Book and Writer Round-ups

This is, of course, the time of lists. Maria over at Brain Pickings (you must subscribe; really), is a master of these, so here are a few of her year-end round ups. Her website is the most interesting and worthwhile time sucker on the web IMHO. (If you've never been to the site, get yourself a cup of coffee and prepare to dive into the rabbit hole.)

Paper Typewriter by Jennifer Collier

The year's best books on writing and creativity. Lots of gems there, including Neil Gaiman's Make Good Art. "Whatever it is you're scared of doing, do it. Make your mistakes, next year and forever."

And here's Maria's list for best children's books (illustrated and picture books), which includes the fabulous You Are Stardust by Canadian writer, Elin Kelsey. (The book also has an app version.)

The prolific (and very witty; you should also follow her), Elizabeth Bird over at Fuse #8 Productions, has compiled a list of 100 Magnificent Books for 2013.

Closer to home, the Canadian Chidlren's Book Centre has put together a list of great holiday reads by Canadian authors, illustrators and publishers.

Finally, British Columbia author Laura Langston, wrote a two part, Gifts of the Season, in which authors share the best gifts they've received. It's a must read for many reasons, but most of all if you have an aspiring writer in the house. Here is part one and part two.

Yes, I'm Still Here

Happy New Year to you all. I realize there's been a bit of a drought here, but my one nod to a New Year's Resolution is to try to keep this site somewhat active. As always, my goal is to make this a place to bring you the news on Canadian kid's book and Canadian writers (and, yes, peppered with a bit of news now and then about my own writing), but with work, school and a few other writing projects brewing (not to mention trying to be a pleasant mother), this will be an on-going challenge. Still, I'll do my best with your help. If you ever come across kid's book news, then please pass it on.

For a start, of course, those keen on Canadian books for kids could always go to the Canadian Children's Book Centre and subscribe to their wonderful Children's Book News. Money very well spent IMHO. More and more I am feeling so strongly that we need to put our money where our collective mouths are if we want to nurture a culture of books, reading, writing and literacy in our children. Of course that sounds like a no-brainer, but I think we need to support local bookstores, suck-it-up and not always search for the bargain when it comes for quality books, and get libraries and librarians back in every school in this country. Okay, rant over.

Here's some food for thought on the topic of buying second hand here.

Quill & Quire's Books of the Year issue gave the nod to five books for children that the mag. felt were "books to remember from 2008." Congrats to:

Skim by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki (Groundwood Books)

Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson (Penguin Canada)

Thing-Thing by Cary Fagan, illustrated by Nicolas Debon (Tundra Books)

Bonechiller by Graham McNamee (Random House)

Ojingogo by Matthew Forsythe (Drawn & Quarterly)

Books for Hard Financial Times

A slide show from Slate. I think I'm in the same age demographic as the author of this article -- Little House and Ramona Quimby were high on my list of childhood favourites.

Kids' Books from Across the Pond

Things have been crazy busy without much time to post. For now, here's a list of recommended books from UK's Telegraph newspaper.

The Lists of Summer

And so the summer book reading lists begin. Here's one from The Tyee. I'm not sure what's more fun, reading the book blurbs or the blurbs that introduce them? (e.g., Perfect book to read during the commercial breaks of Dancing with the Stars reruns; perfect book to hold open with mouth whilst spooning tofulatti into your mouth; perfect book to read on the beach, especially under small arms fire or threat of hurricanes...).