News

“Highly recommended,” review

Posted by on October 11, 2013

The Extraordinary Life of Anna SwanGlowing review of The Extraordinary Life of Anna Swan in today’s (October 11, 2013) CM magazine

“stunningly designed”

“Anna’s story will inspire readers to both look past the differences of people they meet, and to embrace their own differences”

“Highly recommended.” 4/4 stars. CM Magazine

Read the whole review

http://www.umanitoba.ca/cm/vol20/no6/theextraordinarylifeofannaswan.html

 

Glowing review of The Extraordinary Life of Anna Swan in today’s (October 11, 2013) CM magazine “stunningly designed” “Anna’s story will… Continue»

“Life of Anna Swan” shortlisted for Québec writers award

Posted by on October 9, 2013

The Extraordinary Life of Anna SwanCongratulations Anne Renaud whose book The Extraordinary Life of Anna Swan has been shortlisted for the Québec Writers’ Federation literary Prize for Children’s and Young Adult Literature, one of six awards with a combined value of $12,000.

The award winners will be announced at a special gala ceremony that will also celebrate the QWF’s 15th Anniversary on November 19.

The Extraordinary Life of Anna Swan (CBU Press 2012) is the first dedicated publication on the life of Anna Swan, the Nova Scotia Giant.

Anna grew to an astonishing size – nearly 2.5 metres (almost 8 feet) tall. She was billed as “The Nova Scotia Giant Girl” at P.T. Barnum’s American Museum in New York. As her remarkable story illustrates, despite her unusual and challenging physical attributes, she rose above adversity and led a life of love, happiness and great accomplishments.

Anne Renaud, of Montréal is a life-long Quebecker and the author of several picture books and historical non-fiction books for children, including, A Bloom of Friendship: The Story of the Canadian Tulip Festival and Pier 21: Stories from Near and Far, which is being republished by CBU Press in the spring of 2014.

The Québec Writers’ Federation (QWF) plays a prominent role in the life of the Québec English-language literary community as an arts presenter and professional and community educator, as well as the representative of Québec’s English-language writers.

Congratulations Anne Renaud whose book The Extraordinary Life of Anna Swan has been shortlisted for the Québec Writers’ Federation literary Prize… Continue»

Forthcoming presentation by John Alick MacPherson

Posted by on October 8, 2013

CBUP Beaton_Oct'13-2

Look at all the events we’re planning this month!

Posted by on October 7, 2013

Wow, busy month at CBU Press!

 

Tuesday, October 15, 7-9 p.m.

Governors Book Pub

Featuring Jesse Ferguson, D.C. Troicuk and Sherry D. Ramsey

Followed by Governors Open Stage

 

Wednesday, October 16, 2:30 p.m.

Beaton Institute, Cape Breton University

Presentation by John Alick MacPherson

Fògradh, Fàisneachd, Filidheachd / Parting, Prophecy, Poetry

by Duncan Blair, Edited and translated by John Alick MacPherson and Michael Linkletter

 

Friday, October 18, 3 p.m.

Gaelic Singers Hall, 43594 Cabot Trail, Breton Cove

“Tales from The Blue Room,” Poems by Carlo Spinazzola

A Celtic Colours Community Event, hosted by the Cabot Trail Writers Festival Society

Official book launch of

The Blue Room, poems by Carlo Spinazzola

 

Saturday, October 19, 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site

Official launch of

Me & Mr. Bell, a novel by Philip Roy

 

Monday, October 21, 7-9 p.m.

The Carleton Music Bar & Grill, 1685 Argyle St., in Halifax

The Blue Room, poems by Carlo Spinazzola

 

Thursday, October 24, 7-9 p.m.

Cape Breton Fudge Company, 15 Prince St., Sydney

The Blue Room, poems by Carlo Spinazzola

 

Thursday, October 24, 9 a.m.- 12 p.m.

Baddeck Academy, Baddeck

The CBC Page Turner Project with Philip Roy

 

Thursday, October 24, 6-9 p.m.

Baddeck Academy, Baddeck

Nova Scotia Association of Library Technicians annual conference

Special launch of Me & Mr. Bell, a novel by Philip Roy

 

Friday, October 25

Nova Scotia Association of Library Technicians annual conference

Keynote address by Philip Roy

Wow, busy month at CBU Press!   Tuesday, October 15, 7-9 p.m. Governors Book Pub Featuring Jesse Ferguson, D.C. Troicuk… Continue»

We are pleased to be part of this leadership scholarship

Posted by on October 3, 2013

leadership-195x300CBC Radio One Cape Breton Information Morning this week announced the CBC Cape Breton Leadership Award. It will be awarded to a graduating student from a Cape Breton high school, who will be attending Cape Breton University, and who has “demonstrated an exceptional capacity for leadership among his or her peers and in the community.”

In 2009, we published Getting it Done: Conversations with Cape Breton Leaders by Information Morning host Steve Sutherland. Royalties from the sale of that book have been accumulated to finance the leadership award.

Read the full announcement here

CBC Radio One Cape Breton Information Morning this week announced the CBC Cape Breton Leadership Award. It will be awarded… Continue»

Readers will “connect” with Me and Mr. Bell, by Philip Roy

Posted by on October 2, 2013

Me & Mr. BellNice outline and review of Me and Mr. Bell, by Philip Roy, in the latest edition of The Casket can be found here.

