The Mary's Atlas Series by Gwen Smid

Welcome Baby Cedar!

2012-01-27T14:45:00.000-05:00

I've been silent on the blogging front, and I'd like to blame it on the arrival of my wee, beautiful new daughter, Cedar. She's a joy and a bit of a time stealer.

I'll resume Canadian picture book reviews in February, and I'm currently also working on the newest Mary's Atlas book: Mary Meets Alberta.

Please send me recommendations of Canadian picture books that I should review
( marysatlas@gmail.com ).

Happy reading!

:) Gwen

New Mary Review!

2011-09-05T19:25:00.001-04:00

Please check out blogger

Maranda Russell's

latest review of Mary Meets Ontario.

Click here!

How to Build Your Own Country

2011-08-29T14:19:00.000-04:00

This is one of the most unique kids' book I've seen in a while!

How to Build Your Own Country (written by Valerie Wyatt, illustrated by Fred Rix) is the kind of book that I would have loved to get my paws on as a young reader.

It's pure gasoline to ignite your creative bonfire!

There are three steps to build your own country, and each step is broken down into easy ideas, one per page.

For example, step one is to stake out your identity. The first idea to get started is to name your country. Perhaps "Pinkistan"? Perhaps "Lazyland"? Then, design a flag and select a national motto.

As a teacher, my mind was whirring with how much fun this could be in a social studies class. I teach high school, and this book could easily be used for inspiration for a quick lesson series in a Civics class or in a history class if you're covering nation building.

The book is organized simply with bright colours and eye-catching layout. 3 cheers for the design by Karen Powers! There's a table of contents, glossary and index: a wonderful way to get young readers versed in the art of researching with books. Another 3 cheers for that!

Pick up How to Build Your Own Country as a fun way to spend a rainy day or a long car trip.

Reviewed by Gwen Smid, 2011

How to Build Your Own Country
by Valerie Wyatt
Illustratted by Fred Rix
$16.95
ISBN 978-1-55453-310-7

Order online through McNally Robinson (Canada's largest indie book store!)
CLICK HERE

What's the Big Idea?

2011-07-26T17:40:00.002-04:00

I was watching The Big Bang Theory the other day and Sheldon was explaining the legend of how Archimedes figured out the concept of water displacement.

Then I picked up Helaine Becker's What's the Big Idea: Inventions that Changed Life on Earth Forever and there was the same anecdote.

(For those of us who need a science class review: Arch realized that when he sat in a tub, the water level rose. The king asked him to figure out if his crown was made of pure gold or if his crown-maker had ripped him off. Using displacement, Arch solved the puzzle: the crown was a fake!)

The connection between The Big Bang episode and this fabulous book is that children need to scaffold their learning. I laughed at Sheldon's ever-funny antics, soaked in the Archimedes info, but soon forgot the tale. Upon reading about Arch again in this book, I know I'll now remember more of the details.

Parents, librarians, teachers - if you want a book to make your readers say, "I didn't know that!" or "Cool!", then you need to pick up a copy. There's enough text to interest a more sophisticated reader/researcher and enough colourful illustrations to engage a reluctant reader/researcher.

Did you know that the Chinese discovered vaccinations in 200 BCE by rubbing powdered small pox scabs into cuts? Gross, but cool, right?

Did you know that shellac is a natural plastic made from insects?

My imagination was really peaked with the "What's Next?" section at the end of the book. Here, the author outlines a few futuristic (or perhaps not-so-futuristic) ideas that are out there. For instance, batteries made from viruses, spray-on fabric and ultrasound cuffs to speed healing.

This book was created to satisfy the author's curiosity about the link between events and inventions. My guess is that it will leave readers craving more...and this will lead to more reading and research...and that makes this reviewer very happy!

What's the Big Idea?

by Helaine Becker

Maple Tree Press 2009

ISBN: 978-1-897349-61-8

CDN $19/95

US $17.95

Order by clicking here!

Technorati claim token: 77NK6XJ2HY4C

On A Medieval Day

2011-05-03T17:50:00.009-04:00

As a kid, I knew the word "Timbuktu," but I didn't realize it was a real place. I'd try to jam the name into limericks, making clumsy rhymes with "Kalamazoo."

Then, as a college kid, I actually visited Tombuctou (yes, Timbuktu) in Mali, West Africa.

Needless to say, I was excited to see a short story about Timbuktu in Rona Arato's On a Medieval Day: Story Voyages Around the World (illustrated by Peter Ferguson). This book seems to be suitable for older elementary students, perhaps grades four and up.

"Kofi's Adventure," the story about Timbuktu, is one of nine historical fiction tales about children in the epoc from the 400s to the 1400s. What is refreshing is that the stories are not just about Medieval Europe: civilizations from the Mayans to the Islamic Kingdom to Japan (and Timbuktu!) are explored.

This is a fantastic resource for students to begin research about medieval times, events -- including the Inquisition and the Plague -- and various countries. The stories all include maps and a non-fiction summary of the events and places mentioned.

This Maple Tree Press series also features On a Canadian Day.

For more reviews, please see Quill & Quire

On a Medieval Day
Written by Rona Arato
Illustrated by Peter Ferguson
Maple Tree Press, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-897349-95-3
$17.95 CND / $15.95 US

Who Wants Pizza?

2011-03-06T10:29:00.009-05:00

It's not often you see a kids' food book with photos of dead baby birds and pig heads hanging from hooks.
I loved it.
Award-winning author Jan Thornhill offers her readers a spectacular introduction to the history, science and culture of food.
Her book is visually appealing with bright colours, ample pictures, and small text boxes that create an easy-reading format. The index is thorough and makes research simple.
She deftly balances the gross-out-factor photos with subtle suggestions for sustainable eating:
1. "Cows are not designed to digest corn, and many people think that grass-fed beef is healthier for us to eat." Thornhill presents both sides of the to-eat-animals vs not-to-eat-animals debate, including "flexitarians" - those who are concerned about animal welfare and eco issues.
2. "There's nothing appealing about rodent hairs in cereal, but some people think we shoud allow more insect parts in our foods. Then growers could use fewer pesticides."
Additionally, Thornhill offers oodles of fun facts that kids can add to their "Did you know?" repertoire. Did you know that we produce smelly gasses because of our gut flora? Did you know that wasabi kills bacteria on raw fish? Did you know that we almost lost the banana?

Foodie parents and teachers should embrace this book as a great way to chat with children about what we put into our mouths and how it affects the planet.

Reviewed by Gwen Smid, 2011

Who Wants Pizza?
By Jan Thornhill
Maple Tree Press, 2010

ISBN: 978-1-897349-97-7

Order online at McNally Robinson, Canada's largest independent bookstore. CLICK HERE!

Dogs, Bunny Rabbits and Bears

2011-03-02T20:58:00.004-05:00

The Ottawa Citizen's Louise Rachlis, wrote a great article about my recent Canadian Authors Association chat about "Writing for Children and Teens."

You're welcome to check out the article (titled "Dogs, Bunny Rabbits and Bears") by CLICKING HERE!

