Monday, August 9, 2010

Mr. Karp Goes to Hong Kong


So the other day I opened a package left at my door to find six copies of 'Mr. Karp's Last Glass.' In Chinese. For a moment I thought I was dreaming.

In fact, the good people at Groundwood had simply forgotten to tell me that the book was being published in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau by Pan Asia Cultural. Well, it was a nice surprise.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Brotherly love...most of the time


My new picture book is out and it's called "Book of Big Brothers." The funny, slightly crazed pictures are by the award-winning artist Luc Melanson who lives in Laval, Quebec.

Here is how I wrote this book:
One day I was sitting with a pad and pen, playing around with ideas for a new picture book. I found myself writing down a true incident that happened with my brothers (the day we lit a tree on fire). Then I wrote another and another. They were all pretty good--which one, I asked myself, would make the best book? I couldn't make up my mind and so I decided to stick all of them into a single book. Instead of being about one particular event, the book really became the story of our brotherly friendship.

CBC Childrens' Book Panel


I always look forward to CBC Radio's childrens' book panel--that is, when I manage to catch it. Well, I missed the one in June where Michelle Landsberg and Ken Setterington chose their favourite books for this summer's reading. Ken put no less than two of my books on his list of five: 'The Big Swim' and the forthcoming picture book, 'Book of Big Brothers.' I suppose it isn't my place to say that Ken has impeccable taste.

You can see all the picks at:http://www.cbc.ca/thenextchapter/2010/06/.

While we're at it, I owe Michelle Landsberg thanks for introducing me to the late Grace Paley at Harbourfront several years ago. Afterwards, I ran into Grace a few times and became rather chummy with her, as she no doubt was with just about everyone. Kind of felt like talking to my bubby--that is, my grandmother. I've been re-reading her great short stories lately and I'm glad to have a chance to mention them.