Philippa Dowding's Blog, page 14
July 8, 2014
Review copies of Jake and the Giant Hand
It's a bit of a hall of mirrors in goodreads sometimes, but if you like magic realism and middle grade novels, here's a newsflash for you: right now you can request, read and review a digital copy of my forthcoming novel, Jake and the Giant Hand.
It's available on Net Galley for a limited time (probably a week?) here: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/sho...
If you like, you can read more about the book on my other blog, here:
http://phdowding.blogspot.ca/2014/07/...
If you request a copy, thank you and I hope you enjoy it!
It's available on Net Galley for a limited time (probably a week?) here: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/sho...
If you like, you can read more about the book on my other blog, here:
http://phdowding.blogspot.ca/2014/07/...
If you request a copy, thank you and I hope you enjoy it!
June 27, 2014
The perfect summer YA read
It's the last day of school today! Long live library cards, soccer camp, and stolen nights under the covers with a flashlight and a book.
My new middle grade novel was written for the heart of summer. The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golden was inspired by my childhood dreams of flight, my endless hours reading every summer as a kid beside a lake (we didn't own a cottage, we borrowed them), and watching my own daughter transform one summer, from a 12-year old to a new freshly-minted and slightly unknowable thing called a teen.
Here's more about the book: http://phdowding.blogspot.ca/2014/06/...
You'll also find some great reviews here, on goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
As Stuart Little so wisely said, "Remember your summers, sweethearts."
My new middle grade novel was written for the heart of summer. The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golden was inspired by my childhood dreams of flight, my endless hours reading every summer as a kid beside a lake (we didn't own a cottage, we borrowed them), and watching my own daughter transform one summer, from a 12-year old to a new freshly-minted and slightly unknowable thing called a teen.
Here's more about the book: http://phdowding.blogspot.ca/2014/06/...
You'll also find some great reviews here, on goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
As Stuart Little so wisely said, "Remember your summers, sweethearts."
June 13, 2014
A spooky story for Friday the 13th
It being Friday the 13th, and a full moon and all today (which won't happen again for decades until 2049 or something), you may want to read something spooky this weekend.
So here's a spooky middle grade short story of mine just published in the summer issue of Taddle Creek! It's an adapted excerpt from my upcoming book, Jake and the Giant Hand, coming from Dundurn Press September 2014.
Huge flies, a lonely cabin in the woods, and a giant creepy hand ... I give you, The Giant's Knock: http://www.taddlecreekmag.com/the-gia...
Enjoy!
So here's a spooky middle grade short story of mine just published in the summer issue of Taddle Creek! It's an adapted excerpt from my upcoming book, Jake and the Giant Hand, coming from Dundurn Press September 2014.
Huge flies, a lonely cabin in the woods, and a giant creepy hand ... I give you, The Giant's Knock: http://www.taddlecreekmag.com/the-gia...
Enjoy!
June 1, 2014
Hackmatack Tour 2014
What a blast! I have just returned from a 6-day tour of New Brunswick and P.E.I., courtesy of the Hackmatack Awards and the Canada Council. My book, The Gargoyle at the Gates, was a nominee and although I didn't win (congrats to Ashley Spires and her book, Binky Takes Charge), I had a wonderful time.
A few highlights: the world's largest fiddleheads, a giant lobster, great kids, dedicated librarians, wonderful authors, the gargoyle shuffle, 1000 km of driving and lots of Tim Hortons.
Thanks to all! Here's a link to my longer blog post with photos. http://phdowding.blogspot.ca/2014/06/...
A few highlights: the world's largest fiddleheads, a giant lobster, great kids, dedicated librarians, wonderful authors, the gargoyle shuffle, 1000 km of driving and lots of Tim Hortons.
Thanks to all! Here's a link to my longer blog post with photos. http://phdowding.blogspot.ca/2014/06/...
