Dear Reader - Jessica Scott Kerrin

August 8, 2023August 8, 2023

Crow

Dear Jack,

I like crows, too. I see them all the time at the park when I walk my dog Ivy. There’s a whole murder of them who yell at her from their treetops as she trots down the path pretending to ignore them.

Here are a few interesting facts about crows. They have an excellent memory and can remember faces of people. They can problem-solve and use tools. For example, researchers dropped a small bucket of crow food at the bottom of a long tube and gave a hungry crow a wire. The crow actually bent the wire to hook the bucket handle and retrieve it! Crows weigh about the same as a soup can, and they can fly up to 65 kilometres per day. They have been known to adopt baby crows that have been orphaned. Lastly, they’ll eat anything. Literally, anything. They are not picky eaters.

If you hear caw-caw-caw, they are likely warning others of danger. Ivy doesn’t get away with anything when they’re on the lookout.

Happy reading and birdwatching,

Jessica

July 11, 2023July 11, 2023

Basket

Dear Olivia,

I like how you’ve meticulously labelled absolutely everything in your drawing, like a scientist or a museum curator. Also, you’ve really paid attention to details: the straws in the glasses of lemonade, the chocolate chips (or are they raisins?) in the cookies, the flowers in the window boxes and the heart-shaped doorknob. It’s quite wonderful. Authors love details!

I’m intrigued by the basket of wool you’ve included. Do you knit? I knit, and I have just finished a blue sweater. I found that having a craft or two on the go is a nice break from being at my desk, which can feel like all the time!

Happy reading,

Jessica

P.S. I’m pretty sure they’re chocolate chips. Also, I especially like your label “sky everywhere”. That would be a wonderful title for a novel! Very poetic!

June 27, 2023June 27, 2023

Pandemic tree fort

Dear Scarlett,

I know you drew this for me a few months ago, but I now find that your work beautifully captures what it was like living at home and quarantining during a pandemic.

For example, you have quite a few people crowded into a small home, but everyone, including the gigantic bunny, has found their own private space within it. Second, you’ve drawn arrows to show where to walk or move to maintain social distancing. Lastly, someone is dropping off a basket of food, maybe even baked goods, for the folks inside. Very kind.

That is what I plan to remember the most about the pandemic: the kindness of others. I’ll be forever grateful to organizations and people who have kept me safely occupied and in good health: healthcare professionals, librarians, writing organizations, public parks, government workers, my gym, and letters from my readers. I’ll be sure to include their acts of selflessness in future stories.

Happy reading,

Jessica

June 13, 2023June 13, 2023

Clear skies today

Child's drawing of cover of Jessica Scott Kerrin's novel called Clear Skies

Dear Melissa,

You’ve done a wonderful job drawing the cover of my latest novel, Clear Skies, about a boy in the 1960s who wants to become an astronomer and is caught up in the excitement of the Space Race to the moon.

I have good news for you. I did retire from my day job, but it was only so that I could write full time and publish more novels. I also now have more time to visit schools and meet students like you! I try to show students how they can find time in their busy schedules to write their own stories.

“Clear skies” is what telescope operators say to each other for good luck. They don’t want clouds or fog blocking their view of the starry universe. So, I’m wishing you clear skies now that the pandemic is over, and we can make the most of this summer!

Happy reading,

Jessica

June 13, 2023

Desk-top telescope

Child's drawing of a bedroom with a telescope

Dear Reid,

Your words are too kind, but thank you for them. You made me smile.

The room you’ve drawn looks like a lot of fun, mostly because it has two of my favorite things: books (of course!) and a telescope.

Now, I’ve never owned my own telescope, but I’ve had a chance to look through others, and I marvel at the worlds that I can see so far away. I find it really hard to imagine what’s beyond the reach of a telescope. When you look through your telescope, does it give you deep thoughts, too?

I love to write about Space and about kids who enjoy Space and rockets as much as I do. I’m so glad you like Martin Bridge. You might like my new character named Arno Creelman who I wrote about in Clear Skies. He’s a big telescope fan.

Happy reading,
Jessica

June 13, 2023

Bluejay spotted!

Dear Emma,

I’m so glad you spotted a bluejay. I have a few fun facts for you. