Monday, December 21, 2009
Second story in the works
At the last couple of book events, some fans of Sammy and Rodney asked me when the sequel would be published. Well, the second story is on its way. Hopefully, it will be published just before the end of 2010. Stay posted!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
About the story...
This is the story of Sammy Squirrel and Rodney Raccoon who live a happy life in Vancouver's Stanley Park, but are terribly curious about the outside world. Sammy and Rodney set off on an adventure beyond the outskirts of the park and find themselves adrift at sea in a little boat. Much to their surprise after weeks at sea, the two friends end up in Japan. They meet many new friends during the journey - Salty Seagull, Winnifred Whale and a deer called Shika to name a few - and they visit a big beautiful park in the ancient city of Nara, Japan where they help resolve a crisis before crossing the ocean to return to Stanley Park. Do you need a gift for someone who enjoys a classic adventure story? "Sammy Squirrel & Rodney Raccoon - a Stanley Park tale" just might be the book they'll cherish forever. (Chapter book - 106 pages)
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Who's it for?
The short chapters are ideal for readers embarking on their first chapter book, but all students with an interest in wildlife or environmental issues will enjoy this novel.
Review comment from Claire Hazzard in "Resource Links Magazine."
This is a story for ages 7 - 12 and, of course, for those young at heart.
Review comment from Claire Hazzard in "Resource Links Magazine."
This is a story for ages 7 - 12 and, of course, for those young at heart.
Monday, January 05, 2009
School Visits
Photo courtesy of North Shore News
A photo of my visit with a Grade 2 class at West Vancouver's Irwin Park Elementary School.
Author Duane Lawrence with Sammy Squirrel
Photo taken during my visit to Christianne's Lyceum of Literature and Art in Vancouver.
What the critics say...
"Resource Links Magazine" published the following review:
Sammy Squirrel & Rodney Raccoon (A Stanley Park Tale) 106 pages/Grades 2 - 6.
Lawrence has created a wonderful community of animals that live in Stanley Park, Vancouver. After a close encounter with people and pets, Sammy Squirrel and Rodney Raccoon decide they are going to leave the safety of the park and set off on an adventure. Their adventure removes them far from the safety of their community; the novel follows them as they head out into the ocean, and eventually end up in Japan. Along the way they are helped by many different animal friends, including Winifred Whale, Penelope Pigeon and Judy Crow.
Young readers will enjoy the gentle fictional world that Duane Lawrence has created in this short novel. The novel is well-paced for younger readers, and the clear text is interspersed with lively black and white illustrations. The short chapters are ideal for readers embarking on their first chapter book, but all students with an interest in wildlife or environmental issues will enjoy this novel. The story also works well as a read-aloud, particularly when introducing a unit with environmental or community themes to a class.
Taken from: Resource Links Magazine. Volume 13, #4. Written by Claire Hazzard
Sammy Squirrel & Rodney Raccoon (A Stanley Park Tale) 106 pages/Grades 2 - 6.
Lawrence has created a wonderful community of animals that live in Stanley Park, Vancouver. After a close encounter with people and pets, Sammy Squirrel and Rodney Raccoon decide they are going to leave the safety of the park and set off on an adventure. Their adventure removes them far from the safety of their community; the novel follows them as they head out into the ocean, and eventually end up in Japan. Along the way they are helped by many different animal friends, including Winifred Whale, Penelope Pigeon and Judy Crow.
Young readers will enjoy the gentle fictional world that Duane Lawrence has created in this short novel. The novel is well-paced for younger readers, and the clear text is interspersed with lively black and white illustrations. The short chapters are ideal for readers embarking on their first chapter book, but all students with an interest in wildlife or environmental issues will enjoy this novel. The story also works well as a read-aloud, particularly when introducing a unit with environmental or community themes to a class.
Taken from: Resource Links Magazine. Volume 13, #4. Written by Claire Hazzard
An excerpt from the story...
Chapter One - The Surprisingly Dangerous Nut Haul
Sammy Squirrel awoke to the sound of a long, deep howl and leapt out of bed. Rushing to the window, he looked out to see what had made such a terrible noise. The large branches of his giant fir tree swooshed and swayed in every direction. It was the wind - a clear sign that winter would arrive soon in Stanley Park.
Oh dear, he muttered to himself, I'd better finish my nut gathering before any snow falls. He'd always felt this was a wonderful way to spend a late autumn day. But on this morning it was raining "people and pets," as the old animal saying goes. And that would make going on a nut haul an unpleasant task for any squirrel, even a good-natured, hardworking one like Sammy.
After a delicious breakfast of roasted acorns and green leaf tea, Sammy hurriedly dressed in his green rain hat and coat, grabbed his favourite green umbrella, and scurried towards the door. He stopped for a moment to admire himself in the hallway mirror.
Oh, I love green things! Evergreen, forest green anything green! And I do look good in green, too - somewhat like a little green shrub, come to think of it.
Full of admiration for the stylish reflection he had seen in the mirror, Sammy opened the door and peered out. Wriggling his nose, he sniffed the air as a quick safety check, for he never knew if an unfriendly hawk might be lurking in the treetops at this time of day. Satisfied there was no sign of danger from the animal world, he hurried down the tree and headed along the winding trail in his fancy "green shrub" attire.
Sammy Squirrel awoke to the sound of a long, deep howl and leapt out of bed. Rushing to the window, he looked out to see what had made such a terrible noise. The large branches of his giant fir tree swooshed and swayed in every direction. It was the wind - a clear sign that winter would arrive soon in Stanley Park.
Oh dear, he muttered to himself, I'd better finish my nut gathering before any snow falls. He'd always felt this was a wonderful way to spend a late autumn day. But on this morning it was raining "people and pets," as the old animal saying goes. And that would make going on a nut haul an unpleasant task for any squirrel, even a good-natured, hardworking one like Sammy.
After a delicious breakfast of roasted acorns and green leaf tea, Sammy hurriedly dressed in his green rain hat and coat, grabbed his favourite green umbrella, and scurried towards the door. He stopped for a moment to admire himself in the hallway mirror.
Oh, I love green things! Evergreen, forest green anything green! And I do look good in green, too - somewhat like a little green shrub, come to think of it.
Full of admiration for the stylish reflection he had seen in the mirror, Sammy opened the door and peered out. Wriggling his nose, he sniffed the air as a quick safety check, for he never knew if an unfriendly hawk might be lurking in the treetops at this time of day. Satisfied there was no sign of danger from the animal world, he hurried down the tree and headed along the winding trail in his fancy "green shrub" attire.
Singing at the Hollow Tree
I accompanied a class of Grade 4/5 students and their teacher from Lord Roberts' Elementary School to sing the song from my book at the Old Hollow Tree in Stanley Park in support of keeping the tree standing. The old tree is known in my story as "Old Hollow Hall" - the meeting place for the animals...kind of like their city hall. The children sang "O'Stanley Park" beautifully, the sun shone and we all had fun. Click below to view the video created by the Vancouver Sun media crew.
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