Home arrow Monique's Blog


May 18
2010

Upcoming Children's Writing Conference

Posted by Monique Polak in Untagged 

The bad news is that picture book author and illustrator Mélanie Watt is out of town and my interview with her has been postponed till June. The good news is I have a wide-open day, with lots

May 17
2010

I Used to Think Taking Pictures Was Easy...

Posted by Monique Polak in Untagged 

I used to think that compared to writing, taking pictures was easy! Until, that is, I started hanging out with photographers.

Monique Dykstra is one of those photographers. We have worked together

May 13
2010

Louis Sachar Coming to Montreal This Summer

Posted by Monique Polak in Untagged 

I was excited to learn that children's author Louis Sachar will be coming to read in Montreal this summer. You may know Sachar's YA book, Holes, which is one of my all-time favourites

May 10
2010

Proud Teacher Clucks

Posted by Monique Polak in Untagged 

I think perhaps most of all, we teachers need to teach our students to be independent. That's why when students come to see me for help with their writing, I make a point of NOT doing all the work

May 06
2010

Got Talent? Then Use It!

Posted by Monique Polak in Untagged 

IMG_1414.jpgIn today's pic, you'll meet my "Writing for Children" class. Our semester ends

May 02
2010

Inside and Outside

Posted by Monique Polak in Untagged 

IMG_212121.jpgToday's pic is the OUTSIDE of our house. I wanted to show off our spring garden -- still

Apr 28
2010

All Oprah All the Time

Posted by Monique Polak in Untagged 

Why, you may be wondering, is my mind on Oprah Winfrey, host of the world's most popular talk show? It's because I'm reviewing Kitty Kelley's recently released unauthorized bio of Oprah

Apr 25
2010

Days 3 & 4: Blue Met

Posted by Monique Polak in Untagged 

It's Sunday morning, and my desk need some serious tidying. That's because it's covered with notes I took during the Blue Metropolis Literary Festival, which comes to an end today. Yesterday

Apr 23
2010

Day 3: Blue Metropolis

Posted by Monique Polak in Untagged 

I'm home, taking a little breather between Blue Met events. I did another student writing workshop this morning and this afternoon at five, I'm on a CBC panel called "The Human Face of

Apr 22
2010

Day 2: Blue Met

Posted by Monique Polak in Untagged 

I really shouldn't be writing this blog entry! That's because in exactly 20 minutes from now, 20 dinner guests are due to arrive here! They're all friends involved in the Quebec Roots project