Poetry mosh pit

Outside the library a Halifax elementary school, a great big bulletin board was decorated with a funny-gross-out WELCOME KATE INGLIS. Witches! Magic! Creepy-crawlies! Unicorns! Zombie-unicorns! One of the kids said Nope, I don't need lines and awwww. Lovey-zombie.

Four sessions of dozens of kids in one day. It always starts off the same: What's the biggest library rule?

BE QUIET they say, in that obedient sing-songy chorus. One kid in the back says NO FLYING SIDE KICKS.

What do you think—should we break it?

We SHOUT
We SNARL
We GROWL
We say, all together, with big smiles: EWWWWWWWWWW HA HA HA

This is how you play soccer when you're a skeleton and you score with your own head.

GIRL, YOUR ZOMBIE IS ON-POINT.

After a school reading, I'm beat. My voice is hoarse and I wake up the next day hobbled as an old crone. The energy! To keep their attention! For a long time! When they're all so shouty! But it's a dream. It gives back so much.

It's going to be this times ten at the launch party for If I Were A Zombie on Saturday, May 21 from 2-4 PM at the sparkly and amazing new Halifax Central Library. I can't wait!

I went there the other day and wandered around with a great big grin—then straight to Nimbus to talk monster party plans. We'll have caricatures, make-up and costume stations, a parade, music, gross-out snacks, and of course, zombies. Lots and lots of friendly neighbourhood zombies, with loads of space to roam. Paul O'Regan Hall! The big-time!

Until then, Woozles has a fresh stack of signed books. Want a personalized signed copy for your very own Julie or Gerry? Call Woozles! 1-800-966-0537! Give them your instructions, and I'll pop in to sign. They ship internationally from Halifax's own Spring Garden Road. Monsters await!