Helaine Becker's Blog, page 7

What's Your Bold Vision?

It started with an idea:

"When 23 men met in Charlottetown PEI in 1864, their collective thinking and visioning ultimately led to the formation of Canada. We want to know, what do 23 women envision for our country for the next 150 years?"

Now that idea has turned into an exciting national conference, for which 23 female 'visionaries' will be selected to draft their own view of what Canada should look like in the future.
I'm delighted to announce that I've been nominated to participate! I hope I have enough vision.....
Please check out A Bold Vision to find out more about this innovative project, and for ways you can be involved too!  

Lane Anderson Science Writing Awards Announced!

Can you be just a little over the moon? No. Which is why I'm a LOT over the moon to have been named the winner of the 2012 Lane Anderson Award for Science Writing, in the Children's Books category for The Big Green Book of the Big Blue Sea.









The winner in the Adult category is Neil Turok for The Universe Within.










Congrats to Neil and to everyone who participated in this great event! And a huge thanks to the Fitzhenry Family for endowing this award and highlighting the central role of science in our lives.




Here are the deets from the official announcement:




$10,000 Lane Anderson Award Winners




Celebrating the Best Science Writing in
Canada




Toronto. 26th
September, 2013:  The Fitzhenry
Family Foundation announced the winners of the 2012 Lane Anderson Award.
Finalists and winners were feted at an intimate dinner in Toronto.




The annual Lane Anderson Award,
now in its fourth year, honours excellence in Canadian science writing, by
highlighting two jury-selected books – one addressed to adult readers, the
other written for children and/or middle grade readers.  Authors of the
winning books each receive $10,000. 




There were a total of 20
submissions for this year’s award.




“We established this award because
we believe passionately that science writing, and science reporting is vitally
important for every Canadian today.  Science writing, research, and
knowledge impacts the ways in which we live now, the ways our children will
live in future, and the ways in which our children’s children will live their
lives. As Canadians, we do not pay enough attention to science. We take it for
granted.  The Lane Anderson Award is dedicated towards removing that
indifference, two books at a time. We thank all of the authors and publishers
and judges who are helping us pass along this message. It needs to be heard and
heeded.”

- Hollister Doll & Sharon
Fitzhenry Directors, Fitzhenry Family Foundation  




The annual Lane Anderson Award
honours two jury-selected books, in the categories of adult and young reader,
published in the field of science, and written by a Canadian. The winner in
each category receives $10,000.







The 2012 Lane Anderson Prize
Winners are:




The Universe Within by Neil Turok (Anansi)





The most anticipated nonfiction
book of the season, this year's Massey Lectures is a visionary look at the way
the human mind can shape the future.  Neil Turok is one of the world’s top
physicists and founder of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences
(AIMS). He is currently the Director of the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical
Physics.













Big Green Book of the Big Blue Sea by Helaine Becker (Kids Can Press)




Based on the idea that knowledge
is power, The Big Green Book of the Big Blue Sea shows how the ocean
works and why this immense ecosystem needs our protection. Experiments using
everyday materials help explain the scientific concepts. Helaine Becker is a
bestselling writer of children’s fiction, nonfiction and verse.













The two juries meet annually to
consider all the submissions to the Lane Anderson Award and comprise editors,
librarians, and previous Lane Anderson winners.




The Lane Anderson designation
honours the maiden names of Robert Fitzhenry’s mother, Margaret Lane, and his
wife, Hilda Anderson Fitzhenry.  The Fitzhenry Family Foundation is a
privately directed Canadian foundation established in 1987 by Canadian
publisher Robert I. Fitzhenry (1918-2008).  The Lane Anderson Award is
administered by Christopher Alam, a partner at the law firm of Gowling Lafleur
Henderson LLP.




www.laneanderson.ca







Debby de Groot

647.295.2970

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Four Stars for Little Jack Horner!

Just like the cow, I'm over the moon about this four-star review of Little Jack Horner, Live from the Corner.