While you're visiting my blog, please enjoy our array of weekly Canadian picture book reviews. More to follow!

The Witch, the Cat and the Egg

2011-03-01T13:48:00.006-05:00

This week, we're meandering away from picture books to review an Ottawa author's first story.

The Witch, the Cat and the Egg is a short illustrated novel (62 pgs) by Joanne Lecuyer, illustrated by Max Courville.

The book is about a young witch named Juliane, who works as a guide in an enchanted forest with her friends Magicus the cat and Sarl the owl.

One day, Juliane is given a task that she may not be able to manage alone...

This story is a heart-warming tale of friendship, overcoming obstacles, and -- most importantly -- keeping promises!

I especially loved Juliane's personality, because she is understanding, loyal and caring to all living things.

The Witch, the Cat and the Egg inspired my imagination.

People of all ages, not just young readers, can enjoy this tale!

Happy Reading!

Reviewed by Carolyn Harris, 2011

The Witch, the Cat and the Egg

Baico Publishing, Inc., 2011

ISBN: 978-1-926945-02-6

Purchase online: CLICK HERE!

Richard was a Picker

2011-02-13T14:10:00.004-05:00

My husband accused me of being biased.

When I first received a copy of Richard Was a Picker (written by Carolyn Beck, illustrated by Ben Hodson), I wasn't going to review it because I couldn't get beyond page two.

The booger illustrations, complete with little hairs and brown spots, are so gross (a compliment to Ben Hodson's talent!) that my whole body reacted: my eyes watered, my gut clenched, and my hands couldn't close the book fast enough.

"You're biased against books for boys," my husband said after hearing my cries of Ew! Ew! Ew!

Hm. Was he right? My librarian and teacher buddies have assured me that Richard is a hit with the boys.

I gave Richard another go. Okay, actually, I had to give Richard a third go, since I still couldn't get beyond page two.

Here's the scoop (of boogers): Richard likes to pick the crumbles, gobs and ooze out of his nose. He likes to pick them a lot, so much so that he sculpts airports, towns and submarines out of the "globby browns and clabbery greens."

Have you said Ew! Ew! Ew! yet? Just checking.

Then Richard's finger gets stuck in his nose and he turns inside out into a big ball of snot. He has a plan, though. He's off to Ed's Spice Shop to see if he can sneeze his way back to normal. En route, the plot thickens like mucus as the neighbours begin chasing the ooey green blob.

Once I got over my visceral reaction, I found myself rooting for Richard. At the end, he rubs his very, very sore nose and vows to give up his Booger Boy ways.

Author Carolyn Beck has fun with her rhymes. They are clever and catchy, and you'll find that it's not ("it's not" = "snot"...old joke!) just the boys who like this book. This girl liked it, too.

Reviewed by Gwen Smid, 2011

Richard Was a Picker
Orca Book Publishers 2010

CND: $19.95
ISBN: 978-1-55469-088-6

Purchase the book from McNally Robinson, Canada's largest independent book store!
CLICK HERE

Other reviews of Richard Was a Picker
Quill and Quire

Where are you Bear?

2011-02-05T17:48:00.009-05:00

Welcome to this week's Canadian picture book review!

The featured reviewer is Carolyn Harris, a student in my creative writing group at Nepean High School in Ottawa.

Enjoy her review of Where are you Bear?, written by Toronto's Frieda Wishinsky and illustrated by Vancouver's Sean L. Moore.

Cheerful little Sophie is setting off on a cross-Canada trip to visit her grandma.

Right as she has to leave, however, she loses her favourite teddy bear. Bear chases Sophie across Canada.

Children learn about both Canada and the alphabet in this cute and colourful picture book. There are not many words, but the illustrations and the few words used clearly depict the author's two-fold message -- friends are always there for each other and anada is a fascinating place.

Each page displays a letter of the alphabet: the left-hand pages feature Sophie and the right-hand pages feature Bear. There is a clear map of Canada so that readers can follow their adventure.

If you want to teach children about the the beauty of Canada, Where are you Bear? would be a good place to start.

Reviewed by Carolyn Harris, 2011

Purchase Where are you Bear? through McNally Robinson, Canada's largest independent book store.

CLICK HERE

Written by Frieda Wishinsky
Illustrated by Sean L. Moore
Owlkids 2010
ISBN 978-1-897349-91-5
$18.95 CDN
$17.95 US

Other reviews of Where are you Bear?

CM Magazine

Please suggest a Canadian picture book for us to review!

marysatlas@gmail.com

A Tribute for Michael Van Rooy

2011-01-29T19:02:00.005-05:00

I was supposed to attend Michael's reading at Collected Works (Ottawa) on Friday, January 28th.

When I got home from work, my husband, Borden, told me that Michael had died the night before in Montreal while on his book tour. He was promoting his newest book, A Criminal to Remember.

I didn't believe Borden until I saw the online article in the Winnipeg Free Press. He had a heart attack. He was only 42. He has a wife and three kids in Winnipeg.

I first met Michael years ago at a Manitoba Writers' Guild workshop on writing for children. He introduced me to Sonia Nadeau, a friend of his, who later became the illustrator for our Mary's Atlas series.

Michael seemed to know everyone, and everyone liked him.

The Winnipeg writing community, and the Can Lit scene as a whole, has lost a very talented, very gentle soul.

To Michael's family, please know we are hurting for you.

Spork

2011-01-22T15:14:00.005-05:00

It's not often that you want to hug a utensil and assure it that everything will be alright.

Okay, I've never wanted to hug a utensil and assure it that everything will be alright, at least not until I read Spork (written by Toronto author Kyo Maclear and illsturated by Governor General Award winner Isabelle Arsenault).

I can't stop talking about this dear little book.

Meet Spork.

His mum is a spoon, his dad is a fork, and all he wants is to be chosen when the table is set.

Alas, he never gets to join the other pieces of cutlery when they play pea hockey or take super-bubbly baths in the sink. Things are pretty solitary for Spork.

Then the messy thing arrives, and none of the other utensils can keep up with its slurpy, clumpy ways. Will Spork finally find his niche?

Maclear is the daughter of "multi-cutlery" parents, and created Spork to celebrate the birth of her son. Spork's rhythmic syntax is just plain fun to read aloud. "This messy thing smeared and spilled and flung and clumped and dripped without a care." Catchy, eh?

Illustrator Arsenault's subtle details are sweet. My favourite background utensil is the spoon who is balancing sugar cubes on his head (even though I'm grouchy at the spoons and forks because they just don't get Spork).

You also need to experience the page where Spork wonders if there are other lonely creatures with no matching kind: a teapot with a breadknife nose; a lemon juicer with mixer blade feet. It brought to mind the Island of Misfit Toys, and for the second time, I wanted to hug a utensil.

Blended into this table-top tale is a clear message for readers of all ages: take your differences -- your spoonish/forkish nature perhaps -- and don't worry if there is no matching kind for you in life's cutlery drawer. According to Spork, being just a bit round, and just a bit pointy, is just right.

Reviewed by Gwen Smid, 2011

Purchase Spork through McNally Robinson, Canada's largest independent bookstore
CLICK HERE

Spork
Written by Kyo Maclear
Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault
Kids Can Press 2010
ISBN 978-1-55337-736-8
$18.95 CDN
$16.95 US

Other reviews of Spork:
Quill and Quire

Have a Canadian picture book you'd like reviewed?

Please send a note to

marysatlas@gmail.com

Podcast Interview

2011-01-17T21:12:00.005-05:00

Dear Readers,

You can hear author Gwen being interviewed by the Canadian Authors Association by clicking here.

It's only about 15 minutes.

Enjoy!

Your friend,
Mary

Mary and the Mayor

2011-01-17T20:33:00.005-05:00

Ottawa mayor, Jim Watson, and author Gwen Smid

Dear Readers,
My friend, author Gwen, had the opportunity to meet Ottawa's new mayor, Mr. Jim Watson, at a book event. Pretty cool, eh?
Author Gwen is also pretty excited to be adding picture book reviews onto our blog. She has a stack of Canadian picture books that have come out in the last year, and she's busy writing reviews of them. Special thanks to her good friend, publishing rep Debbie Brown, for recommending cool books!
Author Gwen also works with an awesome group of high school writers, and they will also be contributing picture book reviews. If you are a young writer, and want to review Canadian picture books, please send Gwen an email at marysatlas@gmail.com .
Look for the first review coming next week!
Your friend,
Mary

Mary's being blogged...

2010-12-04T11:00:00.003-05:00

Blogger Sharon Mak has posted an interview about the Mary's Atlas series. Check out her blog by clicking here.

Congrats to the Canadian Children's Literature Awards

2010-11-10T21:09:00.005-05:00

And the winners are...

The Hunchback Assignment
(Winner of the children's literature award)
by Arthur Slade
ages 11+

Timmerman Was Here
(Winner of the best picture book award)
by Colleen Sydor
illustrated by Nicolas Debon
ages 4-8

Adventures on the Ancient Silk Road
(Winner of the non-fiction award)
by Priscilla Galloway with Dawn Hunter
ages 10+

Vanishing Girl
(Winner of the historical ficiton award)
by Shane Peacock
ages 9+

Ottawa Authors & Artists Fair

2010-11-06T00:25:00.003-04:00

Come shop for the holidays and meet author Gwen Smid!

Ottawa Authors & Artists Fair

Nov 21 and 22

Dominican College

96 Empress

(near Bronson and Somerset)

The Atlas of Canada

2010-10-19T18:48:00.004-04:00

Dear Readers,

Did you know that "The Atlas of Canada" has some really awesome maps?

You can find a bunch of great maps of Canada on their website at atlas.nrcan.gc.ca .

Let your teachers know about this site from Natural Resources Canada. You can see their map of Ontario in author Gwen's picture book, Mary's Atlas: Mary Meets Ontario. I like that book because it's about my adventure with Gavi the Loon!

Your friend,

Mary

Mary's at the ROM!

2010-10-03T21:39:00.012-04:00

Dear Readers,

Do you like dinosaur skeletons?

Do you like bugs and creepy crawlies?

Then you'll LOVE the Royal Ontario Museum (the ROM) in Toronto!

(Author Gwen at the ROM)

I have zipped and zoomed to many cool places, and one of my favourite cool places is the ROM in Toronto. It's a massive museum that has something for everyone. I really liked their bat cave. It was spooky cool!

They have lots of huge dino skeletons (that's neat for me, because my adventure in Alberta is about dinos) and their gallery of mammals is awesome. When you walk in, you're face to face with a big rhino!

You can also find author Gwen's picture book about my Ontario adventure, Mary's Atlas: Mary Meets Ontario, in the ROM's gift shop. Sonia the illustrator drew a picture of the ROM: it looks like a glittery crystal. It's a beautiful museum!
Your friend,
Mary

Contest deadline extended

2010-09-01T11:36:00.003-04:00

Dear Readers,

By popular request, the Mary's Atlas contest is extended until the end of November. Keep sending us those photos!

Your friend,
Mary

Gwen writes for big people, too

2010-08-30T09:42:00.003-04:00

Dear Readers,

My friend, author Gwen, has been zipping and zooming around Winnipeg, Lumsden, Scotland and Iceland this summer! She's busy writing about the adventure that I had in Alberta with my new buddy, Ovid the big horn sheep. She's also writing for big people and had an article published in a big person's newspaper, The Globe and Mail. Read it here! ...

I've Learned to Love Dandelions

Send Gwen an email if you'd like the recipe for her dandelion salad marysatlas@gmail.com .

Your friend,

Mary

A Very Good Day!

2010-07-17T09:18:00.002-04:00

Dear Readers,

Did you know that today, author Gwen Smid's mom, Mary, is getting married? Congratulations! Pretty cool that we share the same name, eh?

Today is also an awesome day because Helen Norrie wrote a nice review about Mary Meets Ontario in the Winnipeg Free Press. Thanks, Ms Norrie! I'm glad people like the story that Gwen wrote about my adventures zipping and zooming around Ontario.

Here's what Ms Norrie wrote about the story...

Originally a Winnipegger, Gwen Smid now lives in Ottawa and found success with her first book, Mary Meets Manitoba.

Her second offering, Mary Meets Ontario (Peanut Butter Press, 32 pages, $18 hardcover), also tries to describe the chief geographical features of that province in a humorous way for very young children.

With the help of her magic atlas, Mary travels across Ontario, finding that the Great Lakes are losing their water.

Is it the fault of the beavers? No, they are the ones who eventually tell Mary the secret of the sink hole at the bottom of Lake Superior.

Don't use this book for scientific knowledge (Fish staying alive in puddles? Water draining out of lakes?), but if it's just fun you want, plus an overview of Ontario's many lakes and cultural icons, then this book is a good bet.

With entertaining pictures by Winnipeg artist Sonia Nadeau, it is designed for youngest readers aged three to nine.

Winnipegger Helen Norrie is a former teacher/librarian. Her column appears on the third Saturday of the month.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 17, 2010 F7

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/entertainment/books/world-cup-book-scores-with-readers-98657789.html#

Enjoy your day!

Your friend,
Mary

3 Cheers for McNally Robinson! 3 Cheers for New Friends!

2010-07-07T10:05:00.004-04:00

Dear Readers,

McNally Robinson is my favourite Winnipeg bookstore! My friend, author Gwen, also agrees. If you need a cool spot on a hot day, then c'mon down on Sunday, July 11th and meet Gwen!

You also never know who you're going to meet. We met some new friends, author Joceline Le and illustrator Martin Murtonen. They created a cool book called Apple of My Eye, and Martin drew a picture of my brother, Murray, and I!

Have fun meeting new friends of your own!

Your long-time friend,
Mary

Zipping and Zooming to Cool Bookstores!

2010-06-09T21:15:00.011-04:00

Dear Readers,

I have had so much fun zipping and zooming around the cool bookstores of Ottawa. This is one of my very favourite things to do on a rainy day, or on a sunny day, or on any kind of day!

