Volume 41 Number 4 Fall 2019 ISSN0708-594X

• Introducing HEATHER SMITH • AMANDA WEST LEWIS – The Smile of the Cat • SEAN CASSIDY – Illustrator’s Sketchbook + Congratulations, Noteworthy, President's Message, Welcome, News Roundup, & Business Briefs Logo variation by Sean Cassidy

Introducing... Heather Smith By Jennifer Maruno Heather Smith and I had to meet before the end of June as she planned to be out of the province until September. She has spent every summer in her home town, St. John’s, since she left the island over twenty years ago. Heather says, “It wouldn’t be summer without Newfoundland.” Besides catching up on family news, Heather will visit her local coffee shop each morning to write. The Newfoundland Tourist Board says, “Every trip you take leaves you with at least one story.” That must have been written with Heather in mind for this is exactly how she will return to her second home in . Heather didn’t leave Newfoundland with writing in mind. With her husband, they formed a company writers-in-residence program at Kitchener Public that took them to first to Aberdeen, Scotland and Library. She presented her first attempt to Red is Best then Las Vegas, Nevada. Not wishing to raise a family author Kathy Stinson, who although she gave “very in Las Vegas, they settled in Ontario. In 2002 sharp feedback,” found value in her storytelling Heather took advantage of the abilities. Kathy Stinson says, “Heather wrote a first-person adopted once her children headed off to school. She account about a girl fishing with her dad. She grew doesn’t define writing as always being at a desk, up in Newfoundland and I did not suspect for a pounding out a manuscript, as much as spending moment that what she’d written was pure fiction. time thinking. Sometimes it takes her a couple of Heather had never gone fishing with her dad. She was weeks to mull over a single idea. When she puts her that good a writer, even then.” story to paper, she starts at the beginning. The first Heather then participated in a series of writing page is written many times over until it is perfect workshops with Kathy, along with Nan Forler before she moves on to the next. She does this as a (Trampoline Boy, Tundra Books, 2018). daily practice, writing in short Eventually Donna Grassby (Kate’s [Heather] tells reluctant chunks. For, as she says, ‘I like to Ring, Red Deer Press, 2019) joined readers, “It is a good thing have my writing tight.” them. Kathy said, “There came a to read picture books if One unique writing ritual is point when I thought, “I’d rather be novels are too much. running with her son. “Physical getting their feedback on my work Picture book illustrations activity,” she says, “spurs on ideas.” than their money, and I loved the are works of art that are Heather admits she often thanks him things they were writing, too.” They beautifully emotional. You at the end of a run for listening to “went from being workshop leader can get everything from the her “gobble-de-gook.” and participants to fellow members pictures that you can get At one time though, most words of a writing group.” Heather, Nan, from the words. They are were gobble-de-gook for Heather. I Donna and Kathy have met to really satisfying.” asked her why she defined herself as exchange feedback for several years reluctant reader. She said, “There now. were too many words on the page and I was overwhelmed.” Newfoundland is a province of interesting It wasn’t that she didn’t like to read. As a child she dialect. When asked about using this part of her had been gifted a subscription to the little hard- heritage in her novels Heather replied. “Many people covered Disney Golden books and waited anxiously judge one’s level of intellect by the verbs they use, like each month for the new one to arrive. Heather loved the phrase, ‘I knows’.” Because of this, she says she the pictures more than the words and when doesn’t go “whole hog” with dialect but allows it to be presented with books that had only words on the a small part of a character’s composition. pages, she declined to continue. Newfoundland is also a province of interesting names. Family names like Fizzard, Fudge, and It was Judy Blume, (Are You There God? It’s Me, Inkpen are not uncommon, and uncommon names Margaret, Bradbury Press, 1970), one of the most play a big part forming Heather’s narratives. Names controversial children’s writers, who helped Heather like Jett, Poppy, Miracle, and Bun come into turn the page, so to speak, and read nothing but Heather’s mind before character development as if words. Blume’s contentious topics and her honesty in the character has to earn the name they have been addressing the anxieties that haunt everyone’s given. teenage years, instantly appealed. Heather then went to the library with her friends spending her time at Heather writes all day every day, from the time the teen rack “flipping and ditching,” until she found she gets up to about three p.m. It’s the schedule she something that she really wanted to read. She admits

2 CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 she is still ruthless about what she reads. Strange, (Kids Can Press, 2018) agrees: “What’s a comic if it’s quirky, unexpected events are what draw Heather not a book?” into a novel. If a book doesn’t catch her interest in Ebb and Flow the first few chapters she rejects it. began with a Perhaps this is why Heather talks about rejection small piece of sea of her own work with such ease. It never causes her glass Heather to stop writing or question her motives. If she is found along the going to create a manuscript, she says, “I might as Atlantic shore. well send it out. If it comes back then I must make it She marvelled at better.” Heather says she will always write and get how a sharp shard rejected. She will get good reviews and bad ones. She could turn into doesn’t keep them or worry about them. something so beautiful. “Now Life is like the tides. look at it—what In and out. was once a piece Back, forth. of broken glass is Push, pull. now something High, Low. better—it’s a You just have to go with the flow, you know? gem.” Unlike her other novels written in chapter form, The reviews Heather thinks are most important each page of Ebb and Flow is a piece of free verse with come to her from her readers or the parents of her imagery so powerful your heart will ache as you read readers, like the emails she recently received from it. the girl who turns to Baygirl (Orca Book Publishers, Jett is sent to spend the summer with his 2013) each time she felt like harming herself, or the Grandma for another chance at self-identification. mom whose son saw himself in Angus All Aglow (Orca His anger at his father’s imprisonment had repressed Book Publishers, 2018), the story of a little boy who his true self, which Heather reveals as Jett and his was teased for wearing his grandmother’s sparkly Gran walk the beach searching for sea glass, or necklace to school. visiting her down-and-out friends. Ebb and Flow, for Heather treasures picture books. She tells all ages and stages in life, was shortlisted for the 2018 reluctant readers, “It is a good thing to read picture Governor General’s Literary Award. books if novels are too much. Picture book Heather takes accolades and awards with the illustrations are works of art that are beautifully same kind of aplomb she does reviews. She feels emotional.” Heather also tells young readers, “You lucky for the number of nominations she has can get everything from the pictures that you can get received. “As clichéd as it may sound,” Heather from the words. They are really satisfying.” admits, “winning isn’t the important thing, I am She also has great respect for graphic novels and happy just to be nominated.” She is thrilled to be wishes they had been part of her life growing up. She considered as good as the other authors, thinking it thinks she would have been more of a reader had “almost surreal.” Once again she values most the they been accessible. Jett’s Grandma in Ebb and Flow opinions of the young readers who put her on the

CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 3 stage at the Forest of Reading Ceremonies. When it The Agony of Bun O’Keefe is packed with came to the announcement of the nomination for the information that every kid needs to know about life, Governor General’s Award, she said “the excitement suicide, molestation, pedophiles, and AIDS. It also was so great I couldn’t imagine winning being paints a portrait of motherhood that is less than anything but just a little bit greater.” idealized. Bun’s mother neglects her. Big Eyes’ mother refuses to believe she is being abused by her The Agony of Bun O’Keefe (Penguin Teen, 2017) own uncle. But Bun is both philosophical and wise, demonstrated Heather’s amazing ability not only to telling her new-found roommate that “TV moms are conquer words way better than real moms.” but emphasize The people who take Bun in and care for her are their origins fleeing from their own damaged lives but it is far and meanings. from a novel about hopelessness. According to A documentary Busker Boy, who takes her off the street, “We’re all on hoarding damaged goods, in a way. But it’s nothing that can’t be made Heather fixed. You just have to kick out the dents from the inside.” wonder what it The Agony of Bun O’Keefe was named one of Globe would be like to and Mail’s 100 Best Books of 2017 and won the 2018 be the daughter Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Award. of a person with Chicken Girl (Penguin Teen, 2019) brings Heather’s this condition. clever use of language back into play. Poppy relies on Bun, short for her twin brother to make her laugh, which he does Bernice, is a with playful puns and bad jokes. She responds with fourteen-year- what she calls word blends—one word to mean two old kid whose things, like automagically, nonversation, and clatching. information about life comes from discarded video But when her brother’s bad jokes turn into a bad tapes, music lyrics, old books and magazines, a situation, she has to stop pretending life under the medical manual, and a dictionary. She attends school Fifth St. Bridge is better than the one at home, stop for one year only and has to raise herself. Bun’s hiding inside her chicken mascot costume and help mother, like the junk that fills their home, is a huge him face the truth. burden but Bun always does what her mother asks especially when told Go on! Get out! She hits the Heather writes novels about lives with a streets wishing she could get through life the way she background of the hard times that come from uses the dictionary, for pronunciations, acquisitions, homelessness, assault, drug abuse, prostitution, definitions; but most of all, looking for alternative gender transition, body shaming, theft, parental entries. abuse, and neglect. She writes about thought- One of Bun’s survival techniques is to detach provoking, heart-breaking and heart-mending herself from her life. Reciting scripts from the experiences. When asked about her own hard times discarded video tapes she watched helps Bun get over Heather says, “Growing up I watched close friends the reality of her horrible home life and the “sore deal with some pretty heavy stuff. Although these stomach that always came with it.” As she puts it, experiences did not affect me directly, they stayed “becoming a narrator always made it go away.” with me for many years. Basically, their hard times

