Dear Readers,

How are you doing? Rather than share the things that my family has been up to this month, I'd rather know what you have been doing, how you have been feeling. But, since this is a newsletter, I will do my best to fill you in!

I've been editing a lot for Greystone Kids, working on Julie Flett's next book, which I feel very honoured to do. And I'm slowing seeing the gorgeous artwork come in for another book  we are doing about whales, by Beryl Young and illustrated by a wonderful new illustrator, Sakika Kikuchi from Japan. 

My own writing is a bit slow, but I have been plotting new stories that I want to write, and working on a third book for the Bibbidi Bobbidi series (which I'm hoping is fun!). And I got a chance to see the images for the Japanese version of Magical Animal Adoption Agency. Isn't Clover fun?

The house is finally 100% coming together. Just putting art on the walls, and we are working on our landscaping too. We came up with a plan, and this is it (I guess I love plans--so much!) Of course, we can't do it all at once--it's a plan that will take years--but we are SO excited. 

In cute updates:
Ori had his first playdate! We are slowly expanding our bubble, and his best friend Hiro came over, and my friends Marcie and Lee. We spent the whole day together. 
There were a gazillion cute moments. One of my favourites was when they spent an hour or so reading books together. 

Ori IS being a bit of a trouble maker though and a little bossy. Ok, a LOT bossy. I am trying my best to teach him manners and that he can't get his way always. But, every day, his language is blossoming. He tells me full stories! 

I feel really grateful to have him in my life. I read this amazing article on anxiety in children, written in the Atlantic magazine, which was full of amazing tidbits. I feel like the world is tough and I would love to give him as many positive strategies as I can to help him be a kind and generous and aware little boy--and caring and thoughtful. Like his dada! It was Luke's birthday recently, and we had lots of cake. Gotta love these goofs!


As you know, I love to share the work of others, and one thing I really wanted to end on, is this awesome program in Vancouver, called I dream library. I really respect and support the work that this team is doing. Aisha Kiani, the founder, is SO amazing and she also generously answered a few questions for me:

What is the goal of I Dream Library?

Aisha: The goal of I Dream Library is to normalize access and use of QTBIPOC (Queer Trans Black Indigenous People of Colour) stories in our public and private education systems. Currently out support focus is North America and Europe. 

Achieving intersectionally diverse literary options for younger generations is a learning experience for all of us. We understand that this is a collective effort across society and offer ongoing learning services to publishers, booksellers, educators, institutions, and caregivers. 

Our team of curators, educators and advisors design literature lists and assessment resources that focus on own voices narratives that support our goal in all of these areas. In this way, I Dream Library utilizes the ‘each one teach’ one learning model to achieve our educational equity goals. 

What is one of your current favourite reads that you'd recommend? 

Aisha: One of my favourite books, Emergent Strategy, comes from author & activist Adrienne Marie Brown. 
This book explores our relationship to change and how to work with the inevitability of change in ourselves and our societies to create a sustainable future. 


I just ordered Emergent Strategy myself and can't wait to read it, plus Poet X  by Elizabeth Acevedo, and Fountains of Silence by Ruth Sepetys and... oh dear! I have quite a few books I need to read :) Good thing it is summer and I am hoping as the days get warmer to take Ori to the beach and read while he digs in the sand.

I'll let you know next time if that actually happens! Also, if you have any specific things you'd love me to write about in these newsletters do let me know! Would you like me to share more about inspiration for any of my stories? Any writing or plotting tips? Any particular interviews with
authors/editors/agents/publishers/book designers?

I'm happy to try my best to have content that is not just all about Ori :)!

xx
Kallie