Canadian Launch Pod: Recent Episodes
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Releasing a new book is an exciting time, but what happens when your scheduled release is hampered by a global pandemic. Well, for many Canadian authors, they launch anyways! The Canadian Launch Pod is a podcast created to support Canadian authors releasing books for children and young adults during the COVID-19 crisis.
We'll speak to authors who may be familiar to you, and authors who may be new to your library.
Join us as we explore the expanding universe of Canadian literature for young (and not-so-young) readers!
Sylvia McNicoll's most recent book, What The Dog Knew,(Dundurn Press) tells the story of the close relationship between Naomi and her dog, Diesel. The connection is so close, in fact, that Naomi, quite literally, has the voice of Diesel in her head.
A book about family, second chances and the intuitive sensibility of a faithful companion.
Find out more at https://www.dundurn.com/books_/t22117/a9781459749894-what-the-dog-knows
Nancy Hartry is a an award-winning children's writer whose latest release, Snow Doves, tells a delightfully poignant story of Sami, a young boy who is coaxed into embracing his very first winter in Canada. Along with illustrator, Gabrielle Grimard, Nancy tells the story without using a single word.
Find out more about Snow Doves and Nancy's other work at https://nancyharty.com
Carmen Mok is a graphic artist and illustrator. Today, we gather in conversation around the release of her newest creation, "Tough Like Mum", written by Lana Button and illustrated by, yup, Carmen Mok.
A great conversation about, among other things, illustrators as co-authors.
Find out more about Carmen at https://carmenmokstudio.com
Lana Button is a children’s author, educator and entertainer who is passionate about supporting, encouraging and entertaining young children. She writes picture books that support empathy, self-reliance, resilience and anti-bullying behaviors.
Lana's latest picture book is Tough Like Mum. In this tender exploration of a mother-daughter relationship, Kim and her mother learn that in order to support and truly take care of each other, they need to be tough -- and that sometimes being tough means showing vulnerability and asking for help.
Find out more about Lana at https://lanabutton.com
Today we welcome Ontario-based author, Jean Mills, to the Launch Pod. Her latest YA novel, Larkin on the Shore, was released in January 2020, just before the pandemic lockdown. Here's a description of her novel:
Larkin Day is a messed up 16-year-old. She just escaped a nasty year in high school to spend a summer of refuge in seaside Nova Scotia. It’s here she learns that the best way to heal is to give in to something greater than yourself. But when an arsonist attempts to destroy that one thing she holds dear, Larkin is forced to figure out a way to expose the criminal while keeping her life from coming off the rails.
Find out more about Jean Mills: http://jeanmillswriter.com
The world of sports is filled with images of achievement, teamwork and a drive to be the best you can be. But, what if you’re an athlete who feel the need to hide part of yourself away from the world? What if the highly public sports culture in which you are immersed forces you to be very private about an essential part of your identity?
Today on the Canadian Launchpod, two authors who have new books out that take us into the lives of LBGTQ2 athletes who are bringing their true selves out into the open. Paul Coccia’s new YA fiction release, The Player, tells the story of Cooper a goalie for a high-performing hockey team and the romantic relationship that he develops with one of his teammates
Erin Silver’s non-fiction release, Proud To Play: Canadian LGBTQ+ Athletes Who Made History, is a book about the secrets kept by some of Canada’s most elite athletes—and what happened when they told their truth to the world.
Also joining us on the Launch Pod, volleyball player and coach, Chris Voth, one of the athletes featured in Erin’s book. Chris is Canada’s first active openly gay national team athlete.
Find out more about:
Paul Coccia: https://www.paulcoccia.com/
Erin Silver: http://www.erinsilver.ca/
Chris Voth: https://www.facebook.com/vothster
"Chris Dearing is positive his family’s long streak of bad luck is finally over. Sure, he’s thought that before, but this time is different. He’s reclaimed his grandfather’s land in the Yukon - the land his granddad swore was full of gold. Now Chris just has to wait for his father to get out of jail so they can start mining their family fortune."
Join Canadian YA author Natalie Hyde as she weaves a story of adventure and intrigue in Canada's north. Natalie joins me today on the Canadian Launchpod.
