Farewell to Ardea Books

I was in need of some weekend reading material, so I popped over to W. 4th to pick up some books from Vancouver's newest (only 9 months old) bookstore, Ardea Books. Imagine my shock and surprise to find that a clothing store now occupied Ardea's space. Gone were the shelves of books and serene browsing ambience. Replacing them were racks of clothing and music thumping at high volume.

Another independent bookstore gone. How sad!

I was there a month ago buying books and I congratulated the owner on her wonderful store. We chatted and I asked her how it felt to be the proprietor of such a fine store. She said, "It's a scary time to be a business owner." On hearing that, I felt a twinge of worry — but never suspected that she was days away from closing the doors.

Here's a Georgia Straight article about the store.

Goodbye, Ardea Books. We will miss you!

School Visits in June

It's June and school will be out in a few weeks. Surprisingly, some of my writer colleagues and I are still doing school visits. I was on beautiful Saltspring Island (see above) last week visiting Fernwood Elementary. Tomorrow I will be meeting the students at Renfrew Elementary in Vancouver. And that will wrap up my school visits until next fall.

I was lucky to visit many schools this year and meet lots of wonderful students and teachers. Thanks to all of you for your warm welcome. Have a great summer vacation and see you next year.

Cheers!

Friends on the Radio

I recently listened to the interviews of children's authors, Linda Bailey and Robert Heidbreder, on CBC's North by Northwest show. Sheryl McKay is a wonderful interviewer and she was able to get them to talk at length about their writing process and why they do what they do. All three of them are friends of mine, so it was a real treat to hear them speak together.

Linda is a prolific writer and her works include Stanley's Party and a number of other Stanley stories. Robert is a children's poet, and the author of many books, including Drumheller Dinosaur Dance, shown above. (Dancing dinosaurs and partying canines. What could be more fun?!!!)

If you'd like to listen to the interviews, you can check them out on podcast. Linda's interview is here (it starts about 1/3 of the way in). Robert's is here. Check out their websites, too:

North by Northwest

Linda Bailey

Robert Heidbreder

Maybe you'll be inspired to pick up your pen!

Getting Back to the Garden...

It was a happy surprise this morning to open up the Globe and Mail this morning and see a review of my most recent book, Watch Me Grow! If you'd like to read the review and see the lovely photo of my young niece watering her windowsill garden, go here.

If you'd like to read more about the book, go here, and if you'd like some child-friendly gardening and growing activities for the kids in your life, go here.

Now, if only the sun would come out so that I could actually plant my garden. :-)

Happy long weekend, everyone!

Mission Visits, Final Chapter

I'm back from Mission after visiting the last group of schools, and what lovely schools they were! Thank you to all the teachers and students who made my trip so enjoyable. It was a real treat to see the enthusiasm of the students and the dedication of the teachers.

If I were there today, I'd give you a lovely bouquet of spring flowers.

Thank you especially to Envision Financial for making it possible for a school district to hire an author to visit every school. This is a rare and worthy undertaking, and I am grateful! I know the teachers and students are, too.

Thank you, all!

Final Visit to Mission

I'm gearing up for my last trip to Mission schools next week. It's been wonderful to be their visiting author this year, and a big thank you to Envision Financial for making it possible!

I'm looking forward to meeting the students and staff at Christine Morrison School, Hatzic Elementary, and Durieu and Silverdale Schools. By the end of this trip, I will have been to every elementary school in the Mission district. What an opportunity to see the operation of an entire district and the many dedicated professionals who make it work.

I'd especially like to thank Heather Rapin, district literacy teacher, for programming all of my visits and getting me from Point A to B every day. I'd be lost without her!

See you all next week. (I wonder if the sun will come out?)

Cheers!

Looking Forward...

- to spring weather arriving (and staying) in our fair city

- to submitting a manuscript that I've been working on for a year

- to visiting Mission schools again (my final visit is next week)

- to thinking about what writing project I may take on next

- to planting my garden (see top item on this list)

- to making a pie from summer fresh fruit

Sometimes when you are working hard, it helps to look up from the keyboard and see what great things are on the horizon.

I'm looking up.

Cheers!