4 CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 were my hard times. That’s what friendship is all effect food has on kids. “Once, my mother brought about really. That’s not to say I haven’t had my own home fresh strawberry jam that a farmer was selling hard times. Who hasn’t? As writers, it is all of these at a flea market. She only gave me one spoonful, but experiences—our own and those of others—that it turned into hundreds ‘cause I never forgot the make our material more meaningful and, most of all, taste and was able to imagine it whenever I wanted.” believable.” Heather says she feels unsettled and anxious if A Plan for Pops (Orca Book Publishers, 2019) moves she is not writing. When she translates those feelings her attitude towards acceptance of people’s to the page her creativity not only shines, it glows. differences up a notch. Heather wrote a story about Who does Heather read when she is in her the relationship between grandparents and their favourite chair in her living room? She reads grandchild, making those grandparents a same sex Canadian authors Joel Thomas, We’ll All Be Burnt in couple. When Pops is told he will always have to use a Our Beds Some Night (Harper Collins, 2017), or, an wheelchair, he becomes too sad to leave his room. Lou essay from Alicia Elliot’s A Mind Spread out on the puts a plan into action that involves a ramp, rock and Ground (DoubleDay , 2019). They are quite a roll and a beautiful surprise. leap from her little Disney library. She can certainly The Globe and Mail review (June 29, 2019) says, no longer be categorized as a reluctant reader; more “Heather Smith creates a poignant portrait of an like the next Judy Blume. older same-sex-couple and their grandchild” and Heather will be presenting a Master Class at calls it “heartwarming.” CANSCAIP’s Packaging Your Imagination Heather states, “I did not want the same sex Conference on how to intensify the emotional relationship to be the focus of the book. Having the landscape of a manuscript in a quiet yet powerful grandparents be “Grandad and Pops” as opposed to way. I will be there for sure. “Grandma and Grandpa” is inconsequential to the story. The story itself is about the grandparent/ JENNIFER MARUNO’s grandchild relationship.” Making the same sex novels of historical fiction relationship inconsequential, however, is exactly have been nominated for the what makes it part of every-day life, inclusionary, Hackmatack, The Young and best of all for our young readers, believable. Readers of Canada and The Heather’s latest picture book, The Phone Booth in Rocky Mountain Awards. Mr. Hirota’s Garden (Orca Book Publishers, 2019), will Jennifer champions be released in September. The text is based on the children’s books as vice- empathy she felt for those affected by the Japanese president of CANSCAIP tsunami. Using a washed-up phone booth to and through school communicate with his dead wife, Mr. Hirota’s way of presentations and dealing with grief is meaningful and touching. workshops. Her newest middle-grade novel Until Niagara Falls (Dundurn Press) will be released A perfect day for Heather is a large chunk of February 2020. writing time, some outside time, some family time and a healthy meal cooked by someone else. With a laugh she admits cooking is not where her creativity shines. She knows, however, how to describe the

CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 5 SHORTLISTED for the 2020 Rocky Mountain Congratulations Book Award Linda Bailey for Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein (Tundra CANSCAIP Members! Books) Cary Fagan Helaine Becker for Hubots: Real-World Robots Inspired The Joan Betty Stuchner—Oy Vey!—Funniest By Humans (Kids Can Press) Children’s Book Award for Mort Ziff Is Not Dead Lena Coakley for Wicked Nix (HarperCollins Canada) (Puffin Books) Charis Cotter for The Ghost Road (Tundra Books) Colleen Nelson Deborah Kerbal for My Deal With the Universe Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award (Scholastic Books) (YA) for Sadia (Dundurn Press) Susin Neilsen for No Fixed Address (Tundra Books) SHORTLISTED for the Red Cedar Reader’s Elizabeth MacLeod for Super Cats: True Stories of Felines Choice Award 2020 That Made History (Annick Press) • Fiction Kenneth Oppel for Inkling (HarperCollins Canada) Deborah Kerbal for My Deal With the Universe Catherine Rondina for : How a First Nations (Scholastic Canada ) kid became a superstar goaltender (James Lorimer & Co.) Susin Neilsen for No Fixed Address (Tundra Books) Kevin Sands for Call of the Wraith (Aladdin Books) Kenneth Oppel for Inkling (HarperCollins Canada) Heather Smith for Ebb & Flow (Kids Can Press)

• Information Andrea Curtis for Eat This: how food marketing gets you to buy junk (and how to fight back) (Red Deer Press) Claire Eamer for Out of the Ice: How Climate Change is Revealing the Past (Kids Can Press) E Etta Kaner for Wild Buildings and Bridges: Architecture Inspired by Nature (Kids Can Press) Rob Laidlaw for Bat Citizens: Defending the Ninjas of the Night (Pajama Press) Elizabeth MacLeod for Super Cats: True Stories of Felines That Made History (Annick Press) Anne Renaud and Richard Rudniki for Fania’s Heart (Second Story Press) Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch for Too Young to Escape: A Vietnamese Girl Waits to be Reunited with her Family— with Van Ho (Pajama Press)

6 CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 • The CANSCAIP Sask website Noteworthy (skcanscaip.wordpress.com) will soon be undergoing some renovations. Stay tuned (or whatever the IN MEMORIAM equivalent internet term is)! With sadness we announce the passing of Joan Weir — Submitted by Dianne Young (1928-2019) in North . An early member of LOGO VARIATION: Our front-page logo variation is by CANSCAIP, Joan Sean Cassidy. You can see more of his illustrations in was the author of Kazaak! and A Woodpecker’s Tale (both by Fitzhenry & sixteen young Whiteside) and many others. adult novels, notably The USING SOCIAL MEDIA: From time to time CANSCAIP Brideship and The would like to help promote its Members and Friends Principal’s Kid, and their work on our social media, through which won the #FollowFriday as well as other campaigns. Do you B.C. Centennial know of a CANSCAIP Member or Friend whose work Book Award in (behind the scenes or public) you admire and feel 2000, along with deserves more recognition? Or are you a Member or six books of Friend who would appreciate a shout-out? If so, history. For many please fill out this form. We promise your info will years she taught English and Creative Writing at the not be shared with any third parties. And be sure to University College of the Cariboo (later Thompson follow CANSCAIP on Twitter and Facebook. Rivers University), where she is remembered by FOLLOW CANSCAIP: Looking for some new friends? many as a mentor and inspiration. In 2004 she was There is now a handy page on the CANSCAIP website awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree. where the Twitter handles of our professional CANSCAIP SASK HORIZONS REPORT members are listed (http://canscaip.org/ • As of August 1st, there are now 31 CANSCAIP page-1862893). Let’s follow each other and help members/friends living in ! promote each other’s work. • A new name and a new executive! CANSCAIP Sask FINDING CANADIAN BOOKS: 49thShelf.com is a Horizons was renamed CANSCAIP Sask at the website devoted to Canadian children’s books. Biennial General Meeting held in May in Saskatoon. Produced by the Association of Canadian Publishers The new executive members are Paula Jane together with the Canadian Publishers’ Council, and Remlinger (President), Melanie McFarlane (Secretary- with funding from the Department of Canadian Treasurer), and Dianne Young and Glenda Goertzen Heritage and the Ontario Media Development are the Social Media Team. Huge thanks to outgoing Corporation and a lead sponsorship from President Sharon Plumb Hamilton for her dedication Amazon.ca., its purpose is to make it easier for to this group. readers to discover Canadian books in all genres, • Plans are already underway for the next Prairie from bestselling authors to new talent, from Horizons Conference in 2021. publishers large and small, from all regions of the country.

CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 7 CREATIVE WRITING: If you are teaching a course in writing or illustration for the children’s market, we’d MEET CONNECT SHARE! love to send you a package of brochures about CANSCAIP and about Packaging Your Imagination to distribute to your students. Email our office ([email protected]) to let Helena Aalto know how many you may need.

ILLUSTRATORS: We are looking for more logo variations to dress up the NEWS. For inspiration, you can view our current ones at the logo site on our Never miss a meeting: www.canscaip.org/ home page (and see below). EventsCalendar! Add CANSCAIP events If you are a full CANSCAIP member/illustrator and straight to your calendar or inbox with handy would like to submit your version for possible use, RSS and calendar tools. here are the specifics: Digital submission is Montreal: CANSCAIP meetings are held preferred, so scan your art at 300 dpi and email the regularly. For more information, contact Carol- file to [email protected]. Make sure you put Ann Hoyte. [email protected] CANSCAIP Logo Submission in the subject line. We’d love to have colourful, playful art. Those who : Meetings are held on the second find scanning a challenge can send paper art to the Wednesday of each month, ten times a year. CANSCAIP office. Meetings in fall 2019: September 11, October 9, November 13, December 11. See website for location and topic: www.canscaip.org/Monthly- Meetings. Saskatchewan: Your Saskatchewan representative is Dianne Young. E [email protected].

8 CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 what happens to our stories when we encounter editors who are more about the tricks and are not at From the all helpful about the content? Editors who want to rush a first draft into print, telling us, This is trendy! ByPresident’ Sharon Jennings s Desk This will sell! And what if we’re beginners, or nearly beginners, and we don’t have an editor that points Years ago, when working as a junior editor at a out how our writing could be stronger and more textbook company, I came across a quotation (don’t powerful? know who wrote it) that I pinned to my bulletin I am getting around to craft, and what we need to board. It read: Some people are so busy learning the know about our stories—whether we use words or tricks of the trade that they never learn the trade illustrations or both. What responsibility falls upon itself. It gave me great solace to look us to learn our trade? up and see it there as I dutifully Helena Aalto recently reminded proofread and copyedited and, in my me of a statement made by that spare time, read books about well- revered editor and publisher Sheila known editors with the vision to Barry: The creator’s job, the only job, shape a writer’s career. is to construct the best story I reported, then, to an editor who possible. Don’t worry about seemed all about the tricks—name- publishing; concentrate on writing dropping, references to his Oxford and/or illustrating an excellent days, lunch with authors and story. educational consultants. He never Photo by Debbie Ridpath Ohi sat at his desk, red pen in hand (in those days) to And how do we do this? We learn edit. His advice to me, when handing over a our craft. Fortunately, there are many programs and manuscript, was, “It needs a bit of polishing.” He conferences and workshops that we can attend, and couldn’t give any specifics. So I’d start in, there is always a fresh way of looking at craft—at copyediting, and by page three begin to wonder if the dialogue or voice or colour saturation. There is entire manuscript didn’t need to be re-thought and always a new creator who has done things differently given a substantial structural edit. My managing and gives unexpected insight for a style that might editor didn’t feel it was necessary and got quite huffy have become too much like formula. There is always when the department manager agreed with my an older master who can cut through your Gordian assessment. knot with one well-advised ‘try this’. When I became a published author, I fell on my Of course I have to beat the drum here for our knees and gave thanks whenever I encountered an very own Packaging Your Imagination, this year on insightful editor (or swore when I did not). We all October 26th. Our focus, as always, is on craft. We know writers who complain about the editorial ask our presenters to be very specific and concrete process, certain that they’ve handed in a masterpiece and provide many examples. We let them know that that needs no more work. How short-sighted! A good everyone wants to leave with a headful of ideas about editor often saves us from making fools of ourselves, how to move forward, or how to solve a problem that strengthens our work, and we should be grateful. But has stalled a story, or simply how to start.

CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 9 Unfortunately (reminder: this is an opinion advice from agents and publishers, no one gets out column) there are many writing conferences that alive without learning craft, as well. focus on the tricks. I believe that this is manipulative. The messaging around some of these very large, very For some of us, in mid-career, a conference about corporate conferences seems to be, ‘Of course you the business of publication may be just the thing; we can write! You just need a lucky break!’ (And, by the have been published, we get good reviews, but now way, these conferences are never for illustrators.) We we aren’t resonating the same way. Perhaps our style hand over two or three hundred bucks to find out is a bit old-fashioned; maybe our editor has retired that what we really need to be successful is how to and the new, fresh young face doesn’t find us ‘edgy’. land an agent or write a nifty query letter or pitch to (I’m looking down at my Birkenstocks and wonder if the right audience. And all that is true, give or take. I’m doomed.) In that case, maybe we do need a But it is also useless if you can’t write. session on queries and pitches and trends. In that So why the dearth of craft sessions at some case, we’re not talking ‘tricks’; we’re talking about conferences? Could it be that writing is really hard being a professional after the manuscript is work and can’t be taught in a six-hour day? Do the complete. organizers play on the gullible who believe that My advice is to be careful where you plunk down ‘traditional’ publishers are biased? If I just get my your money. If a conference is chock-a-block with elevator pitch down pat I’ll be a best-seller! agents and nary a well-published author or illustrator Learning to pitch and find the right publisher is on what they euphemistically call ‘the faculty’, maybe also hard work. But what if we do everything right you should think twice about attending. and are still turned down because of a badly constructed manuscript? That is why we call our day of workshops Packaging Your Imagination, not How ------to Get Published. We can’t guarantee publication; no conference can. We’re just honest about it. A few years ago I was on a panel titled some “As you read a book word by word and page by page, variation of how to get published. We had a you participate in its creation, just as a cellist bookseller and publisher and writing instructor on playing a Bach suite participates, note by note, in the the panel as well. We each had ten minutes to talk creation, the coming-to-be, the existence, of the about our various jobs and then the audience got to music. And, as you read and re-read, the book of ask questions. No one asked the instructor or author course participates in the creation of you, your (me) any questions. Everyone wanted to know what thoughts and feelings, the size and temper of your the publisher and bookseller were looking for and soul.” — Ursula K. Le Guin how to submit their manuscripts. When I told a friend, she thought I was upset. On the contrary: I was amused and saddened. No one in attendance was published, but they were so sure that they had written the next great thing that they didn’t ask for any writing advice. Although Packaging does offer

10 CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 Staticy Cat. His fiction and poetry appear regularly in the world’s best children’s magazines: Highlights, Welcome! Ladybug, Spider, Scoop and others. Visit Rolli’s by Monique Polak website (rollistuff.com) and follow him on Twitter In this column we welcome our newest Members. @rolliwrites.

RICHARD CLARK has HEATHER TEKAVEC'S written eight chapter writing background books. My Best Friend Is a includes 13 books with Secret Agent (Indigo), is for publishers such as Kids sale at all Chapters/ Can Press and Dial Books Indigo/Coles bookstores for Young Readers. Her (and online) in Canada. It books have been was previously on the published in 10 foreign Amazon and iBooks free languages, received kids books bestseller lists various awards and as an ebook with over 100,000 downloads and over honours, and most recently, one—Manners are Not for 50,000 reads on wattpad.com. Richard has worked as Monkeys—was included in MacDonalds’ Happy Meals a screenwriter and story editor, both in Toronto and across Canada. Before having children of her own, LA. A graduate of UCLA and AFI, his credits include Heather was a preschool teacher and later worked as writing or story-editing over 150 produced TV scripts a preteen girls’ club leader. She currently works in for shows broadcast on the Disney Channel, the public library system, directs high school Nickelodeon, BBC, Netflix, CBC, CTV and networks. musicals and still enjoys time with children when she He’s also developed shows for many production visits schools and libraries to share her books and companies, written four TV movies for Showtime passion for literacy. She also critiques, edits and Networks, optioned several feature screenplays in proofreads manuscripts for other authors and LA, and worked as a director and editor. In 2010 he teaches an online fiction writing course. Heather was nominated for both a Gemini Award and in both lives in Surrey, BC. 2010 and 2012 for Writers Guild of Canada RITA WILSON is a writer, Screenwriting Awards. poet, teacher of young ROLLI is a writer and children, and gardener illustrator from Regina. who lives on the banks of He is the author of the Caribou River in Nova numerous titles for Scotia. She’s been children, including published in, among Kabungo (Groundwood others: Saltscapes, Arc Books), winner of the Joan Poetry Magazine, The Betty Stuchner Award; Cumberland Review; and and the acclaimed story received the Atlantic Poetry Prize. She first collection Dr. Franklin’s discovered Elizabeth Bishop at her grandparents’

CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 11 house in Great Village, immediately imagining that house as the perfect framework to introduce Bishop and her words to children and parents. A Pocket of Time: Elizabeth Bishop’s Poetic Childhood (Nimbus Publishing) will be released this fall. E

12 CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 story. He plans to be promoting Sid the Kid and the NEWS ROUNDUP Dryer in Ontario in November. Lesley lives in East Lawrencetown, NS. By Elizabeth MacLeod

Deadline for FALL NEWS: November 20, 2019 JESSICA SCOTT KERRIN's sixteenth work of fiction is We’d love to hear from you! Let us know about your new a middle-grade novel titled Clear Skies (Groundwood books, tours, awards, launches, etc. Email the details, Books). It was launched this August, timed to including your town and province, with the subject line: coincide with the fiftieth anniversary of the first WINTER NEWS to [email protected]. Moon landing. Clear Skies is set in the 1960s during the Space Race. Eleven-year-old Arno Creelman, who ATLANTIC REGION struggles with claustrophobia, wants nothing more than to be an astronomer. Unlike his annoying friend DON AKER will be touring Buddy, who wants to become an astronaut and is not Ontario during the week at all bothered by the idea of flying in a cramped of October 28 to space capsule, Arno dreams of exploring the galaxies November 1. Teachers or with powerful telescopes back on Earth. That is, until librarians who are he’s told what viewing from an observatory might be interested in booking this like. His starry dreams could become a cosmic best-selling author for nightmare. Jessica lives in Halifax. presentations and/or workshops can go to ANGUS MacCAULL will authorsbooking.com/ publish his third picture aker-don-halifax-ns/ to contact him. A multiple book this fall. SHEREE award-winner for his young-adult fiction, Don is an FITCH says of Lawnteel at internationally renowned speaker whose dynamic School (Outside the Lines presentations have captivated young people and Press), “Endearing! The educators as far afield as Vietnam. Don is giving the wee adventures of special offer of a 50% discount on his travel fee for Lawnteel the Lentil the first four bookings. Don lives in Halifax. continue! This time, he needs help reading. LESLEY CHOYCE is soon to see the publication of his Simply told, beautifully illustrated.” Angus lives in ninety-eighth book this September. Sid the Kid and the Antigonish, NS. Dryer is a picture book imagining a young practicing hockey in his suburban basement SUSAN WHITE's young-adult novel Headliner (Acorn long before he becomes a superstar. The book is Press) was shortlisted for the 2019 New Brunswick lavishly illustrated by Brenda Jones who also Mrs. Dunster’s Award for Fiction. (The award was illustrated Lesley’s first picture book, Skunks for presented posthumously to author Raymond Fraser.) Breakfast (both Nimbus Publishing). Although Lesley Susan lives on the Kingston Peninsula, NB. isn’t a die-hard hockey fan, he believes that a look at how heroes—sports heroes or others—start out as RITA WILSON's picture book A Pocket of Time: The ordinary kids with gumption makes for a darn good Poetic Childhood of Elizabeth Bishop (Nimbus

CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 13 Publishing) will be published this November. The Mississauga; Anna Stitski-Gemza, Mississauga; book tells the story of Elizabeth’s childhood in Great Janet Stobie, Peterborough. Village, Nova Scotia, with her beloved Gammie and Pa. It is the place where she learned to walk, read, JEAN BOOKER had her short story “Goodbye My write, sing hymns and catch bumblebees in foxglove Love” published in the anthology Lives Lived: Stories flowers. The story, which takes place in the rooms of North of 50 (The Ontario Society of Senior Citizens Gammie and Pa’s house, then out in the village itself, Organizations) in the spring. The book of short is narrated by Rita, interspersed with words from stories was launched at Earl Bales Park in Toronto Elizabeth’s poems and prose and collage-style with a luncheon and readings of several of the stories artwork from illustrator Emma FitzGerald. It is a in the book. Jean lives in Bobcaygeon. “love letter to words” and the hope is that children, RICHARD CLARK is proud to announce that his teachers and parents will be introduced to Elizabeth chapter book My Best Friend Is a Secret Agent (Indigo and fall in love. Rita lives in Caribou River, NS. Press), has been a Heather’s Kids Pick and a kids’ QUEBEC bestseller at Indigo/Chapters/Coles stores since its release in June. Illustrated by Rich Murray, the book, ANNE RENAUD's book subtitled “How Chip Became C.H.I.P. and Foiled the Fania’s Heart (Second Freaky Fuzzy Invasion,” is about a young science wiz Story Press) has been who invents a way to turn his best friend into a shortlisted for the 2020 junior James Bond. Together, they fight off a Red Cedar Book Award. collection of crazy bad guys, culminating in saving On Saturday, October 12, the city from an army of furry toys controlled by an Anne will be giving a evil tech genius. The book is intended to be the first workshop for the Quebec of a series and the co-publisher, Wattpad, is Writers’ Federation currently pursuing publishers outside of Canada, as entitled “Writing picture well as a potential television series. Richard lives in book biographies: going down the research rabbit Oakville. hole.” Visit qwf.org/activities/programs/workshops/ for more information. Anne lives in Westmount. LINDA HUTSELL- MANNING's memoir, ONTARIO (OUTSIDE TORONTO) Fearless and Determined: Two Years Teaching in a Welcome to new Friends: Michelle Arteaga, Oakville; One-Room School (Blue Denise Barker, Scarborough; Ashley Deonanan, Denim Press), will be ; Ingrid Dykstra, Burlington; Daren Flores, available October 1. Part Waterloo; Rebecca Heaslip, Oakville; Katie memoir, part creative Hemming, Simcoe; Wendy Hoernig, Goderich; non-fiction, Fearless and Leigh-Anne Ingram, Barrie; Virginia Lee, Determined explores life in Scarborough; Judith Mackay, London; Chloe rural southern Ontario in the mid-1960s. With one Marentette, London; Noelle Anne Navarrete, year’s training at Toronto Teacher’s College and no curriculum resources except a list of subjects, Linda

14 CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 created and taught courses for eight grades. Built in MARTHE JOCELYN's 1860, her school with its wood stove, two pit toilets, a middle-grade mystery, The cold water tap and no storm windows, was home to Body under the Piano many students for their entire elementary school (Tundra Books), will be education. Linda’s memoir traverses the Kennedy released on February 4, assassination, Beatles craze and small pox shots. She 2020. The book features a worked ten-hour days and made on-the-spot 12-year-old sleuth named decisions as teacher and principal. The book’s cover Aggie Morton and her photo appeared in a November 1963 issue of the Star new best friend, Belgian Weekly. The memoir will be sold at indie bookstores, immigrant Hector Perot. Chapters, Indigo and as an ebook. Linda lives in Aggie, who hopes to be a writer someday, was Cobourg. inspired by the real-life Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie. “I will tell first about making a new friend SUE IRWIN is thrilled to and save the dead body for later. This follows the announce that her book, traditional rules of storytelling—lull the reader with Breaking Through—Heroes pleasant scenery and lively dialogue, introduce a few in Canadian Women’s Sport appealing characters and then aha! discover a (James Lorimer & corpse!” The Body Under the Piano is the first in a Company Ltd.) was series. Marthe lives in Stratford. chosen by the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of TERRY LYNN JOHNSON is happy to share that her Ontario (ETFO) as winner upcoming middle-grade novel, Dog Driven (Houghton of their 2019 Writer’s Mifflin Harcourt), is a Junior Library Guild Selection. Award. Their media release described Sue’s “breezy, It’s set in the snowy wilds of Lake Superior and will engaging style” as she told the stories of hockey star be racing to bookstores on December 3. Terry lives in , soccer player Christine Whitefish Falls. Sinclair, basketball player Kia Nurse, Olympian bobsledder , rugby star DEBORAH KERBEL is and Olympian swimmer , as well as delighted to announce the Indigenous cross-country skiers and sisters Sharon September release of her Anne and Shirley Firth and wrestler Carol Huynh. tenth book for young ETFO President Sam Hammond had high praise for readers. When Molly Drew Breaking Through, saying, “Sue’s book will inspire a Dogs (Owlkids Books), whole generation of young girls to set their sights on illustrated by Lis Xu, is a goal and find the confidence and perseverance to Deborah’s third picture achieve their dreams. Models for girl’s empowerment book. Her latest middle- like these sports heroes are invaluable.” Sue lives in grade novel, My Deal with Grimsby. the Universe (Scholastic Canada), was shortlisted for both the 2020 Red Cedar Book Award and 2020 Rocky Mountain Book Award. In June, her debut picture book, Sun Dog (Pajama Press), illustrated by

CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 15 SUZANNE DEL RIZZO, was voted a 2019 Forest of ANNE LAUREL CARTER is Reading Blue Spruce Honour Book. Deborah lives in delighted to announce her Thornhill. picture book Rocky Waters (Groundwood Books), was HEATHER KIRK is pleased published in September. Set to say that her latest book, in the 1970s, Rocky Waters is Seeking Peace: The Quakers the almost true story of (Borealis Press), is being Rocky, one of 13 children, sold this year in the gift who loved to fish and still shop of Sharon Temple does. Rocky is a descendant National Historic Site. of the first Acadians who settled on Prince Edward This well-developed site is Island in 1799. As a boy Rocky had the salt bad in his located in the village of veins and couldn’t wait to start lobster fishing with Sharon, Ontario, about 50 his Dad and older sister. The book was inspired by kilometres north of Toronto. The beautiful temple the stories of an Acadian fisherman who lives in was built by a unique religious group called “The Anne’s Nova Scotia home every winter when Anne Children of Peace,” a group that had broken away moves back to Toronto. Anne read the book at Word from the Quaker religion during the War of 1812. on the Street in Halifax on September 14. While Heather’s book, heavily illustrated, provides an there, Anne also introduced teen activists, including introduction to Quakerism and its 360-year history Stella Bowles who inspired Anne’s work of non- of nonviolent resistance. Sharon Temple is discussed fiction, My River (Formac Publishing Co. Ltd.), about in Heather’s book. Heather lives in Barrie. the cleanup of the Lahave River in Nova Scotia.

ANITHA ROBINSON has started a “Kindness Is ANDREA CURTIS's book A Forest in the City Everything” blog on her website. The goal is to collect (Groundwood Books), her first book in the new and share uplifting stories of people being kind to “ThinkCities” series, is coming out in Spring 2020. A animals and each other, in hopes of inspiring others narrative non-fiction book about the importance of to do the same. No act of kindness is too small for the the urban forest, it’s a collaboration with multiple- animal or person receiving it. If you have a story to award–winning illustrator Pierre Pratt. Andrea’s share, please send her an e-mail. Go to most recent kids’ non-fiction book, Eat This! How Fast anitharobinson.com/blog/ to check out her blog, Food Marketing Gets You to Buy Junk (and how to fight Anitha lives in Milton. back) (Red Deer Press) is nominated for the Red Cedar Book Award, is an OLA Best Bets and was TORONTO named a Best of the Year by both Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal. Welcome to new Friends: Phyllis Bordo, Thereza Dos Santos, Paula Gilroy, Tina Hahn, Mahak Jain, ANNE DUBLIN recently made a foray into the land of Véronique Lehouck, Yannis Lobaina, Alice Pelot, self-publishing and came out relatively unscathed. John Tilak, Pam Walls. Her 2001 historical novel, Written on the Wind (HodgePog Books), which was out of print, is now available as an e-book on Amazon. Written on the

16 CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 Wind tells the story of togetherness and how they are intertwined. Loretta twins, Sarah and Michael, is also a book seller and voice actor. who are caught up in the devastating events in SUSAN HUGHES is pleased to announce the Toronto in 1954 when September 15 publication of Upsy-Daisy, Baby!, Hurricane Hazel hit an beautifully illustrated by ASHLEY BARRON. It’s a new unprepared city. Anne 24-page board book based on Up! How Families Around will be giving a talk about the World Carry Their Little Ones (both OwlKids Books). the “Garment Workers Around the world, little ones are carried in many Scheme,” aka “Tailors different ways: in slings, on shoulders, in backpacks, Project” on Wednesday November 6 at 7.30 p.m. at on hips, in baskets and in loving arms... In each the Beth Emeth Synagogue in Toronto, as part of place, a mom, dad, grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin Holocaust Education Week. Through “Tailors or sibling lovingly carries a baby. With various family Project,” approximately 2,000 garment workers were configurations and settings ranging from a busy brought to Canada after World War II. The Tailor outdoor market to a high-rise apartment kitchen, the Project Book (Second Story Press) will be published in book wholeheartedly celebrates diversity. Gorgeous 2020. Go to tailorproject.ca for more information. cut-paper collage art adds warmth and brightness and brings the lyrical text to life. Kirkus Reviews says CAROLINE FERNANDEZ is the book is “A celebration of baby love as it’s carried holding a launch party for out all over the world.” her book Stop Reading This Book! (Common Deer ELLEN S. JAFFE published a new book of poetry for Press)! Toronto-area adults, The Day I Saw Willie Mays, and Other Poems CANSCAIPers (and the (Pinking Shears Press). It launched on June 16. Ellen general public, of course) is dealing with a serious health issue and the book are warmly invited to the contains a poem sequence about that (“After the Indigo store at Yonge and Diagnosis”), as well as poems about family Eglinton on Saturday memories, friendship, nature, art and political/social October 5 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. The launch will justice issues. Readings for the fall are in the works, include a question-and-answer session with Caroline but no details yet. Ellen’s work is also included in and illustrator Shannon O’Toole, which will be Tamaracks: Canadian Poetry for the 21st Century, edited moderated by TV personality Patty Sullivan (of Kids’ by James Deahl (Lummox Press). CBC, TVO Kids). Families welcome! Stop Reading This REGAN W. H. MACAULAY's award-winning first Book! uses comedy and contradiction to get kids picture book, Beverlee Beaz the Brown Burmese, has reading. Would you... could you... Stop Reading This been translated into French! The new French edition, Book? Beverlee, la chatte de Birmanie (both Mirror World LORETTA GARBUTT will have her first picture book Publishing), will be released October 1. Beverlee Beaz, released in spring 2020. A Stopwatch from Grampa the brown Burmese, longs for adventure and has the (Kids Can Press) has luscious illustrations by the powerful imagination to make it happen. On a lovely, talented Carmen Mok. The book is about time and but otherwise ordinary day, she seeks excitement

CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 17 among the forests and fields surrounding her home. what treasure is and what it can be. Treasure is also The ordinary suddenly becomes extraordinary in the available in French as Trésor (both Orca Book eyes of this wildly creative little brown cat. Follow Publishers). Mireille presented Sergeant Billy and Beverlee on her adventure through the forest, over Treasure at the Eden Mills Writers Festival on the hills… and into the world of her imagination! The September 8. She will also present Treasure and Trésor book was translated by Alexandra Marier. at “Nature Tales” at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario, on September 22. ELIZABETH MacLEOD is pleased to announce that her book Super Cats (Annick Press) has been nominated BEV KATZ ROSENBAUM will be appearing at for the 2020 Red Cedar Children’s Book Award. Liz’s Toronto’s Word on the Street festival on Sunday, book Meet Willie O’Ree, about the National Hockey September 22, with her new book for young people, League’s first black player, will be released early next Who is Tanksy? (Orca). Check the official schedule for year. Liz is speaking about all the books in this her presentation and signing times. And thanks to all biography series (Meet Viola Desmond, Meet Chris who came out to the September launches for the Hadfield, Meet Tom Longboat and Meet Elsie MacGill) (all book! CM Magazine said, “Modern, politically aware Scholastic Canada) at the Vancouver Writers Fest in and fun, Who is Tanksy? is a great read with the October. potential to light that spark in the leaders and activists of tomorrow.” REGAN McDONELL's young adult debut, Black RINA SINGH is excited to Chuck (Orca Book announce the release of Publishers), has been her picture book A Meeting shortlisted for the 2019 in the Sky (Creative Sunburst Award for Editions), beautifully Excellence in Canadian illustrated by Jordi Vila Literature of the Delclos, a Spanish Fantastic. The juried illustrator. A Meeting in the awards celebrate Sky narrates the true tale exceptional writing in adult, young adult and short of a remarkable encounter stories, and are presented each fall to the best between two World War II pilots—former enemies Canadian speculative fiction published any time who became friends for life. during the previous calendar year. Sunburst Award winners will be announced in fall 2019. KEVIN SYLVESTER and Basil Sylvester are writing a book for Harper Collins Canada about a non-binary MIREILLE MESSIER is happy to announce the release kid named Zed Watson and their quest for a lost of TWO new picture books this fall! Sergeant Billy: The book. Road trip! The book will be out in 2021. Kevin’s True Story of the Goat Who Went to War (Tundra series “The Super-6,” about six hockey-playing, Books), illustration by Kass Reich, is the true story of super-hero kids, will launch from Scholastic Canada a brave World War I hero... who was a goat! And in 2020. Treasure, illustrations by Irene Luxbacher, is a story of two siblings hunting for treasure and finding out

