BookLust

Pirates and Penguins Galore!

My goodness, I do love getting early Christmas presents. It's nice to know that even though my book The Pirate and the Penguin has been out for 2 years that it's still getting some very nice attention. First I discovered this lovely review from Drew and Kate at Tall Tale Books in BC. And then I found this amazing review by Gina over at Satisfaction For Insatiable Readers. Gina's review is clever and funny, very well written, and by gosh, she totally understood what I was trying to do with my book! And finally, I had a wonderful interview with Roz Fulcher over at Picture Book Junkies, where I blather on about how The Pirate and the Penguin came to be.

It really does feel good when I can reach people with my words and art. I truly am grateful. Thank you!!

Canuck Picture Books Galore!

And the book recommendations just keep on coming! Are you still struggling with what kind of gifts to give young kids, or for those who are young at heart and adore a beautiful picture book? Well your fretting days are over. I've been asked by the amazing website Canadian Bookshelf to recommend some of my favourite picture books. It was really tough to only name a few, I must say, because there is a lot of astounding Canadian talent out there.

So what are you waiting for? Get thee some picture books!

What the What! Who's Reading What?

I'm thrilled to itty bits that I was asked to take part in the 'Who's Reading What' list from the Toronto Public Library website. I think I listed some pretty cool titles. What's also cool is some of the other folks who have taken part in this list – Matt Galloway, Vincent Lam, Elizabeth Ruth and Terry Fallis to name but a few. That's some pretty nice company, I must say.

Lots of great titles to choose from, so you've got no excuse now – get out there and start reading!

Chirp Winter Fun! (Sorta...)

Whoops! I almost forgot to post the December cover for Chirp! This month's issue is all about Winter Fun – and what could be more fun than playing in the snow with some happy-go-lucky penguins? Mind you, here in Toronto there's not a speck of snow to be found anywhere, what with all this mild weather. It's gonna be pretty darn hard to entice a penguin to come and play on my cold driveway.

Would You...

...jump on its back and fly to Nunavut?

What Would You Do...

...if a raven landed on your head?

Prickly and Cuddly

How can you resist a purple porcupine? I know I can't.

Random Readings 38

I went through a period in my life when I had no friends, when the phone never rang, when I thought I would die from loneliness. I know that the real blessing here isn't that I have a book published, but that I have so many people to thank.

— from the acknowledgements in Still Life, Louise Penny's first mystery novel.