We are so pleased at the great response we are getting for this Philip’s latest novel for young audiences.

Me and Mr. Bell will be launched on October 19, 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site.

Nice outline and review of Me and Mr. Bell, by Philip Roy, in the latest edition of The Casket can… Continue»

CM Magazine Highly Recommends Me & Mr. Bell

Posted by on September 25, 2013

Me & Mr. BellPhilip Roy’s new novel, Me & Mr. Bell, comes highly recommended by CM Magazine. Me & Mr. Bell tells the story of ten-year-old Eddie MacDonald and his relationship with Alexander Graham Bell, who lived in Baddeck, Nova Scotia. Here’s what the reviewer says about the novel:

“Eddie is a character that readers can really get behind and root for.”

“Eddie, as the narrator, allows for the story to be as engaging as possible.”

Me & Mr. Bell would be a great addition to a classroom library and history lesson.”

“The story is inspirational and leaves an impression that will not be soon forgotten.”

You can also read the full review.

This October, Philip Roy will be giving writing workshops in Cape Breton for kids in grades 6, 7, and 8. This is a great chance for young, aspiring writers to work with a great author and storyteller! Find out how to sign up here.

Philip Roy’s new novel, Me & Mr. Bell, comes highly recommended by CM Magazine. Me & Mr. Bell tells the… Continue»

CM Magazine highly recommends The Manager

Posted by on September 24, 2013

stellings-manager

 

A glowing review of The Manager by Caroline Stellings has just been published in the University of Manitoba’s CM Magazine. They highly recommend the book, calling it “by turns, heartbreakingly tender and slapstick funny.” The reviewer, Kim Aippersbach,  says that “Stellings’ writing is vivid and fast-paced, the plot full of unexpected turns with a satisfying denouement.” Read the full review here.

The Manager is a new Young Adult novel from Caroline Stellings telling the story of sisters Tina and Ellie who go on a road trip across the province in the company of the handsome Jesse Mankiller. More about the book here.

A review of The Manager also appeared in the October 2013 edition of Quill and Quire. The reviewer, Melanie Fishbane, writes that “in her latest YA novel, Caroline Stellings explores questions of tolerance and self-acceptance,” and that the novel leads readers to important realisations such as that “as much as we may try, we cannot ever truly escape where we come from and who we are.”

  A glowing review of The Manager by Caroline Stellings has just been published in the University of Manitoba’s CM… Continue»

Extraordinary Life of Anna Swan in Best Books for Kids and Teens

Posted by on September 19, 2013

The Extraordinary Life of Anna SwanCongratulations to Anne Renaud for the inclusion of her new book, The Extraordinary Life of Anna Swan, in the Fall edition of the Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s semi-annual Best Books for Kids and Teens.

Anna Swan was born in Nova Scotia and was billed as “The Nova Scotia Giant Girl” at P.T. Barnum’s American Museum in New York. But despite her unusual and challenging physical attributes, she rose above adversity and led a life of love, happiness and great accomplishments. You  can find more about the book here and more about Best Books for Kids and Teens here.

Congratulations to Anne Renaud for the inclusion of her new book, The Extraordinary Life of Anna Swan, in the Fall edition… Continue»

CBC’s new “Page Turner Project” for grades 7,8,9

Posted by on September 18, 2013

138It’s back! CBC’s “Page Turner Project” for grades 7,8,9.

Last January (2013), CBC Radio One Cape Breton’s Information Morning and CBU Press brought together fifty aspiring young writers for workshops with best-selling author Philip Roy.

Well, thanks to the good folks at Baddeck Academy the PAGE TURNER PROJECT will return.

This is a chance for Cape Bretoners in junior high (7,8,9) to attend a workshop on Thursday, October 24, in Baddeck.

PHILIP ROY is the author of the best-selling adventure series Submarine Outlaw. Last year, his historical fiction called Blood Brothers in Louisbourg (CBU Press, 2012) was met with rave reviews across the continent. Next month, CBU Press will launch a new novel by Philip Roy, Me & Mr. Bell, about a boy’s relationship with the world-famous inventor. (Click here for a description of Me & Mr. Bell.)

Who can enter? ANYONE IN GRADES 7, 8 or 9 on Cape Breton Island, who did not participate in the January 2013 Page Turner Project. Just send your name, phone number, grade, school and home community to CBC Radio One Information Morning Page Turner Project using the contact information below.

Names will go into the famous Bill’s Lucky Green Hat for the draw of twenty-five names for the workshop specially designed for young writers, sponsored by CBU Press. Lunch following the workshop provided courtesy of Information Morning. Entries close October 17.

Anything else? Oh yeah, a few talented workshop participants will get a chance to work ONE-ON-ONE with Philip to create an original piece that CBC will broadcast on the radio.

Send contact info (name, phone number, grade, school and home community) to:

Phone: 1-800-309-5556

Email: info_morning@cbc.ca

Twitter: @InfoMorningCB

(p.s. Me & Mr. Bell the latest historical fiction by Philip Roy, will be in stores October 1 and launches October 24.)

It’s back! CBC’s “Page Turner Project” for grades 7,8,9. Last January (2013), CBC Radio One Cape Breton’s Information Morning and… Continue»