The Canadian Children’s Book Centre is now accepting host applications for Book Week 2012.  Teachers and librarians can get more information here.

The genesis of a book cover isn’t usually something the author is privy to. Not so with Groundwood, who kindly sent me the cover of my forthcoming (Spring 2012) middle-grade novel, Middle of Nowhere, in stages as artist Simon Ng worked on it.

Here is the preliminary sketch.

Here is the final version without the title.
And with the title.

Interestingly, the original title went from In the Middle of Nowhere, to The Middle of Nowhere.  Then Simon accidentally left off The and we discovered we liked that better anyway!

For more information about Simon Ng and his work, click here.

I am delighted to have been selected for the 2012 TD Canadian Children’s Book Week, 5 to 12 May, 2012.  I’ll be touring schools and libraries in Ontario with two new children’s books: Jasper John Dooley, Star of the Week (Kids Can 2012); and Middle of Nowhere (Groundwood 2012).  For details on on the touring roster, visit the Canadian Children’s Book Centre website.

I, Bruno is now in second printing.  Thank you to young readers everywhere!

This lively conversation about children’s books included I, Bruno as recommended reading, especially for boys.  Click here to read the list or listen to the podcast.