Heidi Jardine Stoddart

Video Clip (2005)

2011-08-15T15:16:00.000-03:00

TD Summer Reading Club

2011-08-15T12:02:00.002-03:00

East to the Sea and Return to the Sea are on the 2011 Reading List for the TD Summer Reading Club. TD Bank Group, the Toronto Public Library and Library & Archives Canada offer this program, supporting literacy in Canada and inspiring children to spend more time reading books and visiting their local libraries.

This year's theme is "Splash! Celebrate Summer". For more information, visit your local public library or click to visit the Summer Reading Club website.

Family Literacy Day - January 27, 2011.

2011-02-02T09:11:00.003-04:00

A BEACH theme is the focus of a Family Literacy Day event at Quispamsis Elementary School this year. I'll be there to read and join in the fun at this celebration of literacy. Please note that because of winter storms, this event has been re-scheduled for Thurs. Feb. 3rd starting at 6:30 p.m.

Chloe's Top 10 Reading Picks

2010-08-13T15:35:00.002-03:00

Chloe is a 10-year-old avid reader who lives in PEI. If you are looking for a good read, here are Chloe's suggestions based on her all-time favourite books. Thanks for sharing your list Chloe!

1. Harry Potter series
2. Anne of Green Gables
3. Percy Jackson series
4. A Series of Unfortunate Events series
5. Heidi's books (Thanks Chloe)
6. The Bread Winner
7. Judy Moody and Stink series
8. The Sisters Club
9. Garfield
10. Matilda

A Canadian Author Project from PEI!

2010-06-21T17:29:00.003-03:00

My friend Chloe shared her "Canadian Author Project" with me... What a surprise! Thanks Chloe!

A Visit with the Brownies!

2010-06-21T16:44:00.001-03:00

Thank-you so much to Laura Bailey and the Brownie Troup at St. David's United Church for the invitation to share my stories and talk about being a picture book author and illustrator! A long time ago, I was a Brownie too, and being at your meeting earlier this month brought back lots of wonderful memories. Thank-you all for the warm welcome, the great questions, and for the tasty cookies! Have a safe and happy summer - and be sure to read, write, dream and draw as much as you can!

"Book Week" Day 1 - Eastview & Anna McCrae Public Schools

2009-11-16T20:51:00.001-04:00

I awoke to a bright, sunny morning in Sault Ste. Marie and started the day at Eastview Public School. Grade K-3 students, then Grade 4-6 students gathered in the library to hear "East to the Sea", "Back to the Beach" and "Return to the Sea". Later in the day, JK-Gr. 3 students at McCrea Public School came to the library to hear "East to the Sea" and "Back to the Beach".

It was exciting and INSPIRING to meet so many young writers and artists today... Preston and Cassie created a great "Welcome" sign that greeted me in the front foyer at Eastview - thanks so much! The JK students at Anna McCrea P.S. proudly announced that they are real "authors", and I was happy to hear students whispering about plans to make their own picture books as they headed back to class.

I'm receiving a VERY warm and hospitable welcome here in "the Soo", and enjoyed a walk along the boardwalk just before sunset. It runs alongside St. Mary's River with views of the St. Mary's Rapids, the entrance to the American and Canadian locks, and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, which is just across the river.

The Countdown Is On to "Book Week"!

2009-11-13T14:07:00.001-04:00

The Canadian Children's Book Centre is hosting it's 32nd annual "Book Week Tour"... starting today!!! From Nov. 14-21, authors, illustrators and storytellers from across Canada will be criss-crossing the country to visit schools, share stories and celebrate our love of books. Check out events at the Book Week website. My destination is Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, with stops in neighbouring communities!!! I'm all packed and excited to be heading to this part of Ontario for the first time.

Here is a list of stops I'll be making along the way:

Eastview Public School
Anna McCrea Public School
Grandview PUblic School
Pinewood Public School
St. Joseph Island Central School
Central Algoma Secondary School
Laird Public School
Children's Library of Richard's Landing
Arthur Henderson Public School
Bruce Mines Plummer Additional Union Public Library
Thessalon Public School

I can hardly wait to meet the young readers, writers and artists in these schools AND to visit and explore this part of Canada.

