book reviews, books, children's books, Friday faves, middle grade novels, picture books, teen novels

Friday Faves–Books I Read and Loved this Spring

I updated my Goodreads account this afternoon, adding a dozen or so titles that I read and loved this spring. If you're looking for a summer read, here are a few of my recent faves. Picture Books Once I Ate a Pie Written by Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan Charest; illustrated by Katy Schneider (HarperCollins,… Continue reading Friday Faves–Books I Read and Loved this Spring

book awards, children's books, middle grade novels, writing

The Willow Awards

It is an honour to have my latest middle-grade comedy, 28 Tricks for a Fearless Grade 6, selected as a 2016 Diamond Willow Nominee! For those who may not know, Willows are not just gorgeous trees. They are also Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Awards (SYRCA). Every year, the Willow Awards offer Saskatchewan students an opportunity to vote… Continue reading The Willow Awards

authors, children's books, What's New, writing conference

SCBWI Spring Conference in Ottawa

There are still a few spaces left for Ottawa's SCBWI Art of Story Conference scheduled for the end of the month. For two days, guest speakers will offer workshops and presentations to everyone interested in writing or illustrating children's books, from aspiring picture book illustrators to established YA novelists. There's something for every level of experience. The conference will offer presentations, workshops, one-on-one critique… Continue reading SCBWI Spring Conference in Ottawa

authors, book tour, children's books, school visits

Thank you, BookFest!

It was a pleasure to be part of the 29th annual Vancouver Island Children's Book Festival this year. I met hundreds of young readers at schools and libraries in the Nanaimo area during a week-long author tour that culminated in BookFest on May 2nd: a day-long celebration of children's literature in which I joined with ten other authors… Continue reading Thank you, BookFest!

authors, children's books, writing, writing conference, young writers

MASC Young Authors and Illustrators Conference

Next week I'll be a guest author at the annual MASC Young Authors and Illustrators Conference, which runs from April 21-23 in Ottawa, Ontario. Students in grades 4-8 from eastern Ontario and western Quebec will be bussed and driven to the Canadian Aviation Museum to attend the Conference for one day each, taking a day away from school for some… Continue reading MASC Young Authors and Illustrators Conference