BC BookWorld has done an informative new article on our illustrator of The Canoe He Called Loo Taas, Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas.
A fascinating story and background on a brilliant artist!
Read on...
http://www.abcbookworld.com/view_author.php?id=1592
Amanda Reid-Stevens, daughter of the legendary Haida artist Bill Reid, and award-winning illustrator Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas have written and illustrated a lovely, all-ages, full-colour, picture book. The Canoe He Called Loo Taas is the story of the creation of the 50-foot canoe Bill Reid designed that has become one of the Haida Nation’s most revered treasures. Loo Taas was the alternative mode of transportation for the 2010 Olympic torch. Elder Percy Williams was the official torchbearer.
In stores NOW!!
The Dude - Book Launch at Antisocial was a huge success! I will be posting pictures shortly, but here's a sneak peek at what some of the children were doing while everyone was mingling with some refreshments! Feel free to print a copy for your children to colour!
The BENJAMIN brown team attended BookCamp Vancouver on Friday. The sessions I attended were mainly marketing based.
Starting with Lori Dunn and Angela Crocker with a discussion on Book Marketing From a Reviewer's Perspective. Main topics including; book's with actual movie trailer's to get audiences engaged before the book arrives. Being interactive - blogging, commenting on related blog posts, the importance of being genuine.
The second session with Thad McIlroy and Monique Trottier: Optimal Use of Social Media for Authors and Publishers. Main topic was Time Management, linking social media tools together, ie. Facebook and Twitter, allows you to save time by doing half the work!
Getting to zero: Who Gets Paid When Books are Free? Sean Cranbury started the discussion on online books, and how they will effect the publishing industry. After an online book is initially purchased, the consumer can then share the book with friends with no added cost. Very interesting points were made for and against e-books, but actual tangible books will always be a staple for book lovers everywhere.
Ending with Deanna McFadden discussing Content Would be King...Making your words work on the web. An interesting conversation on the importance of author blogging and how it can grow their audience before the book is even released.
Overall the day was very successful, well run, informative and interesting! Thank you to everyone involved in Bookcamp Vancouver. I look forward to next year!
5 Minutes for Books is an amazing website run by a group of women that absolutely love books. Ever since they were little, they have never been without a book on the go. This continuous hobby has grown into a beautiful website discussing many of the amazing books they have enjoyed.
Dawn Mooney, a reviewer for "5 Minutes for Books" just loves Christopher Aslan's Wenda the Wacky Wiggler! Here's a peek at what she had to say:
"...When I first laid eyes on the illustrated cover for Wenda the Wacky Wiggler, I was immediately hooked. The bright colors and fun typeset were positives, but mostly it was that little girl with a gentle but confident smile, arms crooked in a self-assured way, wearing some unexplained hat and glasses. Hooked.
...Positive messages abound in children's books, and presenting it in a way that doesn't come off too preachy can sometimes be challenging. Wenda's tale is depicted in a heartfelt and straightforward manner, succeeding in being touchy and dear, without going overboard."
An amazing review for Dude has already come in! The Family Reader, a blog with family friendly book excerpts and reviews from every imaginable category. Have a look around to find your next amazing family friendly read. Feel free to post some comments of your own, they love to hear what everything thinks! Here's what they thought about Dude:
"Dude, talk about awesome! Christopher Aslan's newest book, Dude, illustrated by Emily Mullock is another home run hit!... My six your old son loves putting himself into the book, pretending to be Dude and then trying all the different voices Dude would use in each situation.... This is the third book I've seen from Christopher Aslan and I already can't wait to see what he comes up with next..."
Visit The Family Reader to read the whole review, and while you're there check out some of the other amazing reviews!
BENJAMIN brown books is proud to announce: Jess Weiner made Dude Book of the Month in her Actionist Newsletter! Jess is this generation's "Go-to Girl" for self-esteem, you can read her monthly body image column in Seventeen Magazine! Jess truly sees what is behind all of Christopher's stories. She loved Wenda the Wacky Wiggler, and now is soo into Dude!
