A Likkle Miss Lou: Book launch (Toronto, ON)

Join children's author 

Nadia L. Hohn

for the launch of her newest picture book

A Likkle Miss Lou

How Jamaican Poet 

Louise Bennett Coverley Found Her Voice

Written by Nadia L. Hohn

Illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes

Owlkids Books

978-1-77147-350-7

32 pp.

Ages 4-7

September 2019

on

Saturday, September 14, 2019

3-5 p.m.

at

A Different Booklist

779 Bathurst St.

Toronto, ON

There will be a reading, book signing and refreshments.

•••••••••••

From publisher Owlkids Books website at https://shop.owlkids.com/collections/new/products/a-likkle-miss-lou

Jamaican poet and entertainer Louise Bennett Coverley, better known as “Miss Lou,” played an instrumental role in popularizing Jamaican patois internationally. Through her art, Miss Lou helped pave the way for other poets and singers, like Bob Marley, to use patois in their work.

This picture book biography tells the story of Miss Lou’s early years, when she was a young girl who loved poetry but felt caught between writing “lines of words like tight cornrows” or words that beat “in time with her heart.” Despite criticism from one teacher, Louise finds a way to weave the influence of the music, voices, and rhythms of her surroundings into her poems.

A vibrant, colorful, and immersive look at an important figure in Jamaica’s cultural history, this is also a universal story of a child finding and trusting her own voice. End matter includes a glossary of Jamaican patois terms, a note about the author’s “own voice” perspective, and a brief biography of Miss Lou and her connection to Canada, where she spent 20 years of her life.  

Celebrating author Jan Andrews and To See the Stars

Celebrate the life of author and storyteller

Jan Andrews

and her final young adult novel

To See the Stars

Written by Jan Andrews
with drawings by Tara Bryan

Running the Goat Books & Broadsides

978-1-927917176
156 pp.
Ages 13+
February 2019

on

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

5 - 7 p.m.

at

A Different Booklist

 Cultural Centre  

779 Bathurst Street

Toronto, ON

There will be tributes, readings, and refreshments

Presented by Toronto Storytelling Festival,

A Different Booklist and CANSCAIP

This event is a celebration of Jan Andrews but, as readers will certainly want to pick up a copy of her final book, here is the blurb about To See the Stars:

In her deeply affecting final novel, acclaimed children's writer and storyteller Jan Andrews gives us Edie Murphy, an indomitable and engaging heroine on the cusp of womanhood. The novel moves from Edie's remote Newfoundland outport to St. John's, and finally to New York City's Lower East Side. Against the backdrop of the history-making "Uprising" of 1909, when 20,000 garment workers went on strike for better working conditions, and the devastating Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire (1911), Edie begins to find her own voice, hone her already-strong will, and learn about the true nature of home. A celebration of the strength of women and the power of community. 

Retrieved from http://runningthegoat.com/to-see-the-stars/ on February 26, 2019.

Harriet Tubman: Freedom Fighter Book launch (Toronto, ON)

Author

 of

Malaika’s Costume (Groundwood, 2016) 

and Malaika’s Winter Carnival (Groundwood, 2017)

 Nadia L. Hohn

is set to launch her new title 

just in time for Black History Month

Harriet Tubman

Freedom Fighter

Written by Nadia L. Hohn

Illustrated by Gustavo Mazali

HarperCollins

978-0-06243-284-1

32 pp.

Ages 4-8

Released December 31, 2018

on

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

 7 p.m.

at

A Different Booklist

779 Bathurst St.

Toronto, ON

Here are the details about the book from HarperCollins website:

Harriet Tubman was a brave woman who was born enslaved in Maryland in the 1800s. After risking everything to escape from her slave master and be free, Harriet went on to lead many people to freedom on a journey known today as the Underground Railroad.

This book covers some of the amazing aspects of Tubman's life: She led 13 escapes—all successful and at great personal risk—between 1850 and 1860. This book also covers some of the lesser-known amazing aspects of her life: During the Civil War, Harriet Tubman enlisted African American men to be soldiers. She served as a spy. AND she led a battle under the command of a Union Army colonel!

