, and we couldn’t be happier with figures first by their own names, how it came out.” e.g. Isapo-muxika or Ta-Tanka I- The authors felt that the basic yotank), then by their English premises for the book had stood up names (Crowfoot, Sitting Bull). well. “The enthusiasm and praise that The Story of That respectful and thoughtful approach, in Canada received—it really did get a very warm keeping with present day attitudes, is also evident welcome!—certainly sustained us in the faith that in the selection of photos and stories that help to we and our book were in tune with a large and reflect Canada’s diversity. receptive audience. I think we wanted to present a The one adjustment in the front half of the book that gave young Canadians a sense that this book was a big change to the map of Indigenous was a place where they could dream of doing great peoples across North America, offering more sophisticated understanding of the different

26 nations. For instance, where the original map got longer and longer, I feared our ending was showed eight Indigenous groups (e.g. Haida, Bella becoming more a succession of events and less a Coola, Salish) in the British Columbia region, the coherent wrapping-up. The new edition, with the new edition featured 26 nations over the same post-2000 period now having a chapter of its own, area. restores my confidence in the Janet and Chris’s main task, shape of the whole book.” then, was to take the now overly long Chapter 10 and split it into two The Great Number Rumble: A Story chapters, the second covering the of Math in Surprising Places, with twenty-first century (Alan Daniel illustrations by Australian artist created a new painting for the Virginia Gray, came out in 2007. In double-page spread at the 2015, Annick Press contacted Cora beginning of Chapter 11). They Lee and me to propose a revised sifted through what should be edition. They wanted us to update added, how elements should be facts and add information on weighted and what could be mathematical concepts like scrapped. “We followed the same algorithms that currently govern so process as we did before,” recalls much of our online lives. In Moore. “One of us wrote a chapter addition, Annick had also been and the other tore it to pieces.” incorporating more info-graphics “We were never crazy about the into their recent titles—a way of epilogue,” he adds. It didn’t fully making material accessible to reflect the sense of the North that different kinds of readers in a fresh they wanted to convey. They way; they wanted a similar rewrote it to incorporate the latest treatment for the revised book. At news about the Franklin the time, Associate Publisher discoveries, the importance of Colleen MacMillan said the traditional knowledge, the strength original book had sold well of young Cree men on the 2013 enough to warrant the investment Journey of Nishiyuu—and the hope in an updated and more modern- that children of a future Canada looking edition. could dream fresh dreams. Cora and I couldn’t help being Christopher Moore is very intrigued. We knew there was satisfied with the new edition. factual material, e.g. the longest “That a children’s book, in our case a history prime number, to be updated (it needed updating conceived and executed over 25 years ago, still again at the design stage). Minor story elements seems to serve and please children and families, needed revising too—a kid reaches for a phone begins to seem like an achievement in itself. instead of checking a school computer—but, aside “Beyond that, the original Story of Canada of from a few tweaks, much of the text remained the 1992 had a shape and structure that pleased us. same. Over and above that, Cora confessed she But adding a succession of chronological updates had always felt Chapter 7 was too choppy. I had made it feel unbalanced. As the last chapter admitted that I thought Chapter 5 was too long.

27 Our revision process was the same as with the New and hilarious drawings from Nova Scotia original book. One of us tackled a chapter and the artist Lil Crump added a great deal, as did the other then rewrote it, working back and forth work of designer Belle Wuthrich. until we were both satisfied. The story premise of Reading the new edition of The Great Number The Great Number Rumble still worked well, Rumble, we find it different enough in looks and allowing for a wide range of topics, weird facts and treatment that we are sometimes surprised at how humour. much of the text is actually the same. So we feel a In the original edition, each chapter except the great deal of satisfaction at the new elements, but final one included a short biography of a noted also satisfaction at how well much of it has held mathematician. While no reviewer had ever up. queried our initial selection of biographies (three What about your backlist books? Have they female, seven male, one of whom was non- stood the test of time? Could they profit from an European), we were itching to broaden the updating? Could they be successfully repurposed diversity within the confines of an 88-page book. for a different age group or reframed in a different Splitting Chapter 5 into two, adding a crime- format (such as a graphic novel or board book)? It solving chapter and adjusting other chapter might be worth thinking through the pluses and layouts allowed us to add in three more minuses yourself or sitting down with your biographies of notable mathematicians: al- publisher to discuss them. The decision to Khwarizmi, inventor of the algorithm; Ada undertake a revised edition is as much a calculated Lovelace, sometimes called the first computer risk as an original book. However, for the author, it programmer; and Alan Turing, father of artificial can offer the satisfaction of tweaking those intelligence. awkward bits and playing with new ways of Chapter 7 again proved a challenge (although presenting information and story. For both author this time it was actually the revised version of the and publisher, it can offer the satisfaction of giving original’s Chapter 6). Although we tightened up new life to a worthwhile book. the content, we also extracted the examination of Pascal’s Triangle from Chapter 9, where it had GILLIAN O’REILLY is the co-author (with Cora never quite belonged, and, after discussions with Lee) of The Great Number Rumble Revised and the editor, moved it to Chapter 7. When the rough Updated (2016) and The Great Number Rumble: A layout was done, it became evident that, visually, Story of Math in Surprising Places (2007).The first this chapter was a mess! In desperation, we shoved edition won the 2009 American Institute of Physics Pascal and his triangle to the back of the book, Science Writing for Children Award. Gillian is hoping we would find a plausible reason for it to also the former editor of Canadian Children’s Book be there (the next day, we did). News and the winner of IBBY Canada’s 2016 Claude Info-graphics proved to be a lot of fun. We Aubry Award for distinguished service in the field of discovered we really enjoyed the challenge of children’s literature. transferring sentences into images. A Venn diagram can neatly summarize what two kids have in common (messiness, music, sports) and what they don’t (looks, math confidence). Playful circles, arrows and speech balloons can help explain complex ideas with humour and clarity.

28 Mentoring through CSARN: How the program got started In 2004 discussions about the welfare of senior A Boon for Established and writers, held between Bill Freeman, chair of the Emerging Writers Writers’ Union at the time, and Deborah Windsor, By Sylvia McNicoll the executive director, led to meetings with staff from the Department of Canadian Heritage. They If you last long enough in the creating industry, discovered that Joysanne Sidimus, Executive everyone wants to pick your brain. Maybe it’s just Director of The Dancers in Transition Centre had to ask your advice on what courses to take, or how raised similar concerns. Four years of discussion to approach an editor. More likely it’s to look over among various artistic committees led to the a query letter and manuscript: huge time suckers Senior Artist Research Project. One of the startling when you want to create yourself. It’s assumed conclusions that surfaced was that senior artists your longterm success means you don’t need wanted to continue to work in their chosen art money and that you have time on your hands. But form. The mentorship program, which links artists there are more demands on the author than ever with 20 years or more of experience, to emerging before. Lower sales have forced the creating artists, was created to respond in part to their industry to become leaner and meaner. Advances continued need to work. have become smaller. Emerging writers need a leg How the program works up more than ever before too. Acquisitions editors Step one is simple: a qualified mentor and mentee want close-to-perfect books and beginners can’t need to be brought together. Who can be a always afford to pay for editorial assistance. mentor? Established artists must first admit their Should writing only be for the wealthy? Of course 60+ age and then click JOIN at the CSARN website not. If only there was a way for the established (csarn.ca). If they have 20+ years of experience, writer to earn income while helping the emerging they can email [email protected] to receive an writer at no cost to them. application form. Enter: The CSARN Mentorship program The application form is a breeze, nothing like CSARN (pronounced See-Sarn, acronym for the usual arts council grant trial-by-fire hoop- Canadian Seniors Artist Resource Network.) jumping. I answered the questions and ticked off CSARN devotes itself to helping senior (aged 60+) the boxes on the brief five-page form and sent it professional artists maintain healthy and creative back with an updated CV and photo as required. lives. Besides hosting seminars and conferences, How do you acquire a mentee? Most creators have CSARN pairs experienced and emerging artists in never-ending requests for guidance; it’s a matter of a mentorship program that is free to emerging finding the truly serious aspiring artists. In my artists yet pays senior professionals up to $3,000 to case the mentee, Tiffany Short, applied and asked provide a maximum of ten months of advice, for me. encouragement, guidance and blue penciling. Ten Unlike mentors, mentees can be any age but months is currently the maximum time a mentor must qualify as a professional artist according to can serve in their lifetime. Also, the mentorship the Canadian Artist Code. There is a link for that program is only in Ontario but CSARN is hoping definition on the CSARN website: csarn.ca. One to loosen both of these restrictions. way for a prospective mentee to find a mentor is to submit a request to [email protected].

