This, the new Burlington Performing Arts Centre, makes a great setting to read Burlington’s newest children’s author, Jennifer Maruno’s Warbird.  While the publisher was Napoleon, that press has been digested by Dundurn. I bought the book from my favourite bookseller A Different Drummer and then strolled over to this beautiful new building and read while my husband took photos for his architecture photography classes.  For once I really read the book in the location I picture. (In 1647) 10 year old Etienne swaps places with an orphan in order to escape farm life and explore like his hero Champlain.  His adventures cause him to see and experience things that finally make him turn around and go home.   I remember learning Canadian history in grade 5, fur traders, Indians, Jesuit priests having their hearts eaten by Iroquois (frankly the most exciting part).  How wonderful it would have been to have read Warbird instead of our history texts.  This would be a great book to read before visiting the historic park Sainte-Marie among the Hurons.

The TD and The Canadian Children’s Book Centre know how to make an author feel special. Even if you’re not nominated, this year I don’t even have a book, out but the speakers always thank all of us for enriching kids’ lives and all

the spectacular little entrees and drinks and special touches, like this tophat escort helps make me feel celebrated. I had read the John Spray winner, A Spy in the House. Congratulations to Y.S. Lee and her beautiful baby. Can’t wait to read The Glory Wind by Valerie Sherrard. She beat out so many spectactular GG winning authors, her book must be fabulous. I’ve read some of Susan Hughes animal chapter books so was happy for her win in non-fiction. I Know Here is the picture book winner–we heard the illustrator Matt James speak at CANSCAIP and he was a riot. The big win went to Erin Bow’s Plain Kate. I really love her hubbie James writing so I wonder if there will a family talent connection. Has to be I guess. Hope they invest the win wisely and yet have tons of fun too.