Kobzar's Children almost sold out!

Marsha spoke with the publisher of Kobzar's Children today. She found out that the hardcover copies are almost all sold out, with few than 200 copies left. Wow!

The softcover is also selling well.

So if you were thinking of giving a hard-cover copy as a gift for Christmas, better hurry! Of course, soft cover copies also make fine gifts, and are a little less expensive. (Although $23 for a hardcover is certainly reasonable! The softcover is $15.)

If you can't find it in your local bookstore, ask them to order it in for you. It usually takes only a few days. (Call ahead and save yourself a trip.) This is actually a good thing to do, as it helps the bookstore staff know what books they should be displaying on their shelves.

You can also order online from the publisher or any online book vendor.

Lesley Simpson's fabulous Hamilton Spectator story

I was thrilled when I opened up the Hamilton Spectator this morning and read this lovely profile piece about Michael Buchok, the real person behind Natalia Buchok's Kobzar's Children story, "A Bar of Chocolate." Check it out here.

Congratulations Natalia!

Kobzar's Children and Saskatoon!

The Ukrainian Museum of Canada is hosting a launch for Kobzar's Children on Friday November 24th at 7pm. This will coincide with their Christmas Yarmarok. A Yarmarok is like a big bazaar with fabulous vendors from all over. There will be lots of traditional Ukrainian artisans there. I am looking forward to going to this event not only to launch Kobzar's Children in Saskatoon, but also to shop!

Danny Evanishen will also be there in a dual role. He and his lovely wife Jean have a booth at the Yarmarok. Danny has a fabulous variety of books that he has produced with his own publishing company, Ethnic Enterprises. Danny has done much to preserve Ukrainian pioneer stories and many other stories. I have a good collection of his books and am looking forward to picking up more.

Danny is also a contributor to Kobzar's Children, so he will be on hand for the launch as well.

I am also hoping that our two Saskatchewan contributors, Linda Mikolayenko and Larry Warwaruk will also be in attendance to participate in the launch.

On Saturday November 25th at 9am, I will do a presentation about the real people behind my Ukrainian stories. This will be held right at the Museum.

Kobzar's Children and Hamilton Ontario

I just found out that there will be a story on Kobzar's Children in the October 17th edition of the Hamilton Spectator! It will focus on the story behind Natalia Buchok's story, "A Bar of Chocolate". Natalia is originally from Hamilton, and her parents still live there. The story is a true one based on her father's experience as a teen in a displaced person's camp when he dressed up as a girl to go on a date with an American soldier in order to get a bar of chocolate.

Natalia and I will be signing copies of Kobzar's Children on October 22nd at the Ancaster Ontario Chapters from noon until 2.

Winnipeg Free Press Review

Here is a review from today's Winnipeg Free Press.

I realize that writers have a tendency to hone in on the negative tidbits in reviews. That's natural, right? Overall, it's a good review but it really bugs me that the reviewer doesn't seem to realize that just because there were books in English on Ukrainian themes in Canada in the 1960s and 70s doesn't mean they were readily available. They were certainly not available at my local public library. In fact, I did not hear about Yellow Boots until I was in my late 20s. As for "transliteration" issues, the reviewer fails to realize that these are family stories. How a person chooses to spell their name is an individual choice. Her point about Brenda Hasiuk's story is also questionable. Has she read YA of late? This story is tame.

Kim Pawliw & plaque unveiling

I was in Quebec City during the last week of September and had an opportunity to meet Kim Pawliw, the youngest contributor to Kobzar's Children: A Century of Untold Ukrainian Stories.

We were both on hand to witness the unveilings of plaques at two internment camp sites -- one at the Valcartier Military Base and the other at the Beauport Military Base. Kim was asked to read her poem at both plaque unveilings, and she also helped unveil at one of the sites.

The event was given extensive news coverage, including French language media interviews for Kim. Also, CBC am did a 14 minute story on Kim, her poem, and the internment of Ukrainians. The Montreal Gazette did an excellent story. And better yet, the Gazette story was reprinted in a number of newspapers across the country.

Here are the plaques.