29 The CSARN website lists mentors and their One of Jennifer Maruno’s mentees, Lynn location. Mentees can try to match themselves but Leitch, submitted a one-page-plan, in bullet form, lists are not always up to date. Deborah Windsor, with personal and professional goals as well as a co-director of mentorship in charge of writing, proposed schedule for meetings. She included a visual and media arts mentorships, or Joysanne writing seminar in New York City for which Sidimus, co-director in charge of dance, music, expenses were also covered. My mentee Tiffany and theatre, will help. The most efficient way wrote a two-page-plan setting her main goal as would be to pair up with an emerging artist you completing a middle grade novel about a dog know through CANSCAIP or any other of your suffering from depression, A Troubled Tail. I was creative communities and who, perhaps, lives writing a humorous dog-walking crime book nearby. called The Artsy Mistake Mystery. It was a match Jennifer Maruno found one mentee through made in the dog park. Tiffany conservatively judging a writing contest for children. A parent wanted to ask for only six months help but we asked her for advice on how best to advance her called Deborah and she advised applying for the own writing. Another mentee was her accountant full 10 months. who had already published a trilogy in the US but Applications are reviewed after two deadlines of was looking for guidance in the Canadian January 1 and July 1. By January 19ÅÇ I received the children’s market. Jennifer inherited her third formal approval letter. The following day, Tiffany mentee after Gisela Sherman’s untimely death. drove a few hours to meet me and together we With three mentees, the mentorship program was went through the next step, creating a work plan. divided into three three-month terms with $900 payment for each. What the Senior Artist does My mentee, Tiffany, found me through There are no set rules. Immediately, Tiffany sent GoodReads. We had met years earlier through an me what she’d written of her novel by email along elementary school workshop I had given, and now with an outline. The dog detail was excellent but as an adult she was asking me for publishing she needed guidance with the overall arc, advice. Living in the City of Kawartha Lakes she structure and viewpoint. We discussed increasing found that courses and writing groups weren’t the tension with stronger plot points. We also easily accessible. I suggested that she look into exchanged titles of favourite dog books and films. CSARN mentorships. Advice given, I forgot about In those first six months, I commented through our correspondence. So I was surprised to get an track changes on Tiffany’s novel and, round after email from Deborah Windsor to say that Tiffany round, she took direction like a professional. The had applied for a mentorship and had asked dog character now jumped off the page and licked specifically for me. your face. Only I wanted to encourage her writing through a more personal connection. CSARN pays The working plan expenses for mentees to visit mentors but Tiffany Says Deborah Windsor, “CSARN Mentorships start shared a family vehicle, which made her visiting with a potential mentor and a potential mentee me inconvenient. Instead Tiffany arranged for her discussing what they wish to achieve in a local library, Lindsay Public, to hire me for a day of mentorship. They identify the journey they wish presentations and workshops which paid for my to take to accomplish these goals.” The working travel. She attended and assisted in the workshops plan should be two or three pages. and we met for dinner. At this point, July, a one

30 page midterm report was due and immediately Quick payment upon submission the second instalment of $1,000 Through the program, Tiffany was entitled to arrived. seven hours of consultation from me per month From then on we Skyped for each piece of work for which I would receive $300, with a cap of ten she submitted. It became a productive time for months or $3,000. On February 1st we submitted Tiffany. She wrote four short stories—these our plan and by February 2nd, it was approved. shorter projects fit better with her employment The first of three instalments of $1,000 came schedule—and at my suggestion she submitted within a few days. Our official mentorship began one: “The Hockey Stick” to CANSCAIP’s writing March 1. contest. She also wrote well-supported opinion CSARN’s main focus is the mentor/mentee pieces on children and education; I encouraged relationship but it also offers mentorship her to compile and submit the pieces to a local opportunities through residencies as well as community paper or begin a blog. workshops, lectures and seminars delivered to In the final month of our official mentorship organizations. To date CSARN reports 146 Tiffany and I attended CANSCAIP’s Packaging participants in ongoing or completed Your Imagination Workshop, both of us mentorships, 100 participants in seminars or promoting the mentorship program at the event. workshops and 277 remaining applicants on file Having enjoyed the day she wrote and submitted (150 mentors, 127 mentees). an article comparing her CSARN mentorship with As a mentor and long-time writer who is the learning opportunities of PYI—her first paid constantly sought after for free advice and editing, publication. We submitted our final reports and I can say that the program validated my the last third of my payment came. knowledge, experience and time. As a result, I feel There’s no doubt in my mind that Tiffany grew more confident asking for compensation for in confidence and skill over our mentorship, not private arrangements. So if someone wants to just from my immediate edits but also from the pick my brain, they can’t just buy me coffee other opportunities I’d suggested and those she anymore. Mentoring is the logical next career step had found on her own due to her more focused for the established artist. CSARN gives you an easy determination and increased confidence. Jennifer way to make it pay without causing pain to the Maruno’s mentee Lynn Leitch says it best: “The emerging creator. I highly recommend it. program afforded me a sense of validation, providing real and regular deadlines and a way to SYLVIA McNICOLL’s tell myself (and the world) that I take my writing Great Mistake Mysteries seriously.” with Dundurn Press Recently, I was interviewed as Tiffany’s documents the mistakes reference for a part time librarian position. I of a 12 year-old dog commented on her determination as well as her walker who solves love for books, children and seniors alike. She was neighbourhood crime. In immediately hired. Tiffany also tells me she has September 2018, Body begun a new novel. Says Deborah Windsor “All Swap, her story about a good journeys like good books take side trips and senior and teen swapping these side trips may identify a different final souls in a fatal car destination.” accident, will be released.