18 CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 FRIEDA WISHINSKY and ELIZABETH MacLEOD are teenager who poses as a martial arts expert. The book delighted that their book How to Become an Accidental is titled Kung Fu Master (Orca Book Publishers). Marty Genius (Orca Book Publishers) was one of the books lives in . highlighted for the summer by the children’s book JOAN MARIE GALAT is panel on the CBC Radio show The Next Chapter. pleased that her book Dot Panelist Ken Setterington said, “It’s an amazing to Dot in the Sky, Stories in book. It’s just a great read. Really fun and certainly the Clouds (Whitecap full of good quotes like, ‘Minds are like parachutes: Books) is a 2019 Skipping they only function when open.’” Stones Award recipient in MANITOBA, SASKATCHEWAN, the Nature and Ecology category. The announcement of the BEVERLEY BRENNA's new prize included this picture book, The Girl with comment: “Teachers will find Stories in the Clouds a the Cat (Red Deer Press), useful resource for a study of weather. Students will based on a true story and enjoy both the scientific explanations of various illustrated by Brooke aspects of weather and the fascinating stories from Kerrigan, is about the seven different cultures from several continents.” power of words, as well as You can see the book trailer on Joan’s web site. Joan the impact of a child’s lives in Parkland County, AB. voice. In 1966, the lease SALLY MEADOWS's poignant picture book The was up on a sculpture Underdog Duckling (Your Nickel’s Worth Publishing), borrowed by Saskatoon’s Mendel Gallery when a illustrated by OLHA TKACHENKO, won the 2019 Word nine-year-old girl began a heartfelt campaign. A site Award for Best Children’s Book—General Market. Go of friendship and hope, the sculpture was the only to facebook.com/SallyMeadowsMusic and piece of art in the gallery that children could touch. www.instagram.com/sallymeadowsmusic to connect Caroline Markham Zelizney won her battle and went with Sally. She lives in Saskatoon. on to become a champion of many children in her role as a school counsellor for Saskatoon Public LORNA SCHULTZ NICHOLSON has two new releases Schools. Tragically she lost her battle with cancer at for fall 2019. Just Three (Orca Book Publishers) is a age 53, but she left behind a legacy of good deeds, novel in the “Currents” series and is a modern take including saving the Girl with Cat sculpture, on The Parent Trap. Amazing Hockey Stories: P.K. Subban reminding us of the many ways we all have to make a (Scholastic Canada) is a middle-grade non-fiction difference. Bev lives in Saskatoon. and includes text, photos and graphics. It’s perfect for any hockey player! Lorna lives in Edmonton MARTY CHAN celebrated the launch of two books. The final book in his “Ehrich Weisz Chronicles,” Metamorphosis (Fitzhenry & Whiteside) hit the bookstores in September. He also wrote a stand- alone book for reluctant readers about a Chinese

CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 19 , YUKON, regularly delivers writing programs, camps and NUNAVUT, NWT contests in Korea. Lee lives in Vancouver. Welcome to new Friends: Carol Faubert, Vancouver; Jennifer Killam, Vancouver; Jenni Sheppard, Vancouver; D.M. Wagner, Yellowknife, NT.

KAREN AUTIO is excited to announce two forthcoming books. Kah-Lan to the Rescue is a chapter book told from the point of view of a wild sea otter in British Columbia and will be available in the fall of 2020. Making Seaker will be published in spring 2021 and is a Science-Technology-Engineering- Mathematics (STEM) novel for eight-to ten-year- olds, especially girls, who have out-of-the-ordinary interests and long to both fit in and follow their passions. Karen’s narrative non-fiction picture book Lee Edward Födi and friends in Korea of Okanagan history, Growing Up in Wild Horse Canyon (all Crwth Press), illustrated by LORAINE ISABELLE GROC is pleased to announce that her first KEMP, was a finalist for a 2019 Word Award. Karen non-fiction children’s book, Gone is Gone: Wildlife lives in Kelowna, BC. under Threat (Orca Book Publishers) will be released on September 24. If human behaviour is the cause of NORMA CHARLES's book Runner: Harry Jerome, the wildlife crisis, it can also be the solution. What do World’s Fastest Man (Red Deer Press) has been given a endangered animals need, what do people do to help 2019 Skipping Stones Honour Award, which wildlife survive and how can you act for the wild “promotes respect for the ecological and cultural before it is too late? The richly illustrated book with diversity of the world.” She will be appearing at Word foreword by Jane Goodall informs and inspires Vancouver on September 29 and will read from her readers of all ages to take small steps toward big latest novel, Tree Musketeers (Ronsdale Press). Norma changes for endangered species. The book launch lives in Vancouver. will be held on September 26 at the Museum of Vancouver, with a last chance to view the museum’s LEE EDWARD FÖDI recently returned from Korea “Wild Things: The Power of Nature” exhibition that where he celebrated the fifteenth anniversary of the closes on September 30. Isabelle lives in Vancouver. Creative Writing for Children Society (CWC) with a presentation and book signing at the Canadian DEBORAH HODGE is looking forward to visiting embassy in Seoul. He signed copies of The Secret of Powell River, British Columbia, in October to speak Zoone (HarperCollins Canada) alongside fellow to adults at the public library and to students in Canadian author Kallie George. CWC is a not-for- schools. She will focus on her west-coast themed profit society based in Vancouver that offers creative books such as West Coast Wild (Groundwood Books) writing programs to kids aged seven and up. CWC and several upcoming companion books. Powell River is on the British Columbian coastline and is a

20 CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 natural spot to celebrate the beauty of the seashore, Republic and the Netherlands with her book Stepping rainforest and the wild creatures that inhabit this Stones, A Refugee Family’s Journey (both Orca Book lovely area. Deborah lives in Vancouver. Publishers), which is featured by the schools as the basis for their global writing competition. The book TANYA LLOYD KYI's newest non-fiction title Under comes out in Italian this fall and Margriet will be Pressure: The Science of Stress (Kids Can Press), speaking at a refugee event in for that occasion. illustrated by Marie-Ève Tremblay, will be published Margriet lives on Salt Spring Island, BC. this fall. The book explores everything from our fight-or-flight reactions to the ways we handle ROBIN STEVENSON will chronic stress. It looks at how athletes turn pressure launch two new books this into powerful achievements and the surprising fall! Kid Activists (Quirk antidotes scientists have found for stress in everyday Books) is middle-grade life. The book offers middle-grade readers a guide to non-fiction about the what normal stress is and isn’t—and how to cope, childhoods of 16 activists. either way. Tanya lives in Vancouver. Robin’s picture book Ghost’s Journey: A Refugee CAROL L.. MACKAY's debut Story (Rebel Mountain picture book, Lily in the Press) is about a gay Loft (Your Nickel’s Worth Indonesian couple who came to Canada as refugees, Press), illustrated by Val along with their cat, Ghost. Robin hopes the book will Moker, was a finalist in raise both awareness and funds for LGBTQ+ the 2019 Next Generation refugees. She will be on a 5-city tour through the Indie Book Awards in the United States in September and coming to Toronto Regional Fiction category. in October for CANSCAIP’s Packaging Your These awards honour Imagination conference. Robin lives in Victoria. small press and independently published books. Carol has also HEATHER TEKAVEC is excited to see her picture book recently published a number of poems for children: Stop Thief! (Kids Can Press) enjoying a new adventure “Ocean Surprises” (in Pockets, June 2019), “In the in the McDonald’s Happy Meals for September and Tulip Field,” (Highlights, June 2019) and “Moving Day October of this year. This is the second book of Villanelle” (Caterpillar, Summer 2019). Go to https:// Heather’s that has enjoyed this honour and she finds www.facebook.com/CarolMacKayAuthor to visit her it incredibly amusing how much more excited new Facebook author page. Carol lives in Qualicum friends and acquaintances are for the miniature Beach, BC. Happy Meal version than they were for the full-size hardcover copy! Her hope is that the Happy Meal MARGRIET RUURS is launching a new title in the books will help parents who don’t normally buy “Echoes” series. Ghost of the Mill House is a humorous books to see their value in children’s lives. Heather is chapter book based on her years living in an old new to CANSCAIP, but she has been writing house in Oregon. This fall, Margriet will be children’s books for 18 years and has 11 published conducting author presentations at international books (with 2 more coming soon) that have been schools in Spain, Switzerland, Slovakia, Czech

CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 21 reprinted in 10 foreign languages. Heather lives in Surrey, BC.

