Kaleidoscope 9 Children’s Literature Conference

My dream come true- to just once in my career to have the sheer privilege of attending a Kaleidoscope Conference. Be still, my heart! By far the hardest part was to choose sessions from the amazing array of talented authors and illustrators who were there to share their enormous gifts with us. For one who has always held these great people in awe, it was incredible to sit and listen, laugh, sometimes cry, and then head to the bookstore for more of their books. The other hard part was not to be super jealous when the other delegates talked about their sessions, and you knew you’d missed out, but you simply could only attend a small percentage of them. So here is a glimpse into my joyful weekend.

Choices, choices, choices! And all of them worthy of my rapt attention. But here are the ones I made. First, off to see Robert Heidbreder. This had a personal connection for me. When Drumheller Dinosaur Dance was nominated for the Saskatchewan Shining Willow award several years ago, it was my favourite. I purchased it for my then 4 year-old grandson, who also loved it. He immediately set up his own Drumheller Dinosaur band with the neighbouring children. Attending kindergarten in Ontario, he also wished to purchase it for his teacher that year. Arriving at the session early, I was able to share my little story with him. He also autographed another copy of the book I had purchased for another grandchild. Robert Heidbreder was, in a word, a hoot! He told us about his love of word play from the time he was little. When his mom suggested he was having a “duck fit”, he shared the amazing imaginative world of words and word associations this led him to; not only words but actions. He talked about his adventures as a kindergarten teacher. He inspired us to share more poetry in the classroom, and to just have fun!

I also had the opportunity to listen to Beverley Naidoo. Beverley left apartheid ridden South Africa after being detained in her own country. Her stories reveal the great social injustices in the country of her birth. Having read Chain of Fire with great enjoyment many years ago, I look forward to reading many of her other writings in the future.

Melanie Watts will assuredly continue to delight us with her extraordinary characters and humorous illustrations. I was pleased to see that she is young, so we have lots to look forward to. My favourites are Scaredy Squirrel and now Chester. She primarily uses acrylics and watercolours and draws on her background in computer graphics. This author was a delight to listen to as she allowed us a glimpse into her thinking as she creates these wonderful characters. Although in the case of Chester, perhaps he has created Melanie Watts!

Lois Lowry is an author of young adult material whose work I have long admired. Who could ever forget their first reading of The Giver and feel great delight upon the discovery of a sequel many years later, Gathering Blue.  Number the Stars has long been used to teach younger children about the Holocaust, which she told us was based on the childhood of a Norwegian friend. I can’t wait to read Autumn Street, which is autobiographical. It became very clear during her session that hers was a fascinating life. Gossamer, now being made into a play, is an intriguing look at the world of dreams. It’s also a delight to see her turn her pen to novels for the younger set with the Goonie Bird Greene series and of course, the much talked-about, The Willoughby’s. So many great books to read- so little time.

Two of our plenary session speakers, Janet Stevens and Michael Morpurgo were nothing less than inspiring. Janet Stevens, illustrator and author, had us chortling at her varied characters, each of whom was delightful as she herself was. It reminded me again of just how much fun it can be to read great picture books aloud. I purchased her illustrated, To Market, To Market (written by Anne Miranda) for my 16month-old granddaughter and it has fast become a favourite. It bore 5 consecutive readings the very first time. She loves to pick out the various animals and calls it the “uh-oh” book.It also inspired me to make “market soup.” I know that I will be promoting her books greatly in my school library.

Michael Morpurgo was born at the end of the second world war so was under the spell of that dark, uncertain time. His playground was often the remains of a bombed-out building; where a sign might read ,”Do not enter.” His books are reflective of the war years and varied in their approach, with War Horse being told from the viewpoint of the horse. Michael was an absolute card to listen to, and if we hadn’t been staid librarians, he would have had us rolling in the aisles. Bring back this author from “across the pond” any day, I say! Although I have not yet read many of his works, he is now at the top of my list.

If you ever get a chance to attend a conference of this calibre, do so. It is to be in the presence of greatness.