31 Manuscript submissions: Lee & Low Books are To Market, looking for realistic fiction, historical fiction and nonfiction about children/people of colour, or To Market! indigenous children/people, for readers age 5 to 12. They’re particularly interested in stories with non- by Beth Pollock traditional family structures and gender or sexual Please note: CANSCAIP does not screen literary identities, or stories that feature a person with a agencies or publishers. It is your responsibility to disability. PB manuscripts should be no longer research their business reputations before signing than 1,500 words (fiction) and 4,000 words (non- a contract. Reputable agencies and publishers do fiction). Early readers may be between 100 and not charge for reading, editing or publishing 2,500 words; chapter books should be between manuscripts. 4,000 and 13,000 words. Send full manuscript plus PUBLISHERS a cover letter to the submissions editor at the address above. Kids Can Press Illustration submissions: Lee & Low will consider Corus Quay, 25 Dockside Drive art samples for possible future PBs and covers. Toronto, ON, M5A 0B5 Send your sample to the submission editor at the Website: http://www.kidscanpress.com/ address above. Manuscript submissions: Kids Can is looking for Quirk Books picture books, nonfiction manuscripts, and 215 Church Street chapter books for ages 7-10. For PB submissions, Philadelphia, PA, USA 19106 please send the entire manuscript; for chapter Website: http://www.quirkbooks.com/page/ book submissions, please submit a synopsis and submissions# approximately three sample chapters. Submissions should be mailed to the attention of the Manuscript submissions: Quirk is looking for Acquisitions Editor, at the address above. Kids Can unconventional manuscripts and book proposals will respond within six months if they are for children and YA, both fiction and nonfiction. interested in pursuing publication. You may submit your query letter, with sample chapters, directly to one of the editors. (See the Illustration submissions: Send an email to website for a list of what each editor is looking for, [email protected], with your contact and how to contact them.) Email and snail mail information and a link to your website or portfolio. submissions are welcome. Alternatively, you can mail a postcard with a representative image, along with your contact information and a link to your website, to the AGENTS attention of the Art Director at the address above. Josh Getzler Lee and Low HSG Agency 95 Madison Avenue, Suite 1205 http://www.hsgagency.com/the-agents.html New York NY, USA 10016 Getzler is looking for middle grade fiction with Website: https://www.leeandlow.com/writers- settings that are just a little off, along with illustrators/writing-guidelines contemporary/funny books about kids. Please don’t send high fantasy, science fiction, or picture