Find out more about Up the Creek and other books by Natalie at https://nataliehyde.com
The Adventures of Grandmasaurus is a role reversal story where the kids know better than the adult. On a field trip to the museum Grandma inhales some museum dust and magically sneezes herself into different dinosaurs. The kids have to keep reminding Grandmasaureus how to properly act out in the world. For example: you can’t run in a museum even if you are a Raptor!
Author Caroline Fernandez joins me on the Launch Pod to talk about her new book and what it has been like releasing it during a pandemic.
For more, visit https://parentclub.ca
Saumiya Balasubramaniam's new picture book, Two Drops of Brown in a Cloud of White, (Ill. Eva Campbell) is a heart-warming tale of a mother and child who have two different perspectives on the first winter in their new home. In today's conversation, we explore those perspectives and how the imagination of a child can help to warm (if not melt) the heart of a reluctant and resistant adult.
Two Drops of Brown in a Cloud of White is published by Groundwood Books (https://groundwoodbooks.com/)
The idea for Family for Faru came to author Anitha Rao-Robinson in 2016 when her daughter volunteered at a rhino orphanage in South Africa. Beautifully illustrated by Karen Patkau, Family for Faru shines a light on the plight of many rhinos in that country, the result of poaching.
Anitha is donating 40% of her royalties for the book to support several rhino charities.
Find out more about Anitha at https://anitharobinson.com
Learn more about Karen's work at https://karenpatkau.com
Newfoundland-based author, Charis Cotter is launching two books this fall: "Footsteps in Bay de Verde—A Mysterious Tale" and "Screeched—Ghost Stories from Old Newfoundland".
Charis joins us on the Canadian Launch Pod today to talk about the storytelling tradition and, in particular, the power (and fun) of the ghost story.
Visit Charis at https://chariscotter.ca
Joining us on the Canadian Launch Pod today is Jacqueline Carmichael, author of "Heard Amid the Guns: True Stories from the Western Front, 1914-1918" (Heritage House, November 2020).
Jacqueline is joined by step-daughter Lindsey Carmichael, author of "The Boreal Forest" (Kids Can Press) and huge supporter of Jaquie's work!
Toronto-based author Deborah Kerbel writes for all ages: children, middle grade and young adult. She has two books coming out this fall and we met up to talk about Slow Moe, a picture book being released on October 13.
Learn more about Deborah's work at https://deborahkerbel.ca
Marsha Skrypuch writes about war from a young person's view. Her latest book, Trapped in Hitler's Web, takes the reader on a journey from the Ukraine to Austria in an effort to escape the dangers of World War II and to secure the safety of her dear friend, Nathan. As a young Jewish boy, Nathan is in grave danger and this powerful story demonstrates what happens when love and deep friendship are at stake.
Find out more about Marsha's work by visiting her website: http://calla.com
Author Kate Riley and Dawn Lo have collaborated to create a beautiful story of how a snowy day can be inherently beautiful and wondrous, but how it can also be something that gathers people together in a share experience.
"It’s October, but in seven-year-old Evan’s town, every house is decorated for Christmas and a giant holiday parade is about to begin. The bump in Evan’s head means he might not make it to December, so all his friends, family, neighbours, and thousands of strangers have moved Christmas just for him."
Today, Nicole Wellwood, mother of Evan Leversage, joins author Eric Walters to talk about this powerful book of hope, community and how love can move mountains——and the celebration of Christmas.
Find out more about author, Eric Walters at https://ericwalters.net
The Desert Prince was released to the world in September 2020 and it is Alisha Sevigny's second offering in the Secrets of the Sands series. In this conversation, we talk about giving birth to a book during a global pandemic, what has drawn Alisha to writing against the backdrop of Ancient Civilizations and what young readers can take away from historical fiction.
Learn more about Alisha Sevigny by visiting her website: alishasevigny.com
Canadian author, R. J. Anderson writes fantasy and science fiction for older children and young teens. Her latest North American release is Swift, the first in the Flight and Fame Trilogy. It's a story of hope and aspiration, overcoming obstacles and...well...soaring beyond expectations. But it's also a tale of faeries, piskeys and spriggans—oh and a couple of humans as well!
In this conversation, we explore perspective-taking, the differences between fantasy and science-fiction and much more.
Learn more about R. J. Anderson at https://rj-anderson.com
Joining us today on the Launch Pod, its Caroline Adderson with her new book, "It Happened on Sweet Street", a delightful book inspired by the burning question, "Pie, Cake or Cookies?" No matter what you dessert preference is, you'll delight in the book and, hopefully, this conversation.