Here are the best things about small bookstores:

1) They feel cozy.

2) The people in them know lots about books. You can tell they love books!

3) There aren't rows and rows of the same book. The walls feel more colourful in a small bookstore because there are just a few copies of each book displayed.

4) You feel like a book pirate (a nice one, not a mean one!) when you discover a new bookstore: it's like finding a treasure chest.

Here are some great Ottawa small bookstores (in alpha order):

Baico on Albert and Kent

Books on Beechwood 35 Beechwood Avenue

Collected Works on Wellington (by GCTC)

Leishman Books 1309 Carling (West Gate Mall)

Mother Tongue Books Bank and Sunnyside

West End Kids on Richmond in Westboro (okay, this isn't a bookstore, but they're a cool little kids' clothing store that also carries Mary Meets Ontario)

Have fun exploring these stores!

From your friend,

Mary

Ottawa International Children's Festival!

2010-05-24T20:40:00.002-04:00

Dear Readers,

Look for my friend, author Gwen, at the Ottawa International Children's Festival!

She'll be there on Wednesday, May 26th and Thursday, May 27th!

From your friend,
Mary

Questions from my new friends!

2010-05-06T08:20:00.009-04:00

Author Gwen with S. and E. at Springfield Heights in Winnipeg!

A lovely poster from one of my new friends at Bayshore P.S. in Ottawa!

Dear Readers,

My good pal, author Gwen Smid, has been zipping and zooming around Winnipeg and Ottawa reading copies of my new adventure, Mary Meets Ontario.

I want to say hi to my new friends at

Lord Wolseley Elementary School and Springfield Heights Elementary School in Winnipeg

and

Stephen Leacock Public School and Bayshore Public School in Ottawa!

I've had a lot of fun hearing about all of the kids author Gwen's met! Some of you had some questions for us and I wanted to answer them.

Q: Is it hard to write a story?

A: I know that Gwen had a lot of fun writing the stories, but it was also a lot of research. She took 41 books out of the library about Ontario! Gwen wanted to make sure that all of the facts are correct.

Q: How long does it take to write a story?

A: It took Gwen about 2 months to do all of the research and finish the story. You should see how many changes she made to the story. Wow! I'm glad she did, because now the book does a really great job of telling about my adventure in Ontario.

Q: What is the next book Gwen Smid will write?

A: She'll tell you about all of the fun I had in Alberta in Mary Meets Alberta.

Q: What did illustrator Sonia Nadeau use for the picture?
A: Watercolour paints. Aren't they beautiful?

Q: Where does Mary live?
A: Ah-ha! That's the question everyone wants to know, because when I return from a province, it just says, "Mary taps her atlas - tap tap tap - and opens it to the page where she lives."

So, where do I live? I'll tell you! I live in ao;inh;ewwr2093u qh;otwei;qwekl

Oh no! Gavi just came by and messed up my typing. Now I'll have to fix it all up. Well, where do YOU think I live? You can post a comment here or send me an email at marysatlas@gmail.com

From your friend,

Mary

May Day! May Day!

2010-04-25T15:08:00.004-04:00

My buddy, author Gwen, will be reading our new picture book this Saturday! C'mon down to Chapters Rideau (in the ByWard Market in Ottawa) on Saturday, May 1st.

Gwen will be reading at noon and then in the store till 3 signing copies of the book.

Hope to see you there!

Your friend,
Mary

Ottawa International Writers Festival

2010-04-15T10:23:00.003-04:00

Dear Readers,

Yeah for my friend, author Gwen!

She's on the line up for the Ottawa International Writers Festival. Yahoo!

The Ottawa festival runs from April 22 - 27th.

Writing festivals are really cool. It's fun to hear authors share stories about their stories. Make sure you check out writing festivals in your hometown!

From your friend,
Mary

First Contestants to Zip and Zoom into the Contest!

2010-04-08T21:33:00.011-04:00

J. & A. in Preeceville, SK!

Dear Readers,

My new friends, J. & A., just sent me this great picture from Preeceville, Saskatchewan. I haven't zipped and zoomed there yet, but I'll have to check it out in Mary Meets Saskatchewan.

Did you know that the Assiniboine River starts in Preeceville? Yep! "Headwaters" is the term used to describe where a river starts. Notice what's written on the sign above J. & A.'s heads.

Check out our contest page for more photos of J., A., and little Q.!

Keep those pictures rollin' my way!

From your friend,
Mary

Winnipeg Launch a Zipping and Zooming Good Time!

2010-03-23T22:13:00.011-04:00

Dear Readers,

This is my author buddy, Gwen Smid. We were in Winnipeg to launch Mary's Atlas: Mary Meets Ontario, the second picture book Gwen wrote about my adventures zipping and zooming around Canada.

While were were there, Gwen couldn't resist stopping at the 7-11 convenience store by her old house (yep, yep, she's a prairie gal!). Her new hometown of Ottawa doesn't have a lot of Seves anymore. That makes us sad! There's nothing like a Slurpee and a bag of Old Dutch chips.

Phewf! Thankfully you can get Old Dutch chippies in Ottawa.

My author buddy, Gwen Smid.

Then we had our book launch, and did we have fun! Thanks to everyone who came out to the wonderful wonderful McNally Robinson Booksellers. McNally really is the coolest bookstore in Winnipeg! (And the Mary's Atlas books are #1 on their bestseller list again - yahoooo!)

agihl;wee j'laewkk' aoi 1ooq342 ;qjti

Hee hee...oops! The red letters are Gavi's way of trying to help out with the typing. Gavi the loon is the cool bird I met in Ontario while zipping and zooming around. You can read about our adventures in Gwen's new picture book. Maybe I'll try teaching him to type. Does anyone know what he was trying to say?

From your friend,

Mary

To Zip or not to Zip? That is the question!

2010-03-09T19:57:00.006-05:00

Hello everyone!

Let's zip AND zoom!

I just had the chance to go to Toronto with my author friend Gwen, where we got to see my new story, Mary Meets Ontario for the first time. Then we zipped and zoomed all around, introducing the story to people.

We met some cool people like authors kc dyer and Kari-Lynn Winters. They're really nice, and they write stories for kids, just like my friend, Gwen. kc writes for teenagers (maybe in a few years, I'll be reading her books!), and Kari-Lynn writes cool picture books.

Then Gwen and I went to Roxanne Read's Bookshop and met Roxanne in person. We're going to zip and zoom back there on Saturday, March 27th to read from the new story. I hope you'll join us!

We're also going to zip and zoom to Winnipeg for our book launch this Sunday (March 14th) at 2pm at McNally Robinson. You'll get a chance to meet Sonia Nadeau. She's the one who draws my pictures.

Well, those are my adventures for now. Oh yah! Don't forget to check out the contest page!

Your friend,
Mary

Hello Toronto!

2010-02-25T06:28:00.002-05:00

Dear Readers,

Wow!

I'm in Toronto with my author friend, Gwen. I haven't been here since I zipped and zoomed with Gavi the loon.

