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| Captain Underpants fights bad educators everywhere. |
What I learned from Goodreads is that it’s okay to read YA literature when you’re not…well… a YA yourself. I can tell by the people who select my own novel Crush. Candy. Corpse as a “to read”. They’re at least old enough to wield a credit card, often in their thirtys +.
That fact frees me to enjoy a Children’s Literature Festival when I’m not on duty as a parent or performing/reading author.
Why does a writer go when they aren’t paid? To meet their friends. I love bumping into all the writers I don’t see on a regular basis. Captain Underpants is not a writer and I haven’t met Dav Pilkey or bought his latest yet but my grandson Hunter and I have enjoyed his antics between pages so why not have my photo taken with him.
Deborah Ellis often writes about Afghanistan and serious socialist issues but I’m on a mystery kick so I bought her
True Blue to see a different side of her.
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| Deborah Ellis talking about Afghanistan |
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| Norah McClintock explaining her title Close to the Heel |
Norah McClintock spoke about her contribution to Eric Walters’ new series. Close to the Heel is set in Iceland. I was so impressed that she travelled to Iceleand to research the book. (I doubt a Canadian advance would cover the airfare) Still she told me later how beautiful Iceland was and I hope to enjoy the setting through the story, don’t think I’ll ever make it there.
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| Granddaughter Jadzia in rapture with the chicken |
And even though I’m not on parent duty, a plus of Telling Tales is meeting my grownup kids and grandchildren. I introduced Jennifer to Ruth Ohi who has a bunch of new Chicken Pig and Cow picture books out. We’re big fans.
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| These chickens seemed doglike in their enjoyment of being caressed and patted. |
Besides meeting terrific authors in a very intimate setting, getting up close and personal with the livestock is always a lovely relaxing between reading thing to do at Westfield. Farmhands are dressed from the long dress and bonnet days.
Lovely fall sunshine and stopping at a market for fresh peaches and corn round off a perfect day.
Sounds like it was a fabulous event on a gorgeously sunny day. Though I love where I live, it is fairly remote and even going to Vancouver can cost $200 in travel costs, so I'm very jealous of writers who are close enough to attend these festivals and conferences.
Sounds like it was a fabulous event on a gorgeously sunny day. Though I love where I live, it is fairly remote and even going to Vancouver can cost $200 in travel costs, so I'm very jealous of writers who are close enough to attend these festivals and conferences.
Hey Kristin,
I bet you live somewhere pretty with less taxes, traffic and pollution. Maybe we should swap houses for a few weeks sometime.