Beginning readers will learn about the milestones in Harriet Tubman’s life in this Level Two I Can Read biography. This biography includes a timeline and historical illustrations all about the life of this inspiring figure, as well as a rare historical photograph of her. Much mythology and conflicting lore exists about Harriet Tubman. This book was carefully vetted by noted Harriet Tubman expert Dr. Kate Larson.

Harriet Tubman: Freedom Fighter is a Level Two I Can Read, geared for kids who read on their own but still need a little help.

Africville: Book launch (Toronto, ON)

I am sorry I missed posting about the book launch earlier this month (September 13) at the Africville Museum in Halifax but here's hoping that this launch will be successful in making more people aware of this heritage site and take the trouble to learn more about its history.

 •••••••••••••••••••

Join author 

Shauntay Grant

for a celebration of her new picture book

Africville

Written by Shauntay Grant

Illustrated by Eva Campbell

Groundwood Books

978-1-77306-043-9

32 pp.

Ages 4-7

September 2018

on

Saturday, September 29, 2018

from

2 - 4:30 p.m.

at

A Different Booklist

777-779 Bathurst Street

Toronto, ON

Learn more about the book with my review posted here today.

Sam & Eva: Book launch (Toronto, ON)

Author/illustrator

  Debbie Ridpath Ohi

is launching her second picture book!

Sam & Eva

Written and illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

978-1-48141-628-3

40 pp.

Ages 4-8

October, 2017

launches

on 

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

from 6-8 p.m.

at

A Different Booklist

777-779 Bathurst Street

Toronto, ON

There will be 

• refreshments

• a reading 

• a fun art demo

• doodle keepsake giveaways,

• book sales 

and 

• book signing. 

Get a sneak peek at Sam & Eva from this video uploaded by Debbie Ridpath Ohi just days ago.

Uploaded by Debbie Ohi to YouTube on September 30, 3017.

From Simon & Schuster

Harold and the Purple Crayon meets Tom and Jerry in this sweet and funny picture book about a boy and girl who must balance their creativity and figure out how to cooperate after their drawings come to life. 

When Sam starts drawing a super cool velociraptor, Eva decides to join in. But Sam isn’t too happy about the collaboration. Soon Eva and Sam are locked in an epic creative clash, bringing to life everything from superhero marmots to exploding confetti. But when their masterpieces turn to mayhem will Sam stay stubbornly solo or will he realize that sometimes the best work comes from teamwork?

Malaika's Costume: Book launch (Toronto)

Join author

Nadia L. Hohn

and illustrator

Irene Luxbacher

with publisher

Groundwood Books (House of Anansi Press)

for the official launch of their picture book

Malaika's Costume

Written by Nadia L. Hohn

Illustrated by Irene Luxbacher

Groundwood Books

9781554987542

32 pp.

Ages 4-8

March 2016

on

Saturday, March 5, 2016 

2 p.m.- 4 p.m. 

at

A Different Booklist 

746 Bathurst Street

Toronto, ON

The book is described as follows:

It’s Carnival time. The first Carnival since Malaika’s mother moved to Canada to find a good job and provide for Malaika and her grandmother. Her mother promised she would send money for a costume, but when the money doesn’t arrive, will Malaika still be able to dance in the parade? 

Disappointed and upset at her grandmother’s hand-me-down costume, Malaika leaves the house, running into Ms. Chin, the tailor, who offers Malaika a bag of scrap fabric. With her grandmother’s help, Malaika creates a patchwork rainbow peacock costume, and dances proudly in the parade.

(Retrieved from House of Anansi website at http://houseofanansi.com/products/malaikas-costume)

In addition to supporting diversity in youngCanLit,

this book launch will be a great opportunity to:

• get a taste of the Caribbean Carnival season

• hear a reading of the book by author Nadia L. Hohn

• meet the illustrator Irene Luxbacher, and

• purchase a copy of the book, and get it signed.