Read Jess's inspirational pieces in her Actionist Newsletter!
Christopher Aslan is doing a signing for Wenda the Wacky Wiggler and Dude at Chevalier's Books in Los Angeles, California next Sunday September 27th! If you're in the L.A area stop by and check out Christopher, as well as Chevalier's Books amazing store! They have very helpful and knowledgeable staff, and they have a whole section dedicated to children's books!
Dude has finally arrived! Everyone at BENJAMIN brown books has been crazy busy, running around showing off our gorgeous new book! Reviews of this creative display of emotions will be coming in shortly, make sure you stay tuned to see what everyone thinks.
Have a sneak peek at all of our books on our website www.benjaminbrownbooks.com. You can even have a peak at our next realeases Dude, and Doggy Bag. Stay tuned, soon I will be posting the next step in the book making process for Doggy Bag! Don't want to give away the ending of the story, so I have to choose wisely!
All of us at BENJAMIN brown books are proud to announce Doggy Bag is at the printers! Only a few more weeks till this adorable "tail" is ready to be shared.
We have updated our JacketFlap profile, connect with us and other authors, illustrators and publishers in the wonderful world of books!
The BENJAMIN brown team is proud to announce that Wenda the Wacky Wiggler is the featured book of the month on Jess Weiner's Actionist Newsletter!
Jess Weiner is this generations "Go-to Girl" for self-esteem! Whether she is hosting a seminar for mothers and daughters on today's pressure to be beautiful, writing her monthly body image column for Seventeen magazine or working with celebrities to spread the message on self esteem. Jess is motivating girls and women to develop self-confidence, and self-acceptance! Read what Jess thinks about Wenda's story and her message to be yourself!
"It is undeniable that loving yourself is essential to living a happy and fulfilled life. In Christopher Aslan's second book in the Rainbow Collection, Wenda the Wacky Wiggler, we meet a unique little girl who shows us just how important and infectious individual expression and love are."
Chic Mom Magazine, is an e-magazine and community which intimately knows mothers and gives them a voice to remember their personal 'chicness' in mind, body and spirit. Started by Darcy Plunkett in 2005, Chic Mom Magazine is an amazing resource for mom`s everywhere helping them remember and stay in touch with what passions inspired them as girls and women.
Stay tuned for a review of Wenda the Wacky Wiggler on Chic Mom Magazine`s Darcy Plunkett`s blog!
The Family Reader's review on Wenda the Wacky Wiggler is in. You can check out the full review here! Here is a little preview of what Rachael thought:
"Wenda's tale is inspiring for the young, and reminds those of us who aren't so young anymore, that the world through the eyes of a child can make us feel light and happy. Christopher Aslan has really poured his heart into this tale, and you feel that from the moment the story begins. If you don't walk away from this joyful tale with a smile on your face, you weren't paying attention, and you need to start over from the beginning!" - Rachael Towle
The Family Reader is a great place to find family friendly book excerpts and reviews. Check out the amazing review on Christopher Aslan's Lilly and Lucy's Shadow.
"From page one, it is easy to fall in love with Lilly and Lucy. I see myself and memories from the past playing our through the pages of this beautifully illustrated book..."
Read the full review here!
Books on the Radio is a blog, podcast and radio show on CITR 101.9 FM Vancouver discussing new voices and ideas in book publishing. Hosted by Sean Cranbury, Books on the Radio is helping push this traditional industry into the future with digital technology.
Beginning with an insightful speech from Monique Trottier that took place at the Shebeen Whisky Bar in downtown Vancouver. Monique touches on some of the issues in the publishing industry and how new ideas need to be formed to push this industry into the future.
Following Monique, Sean interviews Meghan Spong and Christopher Aslan in the BENJAMIN brown books office here in downtown Vancouver. They begin by discussing the kismit meeting between Meghan and Chirstopher that started BENJAMIN brown books. Followed by how they are creating books that will give children that missing courage, and inspiration they need to grow.
Check out the whole interview as well as Monique's inspirational speech here!
