It was such an honour to be interviewed by Vladyslav Maidanskyi and Sofiia Mykhailiuk of Kontakt TV, next generation. This was Vladyslav’s first interview and he did a fantastic job.
Kontakt NextGen
Tag: Under Attack
Internment & Kidnapped at Bloor West
I did two presentations yesterday at the Bloor West Ukrainian Festival yesterday. The first was with Ryan Boyko for his podcast series on WWI internment in Canada.
I got to listen to James Motluk’s interview as it was scheduled right before mine.
James is a documentary filmmaker, and his documentary, Jajo’s Secret, uncovering his own grandfather’s internment is stunning.
I also got to meet up with my internment buddy, Borys Sydoruk, who has been in the forefront of internment recognition. During my interview, I spoke about my grandfather’s internment, and how that inspired three of my books.
My second presentation was about my Kidnapped from Ukraine trilogy and how these novels can create empathy and understanding about Russia’s war on Ukraine in a way that other media cannot. Thank you, Borys, for taking these photos of this talk!
Teaching Genocide
Honoured to have contributed a chapter in this important book by Sarah J. Donovan. My chapter references Russia’s ongoing genocide in Ukraine. The chapter is titled, Creating With Empathy: Witnessing Genocide Through Historical Fiction
IBBY Congress: Listening to the Whispers
It was so meaningful to meet my fellow panelists for the War and Trauma panel. I was particularly struck by the work that Hooria Rezaei is doing with children in Tehran during this current war, using books as a refuge and a way of dealing with trauma in kids who are in the midst of the unimaginable.
Dance Camp!
Just had the most wonderful visit with Green Grove Camp — a summer Ukrainian dance camp in Saskatchewan for Ukrainian Orthodox children and youth! Their teacher, Anya Shyian, let me know that the board had provided each participant with a copy of one of my books, so I mailed a personalized book plate for each of them. The questions were fantastic! So detailed and specific from so many different books and and times in my own life. I extended the session so that all questions could be answered, and extended again when a cluster of kids had more questions. I asked them to show me some of their dance moves — beautiful! And we ended with them dancing out of the room!!
Under Attack is a Bank Street Best Book
Still Alive book event at Koota Ooma!
Friday: Signing at Book Warehouse on Main
After my last school session and on my way to returning the rental car, I stopped in at Book Warehouse on Main to autograph their stock copies of my books. The traffic was heavy and where I parked wasn’t exactly great, but the books are signed! LOVE independent bookstores. They are an author’s best friend, and readers’ best friend!
Friday afternoon: my last bookweek visit at Sherwood Park
My final school visit for Book Week was on Friday afternoon at École Sherwood Park ES. Students had so many interesting questions and observations about writing, world history, the war in Ukraine, and dyslexia. Often, by Friday afternoon, students are tired, but these young readers were animated and interested. Thanks so much, Patricia Laursen, teacher-librarian!
Friday: A wonderful welcome at Highlands Elementary
I had been in correspondence with Linette McNeil, Highland’s teacher-librarian, for several weeks. She had been searching for copies of my Dear Canada novel, Prisoners in the Promised Land, but could only find used copies. Nearly all of my 30 years of books are still in print, but this one currently isn’t. However, a few years ago the Toronto Ukrainian Canadian Congress ordered a special print run in softcover to give as a graduation gift to grade 8 students in Toronto Ukrainian schools. I received some author copies. I brought Linette two of them, and in lieu of payment, she made a donation to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation.
What a lovely surprise I had when I got to the school!
Students were very engaged and asked lots of questions. In the background is my grade 4 report card — the first one — when I was failed.
K, who escaped from Mariupol when the the 2022 attacks began, was in the audience and stayed after to introduce herself. She asked if she could get her sister M out of her class so we could meet and get a photo. A very emotional meeting.
These are the students who introduced me. I’m always impressed with students who are able to get up in front of a big group of their peers and calmly deliver their words.
We got a group pic too!