It's from CM Magazine and says, in part, " Little Jack Horner Live from the Corner is a fresh and wonderful attempt to modernize old nursery rhymes and is a must-have for all children’s collections."



Read the full review here. Then go buy the book at your favorite indy bookseller!

It's Official!

This is Chloe.

It's official - signed, sealed and in the mail - so now I can share my terrific news.



I'm thrilled to announce that from here on in I will be represented by Chloe Walker and Nick Ellison, from the Nicholas Ellison Agency,


an independent, boutique agency that's under the umbrella of the fabulous Greenburger Associates. 







This is Nick.



Nick and Chloe treated me to every writer's dream-come-true day last month, when we enjoyed a wonderful three-hour lunch getting to know each other. Now we're hard at working polishing up some brand new book project proposals, for subbing later this fall.





And this is me, demo'ing how I feel right now. :)

Lane Anderson Science Writing Awards Shortlist Announced!

Thrilled to learn today that The Big Green Book of the Big Blue Sea has been shortlisted for the Lane Anderson Award! A previous book of mine, The Insecto-Files, won the award two years ago. I'm so excited to be back on the list again!





You can read the press release here. Congrats to the other nominees - looking forward to meeting you all at the awards dinner!

Singin' a Song in Praise of Undies

The Ode to Underwear is now available to preorder!



I'm so excited - I've wanted to see this poem in print for ages. It's what I always end my school presentations with, and I've had so many requests for it. Now, I can say, "yes! The poem IS available!" And it's spectacularly illustrated by Mike Boldt, who also illustrated my previous picture book, Little Jack Horner, Live from the Corner.







The dynamic undies in Ode to Underwear will have you laughing. And I announce it here first: Captain Underpants, your reign is the Prince of Panties may be coming to an 'end.'



You can order copies of both books at Indigo (or your local indie bookseller, like one of my faves, The Bookkeeper) and be the first kid on the block to have a copy. :)

Writing - and Selling Kids Books - Workshops for Pre-Published and Professional Authors

Yes, I teach writing  and business skills. Usually over beer or coffee when I rant at my friends. But I also present at writing conferences and SCBWI chapter meetings and the like. In fact, I'll be doing several workshops next week at the When Words Collide Conference in Calgary. If you're in the Calgary area, please come by! It's an awesome program! Kidlit and YA Writers Amanda Sun, Claire Eamer, Karen Bass will also be presenting.



Here are the the most popular workshops I offer. Please keep me in mind if you or your organization is looking for a professional speaker. I also do a hilarious prezzie on humor writing, if I do say so myself.



> Basic Business Skills for Writers. ROI. B2B. Profit Centre. Supply Chain. Qualifying the Customer. If these and other business-related phrases strike fear in your heart, this workshop is for you. Learn the business basics you really need to jumpstart your writing career. Note: This class is not about the publishing business. It focuses on the skills you will need as a sole proprietor of a freelance writing business.








> The 17 Celestial Secrets of Writing Nonfiction. The Common Core Curriculum specifically mandates nonfiction books for kids. What makes nonfiction work? How do you pitch and present a nonfiction idea to agents or editors? This all-true workshop gives you the info you need to make the sale.






> Writing Picture Books - Picture Books are Opera on the page. Your books needs all of the elements an opera has - compelling character, great plot, action and drama, set design, costumes, music and dance - even if features a Pigeon. Learn the basics of how to create a compelling Carmen, a terrific Tosca, and a powerful Pigeon in 32 perfect pages.







> Poetry Primer. You've all heard it - no one buys poetry. It's not true. What they won't buy is BAD poetry. And chances are your poetry isn't up to scratch. In this workshop, you'll learn the common faults most beginners make when writing rhyming verse, and how to make your verse sparkle like a brand new espresso machine (and pack the same punch!)

