Jacqueline Pearce's Blog, page 5

Book launch invitation

My new chapter book, Flood Warning, about the Fraser River flood of 1948 (and how a young boy helps to save his family’s herd of dairy cows), debuts this Wednesday at Vancouver Kidsbooks, along with books by three other local authors. Kidsbooks is one of my favourite places to spend some time!

Celebrating Cherry Blossoms -Vancouver style

This year's Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival got off to a perfect start Thursday, April 5, with sunshine and cherry blossoms both cooperating. The Akebono cherry trees alongside Burrard Skytrain station (site of the festival kick-off) were in full bloom!

The event included Taiko drumming and other performances of Japanese music, as well as energetic Bollywood-influenced dancing that got the crowd joining in (led by Shiamak dancers, who are choreographing a flashmob umbrella dance to happen April 14).

The blossoms, people, and multicultural celebration inspired this haiku:

downtown Vancouver

oasis of blossoms

welcomes everyone

(Note: the festival also hosts an annual international haiku contest)

The celebration of blossoms continued at Vancouver's VanDusen Botanical Garden over the weekend with Sakura Days Japan Fair. That post next…

Signs of spring?

I spotted the first cherry blossoms (and bees) in my neighbourhood on February 7, and soon after came the snowdrops and crocuses. It seemed that we had seen the last of winter and that there was plenty to inspire some spring haiku. What better timing than February being National Haiku Writing Month (NaHaiWriMo)?

I had been looking forward to NaHaiWriMo (writing a few short lines a day seemed much more do-able than the word output required for National Novel Writing Month!), but was struggling a bit with throwing out the 5-7-5 syllable structure (see this NaHaiWriMo post for background on why 5-7-5 is no longer considered correct for haiku in English), and just wasn't finding myself paused in any haiku moments. That is, until the very last day of February, and the return of snow.

Was winter finished, or not? Were blossoms covered by snow a negative or a positive image? The seasonal ambiguity and my current mood of life evaluation (partly prompted by turning a certain age I won't mention) inspired me to play with a glass half full/half empty theme. The result is maybe not worth sharing, but here it is (with all thought of syllable count tossed aside):

blossoms

under late snow

buried hope

or

blossoms

under snow blanket

wake

Snow birds

Canadians who head south for the winter are called "snow birds," but these vacationing northerners are even more deserving of the title (sorry, couldn't resist). Snowy owls, who spend most of their lives in the arctic, have descended on southern Canada and parts of the northern United States in record numbers this winter. Well, not so much record numbers, but large numbers that we only see approximately every seven years (and I've lived near one of their stopping spots for over twenty years and never seen them before this!).

Snowy owls usually remain in the arctic all year, and I've read two somewhat contradictory-sounding theories about why large numbers of them head south when they do (both theories involving lemmings). In the arctic, the owls' main food source is lemmings (those small rodents that are said to follow one another over a cliff –which is a myth to account for their sometimes sudden population drops). Lemming populations naturally rise and fall (no cliffs involved). I've read that when lemming populations are down, the Snowy owls venture south to look for food, but I've also read the opposite. When the lemming population drops, so do Snowy owl births, and when the lemming population rises, the number of owls rises as well. So, a second theory suggests that it's after a big lemming year that there are so many owls, many need to head south to look for winter food. Maybe it's a combination of both: more lemmings, more owls, then the lemming population drops and there are still a lot of owls but not so much food. Whatever the reason, I benefited this year by getting to see a lot of these wonderful birds up close!

We counted 21 owls sitting on logs and stumps near the walking path on the dike along the edge of Boundary Bay in Richmond (near Vancouver). They appeared to be mostly just resting, undisturbed by the human onlookers, though occasionally one would take flight and glide a short way to another rest spot. It was especially impressive each time an owl slowly rotated its large stocky head and pierced me with those uncanny yellow eyes.

While most owls tend to hunt at night, Snowy owls are active in the day, feeding mostly at dawn and dusk. During their southern stopover they eat mice, voles, ducks, hares and even fish. They also need to conserve energy for their flight back to the arctic, so it's important not to disturb them.

Click here for a New York Times article on the Snowy owls: article

You can also see more (and better quality) photos of Boundary Bay Snowy owls on A Powell River Photo Blog

December Interlude

I took yesterday and today off to escape to Vancouver Island for a pre-Christmas visit with my sister and parents. The -4 degrees c. cold woke me up early this morning, and I wasn't sure if I was up for voluntarily stepping out into it, but a visit to the town where I grew up isn't complete without a walk along the Cowichan River with my dad. So I borrowed a toque and scarf, and we set out.

As we walked, a V of geese passed overhead (heading toward Cowichan Bay).

We stopped by the sewer lagoon to check if there were any eagles sitting in the big nest in the cottonwoods (none this time), then walked on top the dike beside one of the creeks that flows into the Cowichan.

Mist rose up from the water, and rays from the low sun slanted through the trees.

Two kinglets and a wren poked along the shore, a pair of mallards floated by, and two pale salmon moved like ghosts beneath the surface of the water, appearing and disappearing as the rippling reflections moved and changed.

