Our 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 40 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 2020 White Pines authors.

Photo of Author Brandon Yip

Brandon Yip

Brandon has been a freelance writer and editor for over twenty years. His work has been published in The Globe and Mail, Vancouver Courier, and The Other Press newspapers. In addition, he also works as a public address announcer for numerous sports teams and organizations around the Lower Mainland. Some of the events he has announced include the Special Olympics in 2014, the 2018 IIHF World Junior Exhibition hockey game between Russia and Switzerland, the Pat Quinn Classic tournament in 2015, 2018, and 2019, and the 2019 inaugural Collegiate Baseball Classic at UBC.

Book: Elvis Presley: "All Shook Up" in Canada

This book looks back at Elvis Presley’s tour of Canada in 1957 (April 2 in Toronto, April 3 in Ottawa, and August 31 in Vancouver). There are interviews with fans and media who attended the concerts, including recollections from legendary Vancouver DJ Red Robinson. The book includes rare photographs of Elvis in Vancouver, and more.

Borrow Elvis Presley: "All Shook Up" in Canada from the Library.

What inspired Brandon to write a book?

Brandon has been a lifelong fan of Elvis Presley and has always been fascinated by Elvis' tour of Canada in 1957. He had seen some TV news stories and newspaper articles over the years about this Canadian tour, and when he was twelve-years-old, he bought the compilation album Elvis: A Canadian Tribute at a record store in Coquitlam. That was the first time he realized that The King had appeared in Canada, which led to an obsession for Brandon with Elvis' Canadian tour. He wanted to read and know more about the tour, especially about the concert in Vancouver on August 31 at Empire Stadium, which turned out to be the last concert Elvis gave outside of the United States. Many books have been written about Elvis, and some have mentioned his Canadian tour, but Brandon had not seen a book written exclusively about Elvis' Vancouver concert.

As a writer, Brandon wanted to be like Jacques Cousteau, diving deeper and further exploring the Elvis-Vancouver connection. He was able to contact and interview many people (fans and media) who attended the concert at Empire Stadium, including some who had the privilege of meeting The King during his performances. When Brandon started writing his book, he had no outline or blueprint; he just wanted to write. His motto was "write now and fix later." The book took him twenty years to write and publish with many challenges and setbacks along the way. However, he never gave up hope and remained positive. Brandon is happy that the book is now finished, and he is grateful to all the wonderful people who helped him over the past twenty years. Without their kind assistance and generosity, there would be no book.

What is Brandon's favourite part about writing?

Brandon enjoys having the freedom to write all the words that are inside his head on paper. Whatever words he selects, they are his, and like a painter, he carefully blends and weaves the words and paragraphs together. When he was younger, Brandon assumed the writing was done after the first draft was completed. As he has gotten older, he’s realized that is not the case and that the real writing begins when you start making revisions to improve upon your first draft. Practice makes perfect!

Photo of Author Dep Blacker

Đẹp Blackler

Đẹp is the author of her first children’s book called The Big Magical Cloud. She is a creative talent who enjoys drawing, singing, and being out in nature.

Book: The Big Magical Cloud

Full of hidden surprises and magic, find out what is so special about this wonderful, magical cloud!

Borrow The Big Magical Cloud from the Library.

What inspired Đẹp to write a book?

Đẹp decided to write a book because she wanted to share her vision of a fun world that was magical and different.

What is Đẹp’s favourite part about writing?

Đẹp loves being able to use her imagination and make believe in any way she chooses to.

Author photo of Kristi Nielsen

Kristi Nielsen

Born in Alberta, Kristi has lived in nine cities in three provinces. She believes all Canadians should travel Canada from Coast to Coast, and was able to take a well-timed trip to the Maritimes before the present travel restrictions came into effect. There could be more children’s books in her future, celebrating our great country.

Book: Retire Happy! Retired and Inspired - Retirement YOUR Way, Live by your Own Rules

The financial planning industry has done an excellent job of getting people to think about finances for retirement. However, retirement is more than numbers on a spreadsheet. Preparing for retirement and living life to the fullest requires contemplation and planning. Retire Happy provides a catalyst for working through the various aspects of the transition to retirement. It delivers strategies for dealing with change and for initiating life-changing goals that will enable the reader to live a fulfilling retirement.

Borrow Retire Happy from the Library.

Book: N is For Nutrition: ABC Dictionary of Fruits and Vegetables

We all get stuck in a very limited pattern of eating only a few of the many fruits and vegetables available. This advanced picture dictionary expands fruit and vegetable knowledge and works to inspire even fussy eaters to try something new. It provides names and images of more than one hundred different fruits and vegetables, and prompts conversation between children and adults sharing this book.

Borrow N is For Nutrition from the Library.

Book: Goodbye Dinosaur: Why Dinosaurs are Extinct

Goodbye Dinosaur takes place in the land of Eonsago and tells a farfetched tale about the last dinosaur that roamed the earth. He threatens to eat the newly arrived domestic farm animals, but he is no match for their innovative methods of escape, some of which are inspired by familiar nursery rhymes like Hey Diddle Diddle. Adults and children alike will enjoy the dinosaur’s fearsome roar and laugh as he reveals his evil, and not altogether successful, plan.

Borrow Goodbye Dinosaur from the Library.

What inspired Kristi to become a writer?

Kristi believes retirement should be a time of life where one celebrates their talents and interests. After becoming a Certified Retirement Coach and writing Retire Happy, Kristi’s love for art and writing inspired her to start writing children’s books.

What is Kristi's favourite part about writing?

Kristi enjoys writing for her two preschool-aged grandchildren and has written and illustrated eighteen children’s books. She gets a lot of joy when she sees children enjoying her books.

Photo of Author Ira Bhasin

Ira Bhasin

Ira is a seven-year-old first-time author who lives in the beautiful city of Port Moody. She is a fun-loving second grader who enjoys going to her French Immersion school. Ira loves the outdoors and relishes biking, swimming, and gymnastics. She also enjoys her screen time, and when her quota is done, she loves to read books and create fabulous art. Ira is a proud and adoring big sister to two-year old Bani.

Book: What Just Happened!?!

What Just Happened!?! illustrates the thoughts and emotions of a seven-year-old when her busy-happy life came to a standstill due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It depicts the author’s journey as she relearns to live life indoors.

Borrow What Just Happened!?! from the Library.

What inspired Ira to write a book?

A minute of boredom is one too many in Ira’s world. When COVID-19 struck and the schools closed, Ira was forced to find things to do inside her house. Her parents encouraged her to express her thoughts and experiences of the COVID phenomenon through her art (which she loves) and her words (which she has a reservoir of). The end product was a book that showcases her creativity and story-telling skills

What is Ira's favourite part about writing her book?

Ira is absolutely loving how well her book is being received by friends, family, and libraries across Canada. She is looking forward to new and exciting projects.

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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