An exciting email arrived recently from Nova Scotia artist Sarah Shortliffe. This talented person has finished the cover art for The Wind and Amanda’s Cello, which will be released by Shadowpaw Press sometime this fall. Obviously more information has to be added to make it an official cover, but here’s a glimpse of how this picture book will greet the world. Thanks so much, Sarah, for your brilliant work! And fervent thanks also to Edward Willett of Shadowpaw Press, for bringing The Wind and Amanda’s Cello out as part of your imprint!
First, I’ve just signed a contract with Lilac Arch Press for a “tough topic” picture book, “The Best Little Sister in the World”. Lilac Arch Press is a fairly new Saskatchewan-based micro-press that is publishing some very interesting and innovative materials. I’m looking forward to working with them! https://lilacarchpress.com/
Second, Lakeview United Church here in Regina – the wonderful place I’ve attended for over 10 years now – got very excited about the feature article on me, which appears in “Neighbours of Albert St. South”. Not only was it announced at a service, but someone actually went to the trouble of photographing the whole thing, and even posted it on the website! https://www.lakeviewchurch.ca/news/neighbours-of-albert-st-south
Hoping things are going well in your world(s) as the darkness of winter creeps toward spring.
The short-lists for the 2022 Saskatchewan Book Awards have just been revealed, and The 1-Dogpower Garden Team has been listed as one of the finalists for the G. Murray & Edna Forbes Foundation Children’s Award Category! Additionally, a new 5-star review has just appeared in CM Magazine:https://www.cmreviews.ca/node/2925 Deepest thanks to publisher Heather Nickel, and to my artist-cousin Gretchen Ehrsam, for being such an amazing “book team” who brought The 1-Dogpower Garden Team so vividly to life!
Sophie loves her dog Max, and Max loves Sophie. But Max also loves to dig… How can Sophie get Max to quit digging in Mom’s garden? Picture book illustrated by Gretchen Ehrsam, published by Your Nickel’s Worth Publishing, September 1, 2021. Suitable for grades K-2. $14.95
Canine Cupid!
Kara, an elementary school teacher, is floundering with a mountain of fraudulent debt, left by her conman ex-husband. How can she stay afloat, let alone even think about a new relationship? Meanwhile, Peter is still grieving the tragic loss of his beloved wife and daughter – but his self-centred widowed mother keeps upping her incessant, unreasonable demands. The last thing he wants is another relationship. But a stray dog runs out into traffic, and Kara slams on the brakes to avoid hitting him. Peter rear-ends Kara. And everything suddenly starts to change…. A romance novel published by BWL Publishing, July 1, 2021. $16.99
I’ll be signing both books at Regina’s THE PENNY UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE at 3104 – 13th Avenue, opposite Holy Rosary Cathedral on Saturday, November 6, between 2 and 4 pm. Everyone is welcome!
Alison’s latest picture book, Leaving Mr. Humphries, is now available!
Leaving Mr. Humphries is a gentle story about a young boy and his beloved stuffed bear, Mr. Humphries, as they spend time with his grandfather at the cottage.
The vibrant illustrations were created by Alison’s cousin, Gretchen Ehrsam of Seattle. Gretchen carved the illustrations in linoleum blocks, printed them on special paper, and then after the ink dried, added watercolour to finish the unique effect.
Leaving Mr. Humphries is a finalist in the Children’s Literature category of the 2014 High Plains Book Awards, winner to be announced October 25. It was also a finalist in the Children’s Literature category of the 2014 Saskatchewan Book Awards.
Alison Lohans 