Further along, the red fin of a male salmon shark-tailed above the water as he splashed upstream.

Beyond the creek, closer to the river, I caught sight of an eagle sitting on a branch, and then another. Counted seven sitting in the one tree. A few more in other trees.

We walked along a dry stream bed to get closer, stepping over the decaying bodies of salmon that had swum upstream to spawn (in vain) weeks ago when the creek was full from the fall rain.

Back on the dike again, we glimpsed a great blue heron through the trees.

Passed two eager dogs, checking out a frozen section of creek.

On the ground, frost fringed leaves and grass.

Above, blue, blue sky.

A good day to walk and look (or sit on a roof and contemplate the day, as this cat we spied on the way home seemed to be doing).

Later, sitting on the ferry on my way back to the mainland, something made me put down the book I was reading and look out the window –just in time to see a pod of porpoises arcing above the waves along side the boat.

The perfect punctuation to end a beautiful, pause-filled day (!)

A Discovering Emily discovery

This morning, sorting through stuff I've had in storage for the past two years, I was surprised to discover a box full of bookmarks for my children's book, Discovering Emily (a junior novel about the childhood of Canadian artist Emily Carr). I had no idea I still had all these bookmarks, and it is strange that they should resurface right at this moment. Only a few weeks ago, I found out that this book is no longer available in print, and I have to decide if I should ask for the rights back from the publisher and look for a new publisher, or possibly reprint the book myself. Are the bookmarks trying to tell me something?

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Discovering Emily was originally published in 2004 by Orca (though, as with many of my books, the idea and research started several years earlier). I've had eight books for young people published now, but I continue to have a soft spot for this book because of my love for Emily Carr and her art and my admiration for the incredible spunk it took for a young woman in 19th century Victoria to go against the current and follow her dream of becoming an artist and painting in a way that had meaning to her. I first wrote the book because I wanted to show kids the person behind the dowdy-looking famous artist with a reputation for eccentricity. She was once a child just like them, who had fears and dreams, got into trouble, did things wrong, but kept trying and kept on being true to herself.

I was at a teachers' conference this past Friday, and a few teachers came up to talk to me. Ironically, the one book they all mentioned using in their classrooms was Discovering Emily. I also have teacher friends who use this book every year. As one friend says, "[the character, Emily] inspired me to look for that spark in the kids I deal with every day." Unfortunately, these anecdotes have not translated into enough on-going sales for my publisher to feel compelled to reprint the book again. Yet, I still feel there's a spot for this book in primary classrooms and that there are children waiting to be inspired by the young Emily Carr.

Anyone out there have any thoughts on this book and what I should do? Are you a teacher who uses the book or would like to have the book in your classroom? If I reprint the book myself I may have to find a new illustrator (as well as figure out how to get the book into the hands of teachers, librarians, parents, and kids). Ideally, I'd like Orca to print the book again, as they still have the sequel, Emily's Dream, available, and I still have all those matching bookmarks to give away!

If you'd like to encourage Orca to get the book back in print, you can contact the publisher, Andrew Wooldridge, at orca@orcabook.com.

[Note: on Orca's website it says the book is "out of stock" rather than "out of print" because the book may still be available as an e-book.]

Past blog post about walking through Emily Carr's old neighbourhood: In Emily Carr's footsteps

Great website about Emily Carr: Emily Carr at Work and at Home

Downloadable teachers' guide for Discovering Emily

[Note: Amazon.ca still shows Discovering Emily available, and Amazon.com shows one book left in stock.]

Summer holiday brings new ideas (and new Lucky Cat photos)

Story ideas come from many places and experiences, and there was plenty to inspire on a recent family holiday, which took me to Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Old Quebec, and New York City, with train travel in between. You can read about my search for Lucky Cats in New York City on the Lucky Cat – Maneki Neko blog. To give you a taste, here are a couple photos I like, which didn't make it into the Lucky Cat post:

If you're interested in some glimpses of the rest of my trip, here's the link to the photos I posted on my Facebook page.

Book Party winds down

Launch activities for my new chapter book, Mystery of the Missing Luck, are finally winding down after a busy month of guest blogging, book giveaways, and live book events (I'm still in the process of contacting prize winners). The photo at left is me at a group book launch last Wednesday, which took place at one of my favourite book stores, Vancouver Kidsbooks (scroll down for a link to a blog post about the event). The photo below is the wonderful group of authors who participated in "The Best Mess" Children's Book Week event at the Burnaby Library, Metrotown (story link below).

Since I spend a lot of time on my own, writing, it's great to get out and connect with other authors and hear about their books and projects –and also great to connect with readers!

If anyone's interested, here are the links to the guest posts I did on my virtual book tour:

- Talking about how the Japanese Maneki Neko (lucky beckoning cat) got into my story, Mystery of the Missing Luck, on author kc dyer's blog.

- More about the book's inspriation and what started my interest in writing about different cultures on the Orca Book Publisher's blog.

- Confession of my life-long love affair with bakeries on author Tanya Lloyd Kyi's blog.