INTERNATIONAL GORDON KORMAN announces the release of his newest middle-grade novel, Level 13, a sequel to Slacker (both Scholastic). Still new is The Unteachables, while next up is Notorious (both Harper Collins), coming in January 2020. It will be Gordon’s ninety- sixth book as he inches (plows) towards the magic #100! Gordon lives in Long Island, New York.

VIRGINIA FRANCES SCHWARTZ's young-adult crossover historical fiction novel, Among the Fallen (Holiday House), will be released on October 8. It features a teenager in a Victorian prison, charged with infanticide and prostitution, who accepts an offer from Charles Dickens to reinvent herself much like one of his characters. “A Dickensian #MeToo novel” (says Kirkus Reviews), it tells the story of how a teen frees herself from both her past and her torturer with the tools embedded deep inside herself. Based on extensive research into Dickens’ letters and novels and the setting of Urania, the home he supervised for homeless girls, this novel is a reimagining of the magical transformation of damaged girls that Dickens hoped for. Go to holidayhouse.com/book/ among-the-fallen/ to find out more about Among the Fallen. The book will be launched with The Dickens Fellowship, at the Epiphany Branch of The New York Public Library, New York City, on November 9 at 1:00 p.m. Virginia lives in Flushing, New York.

Editor’s note: Members can be contacted via the form on their CANSCAIP site Membership page.

22 CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 for sound, and if you were able to hear you soon The Grin of the Cat : discovered that the spoken sounds around you conveyed meaning. A Physical Experience Unlike aural communication, reading and writing of the Written Word are acquired skills. The ability to read and write must be taught, often painstakingly. If our first knowledge By Amanda West Lewis of words comes from the physical sensation of Writers fall in love with words. We love the sound of hearing and saying them, what happens when we pin them, the way they feel in our mouths, the way they that spoken language to the page? Is there a look on the page. Our love of words began when we relationship between the sound of words and “silent were infants, when we distinguished certain sounds reading”? as voices. Soon, we learned that there was meaning In fact, research shows that there is a part of your in those sounds. We started to babble, and then to brain that specifically links the visual letter speak and tell our own stories. Then one day (grapheme) to the sound (phoneme). When you read, someone showed us a miracle. These sounds could be extra blood flows to the part of your motor cortex made as shapes on a piece of paper. We held a pencil that is used for this “grapheme-to-phoneme in our hand, drew the sounds as lines, and created conversion.” There is a bond in the brain between magic. spoken language and visual language that is required Ears, mouths, eyes, and hands. Sound, sight, and in order for you to understand what you have read. touch. We discover and experience language through The brain pulls together all of the knowledge that you our senses. Language is a physical art and our bodies have about each word—its associated actions and cannot be separated from our language. sensations, sight, sound, experience and memories— As writers, it is our job to convey these subtleties in order to understand what you are reading. This of communication on the page. Yet how often do we includes your physical experience of saying the think about the sound of these words? When we words. write prose, do we feel the tingle of the words in our Even when you read silently, you experience the mouths? Are we writing the physical experience of physical associations you have had when speaking language? the words. If you come across a word that you don’t know, you carefully sound it out to try to make sense Words are body language of it. It is very hard to understand it if you don’t sound it out. To understand the implication of this In The Sound of Poetry, Robert Pinsky says: physical response, it is useful to look at how you “… poetry is a vocal, which is to say a bodily, art. The create language in your body, in other words, how medium of poetry is a human body: the column of air inside you speak. the chest, shaped into significant sounds in the larynx and mouth. In this sense, poetry is just as physical or bodily an art as dancing.” How we speak Words dance on the page but first they dance in Human language is made of, and limited to, sounds the air as sounds. The words you are reading right that the human body is capable of making. As with now are made up of sounds you have heard since you any instrument, the body uses three main tools to were born. As an infant, your brain was hard-wired create sound: air (breath), vibration, articulation.

CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 23 Breath gives your voice power and propulsion. But beyond word definitions, what happens in But even more importantly, breath carries the inner your brain and body when confronted with these two life of the speaker. As your breath journeys from your words? Neurological studies show us that when we gut (diaphragm) past your heart, through your chest, read these words, our neurons experience the action into your mouth, flowing outwards to a listening ear, of “smiling” and “grinning,” and we make it is laden with thought and emotion. associations with all of the smiles and grins we have All sound is made of waves of vibration. The known. But simultaneously, we also experience the larynx (a chain of bone and cartilage midway down many times we have heard and said the words the neck) regulates airflow, “smile” and “grin.” manipulating the breath and “Ears, mouths, eyes, and Dissecting the phonemes that creating the vibrations that make hands. Sound, sight, and make up these words might give us sounds. These vibrations are touch. We discover and some additional clues to their amplified by your body cavities experience language meaning and to the best choice we (chest, throat, face, nose, head) so through our senses. might make as writers. Try exploring that we can hear them. When we Language is a physical art these words in your own mouth to push these sound vibrations into our and our bodies cannot be see how your tongue, lips and breath mouth we manipulate them with our separated from our form SMILE and GRIN. jaw, tongue and lips. Articulation is language.” SMILE can be broken down into the movement of these muscles, four different phonemes that move creating specific, recognizable phonemes (phoneme, from a whispered air stream (S); to an open vibration from the Greek meaning “sound unit”: the smallest direct from the belly that you hold with your lips in significant particles of sound that we make when we your mouth (M, which is, poetically, the first sound a speak). baby makes); to the most open sound in English (the When you were taught to read, you learned about diphthong sound I that balances your breath in the consonants and vowels. But did you think about how middle of your mouth); before being gently pushed consonants and vowels happen in your body? Vowels forward as your tongue rises and then spreads out, are shaped breath. On their own, they are moving laterally through your mouth (the liquid inarticulate. Consonants make that breath consonant L). SMILE. It can only be said with an recognizable and understandable. Consonants create open mouth, implying, perhaps, that a true smile is, meaning. in some sense, wide open. GRIN, on the other hand, involves an entirely Dissecting sound – How your body different set of muscles and movements. It begins can help your word choice with a “voiced stop-plosive” hard G; moves to one of the most difficult sounds to make, (R) that requires Writers weigh word choices carefully. For example, tension as the tongue lifts and curls up toward the in trying to decide whether my character should gum ridge; followed by a short roll of the tongue and smile or grin, I conjure up both words to see if I have a sound that reflects vibrations off the gum ridge (I); an emotive response to either. I also check the which is quickly closed off by a nasal consonant, one dictionary to see if I am accurate in my use of each of the strongest, most resonant sounds in English word and to explore the implication of each. (N).