I wonder if the little squirrel is still at the tippy-top of the CN Tower - oh wait a minute! I think I can see him! Can you?

Your friend,

Mary

Yeah for Canada!

2010-02-15T09:18:00.012-05:00

Dear Readers,

I've been watching the Olympics, and I'm really pumped for all of our athletes! Some have won medals, and we even have a gold medal now! Yeah, Canada!

I think that if my friends, Bou and Gavi, were in the Olympics, they would win gold for Zipping and Zooming!

When I explored Manitoba, Bou the bison zipped and zoomed me all the way from southern Manitoba's wavy wheat fields to Churchill in northern Manitoba, and then back again to the Golden Boy in Winnipeg. We zipped and zoomed in record time! Check out the above maps (my friends at the Atlas of Canada let me use it).

I just finished exploring Ontario with my new buddy, Gavi the loon. We started zipping and zooming at Algonquin Provincial Park, toured the Great Lakes (find out why they were dried up in "Mary Meets Ontario"), and finally made it all the way up to the time zone near the Manitoba border. Cool, eh?

Well, if you ever hear that the Olympics are starting a Zipping and Zooming event, you let me know! I'll make sure that Gavi and Bou go for gold!

From your friend,

Mary

Go Team Canada!

2010-02-12T19:24:00.005-05:00

Dear Readers,

Today is the first day of the Olympics! This is one of the floppy trout that I met while I was exploring Ontario. At the time, all the fish were moving on because they heard through the Fishvine News that the Great Lakes were drying up (Gavi the loon, the beavers, and I helped fix that problem!). My trout friends are in B.C. now, celebrating the Olympics with their salmon buddies. Anyone want to take a guess how they got alllllll the way to B.C.?

From your friend,

Mary!

I'm Taking Over!

2010-02-08T00:03:00.004-05:00

Dear Readers,

My name is Mary, and this is my buddy Gavi.

I'm taking over for Gwen, the friendly neighbourhood author.

She's a bit busy getting my second storybook finished,

so I thought I'd write some stuff on her blog.

Stay tuned, cuz I have a whole bunch of crazy stories about little ol'Gavi.

We had an awesome adventure zipping and zooming around the province of Ontario.

I'd love to keep chatting, but I'm heading to bed now.

Talk to you soon!

From your friend,
Mary

Mary is Meeting Ontario!

2010-01-25T13:37:00.005-05:00

Here are some of the fabulous draws by the ever talented

Sonia Nadeau!

Take a guess: where in Ontario do these illustrations feature?

Who is this rocky giant?

Mary and Gavi are at the tippy-top of what famous Ontario landmark?

Hint, Gavi is not a blue jay...

Row, row, row your boat,

gently down what canal?

This is the most southern tip of Canada.

Go here to see Ontario's only indigenous lizard

(and he happens to be conducting this birdie choir!).

Help for Haiti

2010-01-17T11:02:00.013-05:00

A devastating earthquake hit the country of Haiti last week. A lot of help is needed to restore what was lost. These are only two of the many organizations working to provide assistance. Please help if you can...

CANADIAN RED CROSS

The Red Cross (be it the Canadian, American, or other national Red Crosses) works to mobilize help to areas affected by disaster.

www.redcross.ca

PLAN CANADA

A global organization working for social justice for the world's children. Originally called "Foster Parents Plan," Plan Canada is helping the children of Haiti.

plancanada.ca

Coming Soon!

2009-12-23T12:48:00.007-05:00

What's your preference: a coloured background or a white background?

A New Book: A New Cover

2009-11-22T18:41:00.008-05:00

Talking Plants

2009-10-16T10:14:00.002-04:00

It's a cool, sunny October day and my plants are talking to me.

We had our first frost this week, so I brought all my potted herbs inside. I was about to sit down and rework the Mary Meets Ontario ms when I heard a funny little gurgling: my oregano plant is happily drinking the water I just gave it.

It made me smile, and now I must continue parring poor little Mary. 1382 words is too long. My illustrator, the ever-lovely and ever-talented Sonia Nadeau, is already at work painting Mary, Gavi and the gang of pesky beavers.

Stay tuned!

Warm Words for Cool Autumns: John Muir

2009-10-01T08:46:00.007-04:00

Mr. John Muir was a lover of nature, an activist, and responsible for preserving large swatches of National Parks in the United States.

Here are some of his inspiring words. Hope they warm you inside when it's beginning to feel cool outside.

"The power of imagination makes us infinite."

"Keep close to Nature's heart...Wash your spirit clean."

"When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in Nature."

"Who publishes the sheet music of the winds or the music of water written in river-lines?"
"I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in."

Hey Writers! Online Communities to Join

2009-09-09T11:44:00.006-04:00

If you need encouragement to get writing...check out these links!

1) NaNoWriMo
(National Novel Writing Month)

The challenge? Write 50,000 words (~175 pgs) between Nov 1 - 30th.

If you sign up, let me know and we can cheer each other on!

nanowrimo.org

2) Authonomy

Mission: "To flush out the brightest new writing talent." This site is run by HarperCollins and it allows you to post your ms online for feedback. Agents, editors, etc. are known to scour the site.

authonomy.org

A big thanks to Writer's Digest for tipping me off to these sites.

Happy Back to School!

2009-09-08T23:32:00.002-04:00

Going back to school is exciting. There are so many books to discover in your library, you have the whole year to do the best that you possibly can, and you may make a friend that will last a life time.

If you're not entering a new school year, please go out of your way to encourage someone who is. It might make their day.

Get Rid of the Rainy Day Blues!

2009-08-28T15:52:00.004-04:00

It's been a soggy summer in my home town of Winnipeg, Manitoba. And now, Ottawa, my new town, is moving into another rainy weekend.

Here are some things to help keep your mind off the rain...

1) Hug a book.
If you like picture books, see my previous post.

2) Write a letter.
When's the last time you sent a real letter instead of an email or an IM? Keep your friendly neighbourhood mail carrier in business.

3) Be a tourist in your own city.
There's got to be a museum, gallery, or indoor farmers' market that you've never been to but always wanted to get around to it. Now's your chance to get a 'round tuit.'

4) Write.
Turn on that computer, pull out a notebook and let those words tumble out.

5) Get wet.
If none of the above suggestions tickle your fancy, then put on some galoshes and go puddle hopping. Extra points for all the funny looks you'll garner from your neighbours.

Picture Books You Need on Your Shelf...

2009-08-20T16:22:00.012-04:00

I love picture books. I often buy picture books over big people books. If you need to strengthen your collection, I would highly recommend the following:

1) The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers.
What happens when a little boy loves to chomp down on books? Take note of the actual back cover of the book...there's a little nibble taken out of it!

2) 13 Monsters Who Should Be Avoided by Kevin Shortsleeve.
The detailed illustrations and rhythmic language will have you checking under your bed for ghoulish figures.

3) Tuesday by David Wiesner.
The language is sparse...in fact, there are only a few words. The pictures in this book are very much worth a thousand words.

4) Thing Thing by Cary Fagan.
What happens when a spoiled little boy throws Thing Thing out the window?

