Our 2019-2020 White Pines Authors Part 2

The Port Moody Public Library created the White Pines Local Author Collection to highlight and support local authors, poets, and illustrators from our community. We launched the collection in May 2019 with 12 inaugural authors. Over the last year, we have received many exciting, new submissions and now have more than 30 local authors who are a part of this special collection.

You can browse our White Pines Collection online to place holds on items, or in person during our Controlled Access hours.

Over the next few blog posts, we will introduce you to all our 2019-2020 White Pines authors.

Be Blacker

Bé Blackler

Whether she is creating something in her writing or in her life, Bé Blackler is always trying to stay moving and go forward. Married to the love of her life with their three ridiculously amazing children, she somehow manages to find time to create. Bé is the author and illustrator of several children’s books including Hearts Are for Showing Love and Water the Fish. Her latest work as an illustrator is a new release written by her daughter, Đẹp Blackler, called The Big Magical Cloud.

Book: Water the Fish

Meet Water the fish. She is a small fish known to be a slow swimmer. Regardless of her speed, Water wants to compete in races. The other fish think she is silly for even wanting to try. Luckily, Water has the support of her family and her own determination. Join Water on her adventure in making her dream of racing come true!

Borrow Water the Fish from the Library.

Book: Snow Mountain Elementary Book Two: Getting to Know Olivia

Olivia thinks that everyone misunderstands her. She is awkward and doesn’t always say the right things. Olivia needs to work on her social skills. School is almost done for the year and this summer she is setting some goals. One of them is to find a good friend, maybe a best friend. Will she achieve this?

Borrow Getting to Know Olivia from the Library.

What is Bé’s favourite part about writing?

Bé’s favourite part about writing is the amount of creativity and imagination she can put into it; it's limitless - that's what makes it magical and fun. She also loves to see how her story develops as she gets further into it. Sometimes it ends up differently from what she originally planned. Sharing it with her family and seeing how they react to the finished book is also very special to Bé.

Leesa Hanna

Leesa Hanna is a writer and artist living in Port Moody. Inspired by the natural beauty of the West Coast of Canada, she works in many different mediums to parlay her thoughts, but the theme of her work remains the same: humankind’s connection to nature and to mother earth. She has recently completed writing and illustrating her first children’s chapter book, The BIG Adventures of Little O - A Song for the Salmon. This book was longlisted for the CANSCAIP (Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators, and Performers) Writing for Children Competition 2019. You can find Leesa on Instagram: @littleheartfish and @artistops, Facebook: /TheBIGAdventuresofLittleO, and Twitter: @leesalhanna.

Book: The BIG Adventures of Little O: A Song for the Salmon

The BIG Adventures of Little O is a nature/fantasy novel for children ages 7 to 10. The book portrays young ocean and forest creatures of the Pacific Northwest as they find kinship to Mother Nature while striving to survive and thrive in their changing environment.

Borrow The BIG Adventures of Little O from the Library.

What inspired Leesa to become a writer and to write The BIG Adventures of Little O?

Leesa has always written poetry, and while she was in her twenties, Dorothy Parker stole her poetic heart. The beauty Parker portrayed in suffering made sense to Leesa. Troubles in Leesa’s life have never thrown her from appreciating the beauty of this world. On the contrary, they have put a shine on the tiny sparkles of joy and the little stuff that happens every day.

Five years ago, after a creative dry-spell, Leesa sat in her studio, in front of a blank canvas, twiddling her brushes, determined to ‘let it flow.’ “Don’t think, Leesa—just paint” she thought to herself. It took her seven solid hours, but she did complete a painting that day. Some days later, an artist friend looked at the painting, and after listening to the heartfelt story —how it portrayed Leesa’s connection to the universe and Mother Nature - she suggested that Leesa write a book. As she thought about this challenge, Leesa realized that she had always thought of herself as a writer – she had just never told anyone.

Writing this book, every step of the way, Leesa was reminded of why she writes, and why she creates —because this is who she is. Communicating through art and writing makes her feel like she is connected to something bigger than herself. She feels she is communicating for an entity other than herself. Regardless of what that means, she knows it is big and it is important, to her.

Shannon Matter

Shannon Matter is a British Columbian singer/songwriter who has four albums, a DVD, and a music documentary to her name. She is the author of six books, and the creator of the book character Streaky the Comet. Streaky books one and two are available in eBook and print, and more Streaky books are on their way. Shannon holds an International Certification in Aromatherapy. She is a vegan and martial artist. Visit her website at www.shannonmatter.com.

