Vikki VanSickle's Blog, page 7
May 6, 2019
MYRCA News!
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I was very excited to learn that THE WINNOWING is the 2019 MYRCA Northern Lights Honour Book! I had the pleasure of visiting Manitoba during last year’s Canadian Children’s Book Week and I had the opportunity to meet with many dedicated readers and aspiring writers. I learned firsthand how passionate young Manitobans are about reading, so this children’s choice award feels extra sweet. Congrats to all the winners and nominated titles, and an extra special thank you to all the tireless admini...
November 3, 2018
Letters From the Great War onstage at Soulpepper
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One of my first true loves is theatre, and I feel privileged to be working on Letters From the Great War, a new Remembrance Day piece for Soulpepper Theatre Company. Conceived by musician, Roaring Girl Records label-owner, Sawdust City Music Festival founder and all-around human force Miranda Mulholland, this commemorative piece features songs from or about WW1 interspersed with live readings of actual letters sent during the war.
It is a humbling and harrowing experience to hear these lett...
July 17, 2018
Students Rap Their Way Through IF I HAD A GRYPHON
Of all the delightful and unexpected things that have happened to me as an author, this video featuring students from Madoc Drive Public School in Brampton, ON rapping their way through my picture book IF I HAD A GRYPHON is truly special. This was part of a music class lead by Miss Yoo and involved a production application called Soundation that allows students to layer and mix sounds to create a new beat.
What a fantastic project and an inspiring teacher! The world needs more Miss Yoo! Read...
July 9, 2018
Summer 2018 Events
It’s been a busy spring and I’m still riding high off The Winnowing winning the 2018 Red Maple Award! What a day that was! I met so many readers at The Festival of Trees celebrations in Toronto, Durham, Peel, and Niagara. Thank you to everyone who told me their thoughts about The Winnowing and gave me book recommendations for what to read next. Another big thank you to all the readers and voters, I can’t express just how excited I was (and still am) to receive this honour!
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March 26, 2018
Spring 2018 Events: Gananoque, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Montreal & more
Hurry up, spring! I’m sick of my winter boots and ready to hit the road, preferably a road that is not covered in snow.
1000 Islands Writers Festival, Gananoque, April 27-30
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As a Queens’ alum, I have fond memories of picturesque Gananoque and the Thousand Islands Playhouse. Looking forward to returning for events with CanLit faves Kelley Armstrong & Heather Smith!
Tickets & details here
Canadian Children’s Book Week, Manitoba, May 7-12
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This fantastic program administered by the Canadian Ch...
January 15, 2018
McNally Robinson Writing Contest for Kids
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One of the ways I started honing my writing skills was by entering contests, and so I am thrilled to be the guest judge of the McNally Robinson kids’ writing contest, open to grade 5 & 6 students in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
This year the theme is “I have always wanted to….” go into space, be a back-up dancer, live with elephants, go back into the past or forward into the future. Think of something you really want to do, and then write a story about how you would do it and what it might be...
December 30, 2017
2017: The Year in Review
What a year it’s been! I feel so fortunate to have had such amazing experiences. In March, I had the pleasure of being part of the Rainforest of Reading, an annual children’s book festival in Grenada, Saint Lucia, Montserrat and Nevis run by OneWorld Schoolhouse Foundation. The festival is the largest literacy initiative undertaken in a region still reeling from infrastructure damage caused by Hurricane Ivan (2006) and Hurricane Tomas (2010) and the economic impact of a global recession. It w...
November 6, 2017
Giveaway: The Winnowing Book Club Kit
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The only thing better than reading books is talking about books! That’s why I’m a big fan of lit circles, book clubs, and reading groups. I’m putting together a Winnowing themed book club kit including:
One copy of The Winnowing The Winnowing stickers The Winnowing bookmarks Official The Winnowing Discussion Guide Discussion Fuel (aka candy) One of my favourite books (a different ‘mystery’ book will be sent with each prize pack)This book club kit is perfect for students participating in 2...
October 2, 2017
October 2017 Events
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I’m hitting the road in October to talk about The Winnowing (with a few If I Had a Gryphon story times in there for good measure). I’d love to see your smiling faces! Check the Events Page for the most recent updates.
Oct 14, 2-3pm
Make it an Indigo Weekend Teen Takeover: Indigo Burlington
1250 Brant St, Burlington, ON
Oct 15, 3-4pm
Celebration of Stories Festival : If I Had a Gryphon Storytime
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Milton Centre for the Arts, 1010 Main St. E, Milton, ON
Oct 22, 11am
September 5, 2017
The Winnowing Blog Tour
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I get it. The Winnowing seems like a hard left turn for me. My previous novels are coming-of-age stories about ordinary kids dealing with family and relationship-based drama. What is this slightly dystopian, conspiracy-driven thriller?! Where did it come from? In a series of Winspiration Guest posts I will attempt to answer this question.
Thank you to the bloggers who make the time to read the book and let me take over their space for a day, I truly appreciate it and all you do for books. He...