32 books. He responds to all email queries, which should include a pitch letter and the first five or so BUSINESS BRIEFS pages of the manuscript. Submissions should be FESTIVAL emailed to [email protected]. TKL 27AK MASC YCE@H AEAKCBO } IJJEOABNACBO FLOAG~NJ will take place on Tues. Apr. 17, Wed. Whitney Ross Apr. 18 and Thurs. Apr. 19, 2018 at the The Irene Goodman Literary Agency Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa. http://www.irenegoodman.com/agents/whitney- Students in grades four to eight are invited to sign ross.php up for an exciting day of hands-on creative Ross represents middle grade and young adult workshops, author readings, a book fair and more. fiction across all genres, with an emphasis on The presenters this year are Melanie Florence, historical, SF & fantasy, romance, and Sharon Jennings, Hélène Boudreau, Jeff Ross, contemporary fiction. She is also open to non- Shane Peacock, Brian McLachlan, Doretta fiction submissions in the areas of design, cooking, Groenendyk and Gabrielle Grimard. Learn more and fashion. Send a query letter and the first ten at www.masconline.ca pages of your manuscript, along with a 3–5 paragraph synopsis and bio (all in the body of the WORKSHOPS email). Submissions should be sent to ANNE RENAUD will be giving two workshops at [email protected]. the offices of the Quebec Writers’ Federation, 1200 Atwater Avenue, Room 3, Westmount, Quebec. Lindsay Davis Auld 1. Creating Picture Books: Sat. Apr. 21, 2018, Writers’ House 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This workshop http://www.writershouse.com/submissions/ deconstructs the “story arc” formula often used in Auld is seeking PB, MG and YA manuscripts. She picture books, as well as the five Cs: characters, is particularly drawn to mysteries, fantasy, conflict, choices, confluence and conciseness. historical fiction, magical realism, adventure, and Writing exercises will focus on improving books with humour. Email your query to fundamental craft skills, such as characterization [email protected], along with the first 10–15 and story structure. pages of your manuscript. For picture books, 2. Magazine Writing: Sat. May 5, 2018, 10:00 please send the full manuscript. a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Publication in children’s magazines is often considered a steppingstone— practice for the real deal. However, there are many reasons to write for children’s magazines that go beyond padding résumés, making it a worthwhile objective in and of itself. Anne shares her tips on breaking into this market and developing a source of income doing what you love. For more information, or to register: (514) 933-0878 or [email protected] TED STAUNTON leads Writing Children’s Fiction courses I and II, Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Classes are held at Mabel’s Fables

33 bookstore in central Toronto. Writing I surveys all MANUSCRIPT EVALUATION and COACHING genres of kid lit. Writing II is a workshop for Written a first draft and need feedback? Need a experienced writers. Click the links below for the line-by-line edit? Completed an outline, a first George Brown College Continuing Education chapter and a last chapter, but don’t know where website: https://writing-children-s-fiction-i/ or to go from there? If your manuscript is aimed at a https://writing-children-s-fiction-ii/ child or teen audience and you’re looking for some BOOK TRAILERS honest and practical feedback, Susan Hughes can help. Get in touch with her at Bring your stories to life for your prospective [email protected] or refer to her website readers with a book trailer. Videographer Tim for more information: www.susanhughes.ca. Clark will create a professional, 1 to 3 minute trailer for a story in any genre. Watch his trailer for SEMINARS The Choice by Kathy Clark which was named video For information about PWAC (Professional of the week on the Open Book website. Contact Writers Association of Canada)’s seminars on Tim at [email protected]. freelance writing see www.networds.ca.

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35 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: CANSCAIP, 720 Bathurst St., Unit 503, Toronto, ON M5S 2R4 416-515-1559 offi[email protected] www.canscaip.org CANSCAIP NEWS A quarterly bulletin of the Canadian Society of Authors, Illustrators and Performers La Société canadienne des auteurs, illustrateurs et artistes pour enfants Volume 40, No. 2 Spring 2018

The CANSCAIP Executive CANSCAIP Staff ELECTED EXECUTIVE MEMBERS Administrative Director Helena Aalto President SHARON JENNINGS Vice President Jennifer Maruno CANSCAIP News Past President Bill Swan Editor BARBARA GREENWOOD Treasurer Maureen McGowan Contributors Heather Camlot Member at Large Patsy MacKinnon Sharon Jennings Friend at Large Holly Main Natalie Kurtog APPOINTED EXECUTIVE MEMBERS Elizabeth MacLeod Sylvia McNicoll Recording Secretary Bev Katz Rosenbaum Gillian O’Reilly Program Committee Heather Camlot Monique Polak Theo Heras Beth Pollock Catherine Rondina Front Page Logo Variation Barbara Hartmann Patricia Storms Newsletter Production Rob Morphy Illustrators’ Rep Michele Nidenoff

Membership Committee Yolande Hirdaramani Holly Main Michele Nidenoff Listserv Manager Marsha Skrypuch Social Media Coordinator Melanie Fishbane Packaging Your Imagination Heather Camlot Jillian Dobson Joyce Grant Sharon Jennings Holly Main Jennifer Maruno Publication mail agreement #40043364

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