5) A Bear in War by Stephanie Innes and Harry Endrulat.
This is based on the true story of a teddy bear that was found on the body of a WW1 soldier. You can see the bear on display in the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

Hope this helps direct your search! Remember to support your local bookseller.

(And don't forget to check out Mary's Atlas!)

Next Signing: Aug 15th!

2009-07-24T11:54:00.004-04:00

C'mon down to Chapters Rideau in the Byward Market in Ottawa on Saturday, August 15th!

I'll be signing copies of Mary's Atlas and there will be other fabulous authors as well!

Gwen Feeding Bou!

2009-07-23T17:03:00.005-04:00

We visited Parc Omega in Quebec where you get to drive through and feed animals! Here is a real-life Bou!

S'More Did You Knows...

2009-07-07T13:31:00.007-04:00

Here are some Canuck animal facts for ya'll!

1) DID YOU KNOW that there are NO skunks in Newfoundland?

2) DID YOU KNOW that Winnie the Pooh is named after Winnipeg. The little bear was brought to a London zoo during WW1 and that's where A. A. Milne saw him?

3) DID YOU KNOW that a newborn wolverine is called a "kitten"?

4) DID YOU KNOW that polar bears are the largest bears and they can be found near Churchill, MB?

5) DID YOU KNOW that the moose is in the deer family? It's the largest member

Did you knows...

2009-07-05T23:44:00.002-04:00

1) DID YOU KNOW that Canada's land mass makes up about 7% of Earth's land mass?

2) DID YOU KNOW that the beaver became the official emblem of Canada in 1975?

3) DID YOU KNOW that some of the original names for "Canada" were "Efisga", "Cabotia", and "Laurentia"?

4) DID YOU KNOW that even though the maple leaf is a well-loved symbol of Canada, we only host 10 out of more than 100 species of maple trees?

...more fun facts to follow...

The Writing Group

2009-05-24T19:21:00.002-04:00

I finally joined a writing group here in Ottawa. I thought I could stay motivated enough to write on my own without the accountability of a group. I was mistaken. I'm glad I was mistaken: my new group is inspiring, funny, and very very honest.

I volunteered to submit my new Mary ms for the group's scrutiny. I think I've put off joining a writing group because I've been putting off writing this next picture book. A picture book's max word count is 1500 words. That's not a lot of text, and yet I've struggled to get the book done. Now I have no more excuses, and again, I'm glad.

I have to wait until the second Wed in June to see how my group will like Mary Meets Ontario. I'll keep you posted.

Show Me the Magic!

2009-05-11T22:29:00.003-04:00

We're surrounded by magic. Peer into the crevices of a tree trunk, consider critters that ride on raindrops, eavesdrop on dandelion conversation.

Have you taken a moment to look for the magical elements in your life? They may be deep in the toes of your socks or stuffed away in a box under your bed.

Find the magic.

Smile.

Then share it.

Will President Obama Zip & Zoom?

2009-02-17T18:56:00.005-05:00

President Obama is coming to Ottawa on Thurs, Feb. 19th. That's pretty exciting news for us Ottawa folk.

As, arguably, the most powerful man in the world, I wonder if Mr. Obama would fancy a free ride with Bou, Mary's furry flying friend from Manitoba.

Think of it, Mr. Obama could get rid of Air Force One (it consumes too many fossil fuels) and let Bou the Bison zip and zoom him around the country - or the world. Bou's a super duper flyer.

I should consider making a sign and standing on Parliament Hill on Thurs after work. I'll let you all know how it goes.

Save Gas: Fly with Bou!

Manitoban MLAs Choose Mary!

2009-01-26T10:19:00.002-05:00

February is "I Love to Read" month in Manitoba.

Some members of Manitoba's Legislative Assembly are choosing to read Mary's Atlas to classes they'll visit in February.

Let me know if Mary was read to you!

We Stand on Guard and Freeze

2008-12-19T14:40:00.007-05:00

Oh, Canada.

Our country is big, it's diverse, and it likes to keep us bundled up.

I am a prairie girl transplanted in Ottawa. Winnipeg winters crack your teeth from all the chattering. I have grown to understand that temperatures that dip below minus forty degrees Celsius with wind chill are normal: nasty, but normal.

It makes me giggle when my new Ottawa friends complain about how cold it is (minus eight), and how the wind is so terrible (it brings the temp down to minus 9.5). Then I watch my friendly CBC meteorologist chat about Vancouver's balmy 14 degrees.

Weather in this country baffles me. I know all about continental vs maritime climate. I understand the concept of chinooks and jet streams and moderating warm ocean currents (I taught Geography for years). Yet winter to a west coaster is very different than winter for prairie folk and it's definitely different for our neighbours in the territories.

Whether your Christmas holiday will be covered in a flurry of white or whether it'll be spent watching the rain, I know that all Canadians share the common right to complain about the cold, whatever that means to you. We are the true North strong and free to whine about the weather.

Place and Identity

2008-12-05T09:14:00.003-05:00

When I taught geography in Winnipeg, we focused a lot on the subject of “place and identity.” Take a moment to consider how who you are is shaped by where you live.

There are oodles of Facebook sites dedicated to topics such as “I grew up in such-and-such a neighbourhood.” I know I’m members of a few! Local haunts, that communal grouchy person on the block, the quickest bus route to the best pizza place – these are the things that unite friends and shape memory.

By writing the Mary’s Atlas series, I am hoping to help children (and subsequently those that read to them) develop a sense of place and identity in connection to their province and Canada as a whole. For my readers outside of Canada, I hope a sense of Canadian identity slips into who you are (cuz we’re really nice folk!).

Since I’ve moved to Ottawa, researching material for the next story, Mary Meets Ontario, has strengthened my connection with my new province. Allow me to encourage you to cherish your place, wherever that may be, and take from it something to positively influence who you are.

Mary Zips Through Ottawa

2008-11-28T12:20:00.007-05:00

Author Gwen Smid being interviewed at an Ottawa booksale in November.

Mary's Atlas: Mary Meets Manitoba is finding a home in the Ottawa market. Little Mary has zipped and zoomed throughout Manitoba, and now she's nestling in on Ottawa shelves.

Look for Mary's Atlas at...

Chapters Rideau Centre (in the Byward Market)

Collected Works (1242 Wellington St W)

Chapters Pinecrest (by Ikea)

The Miller's Tale (in Almonte)

Read's Book Shop (in Carleton Place)

Mary is on Facebook

2008-11-17T10:57:00.001-05:00

Please join us at "Mary's Atlas" on Facebook!

Grade Twos at Knoxdale Public School are Pretty Cool!

2008-11-17T10:54:00.003-05:00

"Mary Meets Manitoba" had the chance to zip and zoom to Knoxdale Public School.

I read the story to two grade two classes, and may I say, Knoxdale has some cool students!

A-Channel News was also there to film the reading and you can watch us this Wednesday at 7:40 am.

A very special thank-you to my friend, K, for allowing me to visit her class.

Introducing Gavi...

