Dan Bar-el's Blog

I am not a big user of Goodreads, but I do visit regularly to show gratitude to the readers who have taken the time to not just rate my books but to write a review.
In regards to my middle-grade series, The Very, Very Far North, I wanted to say a special thank you because there are so many thoughtful critiques that have touched me greatly. Authors, of course, want readers to like their books, but to have them understood in the way they were meant, holds even more joy.
I'm also happy to hear that many of you have shared the stories with your children / students by reading to them. Again, this is how I imagined and hoped the books would be experienced.

All good wishes,

Dan Bar-el

Hello book readers and story listeners of all types and ages,

This is a short heads up that I will be giving daily readings of my middle grade novel, Audrey (cow) on Facebook Live starting Monday, March 30, at 11:00 am PST (2:00 pm EST).

Please let any grade 3-6ers know about it, or if your family’s quarantine daily breaking point is around that time, take a breather with moi. There is a cast of thirty-three narrators telling the story. My acting abilities being what they are, I think that I can guarantee at least fifteen distinct voices among them.

Find me at: Dan Bar-el – Children’s Author

www.facebook.com/DanBarelauthor/?ref=...

You can also download the cast list from this page:
https://tundrabooks.com/virtual-story...

Click on "Character List" in my listing.

Wishing everyone good health in body and spirit.
Dan

I haven't been a very good blogger here, but I did want to thank everyone who took the time not only to read my books but to comment on them as well.

It thrills me to hear that some of you have been reading my latest book, The Very, Very Far North, with your children, as a bedtime story. It's how I always hoped it would be experienced.

A few readers mentioned that they hoped there would be future stories with Duane and his friends. I'm happy to say that the companion book, Just Beyond the Very, Very Far North will be coming out on October 3rd of this year. In the first book, Duane creates his world, and in the second, Duane learns that how to protect it.

A Happy New Year to all readers who have come across this post, either intentionally or otherwise.

I'd like to give notice that I will have a new picture book out in April and a new graphic novel out in July.

It's Great Being a Dad (illustrated by Gina Perry and published by Tundra Books) is a funny picture book story that celebrates imaginary play and invites Dads (and all adults) to join in on the fun. Characters involved in the tale are a unicorn, Big Foot, a robot, the Lock Ness Monster, and two hybrids I won't reveal here. Children will recognize the humorous take on their own obstacle- driven play narratives, and there's a wonderful ah-ha moment towards the end when they realize that all is not what it seems.

Dog Night at the Story Zoo (illustrated by Vicki Nerino and published by Tundra Books) is a very funny graphic novel aimed for middle-graders. The premise is that while humans sleep, the zoo animals, pets and free-roamers gather together to share stories with each other and this night is devoted to the dogs among them. There are four vignettes, including a "Valley-girl" poodle (oh-my-dog!), a bulldog in search of love that isn't skin deep, a stray with commitment issues, and a bloodhound in a Sherlock Holmes parody. And naturally the evening show is hosted by a penguin, the only one who owns a tux. I have literally squeezed as many jokes as I could into this manuscript (along with the sentimental bits that make even snakes sniff back a tear or two), so this is a great book for the middle-graders in your life who pride themselves on their highly developed sense of humour (or whatever you call it when they can't turn off their mouths).

The official release of my middle grade novel, Audrey (cow) is still two weeks away but the response so far has been very exciting. Kirkus, Publishers' Weekly and here in Canada, Quill & Quire, have all given the book starred reviews.

Again, as always, thank you to all of you who have been reading my stories!

Dan Bar-el

I haven't contributed much news of late to goodreads, so let me pass on some items.

Both Dream Boats and Not Your Typical Dragon have been nominated for Chocolate Lily Awards for 2014/2015. These wonderful awards are voted on by students in British Columbia.

On September 28th, I will be presenting my picture book, A Fish Named Glub, at Word Vancouver, down in the Children's Library.

From Oct.14-19, I will be at WordFest in Calgary giving presentations.

From Oct.26-28, I will be giving some workshops at the Surrey Writers Conference.

And throughout October and a bit of November, I will be giving presentations at fourteen libraries branches of the Fraser Valley Regional Library district.

