This Plus That

Are you curious about the title of this blog post?  You should be.  This Plus That is the title of a great picture book by Amy Rosenthal in which she combines the joys of mathematical equations with language.  For example, here's one I made up:

baby + felt pen + library book = Disaster!

How about another or two?  (Okay, if you insist . . .)

Thanksgiving dinner – Brussels sprouts = Heaven

McMahen + singing – earplugs = painful!

Get the idea?  If you get the urge, how about making some up of your own.  If you have an aversion to math, this is the perfect way to overcome it.

Has your curiosity been quenched?  I hope so.

Fact or Fiction?

At the two schools where I work as a teacher-librarian, we are having a monthly writing challenge for all students.  Our first challenge was called:  "Fact or Fiction."  Another title to this could be "Two Truths and a Lie."  Here's how it works:

Write three statements about yourself.  Two of them are true, while one of them is made up.  Here's my own personal example:

1.  I met Michael Buble at the Vancouver Airport.

2.  I finished third in my age category at the Reino-Keski Salmi ski loppet last year.

3.  I once went swimming in Kalamalka Lake near Vernon in January.

Two are true and one is false.  Can you guess?  Leave a comment below with your guess for which one is not true.

We are encouraging all ages of students to enter, with the little tykes getting help from their parents.  Everyone has about three weeks to enter the challenge.  During this time, entries are read over the P.A. system in the school or at assemblies.  At the end of the challenge, there is a random draw from all the entries for some prizes.

The purpose of the challenge is to get students and their parents involved in a variety of creative writing activities that are challenging and a whole lot of fun.

If you have any questions about this challenge or wish to further discuss this idea, please contact me at my email address:  chrismcmahen@gmail.com.

Distractions! Distractions! Distractions!

I haven't updated the blog for a while for a number of reasons . . . (Excuses!  Excuses!  Excuses!)  Pictured above is the most recent one.  This is (or was) our front yard.  Thankfully, the yard is back together and I can actually get back to writing.

Footloose in Toronto

After my official duties of Book Week were over, I had some time to explore Toronto.

First, it was up the CN Tower . . .

Paid a visit to Glenn Gould . . .

Then, said hello to Stanley.

Book Week Tour Day 5

The final day of my Book Week tour has arrived.  I spent the entire day at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School, and what a day it was.  Thanks to the great staff and students at the school, I had a terrific time during my four readings and over lunch hour.

They had an art display in the gym, and this very original picture by Olivia really caught my eye:

Right after the readings, I headed into Grimsby's downtown for a few hours, sampling the offerings of their cafe, taking in their museum, and wandering about their picturesque neighbourhoods.

Then, I jumped on the train back to Toronto.

I sat with Jessica Scott Kerrin, another Book Week author.  It was great to swap stories of our Book Week adventures and talk about the writing life.  Monica met us at the train station to complete the circle of the week.

The week went by in a blur.  The Book Week organizers are absolutely right– The Book Week Tour is not for the faint of heart!  But what a great time it was.  Thanks again to Monica Winkler for her amazing organizational efforts and skills!

Book Week Tour Day 4

Last night, I took the train back from London to Toronto . . .

I got in very late, and the next morning arrived quite quickly.

Once in a while, a superhero appears out of nowhere to save the day.  Today, that superhero's name was Niki.  Monica's good friend picked me up at the hotel in the morning and drove me through the maze that is called "Toronto" out to Blessed Margherita School for my first presentation.

The hundred or so students were very energetic and eager to participate!  Thanks to Elaine for hosting the event!

Here I am in action . . .

Well . . . maybe not quite in action yet.  How about this . . .

Then, I had the opening of the Box of Shocks . . .

Safety First!  I always have someone standing behind, just in case they faint.

Right after the presentation, we headed back to downtown Toronto toward the GO station for a train I was to catch to Ajax.  Unfortunately, a combination of traffic, traffic and traffic conspired against us and we arrived too late to catch the train.

Was this a problem?  Of course not!  Niki drove me all the way out to Ajax.  We stopped for lunch, then she delivered me to the library in Ajax for my next presentation.  Thanks to Niki for going the extra kilometres, otherwise, today would have been Ajaxless.

The 85 kids in Ajax were a terrific audience.  They had such great ideas, were full of enthusiasm, and a joy to work with.  I also met Joel Sutherland, a fellow author who works in the library system in Ajax.  Check out his book on writing with Scholastic, plus his adult horror novel.  I know I am as soon as I get home.  Thanks to Cindy and Raj for making my visit to Ajax so enjoyable.

After, I hopped on the GO train in Ajax and went back to Toronto . . .

This is Union Station in Toronto.  An incredible building with an inspiring heritage.

Tonight, I caught the Via Rail train to Grimsby, Ontario– hometown of Vancouver Canucks' star defenceman Kevin Bieksa.

Tomorrow, my final official day of the tour in terms of presentations.  What a blur this week has been!

Book Week Tour Day 3

Another fast-paced, fun-filled, action-packed day!  (I'd better watch it.  Soon, I'll be wearing out the "-" key on my keyboard.)

First thing in the morning, I headed over to Wilfrid Jury School.  And what a school it is!

Warning!  If you are a teacher-librarian and do not want to get extremely jealous, DO NOT read any further!


Pictured below is Kathie Rose in her library– the most jaw-dropping library I have ever seen.

I was unable to adequately capture the library in one photo.  Above this photo are massive skylights that bath the entire room in bright light.  We have skylights back in the library at my school, Highland Park, but these skylights are way up and gigantic.  The layout of the library is also unbelievable.

But the best part of the library is their amazing teacher-librarian, Kathie Rose, who was a great host, providing a superb setup in the gym, coffee and even carrot cake.  She made my visit a great experience.  Thanks also to her great student helpers and all of her incredibly attentive students!

After two presentations at Wilfrid Jury, I hopped in a cab and tore across town to Tweedmuir Public School.  Right away, I did a presentation to a very enthusiastic group of grade 3-5 students followed by a different presentation to the grade 6-8 students.  My second presentation really emphasized the writing process an author goes through, and I was really impressed how focused the kids were.  I had some great questions from them, as well as terrific participation when I asked for them to share their experiences of things like jumping off cliffs into deep water, revisiting old houses they used to live in, and other experiences relevant to my books.  It was two great sessions.

Tweedsmuir School has one of the nicest front school yards I've seen.  It must be spectacular in the fall, with the large trees lining the front sidewalk.  This picture doesn't do it justice.  I guess if you want to really get the full sense of it, you'll have to visit.  If you do, say hello to my gracious host, Ilse Nel-Landers!

After my four presentations, I hopped in yet another taxi and headed to the Via Rail station, stashed my suitcase, and was footloose in downtown London for a few hours.  I managed to visit their spectacular art gallery and museum . . .

. . . featuring this rhino on the front lawn.  St. Thomas has their statue of Jumbo, and London has the rhino.

Winding through London is a river called, what else?  The Thames River.  They've done a great job of making a walkway/ linear park along both sides of the river.  Right across from the Museum/Gallery they have this massive fountain that shoots water out across the river.

And, of course, if this is London, it had better have a castle . . . And it does!

This evening, I said good bye to London and boarded the Via Rail train to Toronto which is where I'm writing at this very minute.  In another hour and a bit, I should be back in Toronto.  The train is definitely a great way to travel.  Very comfortable.  I just hope I don't doze off and wake up in Montreal.  Better stay awake!  Better stay awake!  Better stay awake!