Book Me

"It's Our Time" is a book that grew out of a public slur against African Nova Scotians who live in a cluster of communities known as The Preston Township.

That insult made Rev. Dr. Joyce Ross resolve to publicise the deeper story of resilient Black men and women who fled slavery and wars in the U.S. and Jamaica, and then overcame more obstacles in their new country.

While Wanda Taylor researched and wrote the book, she suggested that host Costas Halavrezos interview the inspiration for the book - Rev. Dr. Ross.

Note: A few weeks after this interview was recorded, the Premier of Nova Scotia made an announcement regarding an issue raised by Dr. Ross. Premier Iain Rankin announced the allocation of an additional $3 million to help speed up the awarding of land titles in Preston Township and other historically African Nova Scotian communities through the Land Titles Initiative, which began in 2017. The process is designed to help residents finally acquire clear title to their land at no charge.

Premier Rankin said this funding is intended to help address a “legacy of systemic racism”

They say you should never meet your heroes because they'll disappoint you (or leave you tongue-tied). 

Heather Stemp learned that her Aunt Ginny actually met the world-famous aviator Amelia Earhart when she landed in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland in the 1930s. From that single fact, Heather has created a series of books blending history and fiction. She told Costas Halavrezos about the journey of a girl inspired by meeting her idol to persevere in a world that's hostile to women taking on non-traditional jobs.

Season 7, Episode 6

"Headfirst is the most delicious way to go down a tree". 

That's typical of the intriguing clues in "So Imagine Me: Nature Riddles in Poetry" by Lynn Davies. The answers (and some misleading clues) are embedded in Chrissie Park-MacNeil's colourful illustrations for each poem. Lynn tells host Costas Halavrezos how everything from her love of nature to growing up in her parents' bookstore informed her latest offering for children - one which will open eyes and imaginations to natural wonders.

Nearly every coastal nation has folkloric beings who are part human, part sea creature. In "The Mermaid Handbook", Taylor Widrig brings us profiles of mermaids and other mer-people from around the world (including Minnow, the Mi'kmaq mermaid).

But she also tells host Costas Halavrezos how young people can adopt the "mermaid way of life" - everything from how to treat the environment with respect, to using dulse, kelp, and sea lettuce in our cooking.

Season 7, Episode 4

In our hyper-connected world, what could be more exotic than a hermit - a person deliberately disengaged from people and technology?

When Danny and his friend Ben discover one living in the forest near town, it sets in motion the discovery of a different way of life, family secrets, and information that leads to a dramatic turnaround in the community.

Costas Halavrezos interviews Jan Coates about why she chose the intriguing figure of a hermit to play a central role in her latest book for middle-grade readers.

Season 7, Episode 3

Eli Cooper has worked himself into a deep, middle-aged rut.

A night editor at a newspaper, he has no life partner, and lives in the family home with his father, whose dementia is worsening. Then in one day, he loses both his job and his father.

When Eli's successful sister books him on a trip to Cuba to escape these twin jolts, he becomes entranced by Mariela, a young tour guide. Given the very different cultures and the age gap, what blossoms may or may not be love. But as Stephen Kimber tells host Costas Halavrezos, it takes both characters through a series of revelations that redefine them and lead the reader to appreciate the bittersweet complexities of the human heart.

Season 7, Episode 2

Do we really need wise-cracking giraffes in skirts to grab the attention of a child? 

Jeffrey Domm's story of ravens and wolves inventing "Wild Pond Hockey" in their natural habitat, along with his vivid photo-realism illustrations, combine to create a book that will become a favourite - and have kids taking a new look at creatures in the great outdoors.

Season 7, Episode 1

You can't please everyone. That's what three frog musicians discover when they pedal into the woods to play an impromptu concert for their furred and feathered friends. The grouse, though, can't stand the racket or the animals who like it! Then, a terrible storm provides an opportunity for a change of heart.

Kate Inglis's "A Great Big Night" is a delightful parable about performers and their audiences finding each other. Josée Bisaillon's joyful and witty illustrations complete a book that will be loved by readers and young listeners alike.

Season 6, Episode 9.

Would you like an insider's view of how radio, TV, and the movies evolved in the 20th century? Then follow the career of Austin Willis.

Starting with theatre and early radio in Halifax, he moved to Toronto as a staff announcer with CBC Radio (just in time to announce the start of World War II). Soon, Austin was hosting Victory Bond shows with visiting Hollywood stars. With live TV on the horizon, he moved to London and polished his acting skills in long-running West End shows. In the 1950s, Austin appeared in dozens of groundbreaking CBC Television dramas, series, and variety shows. When he moved to Hollywood to concentrate on a film career, he worked alongside everyone from Orson Welles and Bob Hope to Clint Eastwood. Back in Canada in the 70s, he became the urbane host of CTV's popular quiz show, "This Is The Law".

After retiring to Dartmouth, Austin graciously agreed to share stories from those decades. Archivist Ern Dick has transcribed the interviews - a rich and often hilarious trove of anecdotes from behind the scenes that convey the achievements (and misadventures) of an extraordinary Canadian performer.

Season 6, Episode 8 Carol Bruneau

Maud Lewis enjoys nearly mythological status in Canada. With no formal training, she created some of the most recognizable images in 20th-century Canadian art. But her gnomic appearance and few recorded words leave us with more questions than answers.

Carol Bruneau has dared to write in Maud's voice and describe a life of obstacles: the shame of having a child out of wedlock, crippling rheumatoid arthritis, a mean-spirited husband - any one of which could have made her achievements impossible. But in Bruneau's "Brighten the Corner Where You Are", we meet a canny survivor sustained by her drive to create a world of joyful images despite her impoverished rural existence.

Hear Carol Bruneau's conversation with Costas Halavrezos about how she gained the confidence to give voice to the mysteries surrounding Maud Lewis.