17 Oct, 2013
A bit about Tudor Robins, her book, and getting kids writing
Posted by andrea tomkins in: Easy ways to make kids happy|Ottawa|parenting
Many of my neighborhood peeps might already know Tudor Robins. I’ve gotten to know her a little bit over the past few years, mostly because (a) I am fan of hers and (b) our circles keep overlapping all over the place. And (c) if I can borrow a phrase from Anne Shirley, I see Tudor as the kind of “kindred spirit” I want to grab and hug but I think that might freak her out a bit.
Tudor is the author of a novel called Objects in Mirror. I picked it up with great interest at her book launch this past summer (which you can read a bit about here and here), and brought it home with me. It tackles some big issues and is a timely read for us as well. (You can buy a copy right here!)
I keep thinking about Tudor and how cool it is to know a published author… not just for me, but for the girls. Putting a face to the name that’s on the cover of a book is a big deal, and knowing that that person lives in our neighborhood, is a mom of two kids who volunteers at their school, and likes to go for walks (just like us!) makes it all seem more real in a way. And attainable.
I don’t think I’ll ever be a novelist. I’ve had people suggest it, but I honestly am not sure if it’s in me to be that kind of writer. I do however, think it’s important to show my kids that this is an option for them if they are so inclined.
I’ve often written about how important it is to expose kids to arts and culture, and get kids writing. We do that here at Casa Fishbowl by encouraging them to read, and also by buying cute stationary, notecards and pens, blank sketch books and pretty journals. When we’re packing for a vacation or a road trip those are the first things that go in their travel bags. I want them to doodle, to write, to jot, to ponder with a pen in hand. It’s valuable; more so than we know. I know many parents reading this probably do the same thing, but how often do we have the opportunity to take it one step further? Well there’s a good one coming up!
The Ottawa Public Library is hosting a really cool event this Saturday called Kids’ Lit Café. There will be a dozen great authors (including Tudor) signing autographs, leading workshops and more. And it all goes down on Saturday, October 19 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Greenboro branch.
So if you have a doodler or someone who likes to draw cartoons or write funny songs or poems, maybe this is something you might want to consider. I don’t think there’s a better way of inspiring kids and getting them creating, do you?