2008-10-22T15:53:00.011-04:00

When Mary visited Manitoba (in the picture book Mary's Atlas: Mary Meets Manitoba), she met Bou the bison, Manitoba's provincial animal.
Now that she's off exploring Ontario (the book's coming out soon!), she's met up with Gavi the loon, Ontario's provincial bird.

Here are some cool facts about Gavi and loons...

1) Did you know that loons have red eyes?

2) Did you know that a loon's feathers turn grey in winter?

3) Did you know that a loon makes different sounds? The most common is its wail. Loons also make a crazy laughing sound called a "tremolo." They make this sound when they alarmed, annoyed, or when they just want to say 'hello!' to another loon. Loons also yodel! Only boy loons do this, so you can bet that Gavi will be yodelling in Mary Meets Ontario. Finally, loons make a hooting sound. This sound is used to check up on where their family members are.

4) Did you know that baby loons ride on the backs of their parents?

5) Did you know that loons make their nest beside the water's edge? You have to be very careful when you're boating by the shore so that you don't cause their nests to tip over. Then the baby loons would be in trouble!

Now here's a question for you...where do you think Gavi's name comes from? If you have an answer, please leave a post on my blog or you can email me at gwensmid@gmail.com !

The Crazy Black Squirrel Who Thinks He's Scaredy Squirrel!

2008-09-18T13:01:00.009-04:00

This is the story of the nutty black squirrel that wants to be Scaredy Squirrel when he grows up.

My husband and I have moved to Ottawa for the year. Back home in Manitoba, we don't have the funny little black squirrels like they do here, and I have been lucky enough to witness squirrel x-treme sports.

Two furry little dudes were chasing each other around the yard. They both ran up a tree and then suddenly - THWUD! - one dove straight off the branch and onto the ground. Seconds later, there was another THWUD! and the second one dove into the grass.

I guess these little critters think they're Scaredy Squirrel, the famous flying squirrel.

Another instance of the fact that they covet the flying capabilities of Scaredy Squirrel happened when we rigged a bird feeder onto a large tree in our backyard. The determined little black squirrel had been eyeing it for quite some time. He would pace under the feeder, his nose high in the air, sniffing its bouquet of seeds. He would stand on his tiny hind legs, trying to get as tall as he could.

Finally, he decided that he would have to resort to his Scaredy Squirrel flying tactics. He took a flying leap off of the tree trunk and THWUD! bounced off the bird feeder and fell to the ground.

He wasn't hurt, though. Oh no!

Instead, as my husband Borden, my sister, and I watched, this little guy managed to take better aim, and ended up swinging from the feeder by one paw, happily eating the seeds with the other. As soon as I opened the window for a picture, THWUD!, he dove to the ground and scampered off.

He may be a Scaredy Squirrel wannabe, but he's definitely not ready to be a celeb.

You can see more about Scaredy Squirrel at http://www.scaredysquirrel.com/

"Canadian Review of Materials" Liked Mary!

2008-09-14T23:21:00.003-04:00

Mary’s Atlas: Mary Meets Manitoba.
Gwen Smid.
Illustrated by Sonia Nadeau.
Winnipeg, MB: Peanut Butter Press (55 Willowbend Cres. R2N 1V2), 2008.
32 pp., pbk. & hc., $10.00 (pbk.), $20.00 (hc.). ISBN 978-0-9735579-3-0 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-9735579-4-7 (hc.).
Subject Headings:Manitoba-Juvenile fiction.Manitoba-Juvenile literature.
Grades 2-5 / Ages 7-10.
Review by Carrie Subtelny.
Mary’s Atlas opens to a great title page depicting a map of Manitoba — highlighting park areas and places of interest, but I would suggest including text that states that Winnipeg is Manitoba’s capital city just in case some readers have forgotten this fact! (Author's note: I do that in the story.)
I love the way this story starts with typical sibling teasing! Mary is a prankster and enjoys having fun with her twin brother. But when Mary goes too far, she runs to her atlas to escape as it’s a magical atlas that can take her wherever she wants to go. In a Wizard of Oz fashion, Mary taps her atlas three times to enter any map. This time she is whisked away to Manitoba, but she must first shrink to the size of the page and then vanish “in a flurry of sparks and mist.”
Here she meets Bou, the bison, who becomes her tour guide and transportation (he can fly!). At this point, the author inserts “factoids” that highlight significant trivia about Manitoba, including the influence of the Cree language. Each page of the text (that Mary is on in her atlas adventure) carries at least one Manitoba highlight.
It is important to note that Mary’s travels are not only a way to escape her brother’s retribution. Once in the atlas and after meeting Bou, she meets the Golden Boy — "Goldie" — (a Manitoba icon who stands atop the Legislative Building) who needs her help. The North Wind stole Goldie’s torchlight and now Mary and Bou have a problem to solve. (Author's note: I don't call him Goldie in the story.)
The tale continues with Mary and Bou following the North Wind until the problem is eventually resolved. During their adventure, they meet many Manitoba animals and visit great places while learning more and more about the province. Eventually, the North Wind is found, and the torchlight is returned to Goldie. At this time, Mary realizes its time to go home and apologize to her brother, but, as she considers this act of humility, she gets a twinkle in her eye which suggests she’s planning another prank!
As noted earlier, this is a great book for a classroom library or home reference section. I hope Smid continues on this theme with future tales that allow the characters to explore all corners of the world. It would be especially exciting to take advantage of world events and tie this kind of adventure story with international travel and exploration.
Finally, the illustrations are really well done. The Northern Lights seem to really dance, the Winnipeg scenes are easy to recognize, and Mary’s facial expressions are delightful. I also like the suggestions listed on the back page of other interesting places to visit in Manitoba that were not highlighted in the story.
A great tale of magic, adventure, exploration and learning!
Recommended.
Carrie Subtelny is a reading clinician with the Child Guidance Clinic in Winnipeg, MB. Division

Mary's Heading to Ontario Next!

2008-09-12T16:07:00.003-04:00

The original plan was for Mary to zip and zoom through Alberta since she's now covered Manitoba.

But I've moved to Ottawa for a few years, and I'm thinking that Mary is going to love exploring Ontario. She's already found her next travel buddy: a crazy little loon.

Loons are funny critters and often quite clumsy when they're taking off or landing on water. But almost anyone would recognize their call. And of course, the loon is on our one dollar coin.

For a video on loons, check out these Hinterland Who's Who video clips... http://www.hww.ca/media.asp?id=53&cid=7
(You'll need to select a "bandwidth" to watch the clip...try selecting "medium" to begin with.)

Mary Reviewed

2008-09-08T12:01:00.005-04:00

Mary's Atlas: Mary Meets Manitoba
By Gwen Smid
Illustrations by Sonia Nadeau
Peanut Butter Press, 2008

Review by Kevin Shortsleeve (Author of 13 Monsters Who Should Be Avoided)

In 2006, while teaching Writing for Children at The University of Winnipeg, I was presented with a picture book project called Mary's Atlas, by my then student, Gwen Smid. It was a promising project and I am thus very glad to learn of its publication this spring with Peanut Butter Press.

