Inspiring Young Readers Through Adventure and Imagination
Kathleen Gauer of Skipping Stone Press writes engaging stories that spark the imagination of young readers. Published works include illustrated children’s books High in the Sky, For No Reason, The Wish Carvers, Bathtime Fun! as well as poetry, and magazine and newspaper articles. Her award-winning books have been acquired in libraries across Canada, Australia, New Zealand and also in the United States and Great Britain.
CHILDREN’S AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH KATHLEEN GAUER
KIDS NEWS & REVIEWS: Can you tell us how being an associate editor for a community magazine an arts columnist for your community newspaper, along with a retired special education teacher’s assistant for the Toronto District School Board for 29 years, all contributed to your success as a children’s author.
KATHLEEN: I’ve wanted to be an author since childhood. My mother and father read stories to my sister and me at bedtime and there were books in every room of our house. We also borrowed books regularly from our local public library. I can still remember the thrill of having my first poem published in a local magazine.
While raising two children with my husband and working part time as a school secretary, I also contributed articles and became an assistant editor for a Toronto community focus magazine with a circulation of 35,000 for 15 years and had a bi-weekly arts column in our local newspaper. I loved meeting new people, discovering their talents and interests and featuring them in magazine and newspaper articles. Later, working full time as a special education teacher’s assistant with the Toronto District School Board and tutoring students after school, I was able to share my love of reading and writing with students and give them confidence in themselves and their abilities. Some of my former students have gone on to become teachers themselves.
It was always a childhood dream to publish a children’s book and have my book acquired by Toronto Public Library where I have lived for most of my life. But it wasn’t until my early sixties that I fulfilled that dream. Now I have four award-winning books in libraries across Canada, Australia, New Zealand and also in the United States and Great Britain. And what’s exciting about having my books in libraries around the world is that people miles and oceans away in other countries are reading my stories. It’s like I’m travelling around the world with my books! So remember, it’s never too late to fulfil your dreams and goals.
KIDS NEWS & REVIEWS: We understand that you also volunteer with IBBY Canada’s Reading with Newcomer Children program in Toronto and do author visits and storytime programs in local schools and libraries. Can you also tell us about these amazing contributions that you make to young readers and what motivates you to do all this amazing work?
KATHLEEN: When not writing or reading, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, practicing yoga, golfing, hiking, watercolour painting, knitting, travelling, and choral singing. Since retiring from the Toronto District School Board in 2017 after 29 years, I have enjoyed volunteering with IBBY Canada’s Reading with Newcomer Children program in Toronto and leading author visits and story time programs in local schools and libraries. The smiles on the students faces when they get to meet and listen to a real author in person are priceless! And I love welcoming new families to Canada and inspiring young children to read and enjoy books. Often, the children enjoy reading their favourite stories aloud to me. At least once a week, I can be spotted borrowing armloads of books from my local branch of Toronto Public Library to read to the children.
KIDS NEWS & REVIEWS: Can you also please tell us about your growing works of children’s publishing and share any upcoming news of your short and long term goals.
KATHLEEN: As a member of The Writers’ Union of Canada since 2019, I have been sponsored by the Union and Canada Council for the Arts to lead many author visits in schools, libraries and other venues. I plan to participate in more author-related events this year as well as continuing to create, polish and submit my picture book manuscripts to traditional publishers. And I definitely plan to read lots of books and keep a pen and paper handy all hours of the day and night for when story ideas pop into my head!
KIDS NEWS & REVIEWS: Can you please tell us about the book you are reading to us today that we are sharing on our Youtube Channel as the book reading that represents your works with us and why you chose this book to read?
KATHLEEN: I always tell my listeners to save everything they write. Years ago, I wrote a poem called Bathtime Fun! when my kids were young and loved to splash and play in the tub. I discovered this poem buried in a cupboard 35 years later, made lots of changes and published it into a picture book. This book is now available in libraries around the world and received a highly recommended review in Canadian Review of Materials.
“Teachers and caregivers can use Bathtime Fun! to talk about poetry and imagination. Young children will enjoy reading the story or having the story read to them. They will be familiar with comforting routines described in the book, Highly Recommended.
CANADIAN REVIEW OF MATERIALS
WATCH KATHLEEN’S READING OF HER BOOK, BATHTIME FUN!
BOOK REVIEW!
Bathtime Fun! is a whimsical journey through a child’s imagination, taking readers on a wild ride with a toy tugboat in the bathtub. As the child sails through the water, they encounter an array of fascinating creatures from both the sea and beyond, including a tiger, a snake, a giant squid, an octopus, playful apes, monkeys, a bat, a parakeet, seals, whales, eels, rainbow fish, and even a hippo stuck in the mud. The vibrant watercolor illustrations by Toronto-based artist Sari Richter bring the story to life, capturing the playful and diverse nature of the adventure. The bold colors and energetic characters perfectly complement the rhythmic, sing-song text that’s ideal for reading aloud, adding to the joy and excitement of the story. Bathtime Fun! is not just a delightful adventure, but also a great way to encourage young children to look forward to bath time. By combining the thrill of an imaginative adventure with the simple task of getting clean, this book makes bathtime an enjoyable and fun-filled experience. Perfect for families with little ones, it’s sure to inspire creativity and laughter during every bath!
Thank you Kathleen, for spending the time with us for this interview. Check out Kathleen’s growing collection of award winning children’s picture books!
Don’t miss our recent book review on The Wish Carvers here!
