Kate Inglis's Blog, page 7
February 24, 2018
My mermaids
I've been remiss for too long! Remiss but in whatever way makes remiss-ness kind of wonderful. Too silent on this front, but because I'm creating things: new picture books, new partnerships, a new website, an eventual-possible podcast, and loads on the horizon for the fall when Notes for the Everlost sparkles into existence from Shambhala Books. Huzzah!
Catching up with even sparklier sparkliness—last fall, we gathered at the Halifax Central Library to launch Whispers of Mermaids and Wonderful Things—a poetry anthology edited by Ann Hunt and Sheree Fitch—a truly enchanting book for all ages and all the ages, including my poem about a friendly merman who knows just what to do when the world news weighs heavy.
This book is one of those family-heirloom treasures. A lazy-day cuddle, a dreamscape by the woodstove, a favourite for when the grandkids come over. I'd gush over this beautiful creation even if I weren't in it! Order your copy through Nimbus today for the ocean-watchers in your life. Says the lovely Kerry Clare:
"Everything Sheree Fitch touches is more than a little bit magic. Although in the case of her latest project, the anthology Whispers of Mermaids and Wonderful Things: Atlantic Canadian Poetry and Verse for Children, co-edited with Anne Hunt, she’s not the only magic-maker. ... To take this book off the shelf and leaf through at random, see where the pages fall open or where the poem catches your eye. To make a ritual of it, a poem before bed, perhaps, or first thing in the morning, like a vitamin. To revel in the words and rhymes, and share that wonder with the people around you..." —Kerry Clare
Whispers of Mermaids
I've been remiss for too long! Remiss but in whatever way makes remiss-ness kind of wonderful. Too silent on this front, but because I'm creating things: new picture books, new partnerships, a new website, an eventual-possible podcast, and loads on the horizon for the fall when Notes for the Everlost sparkles into existence from Shambhala Books. Huzzah!
Catching up with even sparklier sparkliness—last fall, we gathered at the Halifax Central Library to launch Whispers of Mermaids and Wonderful Things—a poetry anthology edited by Ann Hunt and Sheree Fitch—a truly enchanting book for all ages and all the ages, including my poem about a friendly merman who knows just what to do when the world news weighs heavy.
This book is one of those family-heirloom treasures. A lazy-day cuddle, a dreamscape by the woodstove, a favourite for when the grandkids come over. I'd gush over this beautiful creation even if I weren't in it! Order your copy through Nimbus today for the ocean-watchers in your life. Says the lovely Kerry Clare:
"Everything Sheree Fitch touches is more than a little bit magic. Although in the case of her latest project, the anthology Whispers of Mermaids and Wonderful Things: Atlantic Canadian Poetry and Verse for Children, co-edited with Anne Hunt, she’s not the only magic-maker. ... To take this book off the shelf and leaf through at random, see where the pages fall open or where the poem catches your eye. To make a ritual of it, a poem before bed, perhaps, or first thing in the morning, like a vitamin. To revel in the words and rhymes, and share that wonder with the people around you..." —Kerry Clare
July 1, 2017
TD Book Week
How can I report on my Ontario TD Book Week tour without telling you all about my abdominal swamp thing that exploded all over Hamilton?
RRRAAGGGGH!
Unexpected hospitalizations have a way of obstructing zombie and goblin jumparounds. But the show must go on, right? I had hundreds of kids awaiting me in libraries all over southern Ontario, and a mere abdominal surgery wasn't going to keep me from the fun. The lovely folks at the Canadian Children's Book Centre organized it all brilliantly, and post-hospital, they leapt into action to shuffle things around so I could get back to it and make the most of a fantastic week. Hiccups aside, TD Book Week was a terrific, well-oiled machine of a tour. School after school, libraries, a children's museum, hundreds of faces: positively magically healing stuff.
It's such a big deal to hear kids laugh at your stories, and shout at you in unison to give 'em anudder. If you're an author who's got a kids' book of any genre coming out between now and next spring, apply now for TD Book Week 2018! You might get sent to Newfoundland or Nunavut. If you're a parent, tell your school all about it and sign up for readings! This is something that TD Bank has done for 40 years, working in partnership with the CCBC, and it's a meaningful and excellent program. Get some! Give some!
