Best-selling Canadian Children's Author
Dear Morgan,
I was thrilled to learn that The Spotted Dog Last Seen was the first book you had ever read by me and that you enjoyed it. I hope you like The Missing Dog is Spotted just as much. I see you’ve drawn a butterfly – an important symbol in the first book. The details on the wings are exquisite!
Happy reading,
Jessica
Dear Bridget,
You’ve drawn a terrific alternative cover for The Spotted Dog Last Seen. I’m intrigued by the contents of the locker that Pascal breaks into, while Derek and Merrilee keep a lookout.
What I really like is that you’ve included a book called The Spotted Dog Last Seen on the top shelf of the locker, just like they discovered in the novel. The shiny linoleum floor in the school hallway is also a nice detail. I can almost smell the wax!
Happy reading,
Jessica
Dear Maxx,
What a rainstorm you’ve drawn!! Yikes! Look at those ominous clouds. The weather is absolutely vicious! You’ve even thrown in some fog for good measure. Only in Nova Scotia have I experienced rain AND fog at the same time, which is perfect for the opening scene of The Spotted Dog Last Seen. There’s Derek standing at the gate of old Twillingate Cemetery, desperate to run for cover. Well done!
Happy reading,
Jessica
Dear Koral,
I think your drawing of a cemetery is incredible. You’ve shown grave markers from pioneer times (the wooden crosses) to elaborate marbles (last century) to contemporary granite blocks in the front row. I especially enjoyed the symbols you’ve included in the margins: an hourglass, lamb, butterfly, and the skull and crossbones, all details in my novel, The Spotted Dog Last Seen. Lastly, your use of smudging is very creative. Well done!
And thanks for wishing me a good life. I’ll certainly try to do that.
Happy reading,
Jessica
Dear Lily,
OoOOooOOOooooo! Your drawing of a graveyard is so creepy! The impenetrable iron fence looks fierce. The types of grave markers (marble, slate, granite) adds to the age of the graveyard. The faceless moon is awesome. Lastly, you’ve include one of my favorite details in The Spotted Dog Last Seen, which is a double grave marker that is blank on one side.
Poor John!
Happy reading,
Jessica
Dear Aiden,
Congratulations! Your school, Lakeview Elementary, is this year’s winner of my Canada Day book draw, and your teacher will receive a set of my books for the classroom.
Over the next few posts, I’ll feature some of the letters your class sent, starting with yours. I think you’ve done a marvelous job capturing one of the plot turns in The Spotted Dog Last Seen. I love how you’ve used a bold line and completely filled the page. This is a very handsome drawing, indeed.
To answer your question, “What is my favorite holiday?”, I would have to say that Canada Day is one of my top five. I usually get to spend it on a boat along with friends, a BBQ and fireworks over Halifax Harbour. It’s a relaxing holiday and the day reminds me of how lucky my family is to live in such a great country.
Happy Canada Day!
Jessica
