Our Thirteen Book Challenge!

Today I finished up the Thirteen Book Challenge I did with PJ's and Mrs. Laurie's third grade class. Every Monday I went in to read a picture book to the class, one from each province and territory in Canada in support of Amy's Marathon of Books (she's reading a novel a DAY).

Here's what we found:

British Columbia - Go Away Unicorn by Emily Mullock
Alberta - The Lime Green Secret by Georgia Graham
Saskatchewan - I Know Here by Laurel Croza
Manitoba - This is Not my Hat by Jon Klassen
Ontario - Something from Nothing by Phoebe Gilman
Quebec - The Hockey Sweater by Roch Carrier
New Brunswick - Penelope's Imagination Runs Wild by AJ Funn
PEI -  Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery, abridged by Barbara Greenwood
Nova Scotia - There were Monkeys in my Kitchen by Sheree Fitch
Newfoundland - Johnny and the Gypsy Moth by Deannie Sullivan-Fraser
Nunavut - Unikkaaqatigiit edited by David Natcher, Mary Ellen Thomas, Neil Christopher
NWT - A Promise is a Promise by Robert Munsch and Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak
Yukon - I am a Fox by Olga Majola

I was very impressed by the kids' ability to sit and listen attentively, then draw from the story to make their own connections to the books. They were bright and thoughtful and humourous and kind in their responses. We all had a great time. At the end they gifted me with their own creation, inspired by our Saskatchewan pick I Know Here.



Here's the cover and the cover page, then my own PJ's contribution that, while starts a bit gloomy, is really sweet and provides quite an intimate view of her perspective.

Thanks so much Amy for leading us on our adventure! It was an excellent way to explore Canadian authors - I found a few new favourites!

If you have a moment, and maybe an extra dime, please consider supporting Amy in her Marathon of Books fundraiser here.

N

Versatile Blogger

Sooo, in the blogging world there are these awards that are really chain letters dressed up in glittery tank tops and tutus. The cool thing is, these awards help me meet new writers and new readers which in the writing world is very cool. (There are books in print that prove the theory that media hype and notoriety can trump good writing in impact on book sales). 

My Twit Mate, Ellen appointed me as a "Versatile Blogger". It should be a compliment, though her status as A's fan does have me questioning her taste. I'm choosing to consider her ball team as an outlier on the study of her character. 

Here are the tasks I must do:

1. Thank the giver.
2. Name 15 new recipients. (this is the one I'm breaking)
3. Tell the giver 7 special things about yourself.

Fifteen blogs. Hmm. Back in the day I could rattle off fifteen easily but truth is I'm much more persnickety (yes, I thesaurused that) about social media these days and spend less time reading blogs to waste more time on FB and Twitter. So, my list is considerably shorter than fifteen and I'm going to choose not to pass on the award to them, just hope that the burning comet won't hit the house directly (or whatever other evil thing is supposed to happen when the chain breaks). Still, here are a few of my favourites:

Amy's Marathon of Books. Seriously, check out the work she's doing! Raising money for YA authors in Canada through a read-athon fundraiser with the CCBC.

This Is Photography. A local photographer with BEAUTIFUL work. I love looking at her updates.

The Bloggess. Is this a lame entry since I'm probably the last person on Earth to hear of her? I was handed her book first, then followed her blog and followed her Twits... she's f'in HILARIOUS.

This is the reason Tumblr is worthwhile.

So four is close to fifteen right?

Now, seven things about myself... Almost as challenging.

1. I chew my nails, 'specially when I'm thinking so when I get lots of writing done my nails are kinda short.
2. I'm a die-hard Toronto fan - Jays, Leafs, Raptors - and yes, I know they lose a lot. 'Cept this year, right?
3. I have a hoodie problem... like other people have too many shoes or too many purses? I have hoodies.
4. I drink diet Coke like some people drink coffee.
5. I love to sing to loud music in the car. My kids still think that's cool but I realize time is limited.
6. Speaking of kids, I have one born in each season, which would make a very cool tattoo, I think.
7. I've aways wanted to be on Broadway, 'cept I can't act, sing or dance and I hate being in front of people.

:) Happy Weekend!

N

Amy's Marathon

I've been reading to PJ's class on Mondays, as part of Amy's Marathon of Books. (If you don't know what Amy's doing, check it out! It's an awesome project for a great cause). I've picked books from each province to read and we've all really enjoyed the experience. I've got four provinces/territories left and it's getting tricky to find the books. Today was from Saskatchewan, a beautiful book called I Know Here about a third grader anticipating leaving behind her home in Saskatchewan and moving to Toronto. That leaves Alberta, Yukon and NWT - if you have any suggestions let me know!

The rest of my day is writing. It's hard to figure out the priority - I have one story that is done that I LOVE  and believe in, I really want to get out there. Then I have this new story that is growing and getting better - where do I put my resources? I'm trying to settle into a pattern of doing research and submissions during the evenings and going back to solid writing on Monday and Friday. It just makes me feel better.

N

Hat's off to Amy!

How awesome is this: CLICK HERE BUT COME BACK!

I can't tell you how impressed I am with this idea.

Someone twitted at me early this morning (that's how I stay current with the lingo, yo) that she was reading my book. Okay, she wasn't twitting at me, she was twitting to the rest of the twits... wait... she sent a tweet saying she was reading my book and included my 'handle' (that makes me feel like a cop) so it beeped on my phone. I thought 'Cool! My most awesome of awesome publisher-publicist found another blogger to review Game Plan' and didn't think much more of it until I asked who she was and how she'd come to have Game Plan for review. And then I was directed to Amy's page.

Holy toots, Batman.

In honour of Terry Fox and Rick Hansen, two great Canadian heroes, and in support of The Canadian Children's Book Centre Amy is 'reading across Canada'. She has decided to read ten pages per kilometre and to do that, read a book a day for the year of 2014. How coooool is that? I think it's a fantastic idea and I can't wait to follow along.

Have a look for her on Facebook and on Twitter if you're interested in following. I'm nervous now that she is reading or read Game Plan today... I really hope she liked it. I'm so honoured to be a teeny (well 1/365th) part of this project.

Thanks Amy!

N