news
I am thrilled to announce that Sergeant Billy : The True Story of the Goat Who Went to War has won the gold medal for the 2021 Rocky Mountain Book Award, Alberta’s young readers’ choice award!Here is my very passionate and excited acceptance speech. Hooray for Canadian stories!
I am thrilled to announce that my picture book, Sergeant Billy: The True Story of the Goat Who Went to War, has been selected as a finalist for the 2021-2022
Social distancing means no more in-person school visits, which breaks my little author heart. I love going to schools to meet students, read them some of my books and chat with them about all things story.
So, while we wait for the pandemic to be over, I am offering virtual author visits!
With the possibilities offered to us through Google Meet/Zoom/Microsoft Teams I can meet with students “live” from my home. As a bonus, you’ll get to see the very place where I write (my very cluttered office) and, if we are lucky, one of my three cats might come say hello!
Presentations are 30-50 minutes (depending on your schedule and the the participants grade level), include a reading of the book of your choice (in French or in English), a live Q&A and are for an unlimited number of classes.
My rate for virtual visits is $250 for a live presentation to 1-9 classes, $350 for 10-19 classes and $450 for 20+ classes/schoolboards.
Interested? Contact me at mireille@mireille.ca . Let’s chat!
There’s something new and exciting on the Web!
Bibliovideo is a new Youtube channel created by the CCBC (Canadian Children’s Book Centre). There you you find hundreds of short videos about and made by Canadian children’s book authors and illustrators. Readings, illustration demonstrations, interviews, book recommendations… the list goes on and keeps growing as new videos are added every month!
This year, there’s been a big push to add French content to the channel like the video bellow where authors Simon Boulerice, Marie-Louise Gay, Linda Amyot and myself present one of our recently published books.
Go check it out and subscribe! It’s a Kid Lit lover’s delight!
Good news! My historical picture book Sergent Billy : La vraie histoire du chevreau devenu soldat (the French version of Sergeant Billy) is a finalist for the Prix Mélèze in ABO’s Forest of Reading program!
I am thrilled and honoured because not only is this an award for young readers in my home province (yeah Ontario!) I am also a finalist amongst a great number of authors and illustrators that I respect and admire!
To see a video of all the Prix Mélèze nominees, click here!
The winning title will be announced in May 2021. This gives you tons of time to enter your class. Just sayin’ 😉
Bonne chance à tous les finalistes!
Are you a teacher looking for themed activity sheets for your students?
Are you at home with your kids doing remote learning?
Yes? Perfect! I have a lot of FREE, downloadeable activity sheets, in French and in English for you!
The most recent is a brand new teacher’s guide to my picture book Nutcracker Night from the great team at Pajama Press! It focuses on the story of the Nutcracker but it also teaches how to use onomatopoeia (sound words) in a fun way to create and enrich your own stories.
Click here to access all my activity sheets! Have fun!
Good news! Trésor, the French version of my picture book Treasure, is a finalist for the Prix AAOF de littérature jeunesse! What a great honour to be regnonized by my peers – the AAOF is the association of Franco-Ontarian authors – in this way. It is also the first time that a picture book is in the running for the prize. A rarity if there ever was one!
The winning book will be announced LIVE during the Ottawa Book Awards virtual ceremony on October 21st. This means that anyone anywhere can join to party, starting at 6pm. I hope you can make it.
Fingers crossed!
The german version of my picture “Tellement sauvage” is now available! Hurra!
Here is the trailer, produced by the german publisher Mixtvision. Isn’t it sweet?
The current pandemic means staying home to flatten the curve. It also means no book fairs. But authors are passionate people – passionate about books and about sharing our craft. That’s why a group of authors has put together the Salon du livre virtuel (Virtual Book Fair).
About 50 French authors of all genres and illustrators will be presenting their works live, April 23-26 2020. I will be reading my picture book “Ma branche préférée” (French version of The Branch) on Saturday at 3pm.
Swing by with your little ones for a fun, free French activity! All you have to do is go to the Salon du livre virtuel’s Facebook page for the line up and to attend the live readings.
À bientôt j’espère!
I have a confession to make… I’ve often been a finalist for literary awards but I have never won. And that is fine. Being nominated truly IS an honour.
BUT… I am thrilled to announce that Sergeant Billy: The True Story of the goat who went to war has won (yes, WON!) the 2020 Christopher Award for best children’s book!
First presented in 1949, the Christopher Awards were established by Christopher founder Father James Keller to salute media that “affirm the highest values of the human spirit.” Their goal is to encourage men, women and children to pursue excellence in creative arenas that have the potential to influence a mass audience positively.
In these especially trying time, I am so honoured that Sergeant Billy’s story is being recognized for shining a light in young reader’s hearts.
Because of the pandemic, I was not be able to attend the awards ceremony that usually takes place in NYC in May. Nonetheless, I will cherish this recognition and am happy to abide by the Christopher Award motto: “It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness”. #blessed