On March 17th, Peggy Dymond Leavey visited the Warkworth Public Library in Warkworth, Ontario to do a presentation for the children gathered there. This picture, courtesy of The Shield newspaper, shows some of the 14 children who came out for the event. That's Peggy, wearing the green, St. Patrick's Day outfit.

From Rona Arato ...

Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site

written by Rona Arato,
Author of "Working for Freedom: the Story of Josiah Henson"

Last month I had the privilege of reading from my book, Working for Freedom, the Story of Josiah Henson to 7th and 8th grade students from the Winston Churchill Public School at the Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site in Dresden Ontario.

Josiah Henson had a major impact on Blacks who escaped from slavery in the United States to freedom in Canada in the years before the U. S. Civil War. I love telling his story because it shows how one dedicated person can make a great difference in the lives of others. Josiah’s fierce conviction that everyone deserves to be free, his strong work ethic and his belief in education, helped escaped Blacks make the most of their newly acquired freedom.

Everyone at the Site was wonderful. Steven Cook, Site Manager and Barbara Carter, Josiah’s great great granddaughter was each a great help when I was writing the book. The students were happy to learn more about Josiah. They followed the reading with a tour of the museum and a pizza lunch. It was a terrific day for all of us.

Rona Arato

Heather Kirk is busy writing a new book for young people at present, so she does not have time for some of her other, more visible activities like teaching creative writing or giving booktalks. Heather, the author of two teen novels published by Napoleon (Warsaw Spring and A Drop of Rain), is working on a book about the must successful passive-resistance movement of the twentieth century. For those who would like to SEE Heather doing something, this painting of Heather by her friend Indra Sharma, a fine poet and painter, living in Elmvale, Ontario shows Heather THINKING. Heather is seen from behind. The autumnal landscape represents Heather's birthsign of Libra which reaches its zenith in the autumn.

Here are a couple of photos taken yesterday (Family Literacy Day), January 27th, at the Quinte West Public Library where Peggy Dymond Leavey gave a presentation to two Grade 5 classes from Trenton schools.
The occasion was also the official launch of "Trouble at Turtle Narrows". Children's librarian, Rosemary Kirby, really made it a special occasion, making sure the press was there and providing refreshments. It was a great group of kids. One picture shows Peggy talking to the group, and the other was taken during question & answer time--always good fun!

After reading The Ghost of Northumberland Strait by Lori Knutson, 13-year-old Kelly Lepchuk remembered the old floppy sunhat she owns. Donning it and a blue shirt, she dressed up as Charly. She’s pictured here posing in her backyard last July in Beaverlodge, Alberta.

Teaching writing is something author lian goodall lives. Beginning Jan. 27, 2009 for 7 weeks from 7 pm to 9:30 pm she'll be at the Learning Enterprise in Orangeville, Ontario teaching "Creative Writing/Children's Books." This will be the fourth time lian has taught this class, and each time she learns something new from her students.
The course costs $95 and students may register by calling the Learning Enterprise at 519-941-2661.

Heather Kirk, author of two novels for teens with Napoleon, Warsaw Spring and A Drop of Rain, recently gave a 12-week course for adults in creative writing at Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario. The course, which stretched from September 15 to December 8, 2008, offered the fundamentals of writing non-fiction, poetry, plays, filmscripts, short stories and novels. More information about Heather's various publications and activities can be found on her website at www.heatherkirk.ca.

On Wednesday December 3rd, Christopher Dinsdale participated in a Christmas fundraising event for Clearmeadow Public School at Chapters Newmarket. Many books were signed and a good time was had by all. The school council at Clearmeadow P.S. was very appreciative for the effort put into the event. The money raised will go directly into enhancing the academic programs at Clearmeadow P.S..

Brenda Chapman at Bouchercon

Brenda Chapman attended Bouchercon 2008 in Baltimore in October. This annual mystery conference draws about 1500 authors and fans for four days of panels, parties, schmoozing and fun. Brenda was part of an author panel discussing young adult mysteries and censorship - a most interesting discussion. An annual highlight of the conference is 'Meet the Canucks' when the American hosts show their appreciation to the Canadians and British for their support after 9-11 by throwing a party. Brenda is pictured at the event with UK author John Harvey and Ottawa author Rick Mofina.

Phillippa Dowding, a Toronto writer who will publish her children's novel The Gargoyle in my Yard with Napoleon in the spring of 2009, is a featured poet this month on the American website bestpoem.wordpress.com

Heather Kirk will be giving an illustrated talk on world-famous Canadian author, Mazo de la Roche, on Tuesday October 7, 2008 at the Peter Gzowski Branch of the Georgina Library in Sutton, Ontario. Heather will also be giving talks on de la Roche at the Elman Campbell Museum in Newmarket, Ontario on November 4, 2008 and at the Aurora Public Library in Aurora, Ontario on November 11, 2008. The talks in Newmarket and Aurora are part of the National Reading Series sponsored by the Writers' Union of Canada and the Canada Council. Heather Kirk is the author of two recent books on Mazo de la Roche, including a biography for teens and adults. Heather is also the author of two novels for teenagers published by Napoleon.