Happy Book Week everyone!

Jordan's Top 10 Must Reads!

2009-10-13T17:05:00.000-03:00

Here's Jordan's most current list, in order.

1. A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L'Engle
2. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
3. The Sorceress by Michael Scott
4. The Alchemyst/The Magician (a tie!) both by Michael Scott
5. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
6. The Tales of Beetle the Bard by J.K. Rowling
7. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
8. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
9. Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
10. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Jordan's Picks - A Book I MUST Read!

2009-09-30T00:24:00.000-03:00

My niece, Jordan, loves to read! We have spent hours talking by phone about books. I got her hooked on Harry Potter (she's read the whole series... a few times) and we were at the first midnight showing of "The Half Blood Prince" together in Saint John this summer! Now, she insists that I just HAVE to read The Alchemist: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott. I've just started it (thanks for the loan Jordan!), and she's now reading A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine l'Engle.

Yippeee! TD Canadian Children's Book Week Tour 2009!

2009-09-29T23:04:00.000-03:00

I'm thrilled to be part of the Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) "TD Canadian Children's Book Week Tour" 2009, which takes place across the country from November 14-21.

There will be 29 authors, illustrators and storytellers on tour this year, and Ontario is my destination, so if you're interested in booking an author-illustrator visit, reading or signing, check out the CCBC site.

TD Canadian Children’s Book Week Tour 2009
“The Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) is a national, not-for-profit organization, founded in 1976. We are dedicated to encouraging, promoting and supporting the reading, writing, illustrating and publishing of Canadian books for young readers. Our programs, publications, and resources help teachers, librarians, booksellers and parents select the very best for young readers.” (Retrieved from http://www.bookcentre.ca/about on Aug. 31/09.)

“TD Canadian Children's Book Week is the single most important national event celebrating Canadian children's books and the importance of reading. Every November, close to 35,000 children, teens and adults participate in activities held in every province and territory across the country. Hundreds of schools, public libraries, bookstores and community centres host events as part of this major literary festival.” (Retrieved from http://www.bookweek.ca/ on Aug. 31/09.)

The Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick

2009-09-29T21:39:00.000-03:00

In June, I received an award for "Published Author of a Children's Story who lives in New Brunswick" from Dr. Trenholme Counsell and The Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick.

The awards ceremony was held at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre in Fredericton. Click here to view the recipients of the 2009 "Dr. Marilyn Trenholme Counsell Early Childhood Literacy Awards".

"Word on the Street"

2009-09-15T23:09:00.000-03:00

"Word on the Street" is fast-approaching! I'll be in Halifax for this festival on Sunday, September 27th, signing books at the Nimbus Publishing table from 12:30-1:00, then reading at the "Our Children" stage at 1:20. Hope to see you there!

Atlantic Authors Day

2009-08-26T22:06:00.000-03:00

My nephew, Riley, was the inspiration for my illustrations of "Gus" in Back to the Beach. He and his family were spending part of their summer vacation in New Brunswick, so I was thrilled to have him join me, since he's the star of the book, for some signings in Rothesay and Saint John on July 11th. Here we are at Inprint Book Store, then at Indigo Books. Riley had to leave after lunch to hike the Fundy Trail with his family (also a fun thing to do!), so my last stop of the day was a solo one, but I was happy to see familiar faces, including one spectacular dragon puppet, show up for the reading at Benjamin's Books.

"New Brunswick's Reading"

2009-08-25T23:57:00.001-03:00

Yahoo!

Click here to see the Telegraph-Journal's list from August 15, 2009.

"Jimmer's Shack" in St. Martins, NB

2009-08-25T23:30:00.000-03:00

Click here to link to the newspaper article from the Telegraph-Journal.

New in Children's Books

2009-08-25T21:47:00.000-03:00

A review of Back to the Beach appeared in "Globe and Mail" Books on August 18, 2009.

"For young, jubilant Gus and his dog Sam, today will be a great day; it's a beach day. A mix of prose, poetry and sparkling watercolour beachscapes convey the boy's excitement."

Click here to read more.

2009-08-05T13:41:00.001-03:00

Yikes... I'm trying to enter the world of blogging and/or websites, so hope to have something fun here soon. Please stay tuned!