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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Toronto (June 19, 2024)—The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) is pleased to announce the selection for the 2024 TD Grade One Book Giveaway. Violet Shrink, written by Christine Baldacchino, illustrated by Carmen Mok and published by Groundwood Books, will be distributed to approximately 500,000 Grade 1 students across Canada this fall. Translated into French by Mireille Messier, francophone Canadians and French immersion students will receive copies of the French translation, Violette Cent-Soucis.

Through the generous support of TD Bank Group, the CCBC is thrilled to deliver—for the twenty-fifth year—the gift of a Canadian picture book to every Grade 1 student across Canada. Books are taken home by each child to keep and to read and re-read with their caregivers. The impact of the TD Grade One Book Giveaway is undeniable, with 12.5 million books given to Grade 1 students across Canada since 2000. In a survey after last year’s giveaway, 96% of Grade 1 educators felt that this program allows students to feel included and demonstrates that books and reading are important! 

Happy New Year, everyone!
May 2024 be a healthy and creative one!

In January, I will be at the oh-so-amazing OLA Superconference.

This event is the ultimate, province-wide shin dig for all librarians, teacher-librarians and, let’s be frank, authors/publishers and book lovers of all kinds. If you’ve been to the OLA Superconference in the past, you know that it is a must-attend event to get the scoop on all the new and upcoming releases in canadian publishing. And if you haven’t yet attended, what are you waiting for? There’s still time to register!

This year, I will have the pleasure of signing copies of my recent picture book No Horses in the House: The Audacious Life of Artist Rosa Bonheur at the Orca booth (#410). Join me there on Thursday, January 25th at 3pm.

I hope to see you there!

Hey! Toronto area peeps! Love books? Love gnomes? Do I have the event for you!

Spring 2023 has been a very special one. My oldest graduated from college, my youngest started college, I am (finally) back doing in-person events and school visits and… I have two new picture books out in stores!

No Horses in the House: The Audacious Life of Artist Rosa Bonheur (Orca Book) is a narrative non-fiction biography. This picture book for readers 6 and up explores the life and works of Rosa Bonheur, a fascinating pant-wearing, animal-loving, rule-and-gender-defying French painter from the 19th-century. Thanks to the gorgeous illustrations by Anna Bron and an end of book historical timeline and information this new release is the perfect read for kids (and their grown-ups) who love animals, art, true stories and strong female characters.

This book is also available in French!

My second new release is The Magic Cap (Milky Way Picture Books). It’s a whimsical tale of friendship, perseverance, forest creatures and, of couse, magical gnomes! I have worked in the past with the fantastic team at Milky Way Picture Books as a translator and it is with great joy that I now join their ranks as an author. Readers 3 and up will delight in Charlotte Parent’s jewel-toned illustrations and will take joy in finding the tiny red caps hidden in the forest. The large format of this book also make it ideal for shared reading as well as presenting to groups.

This book is also available in French!

Spring has sprung. Let’s get reading!

My “printemps” is filling up fast! If you are in the Ottawa or Toronto regions please join me at these upcoming events where I will be promoting my French books.