Everything I need to know in life, I learned from children's literature
January is tough for a lot of people. Social media has taken great lengths to address this, with Blue Monday, and Bell Let's Talk Day both falling in January and gaining steam every year. Regardless of whether you or your kids have officially received a diagnosis or have a chronic condition, we should all make… Continue reading As Seen on CTV: Kids’ Books That Address Mental Health and Wellness
I've always been committed to the environment. From a young age, I was interested in conservation, initiating recycling programs, and protecting at-risk species. Movies like Fern Gully and Free Willy had a big impact on me, as did Canadian TV show The Smoggies and The Body Shop's endangered species campaign. Fun fact, my very first… Continue reading As Seen on CTV: Earth Day Books for Kids
This Thursday, April 12th at noon EST I will be taking over Milton Public Library's Instagram live to hold a virtual writing workshop for kids & teens. I'll share some tips, tricks, and exercises, so make sure your kids have a pen and paper handy! Learn about my process and find out the stories and inspiration… Continue reading I’m Holding a Virtual Writing Workshop for Kids & Teens
In honour of the first I Read Canadian day, my most recent CTV Your Morning segment features Canadian read-alikes, equivalents to big US or UK classics. Watch the segment here, or read on for my selections. Recently, the New York Public Library shared their most frequently checked out books and Ezra Jack Keats' The Snowy… Continue reading As seen on CTV Your Morning: I Read Canadian Day
January is Mental Health Awareness month in Canada. The conversation, especially around Bell Let's Talk Day on January 29th, is getting louder, more nuanced, and larger in scope, yet it can be hard to address these issues with children. I'm so grateful to the team at CTV Your Morning who continue to support children's books… Continue reading As Seen on CTV: Kids’ Books That Address Mental Health & Wellness
We are one week away from the release of my new picture book TEDDY BEAR OF THE YEAR, illustrated by Sydney Hanson. All of my books are a nod to something I love, and I've always had a soft spot for the softest of toys, bear or otherwise. Here are some of my favourite teddy… Continue reading 6 Picture Books Featuring Teddy Bears (and Rabbits)
With the season of gift giving just around the corner, this segment's list is based on popular activities or hobbies kids might have that might not at first glance have anything to do with books. Whether the kids in your life like lego, hockey, drawing, or video games, here are some books that will be… Continue reading CTV Your Morning Holiday Picks
I was very excited to learn that THE WINNOWING is the 2019 MYRCA Northern Lights Honour Book! I had the pleasure of visiting Manitoba during last year's Canadian Children's Book Week and I had the opportunity to meet with many dedicated readers and aspiring writers. I learned firsthand how passionate young Manitobans are about reading,… Continue reading MYRCA News!
There is a whole generation who will look back at two-time Newbery medalist and National Ambassador for Young People's Literature Kate DiCamillo the way my generation looks back at Gordon Korman, Judy Blume, Kit Pearson or Beverly Cleary. In fact, in an EW article DiCamillo names Cleary as a major influence for her latest novel, the superlative… Continue reading Middle Grade Monday: Raymie Nightingale
Every time I start a year in review list I am overwhelmed by the number of amazing books out there. I always intend to pick one or two books per category but it is much, much too difficult. What follows is a mere sliver of the fabulous books I read and loved this year, which… Continue reading My Favourite Books of 2015
Vikki VanSickle 