For each issue of Canadian Teacher Magazine, I contribute a column called Can Write. The column features a Canadian writer or illustrator of children's books.
I love the opportunity to interview, and learn more about, writers from across the country and beyond. The stories of how they became writers, or illustrators, are always fascinating and inspiring. It's fun to hear the 'stories behind the stories' - what triggered a picturebook or how they ended up writing a novel.
Here's the current issue: http://canadianteachermagazine.com/articles/literacy/CTM_2014_linda_bailey.pdf
and you can go through the archives to read past columns.
Happy reading!
A New Book!!
If you are in the Vancouver area, come join me on November 6, 7 PM at
Vancouver Kidsbooks for the launch of
A Brush Full of Colour:
Something from Nothing, Phoebe Gilman
Something
from Nothing, Phoebe
Gilman
When Joseph was a baby, his grandfather made him a shimmering blue blanket adorned with the moon and stars.
As the boy grows and the blanket wears out, the old tailor recycles it, in succession fashioning a jacket, a vest, a tie and, finally, a cloth-covered button.
But when Joseph loses the button, even his grandfather cannot make something from nothing.
With lovely repetition and internal rhyme, this thoughtfully presented Jewish folktale will captivate readers right through the ending, in which the boy discovers one last way of using what he has.
I especially love the art in this book, which shows a whole new layer of story that is not in the text, as the snippets of fabric fall through the cracks of the floor, helping the family of mice that live below.
This is a wonderful tale to read together, to give as a gift for a newborn and to share with older students as a Jewish fairytale.
- ISBN-10: 1443119466
- ISBN-13: 978-1443119467
Petey, by Ben Mikaelsen
Petey,
by Ben Mikaelsen
Petey is a touching story of friendship, discovery, and the uplifting power of the human spirit.
In
1922, at the age of two, Petey's distraught parents commit him to the
state's insane asylum, unaware that their son is actually suffering
from severe cerebral palsy.
Bound by his wheelchair and struggling to
communicate with the people around him, Petey finds a way to remain
kind and generous despite the horrific conditions in his new "home."
Through the decades, he befriends several caretakers but is
heartbroken when each eventually leaves him. Determined not to be
hurt again, he vows to no longer let hope of lifelong friends and
family torment him.
That
changes after he is moved into a nursing home and meets a young teen
named Trevor Ladd; he sees something in the boy and decides to risk
friendship one last time. Trevor, new to town and a bit of a loner,
is at first weary of the old man in the wheelchair. But after
hearing more of his story, Trevor learns that there is much more to
Petey than meets the eye.
This timeless story is recommended for all ages!
Author’s
website: http://www.benmikaelsen.com/ for background information on
this book.
A
lesson plan: http://www.benmikaelsen.com/lesson_plan_nine.html
Where Is Walrus? by Stephen Savage
- Hardcover: 32 pages
- Publisher: Scholastic Press (Feb. 1 2011)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0439700493
- ISBN-13: 978-0439700498
That was about three years ago. Now, I admire this book more than most picture books. It works on so many levels, for so many ages. And even though the art is very minimalistic, we discover new things all the time.
The story works for a restless 2 year old, who delights in outsmarting the zoo keeper who can't find walrus anywhere. It also works for a story savvy 4 year old, who still discovers new angles.
As the bored walrus sneaks out of the zoo, he blends into city scapes. The zoo keeper follows and looks along streets. But walrus hides in a cafe, or in a building, on a stage with dancers, even disguised as a firefighter.
When walrus finally steals the show in a diving competion, the zoo keeper get the brilliant idea to give him a larger pool and a dive board. No one in the zoo is ever bored again.
My two grandsons both love this book and we get hours of storytelling fun out of it. Hope you do, too.
Where The Heart Is by Billie Letts
Sometimes I'm searching for a new book to start reading, and I'll scan one; read the jacket flaps of another... But they don't quite appeal. Then suddenly you see one and you just know that's the book you will spend the next few days or weeks with.
I loved everything about it: the premise of a teen pregnancy, the girl dumped by her boyfriend at Walmart; the way her life unfolds; the support characters; the realistic dialogue. I was 'there' with her all the way. And reluctant to let go when I finished the last page.
