Greetings from Larry Loyie and Constance Brissenden for 2012. We want to introduce our next book, The Moon Speaks Cree, A Winter Adventure from Theytus and share highlights of 2011.
NEW BOOK IN 2012
The New Year 2012 will see The Moon Speak Cree, A Winter Adventure, a new book from Larry Loyie with Constance Brissenden, published by Theytus (summer 2012).
We are tremendously excited about the new book. It is a combination of a chapter book and an illustrated children’s book. Illustrator Heather D. Holmlund, who did the artwork for Larry Loyie’s award-winning book As Long as the Rivers Flow (Groundwood) and his ground breaking HIV awareness title The Gathering Tree (Theytus), is illustrating The Moon Speaks Cree. We are thrilled to be working with Heather again.
Here’s a summary:
The Moon Speaks Cree, A Winter Adventure (Theytus, 2012) by Larry Loyie with Constance Brissenden. Illustrated by Heather D. Holmlund. Winter is Lawrence’s favorite season shared with his two sisters and filled with the fun of outdoor adventures. He rides his father’s long toboggan pulled by four eager dogs, invents a sliding machine that really works from his grandfather’s old steamer trunk, reconnects with his older brother and learns the secrets of winter survival from his parents and grandparents. Based on Larry Loyie’s traditional Cree childhood, the story teaches deeper lessons: respect for culture and history, the effect of change on Aboriginal people and the importance of being good to animals. 68 pages, grade 3 and up.
Larry Loyie at the log house
Larry Loyie at the log house in Alberta, a great place to write books.
MORE NEWS
Being an author is exciting and fun. Here are some highlights from 2011.
School Visits in 2011
Larry and Constance gave more than 50 school and library talks and writing workshops in 2011. We visited Quesnel, Bella Coola, Hagensborg and Abbotsford, BC; Medicine Hat, Carstairs, High Prairie, Edmonton, Wabasca, Alberta; and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
We truly enjoyed the grade 3-4 theatrical presentation of As Long as the Rivers Flowat St. Andrew’s School in High Prairie, AB. Here’s a scene from their classroom play, with creative props.
We drove to Bella Coola, BC, in April 2011, on the notorious “hill” (don’t let “hill” fool you, it is a MOUNTAIN), a place we wanted to visit for decades. The schools and students were great… we had so much fun visiting the classrooms and also gave a public reading.
Larry Loyie
This is Acwsalcta School in Bella Coola. Such a great school teaching pride in Nuxalk culture.
Larry Loyie
Larry Loyie in residential school, first altar boy from left.
. Goodbye Buffalo Bay (Theytus) is Larry Loyie’s much-praised chapter book about his last year at St. Bernard Mission residential school and moving on as a youth worker in the 1940s. The dramatic yet often hilarious book has opened doors for readers of all ages and abilities. Schools are now specifically asking for Larry to speak about his experiences. A residential school survivor, he gives a first-person account with honesty and sensitivity. As a primary source on the residential school experience, Larry is committed to visiting schools and sharing his story.
French cover of As Long As The River Flows
Translated as Tant Que Couleront Les Rivieres, Larry Loyie’s book As Long as the Rivers Flow (Groundwood) was published in French by Les Editions des Plaines in Saint-Boniface, Manitoba. Here’s the link for this beautiful translation, a first for the books of Larry Loyie. http://www.plaines.ca/
. As Long as the Rivers Flow by Larry Loyie was voted one of 25 for 25: The Best Books of Our Time in the Peace Library System. This contest was held in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Peace Library System. As Long as the Rivers Flow placed 16th on the list, before the Twilight series (#17)!
. A model teaching unit on As Long as the Rivers Flow is available on line from the Montana Office of Public Education, Language Arts – Grades 4-8. www.opi.mt.gov
When the Spirits Dance (Theytus) is a war story that opens dialogue for students on the meaning of war. During the Second World War, young Lawrence faces many challenges while his father is overseas, including the threat of army runaways. This book is an exceptional choice for today’s students to discuss how war affects them. They also share in the day-to-day adventures of a traditional Cree family.
Please stay in touch…
We look forward to your calls, emails and student writings in 2012. We closed out the year with a SKYPE visit with students in Saskatchewan. This may be a great way to visit some classrooms.
Here’s a final photo from a school in Medicine Hat. To all the students we met in 2011, thanks for the great questions!
Larry and Constance in Medicine Hat(October 2011) on a school tour with the Young Alberta Book Society.