Jordan's Top 10 Must Reads!

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!

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!

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

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"

"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

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"

Yahoo!

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