So please join me at any of those events if you are so inclined and in the neighbourhood.

Thank you to all of you who have been reading my books.

I’m thrilled to announce that my picture book, Not Your Typical Dragon (illustrated by American artist, Tim Bowers), has just been nominated for a BC Book Prize in, of course, the picture book category. These prizes are recognized as the province’s highest honour for all things literary. I’m doubly thrilled because I know just how many talented children’s authors and illustrators are based in British Columbia. This is my second nomination. Two years ago, Pussycat, Pussycat, Where Have You Been, which was illustrated by Vancouver artist, Rae Maté, was also shortlisted.

A couple of lovely reviews for Glub!

KIRKUS REVIEW

A lyrical story about life and its mysteries told from the point of view of a small fish living in a glass fishbowl in a diner.

Eschewing the current picture-book trend of haiku-like brevity, Bar-el unhurriedly spins out his story with a delicate touch and gentle humor. Glub swims around in his glass bowl on the counter of the diner and ponders the big questions: “Who am I?” “Where do I come from?” “What do I need?” “What is a home?” Each of Glub’s endearing ponderings are accompanied by Bisaillon’s equally endearing double-page spreads that, in their sharp-edged execution and piquant style, contrast well with the innocence and expansiveness of Glub’s musings. Glub answers his own questions by observing the conversations and behaviors of the people in his surroundings, and these answers build to reveal, in the end, the answer to the big puzzle. Although the overarching themes of dreams and love may not connect completely with very young readers, their adult read-aloud partners will very likely be charmed.

A story that is as delightful in its individual parts as it is in its sweeping theme of dreams rediscovered and the small push of self-belief needed to follow them. (Picture book. 3-8)


PUBLISHERS WEEKLY CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW

Bar-el’s (Dream Boats) tale of a fish who changes the lives of the employees and patrons of a small diner has the scope of a novel. Like a small child, Glub learns about himself by echoing what he hears. His name comes from a girl’s exclamation—“Glub!” she shouts—and his first piece of self-knowledge comes from the girl’s mother, Jenny: “Leave that poor fish alone.” “Oh,” thinks Glub, “I am Glub, all alone.” With quiet humor, Bisaillon (Oh No, School!) shows the diner’s customers as a series of rear ends perched on stools, with Glub on the furthest one peering anxiously out at the world. Readers learn that grill cook Foster is sweet on Jenny, and wishes desperately for adventure and change; luckily (and unexpectedly), Glub possesses the power to show people their dreams, and he bestows his gift on Foster. While young readers may not be concerned with adult hopes and despairs, Bar-el’s lyrical prose and Glub’s underdog (underfish?) triumph offer entertainment for those who aren’t actively wondering what they’re meant to be doing with their lives. Ages 4–8. Illustrator’s agent: Morgan Gaynin Inc. (Apr.)

Hello readers (and potential readers) of my books. I just discovered that GoodReads has this opportunity here to address you. So I will.

I have two new picture books coming out in April 2014. One of them is A Fish Named Glub, which is a truly intimate story being that for the most part it takes place in just one location – a diner on the poor side of town.

A Fish Named Glub is a story about questions. When I was a preschool teacher, it was made clear to me that children are willing and able to answer any question, even the BIG ones. How they answer those questions is another story. After all, their time in the world up until then has not been long, but also, their perspective of the world is different from adults (not from their peers, who have no problem understanding each other). It’s my wish that a parent sitting with their child and reading A Fish Named Glub, will take a moment to ask them the same questions that Glub asks himself. Who am I? Where do I come from? What do I need? Etc. The challenge is in resisting the very powerful urge to laugh at their answers which from our perspective are unbelievably cute and adorable. Kids do say “the darndest things” as the old TV show demonstrated, but I think children are also able to say very profound things, said in a language which we, as adults, recognize but have almost forgotten. In those answers are very real expressions of who they are and who they want to be.

There is a magical element to this story, too. Without giving it away, let me just finish this post by saying that I am grateful to all the artists and performers whose work and creations I have experienced over the years that were able to reflect my life back to me in some way and have helped me in trying to answer those BIG questions.

A Fish Named Glub is published by Kids Can Press and will come out on April 1st, 2014