Lori Knutson launch

On the evening of Thursday, August 7th, 2008 Alberta author Lori Knutson launched her children’s novel The Ghost of Northumberland Strait.
The launch was held in the village of Hughenden in the southeast part of the province, where Lori lives and teaches school.

The launch was well-supported by the community and the local media was very cooperative in helping to promote the launch prior to the event. Lori was interviewed in The Provost News by publisher Richard Holmes and also on radio by Key83 broadcaster and literacy advocate Jeff Newland.

People attending the launch enjoyed refreshments and entered the draw to win a copy of The Ghost of the Northumberland Strait. Lori read from the new novel and signed copies of it and her previous work.

The launch was co-hosted by the Hughenden Public Library. Staff and board members helped serve snacks, visited with guests and cleaned up afterwards. Other community libraries lent their support by posting information regarding the launch in their library buildings and by distributing bookmarks featuring cover art from The Ghost of Northumberland Strait.

Peggy Dymond Leavey reading

On June 22nd, Peggy Dymond Leavey was one of three authors who read at Children's Day, day two of the County of Prince Edward Authors' Festival. The event was held upstairs in the bright new loft space over Books and Company in Picton. After a break of four years, the festival hopes to become a yearly event once again.

Brenda Chapman visited numerous bookstores on a roadtrip across New England. She is pictured in front of Eight Cousins bookstore in Falmouth (Cape Cod) and in front of Where the Sidewalk Ends bookstore in Chatham (Cape Cod).

PEC Authors' Festival

After a four year hiatus, The Prince Edward County Authors' Festival is on again. It will be held June 21st & 22nd at Books & Company, 289 Main St, Picton. Children's Day is Sunday, June 22nd from 1 to 3 p.m. One of the presenters is Peggy Dymond Leavey, who will be reading from her latest novel, "Treasure at Turtle Lake". There is no charge for Children's Day Readings. It is sponsored by the County of Prince Edward Public Library.

Heather Kirk, author of Warsaw Spring and A Drop of Rain, two linked teen novels published by Napoleon, spent Monday June 2, 2008 talking about her books at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie. Heather and five other writers from Simcoe County set up displays of their books in the cafeteria of the hospital and chatted with hospital staff and visitors. Heather, who is also the author of a recent biography for teens and adults about world-famous Canadian writer, Mazo de la Roche, gave three talks on de la Roche over the past six weeks. Heather spoke to the Simcoe County Historical Association on March 18, the Orillia Historical Society on May 21, and to the Stroud Book Club at the Innisfil Public Library on May 28. On April 12, 2008, the Historical Sites and Monuments Board of Canada unveiled a plaque to Mazo de la Roche at Benares Historic House in Mississauga, Ontario. De la Roche (1879-1961), author of the Jalna novels, is now officially a "person of national significance." De la Roche was born in Newmarket, Ontario, and grew up mainly in Newmarket, Orillia, and Toronto.

Christopher Dinsdale was invited to the Hershey Centre in Mississauga for the final event in this year's Festival of Reading celebrations. It was an energetic afternoon with cheerleaders, rappers and dancers showing their stuff between author presentations. Fellow Napoleon author Peggy Dymond Leavey was also part of the festivities as highlights from last year's celebration were presented on the big screen. It was an exciting end to an amazing festival. Thank you OLA!

2008 Red Maple Awards

Christopher Dinsdale was honoured to participate in the 2008 Red Maple Awards at Harbourfront. The event was both exciting and well-organized. Christopher and nine other selected authors started the day off by speaking to the thousands of students who attended the event before the winner was selected. Congratulations to Eric Walters for winning the 2008 Red Maple Award! After the ceremony, the authors signed autographs and participated in the many story-based activites organized by the Ontario Library Association. It was a chilly but fun day for all!

Brenda Chapman visited the Stittsville Public Library on May 22nd along
with Ottawa authors R.J. Harlick, Barbara Fradkin and Margaret Stoddart
to read from their latest books and to discuss the writing process.

Day's Lee reading

I was lucky enough to be asked to take part in the Blue Metropolis Literary Festival's first ever Children's Festival this year. The kids from the grade 2 class from Westmount Park school came to my reading at Westmount library. They watched the pictures on screen as I read my book The Fragrant Garden. After a lively Q&A, and a short documentary on how a restaurant works, they set about creating a menu for their own restaurant. It was a fun morning!