I Value Canadian Stories: The Podcast

I Value Canadian Stories: The Podcast

Season One of a new series highlighting the work, the creative habits and unique perspectives of Canadian children and young adult authors. Listen in as 15 unique writers talk about what sparks their imaginations, tips for young authors and their take on the Canadian narrative.

Episodes

November 28, 2020 33 mins
Canadian author, Norma Charles, has 21 books to her name, including Runner, Last Chance Island and Run, Maro, Run. Her latest is Tree Muskateers and its that book that grounds our conversation into Norma's writing life, tips for young writers and a special reading.

Find out more about Norma Charles at https://normacharles.ca
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Debbie Ridpath Ohi is an author and an illustrator who, among others, has worked with Judy Blume and Michael Ian Black. Debbie's vibrant and generous personality shine forth in what she offers the public, and in what she offers in this conversation.

Find out about what Debbie is working on now by visiting her website: https://debbieohi.com
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June 10, 2020 41 mins
Kevin Sylvester is a Canadian author, illustrator and broadcaster. In this conversation, we set out to explore all three. We'll allow you to be the judge of how well we did or how far we got.

A delightful discussion of live radio, treehouses, Kevin's work and the value of Canadian stories.

You can find out more about Kevin by visiting his website: https://www.kevinsylvester.online/
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June 9, 2020 31 mins
Arthur Slade was born in Moose Jaw and raised on a ranch in Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan. With two miles between neighbours and even more into the nearest town, Arthur talks about how the vast space he was afforded impacted his imagination an his writing.

In this conversation, we also talk about his fascination with fantasy and science fiction, his take on Canadian stories—even as a fantasy writer, and his love of writing on treadmil...
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June 7, 2020 34 mins
So, are you one of those readers that likes to be frightened or even scared out of you boots? Whether it's sitting around a campfire at night or hiding under the covers with a flashlight at night, Canadian author Joel A. Sutherland is the writer for you.

Joel is best known for the Haunted Canada series of non-fiction ghost stories, as well as Haunted, a series of fictional accounts of horror and suspense set across Canada.

Find out ...
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June 6, 2020 30 mins
Award-winning Canadian author, Kenneth Oppel joins us today to speak about his current work, his life as a writer and his perspective on the importance of Canadian stories.

Kenneth Oppel is the author of The Airborn Trilogy, The Silverwing Series and, most recently, the Bloom Trilogy. You can find out all about Kenneth at https://kennethoppel.ca
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June 4, 2020 33 mins
Today on the podcast, I’m happy to welcome highly acclaimed writer, story lover and story teller S. K. Ali. Many listeners will know Sajidah for “Saints and Misfits", but we were thrilled to find out that, pandemic lock downs notwithstanding, her newest partnership, Once Upon An EID, stories of joy and hope by 15 muslim voices, is now available for purchase.

As you’ll hear in the conversation that follows, Sajidah and I ventured in...
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May 31, 2020 36 mins
Tim Wynne-Jones writes a lot, and does so across a number of categories: picture books, novels for children, young adults and adults. He's written for CBC's Fraggle Rock and has even penned a children's musical and the libretto for an opera.

But as you'll hear in this delightful conversation, Tim also loves to talk about writing and is very generous with advice, reflections and insight.

Stick around to the end and you'll hear Tim re...
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May 21, 2020 35 mins
Tom Ryan is a highly acclaimed author for young readers. Three of his young adult novels, Way to Go, Tag Along, and Keep This to Yourself, were chosen for the ALA Rainbow List, in 2013, 2014 and 2020.

In this conversation, we talk about the transition to mystery writing, Tom's tendency toward being a plotter and some of his writing habits and sources of personal motivation.

You can read more about Tom's work at http://www.tomryanau...
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May 20, 2020 32 mins
Darren Groth is an award-winning YA author, born in Australia and currently living in Vancouver. His novels include include ‘Kindling’ and the acclaimed YA works, ‘Are You Seeing Me?’ and ‘Munro vs. the Coyote’.

In this conversation, we discuss the issue of perspective in disability literature, Darren's writing practice and the value of Canadian stories from the point of view of an Australian-Canadian.
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May 20, 2020 33 mins
Jennifer Dance is an award-winning author and playwright whose passion for and commitment to social justice and equity is inscribed into her work.

The three books of her White Feather Collection - RED WOLF, PAINT and HAWK address the issue of racism, both past and present, against Indigenous people in North America. These novels are fiction, but they present the truth in a way that creates compassion and understanding, joining the...
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May 19, 2020 42 mins
Hannah Mary McKinnon was born in the UK, raised in Switzerland and now resides in Ontario. She is an adult fiction novelist and writer of short stories, with her latest book, Sister Dear, due out at the end of May 2020.

Learn more about Hannah Mary McKinnon's work by visiting her website: https://hannahmarymckinnon.com/
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May 19, 2020 29 mins
Lee Kvern is an award-winning author of short stories and novels. In this conversation, we talk about the unique structure of the short story, Lee's habits as a writer and some reflections on the importance of Canadian stories.

You can follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeKvern
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May 19, 2020 36 mins
Canadian author, Heather Smith lives in Waterloo, Ontario but a special part of her still lives in Newfoundland. We talk about the impact of Newfoundland hospitality on her world-view, the question of trigger warnings and the value of Canadian stories.

A delightfully poignant conversation!
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May 18, 2020 29 mins
Paul Covello is an author, illustrator and designer best known for his collection of board books dedicated to things Canadian: "I Am a Beaver", "I Am a Polar Bear" and "Canada ABC". In this conversation, we discuss his writing, his illustration work and how all of that comes together in some of the best-loved books for younger children.

Visit Paul's website at https://paulcovello.com
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May 18, 2020 25 mins
Canadian children and teen author, Robin Stevenson has over 25 books to her name, including Pride Colours, Ghost's Journey - A Refugee Story and Pride: The Celebration and the Struggle. In this conversation, we talk about Robin's diverse body of writing, the development and impact of books that include LGBTQIA+ characters, as well as some writing tips for young authors.

Learn more about Robin's work at https://robinstevenson.com/
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May 13, 2020 38 mins
Shane Peacock is an author, playwright, journalist, and screenwriter. His writing takes us into unfamiliar worlds, stories and even parts of ourselves that we didn't know about. In this conversation we talk about Shane's approach to writing, some of his creative habits and his take on Canadian stories

Find out more about Shane Peacock at https://shanepeacock.ca
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May 12, 2020 30 mins
Lana Button is a children's author and an early childhood educator. This powerful combination of perspective allows her to notice and shine a light on the things in the life of a child that may seem small to big people, but so big to small people!

A heart-warming approach to writing, education and the life of children.

Learn more about Lana at http://lanabutton.com
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May 11, 2020 35 mins
Today on the podcast, we head to Victoria, British Columbia to meet up with award-winning chlidren's author, Monique Gray Smith. Monique's titles include Lilly, a Story of Hope and Resilience ( Burt Award for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Literature, 2014], My Heart Fills With Happiness, ( Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize, 2017) and Speaking Our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation Finalist for the TD Canadia...
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May 3, 2020 40 mins
Susin Nielsen is an award-winning YA author who began her writing life on the set of Degrassi Junior High. Although she still finds herself writing for the world of TV, she has become a favourite of the adolescents and young adults with books like, Word Nerd, Dear George Clooney: Please Marry My Mom, We Are All Made of Molecules, and No Fixed Address.

A lively and grounded conversation with a prolific and grounded author.

Find out ...
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