May 20, 2014
Forest of Reading 2014
Well, the OLA Forest of Reading is over for another year! I had a great time, my book The Gargoyle at the Gates was a Silver Birch Express nominee this year, and I have to say the experience of meeting thousands of kids (on the Near North tour, at the Harbourfront and Durham events), the OLA staff, wonderful librarians, teachers and the other fantastic authors ... it just adds up to a great, great adventure. I didn't win the grand prize (my friend Rebecca Upjohn won for her lovely book, The Secret of the Village Fool), but I did win two regional votes, the Near North and the Durham county. But frankly, being nominated, touring the province, and having so much fun ... that kind of feels a lot like winning. Here's a blog post with more photos and thoughts: http://phdowding.blogspot.ca/2014/05/...
Next week, I head to New Brunswick for another author tour, this time for the Hackmatack tour, which is the final leg of this gargoyle party, at least until I write another book. Until then, thanks everyone, for all the fun.
Next week, I head to New Brunswick for another author tour, this time for the Hackmatack tour, which is the final leg of this gargoyle party, at least until I write another book. Until then, thanks everyone, for all the fun.
May 1, 2014
Near North Forest of Reading Author Tour
Wow. That was fun. I just spent three days in the Near North in the company of 12 other fantastic authors, dozens of dedicated librarians and OLA staff, and THOUSANDS of kids, all excited about books and the Forest of Reading.My book, The Gargoyle at the Gates, has been nominated for a Silver Birch Express award. Thank you to everyone for making the tour so fun and memorable.
A few teeny anecdotes:
1. Michael Glassbourg, one of the other authors on tour, looked awfully familiar when he climbed into the van at the end of his work day. Turns out, he's been my neighbour (he lives one street away) for 20 years. It took an author tour for us to meet. Huh.
2. Kari-Lynn Winter does a FANTASTIC moose call.
3. When a child tells you that you are her favourite author of all time, it would be very easy to burst into tears (but you don't).
4. Somehow, no matter how many bookmarks you sign, they magically never run out!
Here's a blog post with photos: http://phdowding.blogspot.ca/2014/05/...
A few teeny anecdotes:
1. Michael Glassbourg, one of the other authors on tour, looked awfully familiar when he climbed into the van at the end of his work day. Turns out, he's been my neighbour (he lives one street away) for 20 years. It took an author tour for us to meet. Huh.
2. Kari-Lynn Winter does a FANTASTIC moose call.
3. When a child tells you that you are her favourite author of all time, it would be very easy to burst into tears (but you don't).
4. Somehow, no matter how many bookmarks you sign, they magically never run out!
Here's a blog post with photos: http://phdowding.blogspot.ca/2014/05/...
April 20, 2014
Toronto as depicted in YA fiction
I live in Toronto, and so far I have set three of my children's novels in this city. It's a great city to write about, with a lake, an island, a subway, a busy downtown with iconic buildings, and parks. Lots of parks.
I created an imaginary park for my third book, The Gargoyle at the Gates. I made a space with bushes, a wrought iron fence, a seahorse fountain, chess tables, and benches for sitting and listening to the gentle bubbling of the fountain. I called it Gatepost Park because I also imagined two gargoyles perched on the gates.
So far, the park only exists in my imagination, although it would be lovely if it really existed. If you ever find it, please send pictures! However, there is a park upon which Gatepost Park is loosely based, called Leslie Grove Park, in Toronto's east end. I went looking for pictures for a powerpoint presentation I'm doing, and found a very, very interesting bench, involving apples which figure large in my book. It's not quite Gatepost Park, but it's still pretty magical.
Here's a blog post: http://phdowding.blogspot.ca/2014/04/...
I created an imaginary park for my third book, The Gargoyle at the Gates. I made a space with bushes, a wrought iron fence, a seahorse fountain, chess tables, and benches for sitting and listening to the gentle bubbling of the fountain. I called it Gatepost Park because I also imagined two gargoyles perched on the gates.
So far, the park only exists in my imagination, although it would be lovely if it really existed. If you ever find it, please send pictures! However, there is a park upon which Gatepost Park is loosely based, called Leslie Grove Park, in Toronto's east end. I went looking for pictures for a powerpoint presentation I'm doing, and found a very, very interesting bench, involving apples which figure large in my book. It's not quite Gatepost Park, but it's still pretty magical.
