If you're Canadian and a reader, you've probably heard of Blue Met (Metropolis Bleu). It produces a renowned international Literary Festival in Montreal every spring, along with a slightly-less-well-known Children's Literary Festival. But Blue Met is so much more than an event! A non-profit arts foundation, Blue Met is dedicated to bringing people from different cultures… Continue reading The Spirit of Sharing
A 50-minute episode that answers the question, “Where do you get your ideas?” With guest authors Philippa Dowding, Amelinda Berube, and Kari-Lynn Winters. Featuring an original spooky story about an insatiable animal; excerpts from All Quiet on the Western Front, The One and Only Ivan, and The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom; and creative… Continue reading Spooky Stories are all Around Us (Episode 3)
It was a real pleasure to be the Guest Quizmaster at the Ottawa heat of the Kids' Lit Quiz this year. The contest was held at Elmwood School on Tuesday, January 21st. And even in the middle of a teachers' strike (Go teachers! Fight for your class size!), 22 teams came out to battle. The… Continue reading Kids’ Lit Quiz 2020
My home town, Gatineau, is one of this year's hosts of Canada's largest festival of reading. We're an official "Reading Town" this month, with events and presentations that come to a close tomorrow. It's all part of the National Reading Campaign's mission to make reading a national priority. I'm doing my bit to celebrate. Tomorrow afternoon, I'll… Continue reading A Celebration of Reading
Catherine Austen 