spotlight “NOW A fun, new approach to the facts of life NCE UPON a time, a litle girl named Evelyn had a terrible time studying science. In fact she loathed it, Lo mean she, remembers bene anesthetized by insipid graphs, dry formulas and incomprehensible: theories. Take for example the solar system — we memorized the names of the planets and ther crel- ative distance from the sun. Won- drous and awesome as it Wars, space was often ceduced to toret- table tigures. But today’s kids are getting a whole new approach to uncover. ing the facts of life thanks to an explosion in the genre ot children’s literature. And West Vancouver illustrator and author Nicola Morgan is among those putting the fun back into learning. Morgan is the creator of four highly popular books for youngsters, all of which make learning a painless and rewarding effort. From Pride of Lions (Fitzhenry & Whiteside), which won the 1988 B.C. Book Award, to her newest work, Louis and the Night Sky (Oxiord University Press), Morgan’s ability to add color and a sense of wondur to basic tacts renders her books accessible to pre-schoolers and young school- aged children. All of her books have sold well in Canada and are being used in the schools. That's impressive for someone with no previous writing experi- SPORT ener, Trained as a pamnter, Morin tell inte the children’s book business while teaching ad and studying at Emily Care College. Hee nest propect was ao alphabet picture book created tor Papo (86, which highbyhted vanous BoC. events dunog that vear, Mongan dido't have pacticulady high hopes of getting it published, but the book was, and usold well, She was even more astonished when her second book. Pride ot ons, a tun-tilfed Concept book about animal groupings, netted the fourth anaual B.C. Book Award, It gave her the en- couragement to continue. “It was quite unusual for a pic- ture book to win this award,” she says, “My book was up ayainst young readers’ novels. ¢ think Pride ot Lions won because it’s tun and easy to read, and it appeals to a wide range of ages.” With Temper, Temper (The youngest of five girls, Morgan bas- ed the book on actual family members and her own experi- ences dealing with the “Temper, Temper Monster’), Morgan ven- tured out of explaining elementary ideas and into creating an actual story line. Writing the book, however, was no easy task. Morgan remembers feeling uneasy producing the book, primarily because she was working without an editor. But time and time again, it’s been the book that kids demand the most. As arule, Morgan regularly peti- tions youngsters for ideas and EVELYN JACOB spotlight feature feedback an her work duany A dasstaotn visits While researe brag oialenial tor hee datest book fauss and te Night Shy. Morgan was surpeosed todiscaver that tere was victually nothing avaiable tor you children about the solar system with the exception at dry textbook descaptions, “There was reath nothing tor hids below the ate ab tout, says Morgan, the mother ot three: yearold Sophie and who, during the time ot the inter ww, was ex. pecting her second child. “Twas suprised because kids seem so in- terested in the earth and the planets, The solar system bos always been presented ia uninteresting ways.” In Louis ard the Night Shy. a young boy, afraid of the dark. bas trouble falling asleep. He suddenly finds himself orbiting the solar system and visits each planet. but he encounters the same things there that prevented him from tail- ing asleep on earth: it’s either too hot or dry, too cold, or too dark. Louis soon realizes that earth is ‘fo = ~ See Kids page 22 LOUIS HAD an idea. He put on his warm woolly hat and his red winter mittens...and made a wish. “fo want to five on a planct where the lights are on all night long.” Nicola Morgan's bold illustrations and imaginative stery line make her newest work, Louis and the Night Sky, a popular book for young children. ; The 1990 Vancouver Art & Collectables Show & Sale October 13th 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. October 14th 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Vancouver P.N.E. Grounds — Garden Auditorium Deaters Producers and Reflections on Plates Distributors Hy Stein gros. of China Bradford Exchange Plato's Collector Piates OH. Ussher Mare Singer Keirstead Gallery Echo's Discontinued China Ashton-Drake Galleries Rick's Velvet Interior w nston Roland Victoria Limited Editions Bominion China N.C. Cameron i St. Mary’s Wood Products Artists Royal Doutton Coltectors Club Robert Banks Superior Art Editions Gten Green Cindy McClure Publishers 0: K . 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