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!

Visit with Brownies!

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

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"!

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!