Writing - and Selling Kids Books - Workshops for Pre-Published and Professional Authors #fb

Yes, I teach writing  and business skills. Usually over beer or coffee when I rant at my friends. But I also present at writing conferences and SCBWI chapter meetings and the like. In fact, I'll be doing several workshops next week at the When Words Collide Conference in Calgary. If you're in the Calgary area, please come by! It's an awesome program! Kidlit and YA Writers Amanda Sun, Claire Eamer, Karen Bass will also be presenting.



Here are the the most popular workshops I offer. Please keep me in mind if you or your organization is looking for a professional speaker. I also do a hilarious prezzie on humor writing, if I do say so myself.



> Basic Business Skills for Writers. ROI. B2B. Profit Centre. Supply Chain. Qualifying the Customer. If these and other business-related phrases strike fear in your heart, this workshop is for you. Learn the business basics you really need to jumpstart your writing career. Note: This class is not about the publishing business. It focuses on the skills you will need as a sole proprietor of a freelance writing business.









> The 17 Celestial Secrets of Writing Nonfiction. The Common Core Curriculum specifically mandates nonfiction books for kids. What makes nonfiction work? How do you pitch and present a nonfiction idea to agents or editors? This all-true workshop gives you the info you need to make the sale.







> Writing Picture Books - Picture Books are Opera on the page. Your books needs all of the elements an opera has - compelling character, great plot, action and drama, set design, costumes, music and dance - even if features a Pigeon. Learn the basics of how to create a compelling Carmen, a terrific Tosca, and a powerful Pigeon in 32 perfect pages.







> Poetry Primer. You've all heard it - no one buys poetry. It's not true. What they won't buy is BAD poetry. And chances are your poetry isn't up to scratch. In this workshop, you'll learn the common faults most beginners make when writing rhyming verse, and how to make your verse sparkle like a brand new espresso machine (and pack the same punch!)

Red Cedar Book Award 2013-14 Shortlist Announced

The Red Cedar Award List is out! And I'm thrilled to announce The Big Green Book of the Big Blue Sea is on the Information Book Shortlist!





Here's the complete list of nominees. You can find more information on the wonder Red Cedar program here.





2013/2014 Red Cedar Information Book Nominees:







Bodyguards! From Gladiators to the Secret Service written by Ed Butts, illustrated by Scott Plumbe





The World in Your Lunchbox: The Wacky History and Weird Science Of Everyday Foods by Claire Eamer. Illustrated by Sa Boothroyd



Earth-friendly Buildings, Bridges and More: The Eco-Journal Of Corry Lapont by Etta Kaner, illustrated by Stephen MacEachern



The Big Green Book of the Big Blue Sea by Helaine Becker, illustrated by Willow Dawson



Mimi’s Village and How Basic Health Care Transformed It by Katie Smith Milway, illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes



Cryptic Canada: Unsolved Mysteries From Coast To Coast by Natalie Hyde, illustrated by Matt Hammill



Secret Life Of Money: A Kid’s Guide To Cash by Kira Vermond, illustrated by Clayton Hanmer





City Critters: Wildlife In The Urban Jungle by Nicholas Read



Rescuing The Children: The Story of the Kindertransport by Deborah Hodge



Willie O’Ree: The Story of the First Black Player in the NHL by Nicole Mortillaro











2013/2014 Red Cedar Fiction Nominees:







My Name is Paravana by Deborah Ellis







Mr & Mrs Bunny, Detectives Extraordinaire! by Polly Horvath







Summer in the City by Marie-Louise Gay and David Homel







Torn Apart: The Internment Diary of Mary Kobayashi (Dear Canada) by Susan M. Aihoshi







Ungifted by Gordon Korman







Encyclopedia of Me by Karen Rivers







Grave Robber’s Apprentice by Allan Stratton







Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis







Cat’s Cradle Book 1: The Golden Twine by Jo Rioux







Redwing by Holly Bennett







Gargoyle at the Gates by Philippa Dowding







Mimi Power and the I-Don’t-Know-What by Victoria Miles

Who Is That Masked Avenger?

