Featuring Lana Shupe, Chantal MacDonald, and TL Trayah
Why do your favourite Canadian authors write the books they write? Let’s find out in this exclusive feature here at The Miramichi Reader.
Lana Shupe, author of The Little Church Beside the Sea (Morning Dove Press, May 2024)
I wrote The Little Church Beside the Sea because I wanted readers to know the importance of preserving history, community service and holding on to faith — however that might come about in your life. This little church played a role in my childhood and means a great deal to me personally. I felt a passion to have its story known. Like many heritage buildings, St. Peter’s could have gone the way of the wrecking ball, but a determined little group has kept it alive and made it into a community space. Like all volunteer groups, raising money is an ongoing need and as I was writing the story I knew I wanted to donate the author proceeds of this book to the community group. I am so thankful to Morning Dove Press for publishing this book and to Elizabeth M. Gales for her stunning illustrations. Pre-orders are available now and the book will launch on May 1st!
It seems all my writing comes from my heart. My first book, The Lonely Little Lighthouse, was another story about the community where I grew up and the people there who shaped the girl I was into the woman I would become. The Hippie Pirates came from my desire to put memories of my mother and my in-laws in an adventure with my children who were so lucky to have such wonderful grandparents. The Book Witch, The Wee White Dog and the Little Free Library, launching in September 2024 with Nimbus is my ode to my little Westie who died in 2022, my love of books and my love of little free libraries.
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When Lana Shupe grew up, she became a teacher and in her classroom, she was a reader of books and a teller of tales. Then she married a man who loved books and they filled their house with books. Then she became a mother — three times! — and she got to read LOTS of books to her very own children. Then those three children grew up and Lana became a writer of words that have been put into books.
Chantal MacDonald, author of Lorraine the Lobster Feels Blue (Chantal J. MacDonald, December 2023)
As a mother and a writer there is a deep joy that comes from being able to use my occupation to serve my children. As a teacher there is a satisfaction that comes from being able to offer students a piece of literature that will both entertain and encourage. I feel I can confidently say that my most recent picture book, Lorraine the Lobster Feels Blue, accomplishes all of the above. When I first began to write this story I had already self-published one tale for children about a lobster who finds validation in his appearance. I had done the lobster thing and I wanted to move on to a different Canadian animal. But no matter how hard I tried, I could not make the new story work the way I wanted it to.
Then my middle child came home from a school field trip to the Homarus Centre in Shediac, NB. His face was alight with excitement as he told me all about the ocean creatures that he got to see in the touch tank. Then he looks up at me with his big, brown eyes and asks: “Mommy, will you write a story about a blue lobster and a starfish?”
And so, with the help of my friend and illustrator, Mark Cann, Lorraine the lobster was born. This playful picture book does more than just tell a story about a lobster who dreams of having a blue shell. It reinforces the truth that you are spectacular just the way you are, and that is a truth I am immensely excited to share with young readers.
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Teacher by trade, Chantal MacDonald has a Master of Arts in English Literature from the University of Ottawa. She loves writing stories that will both entertain and encourage a variety of audiences. When she’s not writing or teaching, Chantal enjoys baking and traveling with her family. Chantal resides in Moncton, New Brunswick, with her husband and three young children.
TL Trayah, Author of Bumblefly & Butterbee (TL Trayah, December 2023)
I am the author of Bumblefly & Butterbee. It’s my debut published children’s storybook that tells the tale of two unique insects that set out on a journey to help their new friend find their “shining light within.”
I wrote this story because I wanted to show how sometimes the most unexpected and seemingly random events can lead to the most wonderful and meaningful outcomes.
My goal was to portray confidence because I think it is an important quality for everyone, especially for children. Growing up primarily in foster care, confidence was a challenging attribute for me.
I wanted to encourage readers to believe in themselves and their abilities, and to face challenges with courage and optimism. I want them to know they already have a “shining light within,” and sometimes they may just need a little guidance in finding it.
Four summers ago, my son in law Sheldon had swiftly run in to the house announcing, “I’m being chased by bumbleflies and butterbees!”
As we had a good laugh over his experience in the garden, it all of a sudden clicked — bumbleflies and butterbees would make an adorable children’s book. It never left my mind.
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Discover Bumblefly & Butterbee by TL Trayah, a charming story that shows how kindness, compassion, and friendship can make the world a better place.