- My interview on the Children's Writers and Illustrators of BC (CWILL BC) blog (part of a series of interviews with BC authors)

- Post about the Children's Book Week event at the Burnaby Library, "Authors agree, the best stories often spring from messy beginnings"

- Post about last Wednesday's group launch of new books by Orca authors, "The More Books, the Merrier!"

- Join me and others in sharing stories, folklore, and images about Maneki Neko, the Lucky Cat (ongoing)

And now, this blog will return to its regular programming (ie. irregular postings of haiku, photos, etc), and I hope to get back to work on my current novel-in-progress. Thank you, everyone who joined in my book party festivities!

The Party continues!

Tomorrow (Saturday, May 7, 1- 3 pm) I'll be joining several other children's book authors and illustrators at the Bob Prittie Metrotown library for "The Best Mess" – Nurturing Young Authors, a family event to wrap up TD Canadian Children's Book Week. Book Week touring author Ted Staunton will be speaking and reading from his newest book, Acting Up. Local authors and illustrators Alison Acheson, KC Dyer, Melanie Jackson, Denise Jaden, Rebecca Kool, Sara Leach, Max Tell, and me (Jacqueline Pearce) will also be reading from our new books and talking a bit about our "best mess" – the process of creation unique to each of us.

Then on Wednesday, May 18, 7pm, I'll be at Vancouver Kidsbooks in Kitsilano to join fellow authors  to celebrate the launch of our new books with Orca Book Publishers:

Check out my previous blog post for info on book give-a-ways and my Missing Luck-Lucky Cat contest. You can also check out the most recent stop on my blog tour here.

Book Party!

My new book is out! Mystery of the Missing Luck (Orca Book Publishers), illustrated by Leanne Fransen, is a chapter book for ages 6-8 about a young girl, her relationship with her grandmother, and what happens when Maneki Neko, a lucky cat statue, goes missing from the grandmother's Japanese bakery.

Usually, when I have a new book published, I celebrate with a launch event at a library, book store, or other physical venue. This time, I'm trying something new –a virtual book tour, online book give-a-ways, and a special Missing Luck – Lucky Cat contest. The prize is a Lucky Cat bag full of unique Maneki Neko (beckoning cat) items from Japan (including a cute plush beckoning cat, a wooden prayer plaque from Gotokuji Temple where the first Maneki Neko originated, tabi socks, hashi/chopsticks, stickers, candy, charm, etc. as well as a signed copy of my new book). Anyone can enter the Missing Luck – Lucky Cat contest here on my blog or on Facebook. All you have to do to enter the contest is leave a comment at the bottom of this blog post letting me know you'd like to enter and telling me why you'd like to win our great prize pack. Leave a comment on my Facebook page for an extra chance to win. The Missing Luck contest is being co-sponsored by the Lucky Cat – Maneki Neko blog and Lucky Cat Facebook page, so you have even more chances of winning by leaving comments there as well. Spread the word by posting a link to the contest on your blog, Facebook, or Twitter, let us know, and we'll give you an extra draw entry. We'll be holding the draw May 20 and announcing the winner here and on Facebook.

Follow me on my tour as I hop from blog to blog, sharing stories about how I came to write Mystery of the Missing Luck, visited the home of the first Maneki Neko in Japan, and learned about an-pan, a special Japanese bun that inspired a cartoon super hero. Leave a comment after one of my blog posts, and the host will enter your name in a draw for a copy of Mystery of the Missing Luck. There will be a book given away at each blog stop (4 separate book give-a-ways, plus a book with the Missing Luck prize pack).

Teachers, if you have a class that would like to enter any of the draws, students can enter individually, or the whole class can enter as one (if a class wins the Missing Luck prize pack, I'll make sure there are enough Lucky Cat candies for everyone in the class to try one, and I'll add a class set of Mystery of the Missing Luck bookmarks). A downloadable teachers' guide to the book will be available from Orca's website.

Mystery of the Missing Luck tour schedule:

April 27 – I'll be visiting the blog of kc dyer, author of historical and contemporary fiction for kids and teens, including A Walk Through a Window and its sequel Facing Fire

May 2 – Check out my post on the site of Orca Book Publishers

May 6 – Find me at the blog of Tanya Lloyd Kyi, author of Burn: The Life Story of Fire, Jared Lester, Fifth Grade Jester, and other fiction and non-fiction titles

May 7 – I'll be breaking with the virtual theme by joining the Burnaby Library's celebration of Canadian Children's Book Week in person (at the Metrotown library branch)

May 11 – My stop will be the Children's Writers and Illustrators of BC (CWILL BC) blog

May 18 – I'll be joining fellow Orca authors for a group book launch (yes, this one is also live and in person) at Ardea Books - 2025 West 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC, 7pm

May 19 (or shortly after) – see photos of the group launch on Orca's blog and the CWILL BC blog

May 20 – Missing Luck – Lucky Cat prize draw! (I'll be contacting the winner for verification before announcing. If the first name drawn can't be reached within 48 hours or declines the prize, another name will be drawn)

Please ask for Mystery of the Missing Luck at your local book store, or order it through Indiebound,  Amazon.com,  Amazon.ca, or Chapters/Indigo.