Who is that masked avenger? I have no idea, but if you want to know who the heck I am, I've just updated my biography.



Here it is.



Helaine Becker is the bestselling writer of more than 50 award-winning children’s and YA books: fiction, non-fiction and verse. Her chapter book series, The Looney Bay All-Stars, has sold over 175,000 copies to date; A Porcupine in a Pine Tree was a Canadian National Bestseller in 2010, and the #1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER in 2011. It also received the Libris Picture Book of the Year Award from the C.B.A. She also is a three-time winner of the Silver Birch Award: for Boredom Blasters in 2006, and Secret Agent Y.O.U. in 2008; What's the Big Idea? received the Silver Birch Honour Award in 2011. The Insecto-Files was awarded the first ever Lane Anderson Award for Science Writing for Children – an award that included a $10,000 cash prize. The Big Green Book of the Big Blue Sea won the Outstanding Youth Book Award from the Canadian Science Writers Association in 2013.









Helaine is in high demand as a presenter and performer at schools across North America. She has twice been selected for the Canadian Children’s Book Week Cross Country tour, travelling to both Yukon and Nunavut to present to school children. She has been a featured speaker at the Frye Festival in New Brunswick, Aloud International Children’s Festival in Ontario, Weaving Words Conference in Alberta, Literacy for Life Conference in Saskatchewan, and the Red Cedar Awards in British Columbia. She was also a featured speaker at the 2009 Orange County Children’s Book Festival in Costa Mesa, California and the 2010 Women’s Writers’ Festival in Irvine, California.







Helaine is also a highly motivational speaker and instructor for writers. She has taught seminars for CANSCAIP's annual Packaging Your Imagination Conference in Toronto, Calgary's When Words Collide Conference, and has been invited to speak at the San Diego SCBWI regional chapter next winter. Workshops and seminar topics include:







> Basic Business Skills for Writers. ROI. B2B. Profit Centre. Supply Chain. Qualifying the Customer. If these and other business-related phrases strike fear in your heart, this workshop is for you. Learn the business basics you really need to jumpstart your writing career. Note: This class is NOT about the publishing business. It focuses on the skills you will need as a sole proprietor of a freelance writing business.







> The 17 Celestial Secrets of Writing Nonfiction. The Common Core Curriculum specifically mandates nonfiction books for kids. What makes nonfiction work? How do you pitch and present a nonfiction idea to agents or editors? This all-true workshop gives you the info you need to make the sale. Helaine's published 18+ books of nonfiction for children, many of them multi-award-winning.







> Writing Picture Books. Picture Books are Opera on the page. Your books needs all of the elements an opera has - compelling character, great plot, action and drama, set design, costumes, music and dance - even if features a Pigeon. Learn the basics of how to create a compelling Carmen, a terrific Tosca, and a powerful Pigeon in 32 perfect pages. Helaine has published 9 picture books including the Canadian #1 national bestseller, A Porcupine in a Pine Tree.







> Poetry Primer. You've all heard it - no one buys poetry. It's not true. What they won't buy is BAD poetry. And chances are your poetry isn't up to scratch. In this workshop, you'll learn the common faults most beginners make when writing rhyming verse, and how to make your verse sparkle like a brand new espresso machine (and pack the same punch!) Helaine has published 6 books written in rhyming verse, including the #1 Canadian national bestseller, A Porcupine in a Pine Tree, and the brand new Ode to Underwear.





Helaine is also an active supporter of literacy initiatives. She volunteers regularly for ABC Life Literacy, First Book, Librarians without Borders and the Canadian Institute for the Blind.









A New York native, she has lived happily in Toronto for more than 20 years. She has been on the executive board of CANSCAIP (the Canadian Society of Children’s Authors and Illustrators), and is a member of the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, The Writers Union of Canada, SCBWI and the Canadian Science Writers' Association. She is married with two teenage sons and has the cutest dog in the world, Ella.