It is a rare thing that a children's book intended for local consumption, and for teaching, should be as inventive and engaging as Mary's Atlas: Mary Meets Manitoba. Smid has clearly put the child reader first and, like the finest children's book authors, has placed fantasy and play foremost among her concerns, and thus has avoided the didacticism that so often plagues such texts. Yes, Mary's Atlas does have a lot to offer in terms of the facts figures and history of Manitoba, but the graceful, earnest playfulness of both the text and illustrations win out in the end. The text is unpredictable, in the best way, and is full of memorable characters and winning humour. There is a flying bison that drools, a character called North Wind who is dressed in full length pyjamas with feet, and my favourite, a sturgeon who sports a nose plug. And then there is Mary, a believable, mischievous young lady chock full of imagination and curiosity.

The plot is a chase, as Mary, on her flying bison, tries to catch up with the Golden Boy's torch, which the North Wind has blown away. The torch lands in Lake Winnipeg and eventually floats down the Nelson River. The plot is not intended to be overly ambitious, but it does serve well-enough to explain the frantic flying tour over the province that follows, from the southern prairies to Hudson Bay. While enroute Mary touches down or flies over many of the provinces most familiar landmarks and natural phenomena, from The Forks to the hydroelectric dams on the Nelson River and on to York Factory, with a final trip up to the Northern Lights. Along the way interesting facts are offered on Manitoba's natural history. These facts are presented in smaller type and are not part of the main story. This commentary includes observations such as "The boreal forest covers about one-third of Canada. It is known as the lungs of North America because it turns carbon dioxide into oxygen" or "A sturgeon is a prehistoric fish that can live to be 100 years old." One might imagine such a running commentary to be annoying or that it must interrupt the fantasy, and it is something of a surprise when this commentary begins on page nine. In the end, however, Smid's touch is light enough that the two texts do not seem to interfere with one another. This lack of interference may possibly be explained by the fact that the characters themselves do not usually seem overly curious about or subservient to these facts. Rather than pay homage to the erudite voice the main characters keep getting into scraps and silly situations. The effect of this dual commentary is that it is something like a lecture that is being ignored by a group of entertaining hooligans. In the end, however, the playfulness and the learning settle into a comfortable whole and one closes Mary's Atlas feeling both entertained and enlightened. One can imagine a bright future for the Smid/Nadeau team, with nine more provinces and three territories yet to visit.

Kevin Shortsleeve
Center for Young People's Texts and Cultures
Department of English
University of Winnipeg

Copyright 2008, Kevin Shortsleeve

To whom it may concern,

I am currently a teacher-librarian working in a K-6 dual track school. This spring, I have been working with two grade 2 classrooms on an inquiry-based learning unit focussing on Canadian and Manitoban symbols. This study is part of the Grade 2 Social Studies curriculum.

I was so impressed with the curricular application of this book that I purchased a copy for all the Early Years schools in our school division (River East Transcona), through my other role as the Consultant for Library Programming. The book was well received by the library staff in all the 27 EY schools.

As an activating strategy, we researched and studied the Golden Boy; what it represents and where it is located in Manitoba. I had just recently purchased the book Mary’s Atlas, written by Winnipeg author Gwen Smid. It was an excellent tool to help activate the students’ prior knowledge on the Golden Boy and other Manitoban icons/symbols such as the bison. The children thoroughly enjoyed the story.

It is often a challenge to find picture books pertinent to curricular areas, especially on Canadian topics and more specifically on Manitoban topics. It would be great to have other picture books written in this same format, highlighting other Manitoban icons such as the Red River Cart.

I look forward to a second book by Gwen…

Paulette Leclerc
Teacher-librarian at École Sun Valley School
River East Transcona School Division Consultant for Library Programming

Still Charting...3 Months Later!

2008-09-06T18:10:00.003-04:00

Good ol'Mary is still hanging on to McNally's top seller list. She did get bumped down the charts because of those nasty vampire books by Stephenie Meyer (ok...I'll admit it...I like the Twighlight series a lot, but I refuse to buy the books so that her sales don't get higher. Mwa hahaha <--that was laughed in an evil, vampire-ish chortle).

We're Number 1!!

2008-06-01T23:21:00.004-04:00

McNally Robinson has listed Mary's Atlas as their

number one top seller!

http://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/kids/browse/category/297/

Thank-you for a great launch!

2008-05-23T01:21:00.003-04:00

Author Gwen Smid and Illustrator Sonia Nadeau

Hosted by the lovely staff at McNally Robinson Polo Park

Book Launch Today!

2008-05-20T12:11:00.003-04:00

TONIGHT!

McNally Robinson Polo Park

7pm!

Moving Up the Charts!

2008-05-20T12:10:00.001-04:00

Little Mary has just made #4 on McNally Robinson's top 10!

Mary's Made the Top 10!

2008-05-16T13:07:00.001-04:00

Mary's Atlas is #7 on McNally Robinson's best seller list!

http://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/kids/browse/category/297/

Fun at Chapters St Vital!

2008-05-13T23:05:00.004-04:00

My dear hubby, Borden Smid.
Sister Sara and Mommy Mary (the Mary of Mary's Atlas).
See how exciting it is to come to a book signing?!

Things I learned about author signings:

1) Be prepared for people thinking you're staff. Know where the washrooms are and when the store closes.

2) Bookstore staff are wonderful wonderful people. They work the frontlines promoting your book. Get to know them and appreciate what they do! (I left them banana bread.)

The signings have arrived!

2008-04-27T23:31:00.005-04:00

Please stop by Chapter's (St Vital, Winnipeg)

Wednesday, May 7th (6-9pm)

for my first signing of Mary's Atlas...

Thanks to all those who stopped by for Monday's signing!

What's Mary Doing Now?

2008-04-22T22:07:00.002-04:00

Where will Mary zip and zoom to next?

Alberta? Ontario? Yukon?

If you have any cool facts or tidbits about your favourite province/territory,

please let me know!

Readings and Signings...

2008-04-21T01:01:00.004-04:00

Come join me for the following events...

1) Author signing at Chapter's St Vital

Monday, May 5th (6 - 9pm)

Wednesday, May 7th (6 - 9pm)

2) Book launch at McNally Polo Park

Tuesday, May 20th (7pm)

http://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/event-7570/Gwen-Smid

Mary's Atlas is on the shelves!

2008-04-21T00:37:00.004-04:00

Mary's Atlas is on the shelves of such fine stores as McNally Robinson, Chapters, and the Winnipeg Art Gallery Shoppe.

I was a complete new-author-this-is-my-first-book-dork: I blubbered and slobbered all over staff, the stores, the book itself...

To those of you who wish to purchase the book - sorry if there's drool marks over the covers. :)

2008-03-13T12:37:00.004-04:00

Zip and zoom with Mary, a particularly practical little girl with a magical atlas.

Marvelous critters, such as a flying bison named Bou, help Mary search for the Golden Boy's torch that was carried off by the tricky North Wind.

Join the adventure from Manitoba's prairie farm fields to Hudson Bay!