Welcome to the CWILL BC blog

Welcome to the blog of CWILL BC, Children’s Writers and Illustrators of British Columbia. Here you’ll find CWILL BC news and events announcements as well as articles relating to CWILL BC and the writing and illustration of children’s literature.

If you would like to jump straight into blogged news and events that are specific to CWILL BC, such as our book launches or reports on annual events our organisation attends, we’ve got a special article category just for that: CWILL BC news and events.

If you are looking for our membership list, are interested in booking an author or illustrator for a speaking engagement, or want more information about CWILL BC or joining CWILL BC, please visit us on our official CWILL BC site at www.cwill.bc.ca.

 

Smart Science

Science Lady and CWILL BCer Shar Levine is winning more-than-microscopic praise for The Smartlab Indoor/Outdoor Microscope. The kit has won a 2008 Creative Child Seal of Excellence Award, a 2008 Parents’ Choice Approved Award, and a 2008 Instructor Magazine Teachers’ Pick Award.

 

Robotic Regards

Robots: From Everyday to Out of This World, written by KNOW Magazine editor Adrienne Mason has been short-listed for two awards: the Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award in Atlantic Canada and the Rocky Mountain Book Award, a children’s choice award in Alberta.

For more about Adrienne’s work, check out her blog.

 

A Great time for all at the Kendra Kandlestar Extravaganza

I’d like to thank everyone who helped make the Kendra Kandlestar Extravaganza a roaring success on Sunday, June 21st, the eve of the summer’s solstice.

Between 100-150 people turned up to celebrate the sneak-peek release of my new book, Kendra Kandlestar and the Shard from Greeve. Countless kids descended like so many Ungers, Krakes and Goojuns upon Cameron Community Centre to be the first to get their hands on the third book in the series.

Two smiling Wiz Kids greet attendees at the door

Thanks to my hard-working volunteers, there were lots of activities for the kids. Young fans were able to get their hair braided in the fashion of Kendra, and could gorge themselves on star and braid-shaped cookies. They were also able to win numerous door prizes, including an original piece of artwork that is featured on the back of the new book.

The Wiz Kids (my writing students) served as keen helpers for the night, managing the door prizes, running the program, and performing Kendra Kandlestar raps and presentations.

It was also a special night as I was able to share the spotlight with a very special person: fifteen-year-old Gabi Min who has published her first book, Zach’s Story. I first taught Gabi in a writing class five years ago and so it was giant thrill to see her present her new book, which was produced and published through the Creative Writing for Children Society (CWC).

The Wiz Kids perform a Kendra Kandlestar rap

In particular I’d like to thank kc dyer and James McCann (both CWILL members) who helped to keep the event on track by managing equipment difficulties, shepherding kids waiting for autographs, and taking photos. A big thanks also to Kallie George and Danie McCaren (for their zeal at the activities table), to my sound people, and finally to the Creative Writing for Children Society, who sponsored the event. And last, but not least, a giant thanks to Kendra Kandlestar herself for her guest appearance!

Enjoy all the photos of the spectacle—you will notice there are none of me, and that’s because I wasn’t sitting still long enough for anyone to capture me in focus!

Kendra Kandlestar and the Shard from Greeve will be officially available at stores in the coming weeks. www.kendrakandlestar.com

Attendees await performances

Kendra Kandlestar arrives straight from the land of Een

Een Treats

Kendra Kandlestar books on display

Welcome display.

 

Drumroll Please

The winners of the school visit prizes at the 2009 Spring Book Hatching have chosen the authors they’d like to visit.

Queen Alexandra Elementary School had the most students attend the Hatching. Sheri Radford visited the school a few weeks ago for a a reading and chat.

Sperling Elementary won the random draw from the list of all schools that attended. Shar Levine will do a school visit there sometime in the next school year.

Congratulations to Queen Alexandra and Sperling elementary schools, and thanks for supporting the Hatching!

 

Here ye, here ye!

Be it known across the land that as part of the occasion known as Greek Days in the city of Vancouver on Sunday, June 21, author Fiona Bayrock will don a toga** and orchestrate bubblicious fun at Vancouver Kidsbooks, 3083 W Broadway, between the 2nd and 4th hours of the afternoon. If you’ll be in the vicinity, come with greetings. If you bring your offspring, they’ll be invited to make a bubbly animal hat and super-duper-bubble-blower they can try out (weather permitting).

Fiona’s newest book, Bubble Homes and Fish Farts, a nonfiction picture book about the amazing ways animals use bubbles, will be available for sale and signing.

** Toga, in this instance, is understood to mean capris and a colorful summer shirt.

 

News from the Grapevine

Anyone for a little Norwegian reading?

Foreign language rights to Impossible Things, a juvenile novel by Robin Stevenson, have just sold to Norwegian publisher Stabenfeldt for publication in both Norway and Sweden.

Robin has also just signed a contract with Orca for another juvenile novel, Liars and Fools, which will be published in the fall of 2010.