Driftwood Folk Art! Once a small cedar tree - it drifted in as a hollow log. Mom didn’t want a picture on the wall, she wanted a branch. Leslie and I turned this one into folk art. Now gracing Mom’s dining room wall, and the home to many curiosities including soapstone birds, who have obviously hung up their laundry to dry. The cat was added by a grand-daughter.
I'm Going to PYI
"Refill the Well"
I had a great day at Joanne Levy’s retreat centre in Clinton. Joanne is one of Canada’s premier children’s novelists and a great host. It was fun to meet so many author colleagues. Special thanks to Hilary McMahon and Bridgette Kam of Westwood Creative Artists for a very valuable day of professional development. Here’s Joanne holding the books she’s just signed for me..
A Shout Out to The Muskoka Christian School
I spent a wonderful morning with Mrs. Peddie’s Grade 3/4 class. They had just finished reading Soapstone Signs and are starting Soapstone Porcupine. Here is a picture of their awesome soap carvings.
I Read Canadian Day
It’s November 2nd. Wishing all a happy I Read Canadian Day. A big thank you to all the classrooms in Canada who choose Canadian books (including mine). #IReadCanadian
Social Media Can Be Helpful - But At What Cost?
Just a quick note of thanks to authors Eric Walters, Paul Coccia and Melanie Florence (@EricRWalters, @pauljcoccia, @mflowrites) for sharing insights during the TWUC webinar, Social Media Can Be Helpful – But At What Cost? (Live on Tuesday 27 Sept, 2022) Thanks for a humanized focus on what can be a daunting realm. See the webinar at TWUC.ca.
Packaging Your Imagination
A Shout Out...
to Maggie Webb and the grade 5 and 6 class at E.A. Fairman Public School in Whitby. Maggie's class enjoyed reading Soapstone Signs. The students were able to make many connections to their curriculum.
The Future of Story-Telling
A question came up this week about whether we are in good hands for the story-telling future.
I remembered the fun I had at Peterborough Public Library when I did A Writer’s Workshop for Children (8-12 yrs). Those in attendance listened to a reading from Soapstone Signs and then were shown many different types of raw carving stone. The participants were challenged to write, draw or speak about what they saw inside the carving stone.
Some amazing creativity was shown by the 16 remarkable young story-tellers. We are in great hands!
Jeff
Second Book Now Available!
Soapstone Porcupine, has now been released by Orca Book Publishers. This is my second novel for children, and the sequel to the award-winning Soapstone Signs.
I am excited to report that an early review by CM Magazine: Canadian Review of Materials, University of Manitoba, has given Soapstone Porcupine 4 out of 4 stars and a Highly Recommended rating.
A Teacher’s Guide will soon be available for free to download from the Orca website. The "sweet spot" is grades 2-4.
Get your favourite 7-12 yr old(s) a copy in e-book or paperback. Order from Orca Book Publishers or Amazon, or contact me
Donating Some Books...
Here I am donating a copy of Soapstone Signs to the Little Library at Weeneebayko General Hospital of Moose Factory. Copies of Soapstone Signs were also proudly donated to Ministik Public School of Moose Factory, and Moosonee Public School.
A Shout-Out To Leo Etherington
A big thank you to Leo Etherington, one of Moosonee’s finest artists, who took us out to James Bay during our visit on Thanksgiving weekend. We experienced low tides, a hail storm and a horizon that curves forever with the great round earth.
It is truly big sky country here along Ontario’s ocean front coastline. Meegwetch Leo!
"Tamarak Decoy" by Leo Etherington via flickr user nadonou
New Year, Big News!
Joyous New Year! I hope that the holidays were good to everyone.
I some news about my writing...I've very excited about it and hope that you will be too!
I’m thrilled to announce that Soapstone Signs is becoming a series! Orca Book Publishers of Victoria BC will release book two in the spring of 2018.
That's about all I can say but please stay tuned and remember to never run while carrying your pet porcupine.
All the best in 2017!
