January can be a long month, with weather that is cold and dreary, so what’s a writer to do? Read more and write more! Bundled up inside the house and finding inviting words on the page is a lovely pastime. Wishing you a happy January and many good books to read!
And if you need a bit of January inspiration, here’s a quote (in the spirit of the month) from poet and essayist, T. S. Eliot:
“Every moment is a fresh beginning.”
— T.S. Eliot
In a happy circumstance, I was delighted to be invited to include my story, Bear’s Winter Party, to become part of an annual online Advent calendar, created by the UK charity Roundabout Dramatherapy. It is an organization that works to transform the lives of vulnerable people with mental health issues through the use of dramatherapy.
My book was selected for December 23, and yesterday I got to watch the wonderful actor Nicola Martinus-Smith bring the story and characters to life with her lovely reading of it. If there are young children in your circle, they might enjoy watching the video, as well as seeing the festive stories for the other days of December.
Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday! Cheers!
As the year draws to an end, I am feeling grateful for many things: family, friends, a warm home and a stack of books to read and write.
I adore these sweet little Douglas squirrel babies in their cozy nest, staying warm and dry in the ancient tree of the coastal rainforest. What a lovely place to be! This charming illustration is from our book, West Coast Wild Rainforest, full of gorgeous paintings by Karen Reczuch.
Here on the west coast, we will be having a green holiday — no snow on the horizon as yet. Wherever you are, snow or no snow, I wish you a warm, cozy and happy holiday season. 
We are approaching the shortest day of the year, when darkness stays late in the morning and comes early in the evening. I love to watch the changing season and ruminate about the time when the days get longer again. There is always hope just around the corner.
For now, in these quiet moments leading up to the shortest day, I think about warmth and light, and wish you health and happiness as we proceed through the winter season.
Is it time for a winter party at your house? Here on the west coast, the snow has turned to rain and our umbrellas are out in full force. A perfect time to gather indoors with friends and family!
If you have children in your midst, they might enjoy the story of Bear’s Winter Party, about a lonely bear who invites the other animals to a winter party at his den, not knowing whether anyone will show up. The creatures of the forest have always been afraid of Bear. But Bear is a wonderful host and would love to make friends.
This gentle story will warm your heart on a cold (or rainy!) winter day. It includes a recipe for Bear’s own Honey Ginger Cookies, and is just right for a winter gathering at your place!
Wishing you a very Happy New Year and all the best for 2023! Cheers!
Happy Earth Day!
It is a day to celebrate nature, the earth and all its creatures. Take a walk in the spring sunshine, listen to the birds and revel in the beauty around you.
I miss being with kids in school on days like today — they are so full of enthusiasm for the natural world and the plants and animals that share our earthly home. But I will mark the day with the kids in spirit and go for a long walk under the big, beautiful trees in my neighbourhood.
This lovely illustration is from West Coast Wild Babies and is painted by my talented collaborative partner, Karen Reczuch. We both love the giant west coast trees!
From my corner of the world (the beautiful west coast of Canada) to yours: Happy New Year!
May your 2021 be happy and healthy, and full of many good books to read!
Today, in my part of the world, is the last day of school until the New Year. I’d like to wish all the students and teachers a very happy holiday!
It’s been a tough year and not quite getting easier yet, but there is good news ahead with a vaccine being delivered across the country.
Please stay healthy and safe and enjoy your break in whatever ways you can. Warm wishes for 2021! It’s a good time to be cozy at home, spending your days reading some wonderful books. (May Santa fill your stocking with them!)
Happy Winter Break!
As the days become shorter and the dark arrives early, I’m often thinking about what an unusual fall we are having. Like so many of us, I wish we could gather with family and friends but, alas, this is not the time to do so. Instead, I am posting this charming winter scene of a happy gathering of children, to give us a little bit of brightness in a challenging time.
This lovely picture is from a Unicef card painted by the Canadian artist, Terry Ananny. I hope you enjoy it! In the meantime, stay healthy and well.
As children and teachers head back to class, I’d like to wish them a happy, healthy start to the new school year. There are many challenges to be faced as students and educators navigate the protocols for the Covid virus, and I will be thinking about everyone and sending my warmest thoughts.
Some students, too, will remain at home doing their schoolwork online. I also wish them and their parents a happy and productive start to the year.
For educators, I have written a Teacher’s Guide to accompany my most recent book, West Coast Wild Babies. The activities listed can be used either in the classroom or in a home learning environment. Many of them can be enjoyed outside.
You can find the guide by clicking on Teacher’s Guide or by visiting Classroom Activities on this website. There, you can also see educator’s guides for many of my other books, too.
This will be a very different year for all of us, but I know we have the strength and courage to make it through. I will miss visiting classrooms, and look forward to the day when we can see each other again.
Take care, stay well, and all the best for the new school year.