And now, when I just googled the author's name to see what else she write, I am shocked to find out that she passed away 3 days ago... just while I was engrossed in her story. What a shame. But I will go to my library to look for the three other novels she published, including “The Honk and Holler Opening Soon” (1998) and “Shoot the Moon” (2004). Her husband, it turns out, wrote 'August: Osage County'.
Ordinary Days: Family Life in a Farmhouse by Dorcas Smucker
Ordinary
Days:
Family Life in a Farmhouse by Dorcas Smucker
The title of this book, a kind of a diary, may include the word 'ordinary' but the story is anything but. I first 'discovered' Dorcas Smucker when living in rural Oregon where she is a busy wife, mother, farmer and writer. Dorcas is Mennonite and the stories she wrote in the local newspaper gave me a deeper appreciation of her lifestyle.
But most of all, I just love her sense of humor. Dorcas has this wonderful, conversational style of writing that makes me feel like she's just talking to me. Plus she's probably just about my age since her life often sounds like mine: children (OK, she has 6 and merely have 2, but still..), comings, goings, friends, family, farm, chores. And lately: growing older and its challenges.
I think that you, too, will enjoy her books, including this title.
And while you are at it, check out her blog for up to date, current stories:
Paperback,
155 pages, Good Books ISBN 1561485225 (ISBN13: 9781561485222)
Book Review: Bloomability by Sharon Creech
Bloomability
by
Sharon Creech
One of those lovely books to curl-up with, this is the story of coming-of-age of a girl attending an international school in Switzerland.
After having been "kidnapped" by an aunt,Dinnie
Doone discovers all the "bloomabilities" that life has to
offer.
As with many good tales, getting rid of the parents often seems important to allow the main character to blossom. In Dinnie's "second life" in Europe, her family continues to neglect
her, forgetting even to let her know where they've relocated. Dinnie
gradually adjusts to her new environment and makes friends with other
students from around the world: exuberant Guthrie; bitter Lila; and
language-mangling Keisuke, who says "bloomable" when he means
"possible."
Together, these middle schoolers share classes and
adventures, and explore ideas and emotions. A great middle school read from Newbery Award-winning author Sharon Creech
Paperback,
273 pages HarperTrophy ISBN 006440823X (ISBN13: 9780064408233)
For
more details and a teaching guide:
http://sharoncreech.com/teach/teach.asp
Walking for Zambia's Book Bus!
http://www.justgiving.com/Margriet-Ruurs1
I was raised on books. I treasure my public library and all the access to books I have. I read books with my little grandsons daily. So I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help Zambia's Book Bus. I will visit, and travel with, the Book Bus this Fall.
Just before going to Zambia I plan to hike the Camino de Santiago - 100 KM from Sarria to Santiago. You can help me to support the book bus by pledging money. Every step I take, will be a step closer to more books for children in Zambia.
One in six adults around the world have come through childhood unable to read and write, a situation mainly due to lack of books and opportunity to read. In response to this shocking situation, the Book Bus was founded by publisher Tom Maschler with the aim of supplying books and making them accessible to children.
Did you know that Quentin Blake is on the Board of the Book Bus Project?!
You can learn more here: https://www.justgiving.com/the-book-bus-foundation/
Click on the link below to pledge any amount. It will go directly to the Book Bus Project where I will be working as a volunteer this Fall. Please help me reach my goal! And many thanks!
http://www.justgiving.com/Margriet-Ruurs1
Book Review: The Other Author Arthur
The
Other Author Arthur,
by Sheree Fitch
It might be because I love word play that I like this early reader so much. How brilliant is it to come up with this idea: an author named Arthur is about to visit an elementary school. The children are all excited.
The author, however, wished he could spend the day writing.
Meanwhile, a furnace repair man also named Arthur would love nothing better but to share stories with the students.
Everyone is happy when the two Arthurs are accidently switched, allowing one to tell stories and the other one to write in the furnace room!
This comedy of errors and mistaken identity
brings a day of great stories for the children.
Writing, telling our own stories, and the family feel of a small
elementary school are themes beneath this farcical adventure. Grades
2-4. I hope, for your sake, that it is still in print.
A
children's chapter book illustrated by Jill Quinn.
Pottersfield
Press, now distributed by Nimbus
ISBN-10
1-895900-20-4
Author’s
website: http://www.shereefitch.com/
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