Ann Connor Brimer Award

I am thrilled to have been short listed for the Ann Connor Brimer Award for Children's Literature. As a part of the Atlantic Book Awards I will travel to St. John's Newfoundland on May 17th for the celebrations. Congratulations to my fellow nominees Vicki Grant and Gloria Ann Wesley. I look forward to a great weekend in Newfoundland!Congratulations also to my friend Riel Nason on her nomination for the Margaret and John Savage First Book Award. See you in St. John's!

Another Great School Visit

On Thursday I visited Quispamsis Elementary School and spent a very rewarding day with students from K-5 . Some of the younger students including Isaac in Kindergarten,who is already a great writer, shared their writing and their thoughts on writing with me.I visited the grade three and four classes and read from The Year Mrs. Montague Cried ,talked about how the story came about and had a wonderful time of answering their insightful questions. I am always amazed by the depth of discussion I get during these class visits. Actually it does not amaze me a bit as I learned from my years of teaching that kids given an opportunity to talk about the important and meaningful things in life always show wisdom and compassion.I was so impressed with the principal Janet Miller who seems to be everywhere at one time running a very busy, kid centred machine. Watching her I remembered the frenzy that is elementary school and unless you have been there you have no idea the amount of energy and commitment it requires. Parents, teachers , and above all the kids are very lucky to have Mrs. Miller at the helm. I wish her, her staff and all the students a good March Break!