Join fellow writers and illustrators in a group critique of two recently published books, facilitated by picture book author and English professor Jennifer Harris.
Bookish: a Virtual Book Club
We’ve all heard it: you should read a hundred recent books before you sit down to write or illustrate. But even better than reading picture books and studying the interplay between text and illustration is to sit down with colleagues to talk about them! SCBWI Canada East invites writers and illustrators to join us for this online book club to do just that. See below for more details.
HOW TO JOIN US
We'll be meeting online at 7:00 pm ET on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. Admission is free. After you book your seat, look for your registration confirmation under My Events in your Member Home. You will find the Zoom link for the event under the green Meeting Info button.
ABOUT BOOKISH: A VIRTUAL BOOK CLUB
Our book club will focus on a mix of award-winners and favourites. Discussions might cover anything and everything, from genre, language, tone, characterization, themes, and voice to historical context, format, and literary landscape. And, of course, we will branch out into whatever you want to talk about!
Don't forget that you can take books out from your local library, or—with a valid library card—you can use library loan apps like Hoopla and Libby to check out an ebook or audiobook to read or listen to on your phone.
Our book club host is Jennifer Harris, an English professor at the University of Waterloo, and a picture book author (www.mypbjam.com).
THIS MONTH
Tough Stuff: Picture Book Biographies
How do you handle the tough stuff of real life in a way that’s age-appropriate? What do you do when the historical record is incomplete? We’ll talk about the variety of approaches to biographical picture books that creators might consider, as well as taking a close look at the creative choices specific creators have made.
Please read the books on the reading list, and come prepared to discuss!
Reading List
- Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by James E. Ransome
- It Began with a Page by Kyo Maclear, illustrated by Julie Morstad
