Beach author Jane Blondie releases children book Do Not Turn the Page

By MATTHEW STEPHENS

From school teacher to children’s author; Beacher Jane Blondie is preparing for the release of her book, titled Do Not Turn the Page.

The book is set to officially release on Feb. 4,  with a launch party event set for Saturday, Feb. 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Beach United Church (140 Wineva Ave.)

Unlike traditional children’s books, Blondie’s story takes an interactive approach to the storytelling process.

“The story is about a little boy named Charlie, and Charlie does not want to take a bath,” said Blondie. “So, he’s speaking directly to the readers through the whole thing.”

In the story, the unassuming and rebellious protagonist Charlie is insistent on refusing a bath. As the pages turn and Charlie gets closer to cleanliness, he becomes more submissive to the idea of getting clean.

Described as an “interactive picture book,” the writing style makes readers feel like they are part of the story; as Charlie urges them to close the book so he can avoid his much-needed bath time.

With “bright and vivid” illustrations from Ontario artist Marcus Cutler, the story is brought to life with colourful scenes of Charlie moving throughout his day-to-day activities in the house and yard – getting dirtier and dirtier with every turn of the page.

For Blondie, an effective use of illustrations and text is part of what makes children’s books captivating for readers.

“I think illustrations that are very well done; the kids will be drawn to the illustrations, as well text that is not too long and just the right kind of text, and something that they can connect with.” said Blondie.

She has lived locally since 2013 near Victoria Park Avenue and Gerrard Street East. Blondie said support from the community has helped to uplift her during the creative process of publishing a book.

“People are really supportive. I’ve always felt since I moved here that we’re a small town in a big city,” said Blondie. “People are friendly here, so I would say the support from neighbours and friends in the community – just to be able to share that with people has been great.”

Prior to working on the book, Blondie was no stranger to the character Charlie. He was first introduced as a marionette puppet to her classes at Crestview Public School where she works as a drama and dance specialist teacher for the TDSB (Toronto District School Board).

“For the past 20 years, I’ve had a marionette puppet named Charlie. Charlie is ridiculous, and the kids have always been drawn to him,” said Blondie.

“The more I brought him out, the more kids wanted to see him, and then he got his own voice. So, for me, my creative process was taking the character that I know very well and putting him into a book and creating a story around him.”

Blondie has been working on the story over the last six years. It was during the COVID-19 lockdowns where her idea for an interactive children’s book starring Charlie really came into fruition.

“During the lockdown, I started doing videos where Charlie was in different spots in the house and in the yard; where he was talking directly to the kids, and I got a lot of good feedback when I went back to school the next year,” said Blondie. “So, then I thought OK, I’ve got to do a story where Charlie is talking right to the reader.”

For Blondie, studying and working with fellow authors who have a background in creative writing helped to conceptualize and present her children’s book to the Scholastic publishing company. 

“I’ve been in creative writing class through George Brown College; children’s fiction class with Ted Staunton; and in another private writing group with Catherine Rondina. So, between that, I developed the story and did writers workshop, and I would just read it to the class, to their critique group, and I’d get feedback and rework it. And then I presented it to Scholastic in 2020.”

Blondie says that Do Not Turn the Page can be enjoyed by child readers of all ages.

“My greatest joy out of this will be to bring children joy. I want this book to make them smile, to make them laugh, to make them be like ‘Read it again, read it again!’ I want them to really enjoy reading.” said Blondie. “A parent with a two-year-old can sit with this book, and same with an eight-year-old.”

With the release of the book, Blondie hopes to inspire future generations of children to embrace imaginative creativity.

“It connects them to literacy, to reading, and to imagination,” said Blondie. “Imagination is at the heart of every great story, and great imaginations can literally change the world.”

Do Not Turn the Page is available at book stores including Ella Minnow Children’s Book Store on Kingston Road, and Indigo.

For more information on Do Not Turn the Page, please go to https://www2.scholastic.ca/rights/books/do-not-turn-the-page/