Kristin Butcher-Monday, February 23, 2009

Looking into the Prism—Three Sides to Every Story

It takes inspiration, perspiration, and a healthy knowledge of the craft of writing to shape a story. But it's the writer's personal experiences that breathe life into it, and it's the reader's personal experiences that unearth its soul.

Join Kristin Butcher as she examines the reflective qualities of the writing process—where stories come from, what makes them credible, poignant, and memorable, and most importantly, what makes them unique.

Please join us on Monday, February 23rd, 7:30 pm at the Nellie McClung branch of GVPL to hear Kristin and be sure to visit kristinbutcher.com and learn all about this fantastic author.

Next Presentation: Monday, January 19, 2009 at 7pm

We have two excellent presenters lined up for our next meeting. Check out their bios below:

Robin Stevenson spent 10 years working as a counselor and social worker before beginning a new career as an author. Robin’s first YA novel, Out of Order, was published in the fall of 2007 and was a Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books starred selection. She has since published four more novels: a sports adventure novel called Dead in the Water, a juvenile novel called Impossible Things, a YA reluctant reader called Big Guy, and her newest release, a teen novel called A Thousand Shades of Blue. A sixth novel for teens, Inferno, will be published in the spring of 2009. Robin grew up in England and Ontario, and now lives in Victoria, BC.

Author Website: www.robinstevenson.com

Michelle Mulder loves writing about kids who seize life’s opportunities. Her early readers, Maggie and the Chocolate War, and Yeny and the Children for Peace, are based on true stories of children who banded together to improve their world. Originally a freelance travel writer, Michelle began writing for children in 2006 with the release of the first picture book of the Theodore Too series. She has since published two more picture books (both in the Theodore Too series) and two early readers. Orca Publishers will be releasing her third early reader, After Peaches, in Fall 2009.

Author website: www.michellemulder.com

Happy New Year!

It's a new year for the Victoria Children's Literature Roundtable with lots of exciting events on the horizon. Here's a sneak peek at some of our upcoming speakers:

January 19, 2009: Robin Stevenson & Michelle Mulder - new voices in Canadian Children's Literature

February 23, 2009: Kirstin Butcher- talks about her books

May 25, 2009: Chris Tougas - Mechanimal, winner of first Bolen Book prize for children

Check back soon for more info!

Award Winners

TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award

On November 6, the $20,000 prize for the most distinguished English book of the year was awarded to Christopher Paul Curtis for Elijah of Buxton.

Nominees for the prestigious award were:
Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose: The Story of a Painting by Hugh Brewster, with paintings by John Singer Sargent
Darkwing by Kenneth Oppel
Eye of the Crow: The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His First Case by Shane Peacock
Please, Louise! Written by Frieda Wishinsky, illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay
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Also awarded on November 6 in Toronto:

Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction
At Vimy Ridge: Canada’s Greatest World War I Victory by Hugh Brewster

Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People
Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis

Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award
Please, Louise! Written by Frieda Wishinsky, illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay

Prix TD de littérature canadienne pour l’enfance et la jeunesse
Un cadeau pour Sophie by Gilles Vigneault, illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch.
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And in Victoria…

Bolen Books Children’s Book Prize

On October 16, Chris Tougas was awarded $5,000 and named the winner of the 1st Bolen Books prize for his picture book, Mechanimals.

The titles shortlisted:
Corps of the Bare-Boned Plane by Polly Horvath
A Perfect Gentle Knight by Kit Pearson