Here's a blog post: http://phdowding.blogspot.ca/2014/04/...
April 13, 2014
"I hope you make books for the rest of your life"
Can there be anything sweeter for an author to hear from a fan? Maybe, but I'm not sure what that would be.
Last week appeared to be fan letter week for me, with dozens of letters (not the norm)arriving in different ways. I'm really lucky and honoured. Thank you, all!
First, I received an email from a father in Taipei, whose 8-year-old daughter LOVED my new middle-grade magic realism novel, The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golden. He scanned and sent me a letter from his daughter and her lovely artwork to go with her impressions of the book. I wrote back, thanking them. Taipei. That's a first for sure!
Then, another email arrived from a little girl from Mississauga, asking if my gargoyles ever visited the park near her house? Aww. Of course! I wrote back and told her yes, definitely, keep a look out in the trees overhead.
Then, the next day, a large envelope came from my publisher, filled with 17 fan letters from a grade 3 class in Whitby. What a sweet gift. I think my favourite comment was this one: "I hope you make books for the rest of your life." Me too, buddy, me too!
For photos and more, read my other blog: http://phdowding.blogspot.ca/2014/04/...
Last week appeared to be fan letter week for me, with dozens of letters (not the norm)arriving in different ways. I'm really lucky and honoured. Thank you, all!
First, I received an email from a father in Taipei, whose 8-year-old daughter LOVED my new middle-grade magic realism novel, The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golden. He scanned and sent me a letter from his daughter and her lovely artwork to go with her impressions of the book. I wrote back, thanking them. Taipei. That's a first for sure!
Then, another email arrived from a little girl from Mississauga, asking if my gargoyles ever visited the park near her house? Aww. Of course! I wrote back and told her yes, definitely, keep a look out in the trees overhead.
Then, the next day, a large envelope came from my publisher, filled with 17 fan letters from a grade 3 class in Whitby. What a sweet gift. I think my favourite comment was this one: "I hope you make books for the rest of your life." Me too, buddy, me too!
For photos and more, read my other blog: http://phdowding.blogspot.ca/2014/04/...
April 2, 2014
"I'd pick the book over candy"
This may be the highest praise an author can get from a 5th grader, but I received it today. I had a fantastic time at a school in Clarkson, Ontario, reading to a class from my third book, the Silver Birch nominee The Gargoyle at the Gates. They had gargoyle statues made out of clay, and drawings for me, and they had choreographed "the gargoyle shuffle" which they danced while I played the song on my guitar. Honestly, what a great day!
To see photos of the gargoyle statues (and the thank you note about books being better than candy), here's my other blog: http://phdowding.blogspot.ca/2014/04/...
Sweet!
To see photos of the gargoyle statues (and the thank you note about books being better than candy), here's my other blog: http://phdowding.blogspot.ca/2014/04/...
Sweet!
March 24, 2014
Gwendolyn Golden is a 49th Shelf Book with Buzz!
Wow, my latest middle grade novel is having a great week! The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golden is an "On our Radar" choice from 49th Shelf, as a "book with buzz."
Awesome! Here's the link: http://49thshelf.com/Blog/2014/03/24/...
Very honoured, thanks 49th Shelf, and thanks to Danielle Webster, for the lovely review. Here's an excerpt:
"With one of the best opening scenes I’ve read in a long time, Gwendolyn Golden is an absolutely charming read from page one. I was instantly curious about this girl who wakes up on her bedroom ceiling, and I am not ashamed to admit that it had me giggling on more than one occasion."
Awesome! Here's the link: http://49thshelf.com/Blog/2014/03/24/...
Very honoured, thanks 49th Shelf, and thanks to Danielle Webster, for the lovely review. Here's an excerpt:
"With one of the best opening scenes I’ve read in a long time, Gwendolyn Golden is an absolutely charming read from page one. I was instantly curious about this girl who wakes up on her bedroom ceiling, and I am not ashamed to admit that it had me giggling on more than one occasion."
