I'm On Facebook!?!!!

Well, after much persuading from my hip girlfriends, I've finally joined the Facebook generation.
From here on, book updates and info will be posted there...  https://www.facebook.com/heidi.stoddart.50

Book Review!

Oh happy day - so nice to happen upon a favourable review!  Click HERE to read the June 22 review of Sea Glass Summer in the 'Canadian Review of Materials' (CM Magazine).

Upcoming Signings!

Saturday, August 6th at Indigo East Point, Saint John - 12:00-1:30
Saturday, August 6th at Coles, McAllister Mall, Saint John - 2:30-4:00

BOOK LAUNCH DAY!!!

Thank-you so much to all the happy children, friends, neighbours, colleagues and teachers who attended the book launch at the beautiful Shadow Lawn Inn on Saturday!!!  My heart was filled with gratitude every time I'd peek up and see so may smiling faces in the crowd!!!  There were lots of hugs, some happy tears, and it was a day I'll never forget.  Thank-you!!!

  

Interview with 'The East'

Link to THE EAST (East Coast Arts & Culture)

Interview with CBC's Hance Colburne

In case you missed it, click on the link to hear my interview with Information Morning Saint John's Hance Colburne... CBC Interview May 9

A Parcel from Nimbus Publishing Arrived Today!!!

Thank-you to 2 BO'B at Fairvale Elementary School for your letter!

You sent me some wonderful questions, and I've tried to answer them here so you can see them altogether on your Smartboard.

1.  "We were wondering, in the book Back to the Beach, is the beach the kids are at a beach from this area?" 
Back to the Beach was actually inspired by my nephew, Riley, who lives far away in Ontario.  He and his family often come to visit us during summer vacation.  During one stay, Riley and his sister had fun gathering all kinds of treasures from the beach near our family cottage in St. Martins.  At the end of their visit, their parents told them they could NOT take all of the beach treasures home with them.  Riley was so shocked, and as I watched him try to decide what to do, I thought to myself, "This could be a story!"

So, it REALLY happened at the beach in St. Martins, but I created an imaginary beach for the illustrations.  It's funny though - the pictures ended up looking quite a bit like the beaches I love to visit along the north shore of PEI, with big sand dunes and lots of blue ocean.

2.  "How did you draw the beautiful pictures?  What medium did you use?"

Wow, I am so impressed that you know the term 'medium'!  East to the Sea and Return to the Sea were done with watercolour.  A Nothing-To-Do Day was with a combination of graphite (a fancy word for pencil) and watercolour (for the 'imaginary' parts of the story).  And finally, Back to the Beach was created using watercolour, but not as diluted (less water) so the colours would be brighter and bolder, and I went overtop some parts with coloured pencil (at school, we call them pencil crayons).  You will notice this most for Sam's fur!  For my latest book, I wanted to experiment with a different medium, so I tried collage.

There are three steps that I usually follow for each illustration.  First, I start by planning the illustrations for the entire book using tiny, rough little drawings called 'thumbnail sketches'.  I do a lot of erasing and a lot of 'starting over' during this phase because I want to try out different ideas.  Once I have an idea I like for each page, I do a full-size 'comprehensive drawing' in pencil to work out all the details.  Then, I move on to the final artwork, where I create the illustration using the specific medium.  It takes a lot of planning and drawing before I get to the final artwork!

3.  "Are your stories based on your own experiences?"

Yes, they are!  Most of my stories have been based on things I remember doing when I was little, whether it was summer vacations at the beach (East to the Sea and Back to the Beach) or playing and imagining, like building tents by draping blankets over chairs (A Nothing-To-Do Day).  Sometimes, my stories are inspired by things I see my family doing, like collecting beach treasures (Back to the Beach), and searching for sea glass and wishing rocks (Sea Glass Summer).

It's important for you to know that there are story ideas all around each of us, every day, no matter where you are!  So if you are a writer, always be on the look-out! 

4.  "How old were you when you started writing?  How many books have you written?"
I started writing books when I was about 8 years old.  Seriously!  My Mom saved a bunch of the books I used to make.  I would staple sheets of paper together to make the book, and I used crayons to make the illustrations.  I have written lots of stories, but only four (soon it will be five!) have been published so far.  

I hope you keep reading and writing lots!!!
Sincerely,
Heidi Jardine Stoddart

The Photography!

For Sea Glass Summer, I tried a new medium...  COLLAGE!!!  I painted large sheets of paper using gouache or tempera paint, then cut shapes from the painted paper and glued them onto watercolour backgrounds.

I loved adding layers to the collage, especially with things like leaves on trees, and petals on lupins.  This made the artwork quite three-dimensional (3D), so we had to go 'old school' and the art was actually professionally photographed for the book rather than scanned.  A big thanks to Walt Malone of Time Capsule Photographic Studio for his time and talent!!!

Artwork for Sea Glass Summer

Here's a little sneak preview of some of the illustrations from my soon-to-be-released picture book,
Sea Glass Summer...

Sea Glass Summer

My latest book, Sea Glass Summer, is finally on its way to being published.  Anticipated release date...  May 2016!

Fog Lit Festival 2014

I'm excited to be part of Saint John's second "Fog Lit Festival", taking place October 1-5, 2014!
Please come out to the Kennebecasis Public Library in Quispamsis on Saturday, October 4th, when I'll be reading at the "Storytime for Children" at 2:30 p.m.

Frye Festival 2013

I'm thrilled to be part of New Brunswick's Frye Festival this April.  April 20th is the opening of "Imagination at Work", and I'll be visiting schools in the Moncton region as part of the Authors in Schools program too. 

Happy Family Literacy Day 2013!

Thanks to Lakefield Elementary School in Quispamsis NB and Glen Falls School in Saint John NB for inviting me to take part in their Family Literacy Day celebrations!  What a treat to meet so many students with an interest in books!

Busy in Schools Again!

My picture books have taken a bit of a 'back seat' recently because I'm fortunate enough to be working with 14 elementary schools in NB's Hampton Education Centre!  Can you imagine - spending my days supporting and teaching Visual Art in elementary classrooms!  For more info, viisit my Elementary Visual Arts website, or follow me on Twitter at art4schools.

In the meantime, our dog Colby (the inspiration for 'Sam' in Back to the Beach) is now 7 years old and doing well.  My nephew Riley (aka 'Gus'!) visited this summer and the two of them still love playing at the beach together!

Video Clip (2005)

TD Summer Reading Club

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.

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

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

Author Project by Chloe!

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