Book: The Adventures of Streaky the Comet Book One: Streaky Goes to the Pleiades

Illustrated by Jacqueline Patrief-Bonneau

Streaky is no ordinary comet. He is a friendly, curious comet that is tuned into his inner wisdom and loves to travel. Join Streaky on his adventures through the Pleiades star cluster and his journey to the future through a wormhole.

Borrow The Adventures of Streaky the Comet from the Library.

Book: Arctic Rescue

Illustrated by Olivia Oh

In a world facing climate change, mama polar bear and her cub are trapped on an ice floe that is melting as it floats south. Are there any heroes in the Arctic waters who can help them?

Borrow Arctic Rescue from the Library.

Book: Honouring All Forms of Intelligence on Planet Earth

Inspired by the documentary Blackfish and Shannon’s experiences with animal activism, this book offers her insights and empathy towards all beings in captivity in a collection of short stories and essays.

Borrow Honouring All Forms of Intelligence on Planet Earth from the Library.

What inspired Shannon to be a writer and what is her favourite part about writing?

Shannon has always been a writer. She started writing short stories, poems, and songs when she was a child. She wrote her first book while she was serving in a hotel pub in her hometown. She was already writing music, and would often have her albums displayed at the pub. From time to time, a local “mountain man” would come in and talk with Shannon. Through these conversations, he told her stories about his Sasquatch sightings. At first, he asked Shannon not to tell anyone about these sightings, but later, he approached her again, and asked if she would write his stories into a book. Elated and surprised, Shannon asked why he chose her. He responded with: “I figured anyone who could make a CD, could write a book.” Shannon’s first book Wildman and Starry Skies: Ron Price’s Sasquatch Sightings was published in 2011.

Shannon’s favourite part about writing is letting her imagination flow. She loves being in the moment and watching her creativity evolve into a song, book, or story.

Garrett Stevens

Ever since his father had him read the Sword of Truth series at age 11 and do a book report for his grade six English class, Garrett has been dreaming of faraway lands filled with elves and giants. Throughout the years, Garrett has also written down a recurring dream that he has had. This dream, which tells of adventure, provides an introduction into the lore and world of The Vulthrodin Archives.

When Garrett is not out and about with his dog, he is at home with his family, raising another fantasy enthusiast of his own.

Book: Age of Souls: The Vulthrodin Archives, Book One

Age of Souls is an epic fantasy adventure that takes place in a world ruled by immortal beings and beasts. One of the six lands is on the brink of disaster as a threat lurks in the darkness – a threat which is hell-bent on opening the way for a new rule. A mismatched group from across the land is pulled into the adventure of their lives to protect the realm and everything they hold dear, as the torrent tries to shatter their very souls.

Borrow Age of Souls from the Library.

What is Garrett’s favourite part about writing and who inspires his writing?

Garrett enjoys being able to be as creative as possible while still being immersed in the story. He gets excited to see how things unfold in the story and how he can describe the dreams he experiences to make them as engaging for his readers as they are for him.

Garrett’s wife was one of the main drives to help him finish his first book and get him started on the second. They formed their own book club, with her reading through the chapters as he wrote them. This book club helped to keep the magic and the enjoyment of writing at an elevated level.

Antek Twardysko

Antek Twardysko was born in Zakopane, Poland in 2008. He came to Canada with his parents in July of 2009 and settled in Port Moody where he now lives with his family and his dog, Yoki. He is 12 years old and enjoys reading, biking, fishing, and playing video games with his friends. Antek is interested in math and science and is also an avid fencer and a member of the Canadian Fencing Federation. His fascination with books started very early on. With his inborn zest for literature, it is not surprising that he learned to read at the tender age of four and a half. From then on, Antek’s love for books only grew.

Book: Sweet Boy Jethro

Sweet Boy Jethro tells the story of a dog that was rescued by the BC SPCA and brought to a new home.

Borrow Sweet Boy Jethro from the Library.

What inspired Antek to write his book and what is his favourite part about writing?

Antek first got the idea for Sweet Boy Jethro from a project he did in school. The project focused on giving back to the community. Since Antek has a dog, he decided to do something for local animals. Antek wanted to use the project as a way to educate his peers and felt like a book would be a good way to reach others.

Antek’s favourite part about writing is being able to see the finished product in all its glory. The best feeling Antek can think of is the sense of accomplishment when you finish a book.

About the White Pines Local Author Collection

The Port Moody Public Library created the White Pines Local Author Collection to highlight and support local authors, poets, and illustrators from our community. We launched the collection in May 2019 with 12 inaugural authors. Learn more about this collection and how you can become a White Pines Local Author.

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