24 CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 GRIN. Our tongues have moved energetically combination of phonemes to replicate sounds in our from the back of our throat to the sides of our mouth, environment. rolled upwards to finally conclude with a resonant Onomatopoeia is defined in the dictionary as: vibration against the gum ridge and into the nose. “The formation of words in imitation of natural The vowel sound (short I) moves laterally and hardly sounds; the naming of a thing or action by a more or requires opening the mouth at all. less exact reproduction of the sound associated with SMILE and GRIN. The words have played on our it.” Our voices are characterized by frequency, senses by stimulating vibrations and movements in wavelength, period, amplitude, and speed––all of the our body. These may be subconscious implications, characteristics of sound. This means that by but the subconscious is a powerful place. An open understanding how we create sounds in phonemes, mouth touches on deep associations and emotions. we can look for close matches when trying to recreate A closed mouth reflects responses. Vibrations of natural sounds on the page. different frequencies excite or irritate. Picture book writer April Pulley Sayer has spent If Smile and Grin were characters in a book we over 25 years listening to, and recording, the sounds would describe them in entirely different terms. of birds, insects, frogs and other wild creatures in Working with the descriptive language of voice order to better recreate their sounds on the page. In production, Smile would be “open” and “bright.” Grin Turtle, Turtle, Watch Out! Sayer creates new would be “explosive,” “strong” and have “tension.” onomatopoeic words to enhance her soundscape: Think of one of the most famous grins in “Keeyow! Cries a gull, swooping down.” literature: “Phloop! Turtle dives into a seaweed patch to hide.” “The Cat only grinned when it saw Alice. It looked Say these sounds and feel what happens in your good-natured, she thought; still it had very long body. The gull sound explodes from the back of the claws and a great many teeth, so she felt it ought to throat and pushes out and forward. The turtle falls, be treated with respect.” (Alice in Wonderland) perhaps clumsily, forward from the lips to the tip of But is this just a frivolous exercise in vocabulary the tongue, then pushes through a round, pursed anthropomorphosis? Not when you recognize the mouth to break the surface of the water with a small concrete connection to the neurological processing plosive. Your body is connecting to the action. When of each word. Your associative, interconnected brain you read aloud to a child, they too will connect makes a network of cells fire together to bring sound, physically and associate those sounds with the sight, sensation, past experience and cognition physical action of saying them. together in the millisecond that it takes your brain to recognize the two words. Children experience your words This integration of our physical and cognitive Onomatopoeia experiences of words begins in childhood, and as A writer who can feel the vibrations inherent in her writers for children and young adults, we help to words is working with a sensory approach to form these associations and pathways in the minds language. These concepts can aid the writer as she of our young readers. By choosing words that searches for the perfect diction to express character, integrate sound, body and mind, our words become setting or mood. But an even more direct application part of our reader’s associative experience. When we for this technique is when a writer needs to use a write from a physical experience of language, we

CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 25 form a visceral connection to our reader. We feel the words and recreate the magic of language, together.

AMANDA WEST LEWIS has built a life filled with words on the page and on the stage, combining careers as a writer, theatre director and calligrapher. Her writing for children and youth ranges from historical YA fiction to craft books on the art of writing. She is the Artistic Director and Founder of The Children’s Theatre and has taught acting to young people for over 30 years. Amanda holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, with a specialist certificate in writing picture books. E

26 CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 on staffing changes in the “Who’s Moving Where” BUSINESS BRIEFS column) MARKETING • Quick Brown Fox (the lowdown on writing Editor’s Note: In the Summer 2018 issue Beth Pollock workshops, book launches, reviews, and agent offered a DIY Guide to marketing. As a reminder, here interviews). are the websites she recommended:

1. Query Tracker For information on publishers. And SAVE THE DATE: CANSCAIP’s 35th Packaging scroll to the bottom of the home page for a list of the Your Imagination (PYI) will be held on Saturday, newest agents in the database. You’ll also find a list of October 26, 2019 at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge the newest agent updates, showing which agents Institute, 209 Victoria Street (near Yonge and have just opened/closed to queries or moved to a new Dundas). Keynote Speakers: Itah Sadhu and Jan agency. Thornhill. Registration is now open. See the 2. The Writer’s Digest Guide to Literary Agents . website for complete information. 3. Literary Rambles is a wonderful resource for children’s writers. ILLUSTRATION WORKSHOPS • Werner Zimmermann is offering a Children’s Book 4. Manuscript Wish List, search by genre and see if Illustration Workshop at his Studio in Guelph anyone wants to read a manuscript like yours. October 18–20, 2019. The workshop will cover the Alternatively, choose a few agents you’d love to be stages and process from idea to finished book art. repped by and follow them on Twitter. Open to a maximum of 10 participants. $200 / 5. The Association of Canadian Publishers (ACP) person + hst. More info at website features a list of Canadian publishers. www.wernerzimmermann.ca 6. UK Children’s Books names British publishers of • Werner Zimmermann will be leading a drawing children’s books. workshop “Learning from the gods: Anatomy at the ROM”. September 21, 2019. This is a three-hour 7. CANSCAIP’s listserv: members often share news guided workshop on anatomy for artists and about publishers and agents who are open to illustrators based on the Greek and Roman statues at submissions. the ROM. $40.00 / per person (not including 8. The following websites can help you polish your entrance fee). Workshop is limited to 15 participants. writing and learn about the industry: More info at www.man4art.ca • Kidlit (writing advice from manuscript editor Mary • Werner Zimmermann will be conducting a drawing Kole) workshop “Learning from the Masters: Anatomy at • Quill and Quire (news about the Canadian the AGO” October 5, 2019. This will be a three hour publishing industry) guided drawing workshop for artists and illustrators on anatomy in paintings and sculptures at the AGO. • Nathan Bransford (advice on writing kids’ books Limited to 15 participants. $40.00 / per person (does from an author and former literary agent) not include entrance fee). More info at • Harold Underdown (articles and advice on writing, www.man4art.ca illustrating and publishing, and occasional updates

CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 27 WRITING FOR CHILDREN: INTRO & WORKSHOP quick turnaround developmental editing (critiques) COURSE with Anne Laurel Carter. Workshop and for all types of fiction. Details can be found at http:// complete a draft of a picture book. Begin an early bevkatzrosenbaum.com/, or you can email Bev reader, or opening chapters of a middle grade or at [email protected]. young adult novel in this popular course at the MANUSCRIPT EVALUATION and COACHING School of Continuing Studies: learn.utoronto.ca. Written a first draft and need feedback? Need a line- downtown campus. Tuesdays by-line edit? Completed an outline, a first chapter Oct. 8 to Nov. 26, 6:30 to 9:30 pm and a last chapter, but don’t know where to go from www.annelaurelcarter.com. there? If your manuscript is aimed at a child or teen WRITING CLASS: Writing for the Children & Teens. audience and you’re looking for some honest and Bev Katz Rosenbaum is offering Writing for the practical feedback, Susan Hughes can help. Get in Children and Teens classes in Toronto’s St. Clair- touch with her at [email protected] or Christie area. Bev’s course is a low-cost ($100 + HST) refer to her website for more information: crash (four class) version of the Writing for Children www.susanhughes.ca. course she taught at Centennial College for several VISITING CREATORS: Librarians and teachers years to excellent reviews. Bev covers the how-to’s of interested in having author, illustrator and writing for the various age ranges and genres as well performer visits can check members’ pages on the as the business side of publishing. The next session CANSCAIP website at www.canscaip.org. will run in November, on Thursday evenings. More information at http://bevkatzrosenbaum.com/. Or SEMINARS: For information about PWAC you can email Bev at [email protected]. (Professional Writers Association of Canada)’s seminars on freelance writing see TED STAUNTON leads Writing Children’s Fiction www.networds.ca. courses I and II, Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Classes are held at Mabel’s Fables bookstore in central Toronto. Writing I surveys all genres of kid lit. Writing II is a workshop for experienced writers. Click the links below for the George Brown College Continuing Education website: https://writing- children-s-fiction-i/ or https://writing-children-s- fiction-ii/. Ted also offers individual manuscript E mentoring for writers who want to work one-on-one. He provides detailed comments, suggestions, and followup discussion. For fees and more info go to: www.tedstaunton.com.

MANUSCRIPT EDITING SERVICE: Bev Katz Rosenbaum is a former in-house fiction editor and longtime freelance fiction editor who is also a multi- published MG/YA author and a former writing instructor at Centennial College. She offers low-cost,

28 CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019 29 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 41, No. 4 – Fall 2019

The CANSCAIP Executive CANSCAIP Staff ELECTED EXECUTIVE MEMBERS Administrative Director Helena Aalto Office Administrator Venessa Harris President SHARON JENNINGS Vice President Jennifer Maruno Past President Bill Swan CANSCAIP News Treasurer Anitha Robinson Editor BARBARA GREENWOOD Member at Large Lorna Schultz Nicholson Contributors Sean Cassidy Friend at Large Holly Main Sharon Jennings Amanda West Lewis APPOINTED EXECUTIVE MEMBERS Elizabeth MacLeod Recording Secretaries Roxanne Deans Jennifer Maruno Loretta Garbutt Monique Polak Program Committee Theo Heras Sue Todd Sharon Jennings Front Page Logo Variation Sean Cassidy Catherine Rondina Newsletter Production Rob Morphy Patricia Storms Illustrators’ Rep Michele Nidenoff Membership Committee Rita Bates Michele Nidenoff Listserv Manager Marsha Skrypuch Social Media Coordinators Debbie Ridpath Ohi Caroline Fernandez Conference Committee Heather Camlot Jillian Dobson Sharon Jennings

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30 CANSCAIP NEWS Fall 2019