TD Book Week: Ontario-yo!
How can I report on my Ontario TD Book Week tour without telling you all about my abdominal swamp thing that exploded all over Hamilton?
RRRAAGGGGH!
Unexpected hospitalizations have a way of obstructing zombie and goblin jumparounds. But the show must go on, right? I had hundreds of kids awaiting me in libraries all over southern Ontario, and a mere abdominal surgery wasn't going to keep me from the fun. The lovely folks at the Canadian Children's Book Centre organized it all brilliantly, and post-hospital, they leapt into action to shuffle things around so I could get back to it and make the most of a fantastic week. Hiccups aside, TD Book Week was a terrific, well-oiled machine of a tour. School after school, libraries, a children's museum, hundreds of faces: positively magically healing stuff.
It's such a big deal to hear kids laugh at your stories, and shout at you in unison to give 'em anudder. If you're an author who's got a kids' book of any genre coming out between now and next spring, apply now for TD Book Week 2018! You might get sent to Newfoundland or Nunavut. If you're a parent, tell your school all about it and sign up for readings! This is something that TD Bank has done for 40 years, working in partnership with the CCBC, and it's a meaningful and excellent program. Get some! Give some!
January 12, 2017
The author waves
from NPR: Emails just can't compete with heartfelt letters of note
"In 1989, then-7-year-old Amy Corcoran sent her favorite author, Roald Dahl, her interpretation of a 'dream in a bottle'—a reference to Dahl's popular book The BFG. To her surprise and delight, the children's author wrote back a short but sweet thank you letter.
"We used a knife to open it properly, so the envelope's still intact," Amy recalls. "I was just over the moon to receive a letter from Roald Dahl." None of her classmates at school at the time actually believed her, she says — but there's now published evidence of the correspondence." —NPR
The author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory wrote back! He wrote back a lot, and to lots of people: kids, teachers, librarians. He was a giant among authors, there's no doubt. And so all his letters are highly prized, under glass, behind a lock and key. They would be in my house, anyway. But even on much smaller scales—just happy little hellos, replies on social media, shared drawings and play—it's special for everyone when authors and readers connect. Not just for readers. Authors need it, too.
+++
Warren the 13th And The All-Seeing Eye jumped into our bookshop basket like nobody's business, and not because the kids were with me. It's creepy! It's funny! It's cool! Ben agreed. He read it three times on his own and more out-loud from me. We loved it. One day he came to me and said, "Mom, who did Warren? And when's the next one coming out? When? When?"
So we looked. And we found the author, Tania del Rio, and her happy news: the sequel is on its way.
And so we waved. And she waved back! And so did her publisher! And then, a treat. A sneak peek for Ben, which he gobbled up happily (shhhh!). It all felt pretty special.
Dave Atkinson, author of the terrific first and second Wereduck middle-grade novels, got a portrait of his main character as depicted by a reader. And he shared it and said YAY! Then Dave's daughter, having a crafty afternoon, decided to make her own Hueys, inspired by the Oliver Jeffers books. ...And lo! The bookmaker himself gave a thumbs-up.
Round and round it goes. When you wave to authors and they wave back, you participate. You insert yourself into the creativity! You throw a lasso around magic by bringing the author just a little bit closer, making them real to you. It's not just about seeing their smudgy hands or their tired Tuesday, or knowing how close a new book is to coming out. It's something bigger. When an author waves back, they're not just a name and an ISBN number anymore. They're a person, just like you.
Chit-chat and sparks! It's a funny thing. The real-lifeness of a tweet or a photo or a handwritten letter feels like a license, doesn't it?
You could do this, too!
You might draw. You might sing or dance or do anything at all!
You might get inspired and riff, and make something that's your own.
Something that makes you feel proud.
Keep going! Hooray!
As authors, we get the same from readers. You egg us on, and we egg you on. Thank goodness! Authors spend so much time by ourselves, cranking out manuscripts that may or may not get picked up. There's a fair bit of hand-wringing and teeth-gnashing. When we're heads-down, we miss the creative jet fuel of the classroom: the silly faces, goofy swaggers, growly giggles, zombie walks, cyclops doodles. Best of all, the Keep going! Keep going! when the bell rings, and we read right through recess.
