Author Archives: Deborah Hodge

Settling into September

It’s been a couple of weeks that school in my area has been back in session and judging by the lovely schools the young children in my family attend, the year is off to a great start!

It is heartening to see the efforts of the teachers who work so hard to make the children comfortable in their new settings. And it often makes me wish that I was back in the classroom saying hello to all the young students as they come through the door.

A big thank you from me to all the teachers and librarians who do so much for the students in their care. I hope you have a wonderful year!

And just for fun: here’s a photo of the school I used to teach at many years ago in beautiful Armstrong, BC.

Saying Goodbye to Summer

The summer is winding down and in a few days, school will start again. Here on the west coast, it has been a warm and beautiful couple of months.

Living near the ocean lets me see incredible views like this all summer long. (It’s the Vancouver harbour as seen from Granville Island.) I feel very lucky.

Soon the Vancouver rain will return and the giant trees and thirsty lawns will be happy to see it. In a way, so will I. Fall is one of my favourite seasons, with many new books to read, writing festivals to peruse, and the chance to visit children in schools.

Two of the children in my family are starting full-day kindergarten this year. I wish them a happy and successful time as they make this big transition. And to all the students and teachers heading back to the classroom, I wish you the best, too!

Summer Inspiration


I’m just back from a little holiday on the west coast of Vancouver Island and feeling both relaxed and inspired by the beauty of that area.

I spent a lot of time walking the beaches, listening to the sounds of the ocean, and immersing myself in the magnificent scenery. One morning, I watched a graceful bald eagle soar overhead.

This is the place where West Coast Wild was set and an area I hope to return to often. Thoughts of a new west coast book are beginning to percolate.

Here is a photo I took of the beach at sunset. I felt lucky to be there.

Wishing you the best of summer, too!

If I Weren’t a Writer

I’ve often said if I weren’t a writer, I’d like to be a cook. Spending time in the kitchen is one of my favourite things to do. I find it both relaxing and creative — especially when I am baking pies (my specialty) for family and friends.

For years, I’ve wanted to combine my two of my favourite pastimes: writing and cooking, and now I’m happy to say, I am hard at work on a cookbook for kids. It turns out that writing a cookbook isn’t as easy as I might have thought. Each recipe requires much testing and retesting, both on my own and with the kids in my family, who provide me with a lot of great feedback and inspiration.

And helping me along are the books on food that I am currently reading: The Cassoulet that Saved Our Marriage, which is a wonderful collection of essays about people and their relationship with food and family; and Feast: Recipes and Stories from a Canadian Roadtrip, an account of two women who spent five months camping across Canada, eating and talking to locals about their favourite foods.

My own book, Cooking with Bear, which combines a story and 20 recipes won’t be out for some time, but it continues to be a fun and interesting project. More on this later.

In the meantime, I can recommend both of the books noted here. I’m certain they will provide you with hours of happy reading and eating!

Simple Machines

Photographs by Ray Boudreau; published by Kids Can Press

Thirteen experiments about the six simple machines — the lever, wheel and axle, pulley, inclined plane, wedge and screw — teach kids about basic science. Full-color photographs and step-by-step instructions clearly explain each activity, so that children can explore the machines with minimal help from adults.

Kids can use a wheel and axle to whip up a batch of bubbles, make a funny fruit face out of wedges, or lift a candy just by blowing on it.

Simple Machines encourages children to have fun as they learn basic science, and it fills a need for primary-level science resources.

• Parents’ Guide to Children’s Media Award for Outstanding Activity Book
• Parents’ Choice Approval

“… offers simple science activities in an appealing format.” Booklist

“Until now, there haven’t been many good books of experiments for young children that deal with basic scientific principles and include projects that are not only fun, but easy to understand and replicate. [This book] will provide just the needed direction for hours of enjoyable learning.” ForeWord

“Deborah Hodge has written a practical, useful, and exciting resource for parents and primary-school teachers … The photographs are eye catching and colorful and emphasize ethnic and gender diversity in learning and doing science.” Science Books and Film

Ants

Illustrated by Julian Mulock; photographs from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science; published by Kids Can Press

With stunning photographs and simple activities, this book and (its companion Bees) will introduce budding entomologists to some remarkable insects.

Children can find out about the ant life cycle, ant bodies, and how a colony of ants lives and works together. Simple step-by-step instructions show kids how to build an ant nest out of modeling clay, or try a sense of smell experiment to learn how ants find food. (Check your library for a copy.)

• Our Choice List, starred selection, Canadian Children’s Book Centre

“A great starter series that will capture a beginning reader’s interest with its appealing presentation. Highly recommended.” Canadian Materials Magazine

“Well-designed, well thought-out, these will satisfy young listeners and encourage further research in slightly older kids.” Kirkus Reviews

“Full color close-ups bring kids literally face-to-face with bugs… A great way to bring a bit of the outdoors inside.” Booklist

Bees

Illustrated by Julian Mulock; photographs from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science; published by Kids Can Press

With stunning photographs and simple activities, this book and (its companion Ants) will introduce budding entomologists to some remarkable insects.

Children can find out about the bee life cycle and bee bodies, how bees live and work together, and how they “talk” to one another. Simple step-by-step instructions show kids how to make honeycomb prints and a model bee. (Check your library for a copy.)

• Our Choice List, starred selection, Canadian Children’s Book Centre

“A great starter series that will capture a beginning reader’s interest with its appealing presentation. Highly recommended.” Canadian Materials Magazine

“Full color close-ups bring kids literally face-to-face with bugs… A great way to bring a bit of the outdoors inside.” Booklist

“Well-designed, well thought-out, these will satisfy young listeners and encourage further research in slightly older kids.” Kirkus Reviews

Looking at Wild Cats

Illustrated by Nancy Gray Ogle; published by Kids Can Press.

Kids can learn to read while finding out about cougars, lynx and bobcats. This non-fiction Level 1 first reader is interactive, with an eye-spy component at the beginning and a simple quiz at the end.

The book was created especially for beginning readers. Each page provides children with clearly written and simple facts about the fascinating wild cats of North America.

“… presents information in an accessible, research-friendly format that would be a great addition to a classroom or for early-reading animal lovers alike.” CM Magazine

“… a beautifully illustrated book for beginning readers. A fine resource for primary school teachers who want to enrich students’ information level.” National Science Teachers Association

Looking at Bears

Illustrated by Pat Stephens; published by Kids Can Press.

Kids can learn to read while finding out about grizzly bears, polar bears and black bears. This non-fiction Level 1 first reader is interactive, with an eye-spy component at the beginning and a simple quiz at the end.

The book was created especially for beginning readers. Each page provides children with clearly written and simple facts about the three fascinating species of bears in North America. (Check your library for a copy.)

• Year’s Best Books, Resource Links

“A roaringly successful information gem for newly independent readers. Highly recommended.” CM Magazine