I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, as long as I’m living my Mommy you’ll be. -- Love You Forever, by Canadian children’s author, Robert Munsch Written in 1986, Munsch’s iconic Love You Forever, a children’s story about a mother’s unconditional love for her son and the circle of life, has sold 15... Continue Reading →
How Can We Invest In Our Planet?
“The climate crisis has already been solved. We already have all the facts and solutions. All we have to do is to wake up and change.” ~ Greta Thunberg, environmental youth activist, 2018 (A version of this article first appeared in the Kingston Neighbours magazine, April, 2022.) It’s impossible to talk about Earth Day, which... Continue Reading →
Sports Stories For The Win!
(A version of this article first appeared in Kingston Neighbours magazine, March, 2022.) The Olympics have just finished, youth sports have resumed, and March Madness is well underway, so sports may be a popular topic at home and school these days! Besides the health benefits of playing sports, they also teach kids valuable life lessons... Continue Reading →
Lisa’s Book Corner Recommends … Read Challenged Books!
"You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them." ~ Ray Bradbury Freedom To Read Week 2022 just ended, but hopefully the discussion about the problems of censorship and the importance of intellectual freedom in democratic societies will continue year-round. Organized by The Book And Periodical Council,... Continue Reading →
Canadian Black History, Told by Black Voices
(A version of this article first appeared in Kingston Neighbours magazine, February, 2022.) For the shortest month of the year, February has so many events and holidays: Lunar New Year, Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day, National Flag of Canada Day, Family Day and Freedom to Read Week! I encourage everyone to take a visit (or several!)... Continue Reading →
In Flanders Fields
First published in 1995, In Flanders Fields: The Story of the Poem by John McCrae, written by well-known author, Linda Granfield, is perhaps one of the most enduring books shared with Canadian children on November 11. In addition to this book, Granfield has also written more than 30 other non-fiction books on war and remembrance... Continue Reading →
Novels for Remembrance
(Photo Credit: The National War Memorial at night in Ottawa, Ontario, was captured by my talented friend and photographer, Celeste Odono!) (A version of this article first appeared in Kingston Neighbours magazine, November, 2021.) Remembrance Day is a somber event across Canada, especially in military communities. While November 11th provides a necessary and meaningful opportunity... Continue Reading →
Spooktacular Books For All Ages
"When the mist rises, and the smiling man comes walking, you must avoid large places at night.""Don't panic. That's the first rule of survival. Never panic." -- Katherine Arden, Small Spaces (An abridged version of this article first appeared in Kingston Neighbours magazine, October, 2021.) Is there any other holiday as popular cross-culturally in North... Continue Reading →
#IndigenousReads: Spotlight on Canadian Author David A. Robertson
“My dad always used to say that our story isn’t a story of trauma. We have trauma in our history, in our lives, in our family. But really our story is a story of resiliency and a story of cultural reconnection and a story of love. I feel like that will help people understand what... Continue Reading →
Be My Valentine: Love, Friendship and Boundaries in Children’s Books
"This is MY hair. It's great that you love it. I love it too. But please, just look and don't touch without my permission." ~~ Aria, in Sharee Miller's Don't Touch My Hair! (A version of this article first appeared in Kingston Neighbours magazine, February, 2021.) Ah, Valentine’s Day: roses and romance, cards and candlelight,... Continue Reading →
Lisa's Book Corner 