Writing a picture book ...

 

My daily stack of picture books
from Toronto Public Library

... is the toughest write of all!

I've always suspected as much, now it's confirmed. I've been a poet, a musician, an award-winning copywriter, a Governor General award-winning writer for children ... and writing a picture book this winter is the hardest writing job I've ever had.

Truly, 450 words is not a lot, each one has to be the right one. I've searched for the right word before, we all have, but this is different.

Each time I sit down to work on my picture book, I completely rewrite it. The story is the same, the idea doesn't change, the ending, the message, all that is set, but the way of journeying through the maze to get there is not. I guess this is going to be the process for me. George Saunders calls writing "touch" and "iteration." I'm finding my picture book feet, and touch and iteration is part of it, every day! 

Along with learning the cello this year, this is my latest mind-bend. I'm grateful to the Ontario Arts Council for the Recommender's Grant and the chance to expand my writing horizons. Stay tuned.

In other news, my next book is coming in October 2025. I'm waiting on the cover before I say more, but a little news now: it's a book about love. A bit of a departure for me, stay tuned on that, too!

Keep writing, keep reading, we need thinkers (and love) more than ever.

Happy Book Birthday, FIREFLY!

 

CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S BEEN 4 YEARS!

Firefly came out Feb 6/2021. In the following years, it won the Governor General Literary award, the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz award, was named a Globe and Mail Top 100 book, an OLA Best Bet Book, and was nominated for over a dozen more literary awards.

Thank you to my wonderful publisher DCB Young Readers, for making this book happen.

Order online: Buy a Copy Locally or check your local library.

From 4 years ago: It's officially FIREFLY'S BOOK BIRTHDAY, and my little dog Samwise Gamgee, approves (he doesn't even mind Juggernaut the cat on the cover).  

And here's a heartfelt rant from this Canadian author: now more than ever, if you enjoyed a book, tell the world online! Reviews matter so much.

There's a book launch coming March 2 with Another Story Bookshop, stay tuned for more on that! 

For now, here's more on this blog about FIREFLY! Happy Birthday FIREFLY!

FIREFLY is a CCBC Expert Pick, March 2022

"This award-winning book is a poignant exploration of grief that touches on many heavy topics but with a light touch that leaves readers feeling hopeful and more conscious of the fact that there is often so much more in people's minds and hearts and lives than what we see on the surface. 

The characters are deftly drawn, the setting is unique, and Firefly's story is moving and thought-provoking." 

—Lisa Doucet, Woozles Bookstore, Halifax

Really honoured that FIREFLY is an Expert Pick in this month's issue of the Canadian Children's Book Centre's March 2022 newsletter. Thank you to them for the lovely review. Shine bright, Firefly!

Read the entire review here: FIREFLY is an Expert Pick

FIREFLY is a Governor General's Award Finalist AND an OLA Red Maple Nominee

I've never had a week like this before. I don't think that as a writer, you can have a better week. Certainly, you would never expect a week like this. I'm still in shock. 

On Thursday, October 14th, I woke up to the news that FIREFLY was a Governor General's Literary Award Finalist, Young People's Literature (text). It is an incredible honour, one that I would never have expected. I've cheered on my friends, many times, and clapped with joy from the sidelines when they were nominated. But to be a Finalist myself? Never, not EVER, did I ever think that would happen. Tears of joy, wept along with my inner 9-year-old who used to dream of being an author one day.

I'm also incredibly honoured to be among the first group of Finalists with Mary May Simon, the first Inuk Governor General, in Rideau Hall. Here is a CBC article by Inuk journalist Pauline Pemik, Oct. 21/2021: Interviewing the Governor General in my Language felt like reconciliation.

Winners are announced on November 17, 2021. Stay tuned for that. Here's a video of me reading from FIREFLY:

The next day, October 15th, was the day that FIREFLY was shortlisted for the Ontario Library Association Red Maple Award. 

An incredible honour, this means that young readers in Ontario in grades 7 and 8 will be introduced to Firefly, an indomitable, funny, wise 13-year-old living in a park in downtown Toronto. I will be talking to kids (probably via Zoom etc) across the province about the book, then the young readers choose their favourite book out of the ten nominees. Next spring, 2022, the winners are decided in a big celebration. Stay tuned! 

Here is a post from 2014, about being a Red Maple nominee. That year I was nominated for The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golden.

Shine bright, Firefly!

All posts about Firefly on this blog.

It's a Governor General's Literary Award Nomination for FIREFLY!

 

I am so honoured to be able to say that FIREFLY is a Finalist for the 2021 Governor General's Literary Awards!

That's something that you dream about, but never expect to write on your blog. As a thing. That's actually, you know, happened!

Here is the complete list of 
GG Finalists for 2021

You'll find FIREFLY in the Young Readers Literature - TEXT category, a total of 5 books. I'm very pleased to be named with my amazing kidlit peers, Kevin and Basil Sylvester, Sharon Jennings, Angela Ahn and Liselle Sambury.

Thank you to my wonderful publisher at DCB Young Readers, and congratulations to all the nominees. The winners are announced on November 17, 2021, check back then!

Shine bright, Firefly!

All posts on this blog about FIREFLY

 

So honoured that FIREFLY is a CBC Books "Best Middle Grade Books of Spring 2021" selection! I'm in great company with some terrific Canadian writers.  Thanks CBC!

Here is the whole list, check it out for some wonderful reads for kids 9-12: Philippa Dowding on the CBC Books Spring 2021 List

All posts about FIREFLY on this blog

Introducing FIREFLY, coming from DCB, February 2021

 

I couldn't be more excited to reveal the cover for my next book: FIREFLY, a middle-grade story about PTSD. But mostly, it's about family and friendship.

It's pretty funny, too, and based on a real costume warehouse in Toronto's east end, which belongs to a family member.

Coming from DCB Young Readers in February, 2021, it's a story that has always been close to my heart, and I'm so happy it's almost here. Thank you to my publishing family at DCB/Cormorant, and cover illustrator Julie McLaughlin, for lending her amazing talent.

To pre-order or for more information: FIREFLY

For now, here is the back cover copy:

"Motorcycle cop? Medieval warrior? Maybe a singing lobster?

If you lived in a shop with seven million costumes, what would you choose …

Firefly lives with her Aunt Gayle at The Corseted Lady costume shop, which is much better than living in the park where she used to live. But there’s a lot to get used to: food, a bed (if she can bring herself to sleep in it), a cat, a new school. She even has to get used to Aunt Gayle.

But when you can wear anything, become anything, how do you decide who you are?

And which costume is the real one?"

For a fun twitter Slow Cover Reveal thread: COVER ON TWITTER 

Advance media copies, interview, etc contact PUBLISHER DCB YOUNG READERS

Here's the official BOOK TRAILER for FIREFLY on YouTube (featuring original guitar music by yours truly)

Stay tuned for more about Firefly in the coming weeks!