From Vancouver, B.C., it's author Caroline Adderson. Find out more about Caroline by visiting her website at https:?/carolineadderson.com
Author Michelle Aung Thin was born in Burma at a time of great unrest in the country. Her parents brought her to Ottawa where she grew up. She now lives in Australia and through her work at RMIT University in Melboure, explores many critical aspects of social and cultural life much of it focused on Burma, the country now known as Myanamah. Her latest YA novel "Crossing the Farak River", was released in April 2020 and places us in the centre of some of that important conversation.
Find out more about Michelle and her work at https://michelleaungthin.com
A rare treat today as we are joined by both author and illustrator. The Librarians Stories is written by Canadian author, Lucy Falcone and illustrated by UK-based graphic designer, Anna Wilson.
Their picture book, tells the story of how a war-ravaged village is nurtured back to life by stories told by the local librarian. The Librarian’s Stories is due to be released in October of this year.
Visit Lucy's website at https://lucyfalcone.com
Visit Anna's website at https://annawilsonink.com
Toronto-based author Kathy Kacer has a new book! Louder than Words, is the latest in the Heroes Quartet Series and features the love and courage of Nina Pukas, who put aside her fear to help a single Jewish family in a World War II Ukraine.
In this conversation, we talk about the what and the why of Kathy's writing, the importance of holding the stories of the Holocaust in front of young people, and the strong female characters presented in Louder Than Words.
Learn more about Kathy Kacer at https://kathykacer.com
Toronto-based journalist and YA author, Erin Silver is my guest today on the Canadian Launch Pod. Erin's first novel, Just Watch Me, is due to be released in October 2020. It's a fun and rollicking journey through early adolescent relationships, family dynamics (and difficulties), as well as important issues around social media.
Find out more about Erin's work at https://erinsilver.ca
Canadian author Brooke Carter's newest book Stone of Sorrow takes us into the magical world of Norse Mythology, magic and runecasting. This is Brooke’s seventh book. We’re going to find out about her connections with the land of Vikings and Valkeries and much more.
Visit Brooke Carter's website at https://brookecarter.com
Joining me today on the Canadian Launch Pod, Nova Scotia silk painting artist, Holly Carr. Her latest work, Light in the Forest, originally created for the Acadia University Art Gallery, is an example of Holly’s multimedia performance art and guess what, it even includes a children’s book.
Learn more about Holly Carr by visiting https://hollycarr.weebly.com
Tanaz Bhathena is a highly acclaimed YA author whose third book, Hunted by the Sky, was released last month ((The Wrath of Ambar #1)) With a setting inspired by medieval India, the novel is a magic-infused and rather compelling exploration into issues of identity, trust, social class It's a great story as well.
Learn more about Tanaz at https://tanazbhathena.com/
Today on the Launch Pod, we head out to Qualicum Beach, British Columbia to catch up with acclaimed journalist and author, Laura Langston. She’s the author of 22 books for children and young people, and her latest offering, No Right Thing was released during the pandemic. It begins with a decision to move someone out of harm’s way but takes the reader on an exploration of themes of trust, ethical decision-making and having the courage to be your authentic self.
Find out more about Laura Langston: https://lauralangston.com
Colleen Nelson is a Winnipeg-based author and educator whose 9th book, Harvey Holds His Own is due to be released in August 2020. The book is the much-anticipated sequel for those that loved Colleen's first book in the series, Harvey Comes Home. For readers, like me, who are encountering Harvey, Austin and Maggie for the first time, prepared to fall in love!
Find out more about Colleen Nelson at https://colleennelsonauthor.com
Wesley King is the author of 11 novels for young people, many of which are sci-fi and fantasy fiction that endows his characters with superpowers. His latest book, Sara and the Search for Normal is a prequel to his successful and much loved, OCDaniel, a novel which explores issues of mental health among adolescents.
Follow Wesley King on Twitter: @wesleytking
Waiting for us on the Launch Pod today, author June Hur. June was born in South Korea, moved to Canada as a young girl but she uses her debut novel, The Silence of Bones, to return to the home of her birth to explore its history, its mystery, its traditions and values.
Get ready to be drawn into another time and another place in June's first novel.
Find out more about June and her work by visiting https://junehur.wordpress.com