Among several new childrens books reviewed this week by Susan Perren is the latest release from Running the Goat Books.
This week: Useful ducks and fine frogs
SUSAN PERREN
Globe and Mail Update
March 20, 2009
THE QUEEN OF PARADISE'S GARDEN
Adapted by Andy Jones, illustrated by Darka Erdelji, Running the Goat Books and Broadsides, 44 pages, $18.95, ages 6 and up
Even the endpapers of this book — faded flowery wallpaper studded with ancient family photographs — are a delight to the eye. Surreal watercolours of this and that — birds in a tree, strange human figures — dot the book, fine illustrations for a delectable retelling of a fine old Newfoundland tale.
The reteller is writer and actor Andy Jones, a founding member of Newfoundland's CODCO troupe. With this provenance, you might expect something original and quite fine; you won't be disappointed.
In the fine old folk tale/fairy tale tradition, this story involves three brothers who, alarmed by their parents' rapid aging, leave home in search of a magic fruit that will reverse the decline. They're told by "Old Blind Pew" that such a thing exists, but "it only exists in the Queen of Paradise's garden, and that is three miles this side of the end of the world."
It probably won't come as any surprise to hear that Jack, the least likely brother, the kind brother, conquers all. What he conquers is told in a most satisfactory and satisfying way, in the sprightliest, most musical prose, Newfoundlandese in which nary a "g" can be found danglin' from the end of a word.
Read the rest of Susan Perren's article here.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Andy Jones, Darka Erdelji and Running the Goat Books & Broadsides launch The Queen of Paradise's Garden Sunday Mary 8, St. John's
Running the Goat Books & Broadsides
is celebrating the publication of its newest book: The Queen of Paradise's Garden, a traditional Newfoundland Jack Tale adapted by Andy Jones and illustrated by Darka Erdelji.
Sunday, March 8
The Masonic Temple
6 Cathedral St., St. John's
3 to 5 pm.
Andy will give a brief reading. Some of Darka's original illustrations will also be for sale. For details about the book, visit www.runningthegoat.com
is celebrating the publication of its newest book: The Queen of Paradise's Garden, a traditional Newfoundland Jack Tale adapted by Andy Jones and illustrated by Darka Erdelji.
Sunday, March 8
The Masonic Temple
6 Cathedral St., St. John's
3 to 5 pm.
Andy will give a brief reading. Some of Darka's original illustrations will also be for sale. For details about the book, visit www.runningthegoat.com
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Agnes Walsh reading in Toronto on March 10
Agnes Walsh, Ryan Kamstra and Lara Bozabalian at the Art Bar Poetry Series
Agnes Walsh, Ryan Kamstra and Lara Bozabalian are reading at the Art Bar Poetry Series at Clinton's, 693 Bloor Street West, Toronto, on Tuesday, March 10 at 8:00 p.m.
Map to Clinton's
Agnes Walsh was born and raised in Placentia, Newfoundland and now lives in St. John's. She released her first collection of poems, In the Old Country of My Heart, in 1996. In 2003 an audio edition of In the Old Country of My Heart was released with poems read by the author and music by George Morgan and Simone Savard-Walsh. In 2006 she was named the first poet laureate of Newfoundland and Labrador. In her latest collection, Going Around With Bachelors (Brick Books), Walsh explores the past in the present; Ireland and Portugal in Newfoundland; and the Cape Shore.
Ryan Kamstra is a writer of poems, fiction and songs. His first book, Late Capitalist Sublime (Insomniac Press) was published in 2002. As a musician he is known as Scratch Kamstra and his band Tomboyfriend has an album "don't go to school" due out this year. He will be celebrating his latest poetry book, Into the Drowned World (Insomniac Press).
Lara Bozabalian has been writing and performing her poetry for the past eight years. She is the author of four chapbooks. She was a runner-up in the 2007 Luminato/City of Toronto Poetry Slam and a semi-finalist for the 2008 Toronto Poetry Slam Team. She founded a Spoken Word Festival for high school students across York Region and leads teacher workshops in order to bring and Spoken Word to classrooms. She recently represented Canada at the Individual World Poetry Slam in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Agnes Walsh, Ryan Kamstra and Lara Bozabalian are reading at the Art Bar Poetry Series at Clinton's, 693 Bloor Street West, Toronto, on Tuesday, March 10 at 8:00 p.m.
Map to Clinton's
Agnes Walsh was born and raised in Placentia, Newfoundland and now lives in St. John's. She released her first collection of poems, In the Old Country of My Heart, in 1996. In 2003 an audio edition of In the Old Country of My Heart was released with poems read by the author and music by George Morgan and Simone Savard-Walsh. In 2006 she was named the first poet laureate of Newfoundland and Labrador. In her latest collection, Going Around With Bachelors (Brick Books), Walsh explores the past in the present; Ireland and Portugal in Newfoundland; and the Cape Shore.
Ryan Kamstra is a writer of poems, fiction and songs. His first book, Late Capitalist Sublime (Insomniac Press) was published in 2002. As a musician he is known as Scratch Kamstra and his band Tomboyfriend has an album "don't go to school" due out this year. He will be celebrating his latest poetry book, Into the Drowned World (Insomniac Press).
Lara Bozabalian has been writing and performing her poetry for the past eight years. She is the author of four chapbooks. She was a runner-up in the 2007 Luminato/City of Toronto Poetry Slam and a semi-finalist for the 2008 Toronto Poetry Slam Team. She founded a Spoken Word Festival for high school students across York Region and leads teacher workshops in order to bring and Spoken Word to classrooms. She recently represented Canada at the Individual World Poetry Slam in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Monday, March 02, 2009
Call for Submissions: EarLit Shorts audio short fiction anthologies
Rattling Books is seeking previously unpublished short fiction for EarLit Shorts, a series of audio anthologies. Stories will be available on-line, singly or collectively, as digital downloads. Anthologies may also be published in MP3 CD format.EarLit Shorts was launched in the fall of 2008 with works by Jessica Grant, Steven Heighton, Joel Thomas Hynes, Kathleen Winter, Russell Wangersky and others.
To be eligible, submissions must
· be previously unpublished between the covers of a book (i.e. stories which have appeared in periodicals are eligible);
· be between 500 and 8,000 words in length.
There are two ways to submit:
Send previously unpublished stories and covering letter to Rattling Books, General Delivery, Tors Cove, NL, Canada A0A 4A0.
Send your story or stories and covering letter to earlit.submissions@gmail.com.
Entries must be postmarked on or before March 30, 2009.
Submissions will not be returned.
Stories included in the EarLit Shorts series are subject to a royalty based publishing contract.
Website: rattlingbooks.com
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Last Rights by Prudence Grieve, narrated by Jane Dingle now available as a Short Fiction Single digital download
New Short Fiction Single available from the EarLit Shorts Collection
Last Rights
Prudence Grieve
narrated by Jane Dingle
iPod friendly mp3 digital download from Rattling Books
CanLit to listen to
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