Happy August! We hope you had a fantastic long weekend—perhaps you even had time to finish one (or two) books from your ever-growing TBR pile? If so, you’re in luck! Because we’ve got all the latest book recommendations to help you replenish your nightstand.
YAing Updates
First, let’s start with what’s been going on here at Young Adulting this month. In our August author spotlight, managing editor Hannah Luppe interviews Lauren Soloy, the author and illustrator of When Emily Was Small and Etty Darwin and the Four Pebble Problem, as well as the illustrator of the I’s the B’y: The Beloved Newfoundland Folk Song. Her new book is The Hidden World of Gnomes. Lauren talks creative process, writing inspirations, and, of course, gnomes!
All of my books involve a lot of research, mostly because I am a very curious person. But for gnomes, most of the worldbuilding came from sitting quietly and noticing. I noticed the way that flowers often pop up in unexpected places, and how much fun it is to tap a stick on something. I noticed how adorable bees are when they dance, and how fluffy animals get when cold weather hits. Mostly, I noticed what brings me joy.
So, the research I did for this book generally involved finding out more about the natural world around me. Nature is so amazing, and everything I learned fed into the universe of the gnomes.
5 Questions for Lauren Soloy
Don’t forget to check out extra content in our recorded interview!
We’ve also published some marvellous reviews. Here’s a recap:
- “Told alongside three carefully illustrated fairy tales, The Magic Fish is a profound reflection on the ways our stories—both those we’ve lived, and those we’ve read—are integral to our identities, and how we can use them as avenues of connection and compassion, even in the most difficult times.” Hannah Luppe reviews The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen
- “A million dollars is a lot of money. It can buy ludicrous vacations, endless designer clothes, the newest technological gadgets, and even mansions in faraway places. However, along with the incredible opportunities money creates, it also has the potential to feed greed and jealousy. And this greed can have massive consequences.” Evelyn Hussey reviews Big Winner by Sylvia Taekema
- “Have you ever seen a gnome? Perhaps you have noticed the squishing of mud, the rustling of leaves, or the faint humming of something familiar that you cannot quite recall. If you look closely enough, you might find there is a whole other world right under your nose.” Charlotte Mundy reviews The Hidden World of Gnomes by Lauren Soloy
As always, check back every Thursday and every other Tuesday for more reviews of upcoming and new releases.
Industry News
Kids Can Press is currently accepting submissions for both writers and illustrators! Check out their submission guidelines for writers here, and their submission guidelines for illustrators here.
Tonight (August 8th) at 7pm, author Jess Battis and our very own founding editor, Emily Pohl-Weary, will be celebrating Battis’s fantasy novel The Winter Knight with readings and a discussion at Iron Dog Books in Vancouver, BC. This event is free and open to all. Check out this link to learn more.
Word Vancouver, Western Canada’s largest free literary arts festival, is on the horizon. Word is hosting in-person events on September 16th at UBC Robson Square Park and September 23rd at the Surrey City Centre Library. They are also in need of volunteers—click here to sign up and learn more.
The Vancouver Writer’s Fest is currently searching for a Box Office Manager! Check out their hiring page here to learn more about the position.
As always, please do send us your news related to children’s and young adult literature at young.adulting@ubc.ca so we can feature them in future newsletters. Our newsletter is published on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. And remember to keep up with us on Twitter and Instagram!
Take care, and happy reading,
The Young Adulting Editors
YOUNG ADULTING 