Readers, you feed new ideas! You help make books.
Did you know that?
Your nudges and questions and hellos are jewels and rubies and gold!
You shout HEY! WRITE A BOOK ABOUT 'ZIPPERMAN' NEXT!
And I say Hey.... that's good! Why don't you?
+++
Heather, a mom who bought The Dread Crew for her sweet and voracious daughter, once wrote to ask for my mailing address. "Most books live on shelves," she said. "But Camille drags her copy of The Dread Crew back and forth to school in her backpack daily in case she gets free reading time."
Then it arrived in the post: a lovely bunch of paper notes from Camille. 'KEEP WRITING! KEEP GOING! GO GO GO!'
When you want a sequel, you want it as soon as possible, don't you? Camille made me smile. So I sent her a video detailing some sneak peek twists and turns of Flight of the Griffons, and she sent me one back, and she became my pen pal and chief hurry-upper. There's no bigger carrot on the end of the lonely, self-doubt-riddled stick of creative writing than an eager reader. That's why Ben and I reached out to Tania del Rio. Somebody sent me an "I'm waiting!" once, and I've never forgotten it.
The author waves back
from NPR: Emails just can't compete with heartfelt letters of note
"In 1989, then-7-year-old Amy Corcoran sent her favorite author, Roald Dahl, her interpretation of a 'dream in a bottle'—a reference to Dahl's popular book The BFG. To her surprise and delight, the children's author wrote back a short but sweet thank you letter.
"We used a knife to open it properly, so the envelope's still intact," Amy recalls. "I was just over the moon to receive a letter from Roald Dahl." None of her classmates at school at the time actually believed her, she says — but there's now published evidence of the correspondence." —NPR
The author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory wrote back! He wrote back a lot, and to lots of people: kids, teachers, librarians. He was a giant among authors, there's no doubt. And so all his letters are highly prized, under glass, behind a lock and key. They would be in my house, anyway. But even on much smaller scales—just happy little hellos, replies on social media, shared drawings and play—it's special for everyone when authors and readers connect. Not just for readers. Authors need it, too.
+++
Warren the 13th And The All-Seeing Eye jumped into our bookshop basket like nobody's business, and not because the kids were with me. It's creepy! It's funny! It's cool! Ben agreed. He read it three times on his own and more out-loud from me. We loved it. One day he came to me and said, "Mom, who did Warren? And when's the next one coming out? When? When?"
So we looked. And we found the author, Tania del Rio, and her happy news: the sequel is on its way.
And so we waved. And she waved back! And so did her publisher! And then, a treat. A sneak peek for Ben, which he gobbled up happily (shhhh!). It all felt pretty special.
Dave Atkinson, author of the terrific first and second Wereduck middle-grade novels, got a portrait of his main character as depicted by a reader. And he shared it and said YAY! Then Dave's daughter, having a crafty afternoon, decided to make her own Hueys, inspired by the Oliver Jeffers books. ...And lo! The bookmaker himself gave a thumbs-up.
Round and round it goes. When you wave to authors and they wave back, you participate. You insert yourself into the creativity! You throw a lasso around magic by bringing the author just a little bit closer, making them real to you. It's not just about seeing their smudgy hands or their tired Tuesday, or knowing how close a new book is to coming out. It's something bigger. When an author waves back, they're not just a name and an ISBN number anymore. They're a person, just like you.
Chit-chat and sparks! It's a funny thing. The real-lifeness of a tweet or a photo or a handwritten letter feels like a license, doesn't it?
You could do this, too!
You might draw. You might sing or dance or do anything at all!
You might get inspired and riff, and make something that's your own.
Something that makes you feel proud.
Keep going! Hooray!
As authors, we get the same from readers. You egg us on, and we egg you on. Thank goodness! Authors spend so much time by ourselves, cranking out manuscripts that may or may not get picked up. There's a fair bit of hand-wringing and teeth-gnashing. When we're heads-down, we miss the creative jet fuel of the classroom: the silly faces, goofy swaggers, growly giggles, zombie walks, cyclops doodles. Best of all, the Keep going! Keep going! when the bell rings, and we read right through recess.
Readers, you feed new ideas! You help make books.
Did you know that?
