Both Jasper John Dooley, Star of the Week and Middle of Nowhere have been selected by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre as two of the Best Books for 2012.  Jasper is a little sore that he didn’t get a star like Middle of Nowhere did, but he gets another chance next year when Jasper John Dooley, Left Behind is released.  Find out more.  

It’s always a thrill to hear from readers.  Thank you, Lucy, for sending this darling picture.

Quill and Quire recommends Middle of Nowhere for your holiday gift basket.  Read all the recommendations.

My first picture book What Language Does Your Dog Speak won the 2012 Helen Isobel Sissons Canadian Children’s Story Award, presented by P.A.C.E.  The book will be published by Groundwood in 2014 under the title Norman, Speak!  Find out more about the good work done by P.A.C.E. Canada.

So pleased that Jasper John Dooley, Star of the Week has been nominated for a 2012 Cybil Award in the Easy Reader/Early Chapter Book category.  The Cybils are the Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards.  Read more about them here.

The cover of Jasper John Dooley, Left Behind is finalized!  This is the second in a chapter book series about the irrepressible Jasper John.   Look out for this instalment of his adventures Spring 2013!

Come and meet Earl – and help build him! – at Word on the Street!  We’ll be in the Kids’ Tent in Library Square from 3:20-3:40 on Sunday September 30th.  Click here for the Word on the Street schedule.

Up to $100 worth of free books for booking an Elementary School visit!

In conjunction with Scholastic Canada, I’m pleased to offer up to ten copies of Very Serious Children for your school or classroom library or as reading prizes.  Book a visit here.

What an honour to have three books on another CBC Book List!  This one, from Fresh Air, is a list of books that boys, particularly reluctant-reader boys, will like.  I, Bruno and Bruno for Real are recommended for the 6-8 year-old category and Middle of Nowhere for 12-and-ups!  Thank-you, thank-you Ontario booksellers and the CBC.  Read the list here.

So pleased to see Jasper John Dooley, Star of the Week on Open Book Toronto’s Summer Reading Guide, shoulder-to-shoulder with books for big people.  Way to go, Jasper John! You really are a Star!  Read the whole list here.