This week we celebrate Canadian Children’s Book Week to celebrate books, reading and the connections they bring. Many schools, libraries and bookstores are hosting local authors and having special events throughout the week to promote the wonder of stories.
The first Children’s Book Festival tour took place in 1977, organized by the newly-established Children’s Book Centre. It featured just eleven authors, taking them to schools across the country over seven jam-packed days. Today, that celebration, now called Canadian Children’s Book Week, includes dozens of creators and hundreds of events in a single week.
My own children’s books are available through online platforms for all school levels.
Each of these books deals with self-worth, friendship, love of family and the natural world, valuable lessons for all kids.
This year we celebrate and honour the contributions of authors and illustrators, who write books and/or produce art for children and young adults. From 4th – 10th February, libraries and schools will participate in discovering and learning about these special writers and illustrators around the country.
As literacy is the foundation of learning as well as developing kid’s imaginations, this week we celebrate the people, who make this possible. From the timeless classics to new stories, each narrative immerses our children into new worlds, whether factual, or fictional. Many narratives give life lessons, on friendships, self-esteem, as well as explore the natural world and more.
My own children’s books look at the detailed lessons above. In Rumble’s First Scare, a young monster discovers a new world and learns the art of scaring, in Ockleberries to the Rescue, your child will learn about forest animals, caring for the environment with a splash of magic. In Clickety Click, the protagonist finds her true self and in Creature Hunt on Planet Toaria, support and acceptance in friendships is related.
This week we celebrate National Young Readers Week and Children’s Book Week, depending on where you live in the world. Stories are such a fundamental part of childhood. We can all remember our favourite’s, from fairy tales, to adventures, to the classics, all these narratives gave life to our imaginations. The character’s become real to us as the story is relayed, or read. There is also the actual benefits of reading stories, well known to science.
7 Benefits of Reading to Children
Supported cognitive development.
Improved language skills.
Preparation for academic success.
Developing a special bond with your child.
Increased concentration and discipline.
Improved imagination and creativity.
Cultivating a lifelong love of reading.
So, part from having that special time with your children, you are laying down the foundation for their future learning as well.
I have written two younger children stories with Rumble’s First Scare and Ockleberries to the Rescue. And older kids will enjoy Clickety Click and Creature Hunt on Planet Toaria. In all of these narratives, I delight, teach, and give a sense of self to the readers. You can find them all across the inline purchase sites, in several libraries and local bookstores. around Alberta.
As we all know there are many traditional monsters that appear around Halloween. Ghosts, Ghouls, Werewolves, Vampires, Frankenstein’s Monster, The Grim Reaper, and Zombies to name a few. In fact, the origins of Halloween go back around 2,000 years ago to the Celtic celebration of Samhain (pronounced “sow-win”), a festival that marked the end of the harvest season and ushered in a new year. During Samhain, the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead was thought to be especially thin, so people could communicate with loved ones who had passed on, but lighting bonfires to ward off ill-intentioned spirits. People who attended the bonfire ceremonies wore animal heads and skins, which may be where the tradition of Halloween costumes first originated. The Druids’ Samhain bonfires attracted bugs which, in turn, tempted bats to a tasty feast. In later years, various folklore emerged citing bats as harbingers of death or doom.
I wrote a children’s picture book about a cute monster, who is taken by his Mum on his first scare on All Hallow’s Eve. As this monster, Rumble, is by far the cutest thing, he will not scare your little ones at all! The book is available on all online purchase sites and is perfect for Halloween night. Link I made a Rumble (left side) and then had one made. (right side)
Hardest thing about being a writer: Finding time to write around full time work, and other commitments. Easiest thing about being a writer: Letting the words flow just like a movie in my head. I follow my characters lead, enjoying the unexpected twists, turns and surprising tangents.
Things you never want to run out of: Tea – I’m English it is an essential and vital part of everyday. (Black tea with milk – no other kinds. Not flavoured stuff.)
Things you wish you’d never bought: What I can only describe as ‘fake’ cheese – rubbery and bendy blocks in Canadian stores. (Sorry) It’s not cheese as I know it!
Favorite places you’ve been: Apart from home – England, I have a longing to go back to Rome. My soul connected to the place in such a profound way, I am certain I lived there in another life. Places you never want to go to again: This is a hard question as I enjoy visiting and exploring new places. However, I would not want to revisit losing my father – it was the hardest thing I have ever endured – my heart literally broke into a thousand pieces.
Favorite books (or genre): Goodness, as I constantly read multiple genres, there is always a new favorite. However, I always buy the latest Stephen King as he is my hero. And I reread Ferney by James Long on quite a regular basis, as it is the quintessential reincarnation story. Books you wouldn’t buy: Anything about politics.
People you’d like to invite to dinner (living): Stephen King, Viggo Mortensen, Diane Keaton, Dame Judi Dench, Michele Morrone and the Princess of Wales – Kate as we are both from Bucklebury. People you’d cancel dinner on: Any and all politicians, Elon Musk, Kayne West, and any Kardashian.
Things that make you happy: Time with my grown kids, my writing friends and writing group, and my little rescue dog, Sammie. Exploring on road trips, walking in nature and holidays in England. Things that drive you crazy: The fakeness of social media, many ’I am famous for being famous’ celebrities and self-serving politicians.
The coolest person you’ve ever met: The most ‘famous’ person, I have met is Princess Anne. Such a wonderfully down to earth woman. Also, on my list is Davy Jones (The Monkees), David Essex (UK pop singer), George Young, Baron Young of Cookham, Nigel Havers (actor), and Groot! Yep, the movie launch had characters in major cities, and he was in Edmonton. I ran down Whyte Avenue to cuddle him, much to my offspring’s embarrassment.
The celebrity who didn’t look like he/she did in pictures/video: George Harrison (The Beatles) – much older than my teenage memories, but still a thrill.
The nicest thing a reader said to you: I checked out every one of your books from the library.
The craziest thing a reader said to you: Several readers contacted me asking for a sequel to my fantasy series. I wrote it as a standalone – then found myself writing a sequel to make my readers happy. I am now in the midst of a prequel. Never say never!
Things you always put in your books: Strong, independent women and unexpected and unusual viewpoints. Things you never put in your books: Child or animal abuse. Violence for the sake of it.
Favorite smell: There are several – Brut aftershave that reminds me of my Father, Obsession perfume by Calvin Klein ( I found it in my early twenties and have not worn any other perfume since), cut grass, ocean and mountain air. Something that makes you hold your nose: Inner city smells. (a country girl at heart)
Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers 