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!

I’m happy that May is here! It is finally starting to feel like spring in my part of the world. Our west coast weather has been cooler and rainier than usual, and even though the blossoms were on the trees and the flowering shrubs were blooming, the sunshine was nowhere to be seen. That seems to be changing now (hooray!) and the warm sun was shining brightly when I stepped out for a walk today.

This month is gearing up to be a busy one. In a couple of weeks, I will be flying to Toronto to the “Forest of Reading” festivities, where Ontario school kids will reveal the books that have won their hearts in the children’s choice awards. Karen Reczuch and I are thrilled to have a nomination for our book West Coast Wild and look forward to attending the award ceremony.

And before the trip to Toronto, I will be visiting the Richmond Public Library to meet the students who were winners in the Richmond Heritage Fair. It will be fun speaking to them about my two Canadian history books, The Kids Book of Canada’s Railway and The Kids Book of Canadian Immigration. I’ve even borrowed some old-time railway artifacts from a train museum to show the kids.

To round out the month, I will finish up at schools in Pemberton and Whistler, BC. I’m excited about it all!

Here on the west coast, we are leaping into the New Year with snow and ice. It is unusual for us to have such a cold winter (we are accustomed to balmier temperatures) and we are muddling our way through it.

The big old trees in my neighbourhood are beautiful in their coats of white, but some have come tumbling down with a bang under the weight of the heavy snow. Watch out!

The side streets have not been cleared of ice and snow in a month, nor salted or sanded, and so driving (and walking!) remain somewhat treacherous — like navigating an ice rink in ballet slippers.

But we brave west-coasters carry on, and look forward to the beginning of a fresh and shiny New Year. We have high hopes that there will be many bright spots in the days ahead.

Wishing you a happy, healthy and productive 2017 — with many good books to read!

On this snowy Vancouver day, it seems fitting to check in with Bear and his friends. What are they doing? Having a wonderful winter party in Bear’s den!

Bear is serving his homemade honey-ginger cookies and huckleberry tarts. Chickadee is leading the singing and Fox is playing his harmonica. Soon all the happy forest animals are dancing round and round the den. What a fun way to welcome winter!

Bear and his friends hope you are having a lovely start to winter. Stay warm and dry! And enjoy your celebrations with family and friends.

To learn more about Bear’s Winter Party, please go here.

In my part of the world, it is back-to-school day. I am thinking about all the children and teachers who are bravely returning to the classroom as the new school year unfolds.

I wish you all a successful and happy year, with much learning and many good books to read!

And if you are interested in finding out more about children and school, you might enjoy my friend Margriet Ruur’s book, School Days Around the World.

Have a fun first day! I’ll be thinking about you.

Just outside my living room window is a beautiful magnolia tree in full bloom. It is one of my favourite sights of spring. In fact, my whole neighbourhood is in blossom — shimmering pink and white trees on every street, bursting with colour and life. It is a magical time in the city!

Happy Spring to you all!

Sending you my best west coast wishes for a happy and healthy 2016. May your year be full of family and friends — and many good books to read!

I love this image of children around the world holding hands. (It is from the Unicef calendar.) What a lovely sentiment — one full of promise and hope.

The holiday season is upon us and, in my part of the world, school closes tomorrow for the winter break. (I can hear the children cheering from here.)

As the festivities get underway, I wish you a very happy time with family and friends, and a promising, hopeful start to the New Year!

It is September and in my part of the world, today is the first school day of the year. I’m thinking about all the children and teachers who are gathering in their classrooms, full of enthusiasm and good cheer.

My friend, Margriet Ruurs, has written a wonderful book called School Days Around the World. The charming image above of students arm-in-arm is from the book and created by illustrator, Alice Feagan.

As a writer and speaker, Margriet has travelled around the world, visiting many countries and presenting in dozens of international schools. She has friends everywhere! And she knows what school is like in a myriad of places.

To find out more about schools in other parts of the world, I recommend picking up a copy of her book and sharing it with the young children in your life.

And if you are back at school this fall, I send my very best wishes for a happy and productive year!