Your nudges and questions and hellos are jewels and rubies and gold!
You shout HEY! WRITE A BOOK ABOUT 'ZIPPERMAN' NEXT!
And I say Hey.... that's good! Why don't you?
+++
Heather, a mom who bought The Dread Crew for her sweet and voracious daughter, once wrote to ask for my mailing address. "Most books live on shelves," she said. "But Camille drags her copy of The Dread Crew back and forth to school in her backpack daily in case she gets free reading time."
Then it arrived in the post: a lovely bunch of paper notes from Camille. 'KEEP WRITING! KEEP GOING! GO GO GO!'
When you want a sequel, you want it as soon as possible, don't you? Camille made me smile. So I sent her a video detailing some sneak peek twists and turns of Flight of the Griffons, and she sent me one back, and she became my pen pal and chief hurry-upper. There's no bigger carrot on the end of the lonely, self-doubt-riddled stick of creative writing than an eager reader. That's why Ben and I reached out to Tania del Rio. Somebody sent me an "I'm waiting!" once, and I've never forgotten it.
November 23, 2016
The Secret Path
What do you mean, we took them away from their families?
Why on earth would we do that? Canada is supposed to be a good place.
How far did he walk?
Why did we take him away?
When you can hardly answer these questions yourself, it can be tough to answer them for kids. Inspired by my brand-new copy of Gord Downie's The Secret Path—his album of music to accompany Jeff Lemire's incredible graphic novel—I walked into a grade five classroom and decided to teach that day's creative writing workshop on Chanie Wenjack, the 12 year-old Ojibwe boy who died trying to walk home in from a residential school in 1966. With Chanie's story in my hands, how could I talk as usual about junk pirates and dress-up monster play?
In the age of Trumpism, it's more important than ever to teach history and empathy to Canada's kids. I spoke to CKBW Radio in London, Ontario about bringing Chanie and 'The Secret Path' into classrooms—and how kids are naturally empathetic, imaginative creatures. All we have to do is ask them what they think. This is how we create a better world: by listening.
On bringing The Secret Path into classrooms
What do you mean, we took them away from their families?
Why on earth would we do that? Canada is supposed to be a good place.
How far did he walk?
Why did we take him away?
When you can hardly answer these questions yourself, it can be tough to answer them for kids. Inspired by my brand-new copy of Gord Downie's The Secret Path—his album of music to accompany Jeff Lemire's incredible graphic novel—I walked into a grade five classroom and decided to teach that day's creative writing workshop on Chanie Wenjack, the 12 year-old Ojibwe boy who died trying to walk home in from a residential school in 1966. With Chanie's story in my hands, how could I talk as usual about junk pirates and dress-up monster play?
In the age of Trumpism, it's more important than ever to teach history and empathy to Canada's kids. I spoke to CKBW Radio in London, Ontario about bringing Chanie and 'The Secret Path' into classrooms—and how kids are naturally empathetic, imaginative creatures. All we have to do is ask them what they think. This is how we create a better world: by listening.
September 14, 2016
TD Book Week 2017
Big and happy news! I've been chosen for TD Canadian Children's Book Week 2017, a longstanding and fantastic program where authors and illustrators adventure to and fro across the country—Maritimers visiting the Yukon, Quebecers in Newfoundland, west coasters in Nunavut, Albertans in Ontario—for a dizzying week of readings and workshops.
It will all unfold in mid-May 2017. I don't know where I'll be sent yet, but it'll be a workshop blitz. I'll be showing up not only with monster poetry for the little ones, but with pirate novels for older kids. Zombies and eco-warriors! Hand-in-hand.
Zombies + pirates at TD Book Week 2017
Big and happy news! I've been chosen for TD Canadian Children's Book Week 2017, a longstanding and fantastic program where authors and illustrators adventure to and fro across the country—Maritimers visiting the Yukon, Quebecers in Newfoundland, west coasters in Nunavut, Albertans in Ontario—for a dizzying week of readings and workshops.
It will all unfold in mid-May 2017. I don't know where I'll be sent yet, but it'll be a workshop blitz. I'll be showing up not only with monster poetry for the little ones, but with pirate novels for older kids. Zombies and eco-warriors! Hand-in-hand.
