What an honour—A GREAT BIG NIGHT was nominated by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre for the inaugural David Booth Children's and Youth Poetry Award!

“The children storming the [EDIT] office each day at 3pm have all devoured it more than a dozen times since we purchased a copy for everyone on the team last week. Essential reading for kids and parents everywhere.”

Kirkus Reviews are among the top-shelf of accolades, and I’m thrilled that A GREAT BIG NIGHT was awarded a coveted star. From the review: “The rhythmic, vibrant verse text dances off the pages, begging to be read aloud…”

A wonderful chat with beloved former CBC anchor Costas Halavrezos. From his Book Me! Podcast: “A Great Big Night is a delightful parable about performers and their audiences finding each other…”

Doesn’t it just feel like the world needs a froggy folk trio to bring us all together after a storm? This book is full of love, community, and joy, and woodland grass pounded flat underfoot. It’s what the riff-raff brings.

It’s pure magic to see an artist bring a story to life when it’s been simmering, solo, for years. Working with the brilliant Josée Bisaillon has been a delight! I can hear the fiddles and mandolins and bodhráns ringing through the forest already…

What a delightful gift! Nimbus Publishing just released more illustrations in-progress (yay for the amazing Josée Bisaillon!) for my next children’s picture book, A GREAT BIG NIGHT coming this fall.⁣ Here’s to joy, music, and blueberry salad.

In September 2020 A GREAT BIG NIGHT arrives, a tale about the value of tomfoolery and music. As award-winning illustrator Josée Bisaillon does her magic, I’m listening to its inspiration: Bach Meets Cape Breton by Puirt A Baroque.

Such happy news: a new picture book for Fall 2020! “…A rhythmic, playful story about three frogs who ride bicycles through the woods, singing and playing instruments for the other animals until a huge storm wins them an unexpected fan…”

Some writers keep them to have a Wall of Publishers Who Passed And Will Someday Regret It. I don't. Each one is, really and truly, a gift. The boys and I talk about creativity, karma, romance. Nothing works out until something does.

I wrote a book, a little one, and I want to exist beyond all hope. I want it so badly. I need it to be set to paper and illustrated and bound. I've submitted it to the loveliest publisher. Now I'm trying to forget I ever wrote it.