Win free books with a 49th Shelf Giveaway and Colouring Contest!

Just back from a week in Paris (!) and I've got a few exciting free book contests for you.

First up, you could WIN a FREE COPY of OCULUM on the 49th Shelf Giveaway. Contest ends October 28th/2018.
One of 5 copies to be won, all you have to do is enter.

Enter to win OCULUM here: 49th Shelf Giveaway

Second, your child can win a copy of Blackwells and the Briny Deep in the Bloor-Gladstone Colouring Contest. Contest ends October 27th/2018. I'll be selecting the winners and doing a reading from the book that day at the library.

More info and how to enter the Blackwells and the Briny Deep Colouring Contest. 

Note: your child can pick up a colouring contest form at the branch any time between now and October 27th, or join us at the branch before 1:30 that day. Or just drop by to join in the library halloween festivities.

Hope you enter and win some books!

More about OCULUM on this Blog.
More about Blackwells and the Briny Deep on this Blog.

And also, a picture of me in Paris this week:

The author, October 2018

Wonderful art from Toronto school kids, thank you!

Toronto school kids draw alternate covers for Myles and the Monster Outside.

The Author at Bloor-Gladstone Library

Cover art by
Shawna Daigle

I'm so lucky.  Last week I was invited to
Bloor-Gladstone library in Toronto, to speak to school kids in grades 3-5. Demand was high, and we ran the presentation twice, to a total of 5 schools, about 8 classes and over 200+ kids.

I love talking to children about books, being a writer, and reading to them, answering their questions. But I'm also always touched at the little things they do, the sweet extras they bring with them for me. One class did a class set of alternate covers for my Silver Birch Express title, Myles and the Monster Outside.

They are so great, and I was so touched. Each cover shows a lot of thought, and talent, and also tells me a lot about the child who drew it: the thinkers, the artists, the optimists, they're all there.

So thank you so much to Bloor-Gladstone library, the librarians and teachers who bring books to life for our youngest readers. Thanks also, once again, to the Ontario Library Association for nominating Myles and the Monster Outside for the Silver Birch Express award this year!

If you'd like me to visit your school or library, I still have booking space this spring. Here's how to contact me.

Here's a link with more information about my presentations: 
Philippa Dowding Presentations

Creepy candy apples, terrifying twirly birds, haunted houses...

Check out the awesome shading and haunted house details

... kids draw a fantastically creepy day at the fair for the Carter and the Curious Maze contest!

Last month, I had a reading and held a contest to win 1 of 5 copies of my new book at the Bloor/Gladstone Library. It was so fun. Congratulations to the 5 winners (drawn at random), thanks to the library staff for running the contest, thanks to my publisher, Dundurn Press, for donating the copies, and finally, thanks to all the kids who entered their wonderful drawings.

Enjoy the creepy!

This one I call "The Abandoned"...

Would you eat these?

Here's more info about Carter and the Curious Maze:

CM Magazine Review (4/4 Stars)

Terrifying unicorns ...

Goodreads Reviews
Book Trailer, Illustrations by Shawna Daigle

Creepy flies and horrifying hands, Happy Halloween!

Sometimes, being a writer is too much fun! Yesterday, I attended a Halloween party at the Bloor-Gladstone Branch of the Toronto Public Library. Lots of kids came for the party. The staff put up a haunted house, sang spooky songs and played Halloween games. The party started with a short reading from me, from my new spooky book, Jake and the Giant Hand. We ran a contest to win 1 of 5 copies of the book, generously donated by my publisher, Dundurn Press. The entries were fantastic, and I share some of the wonderful work with you here (there were almost 30 entries in total, all ages). Thank you all! And Happy Halloween!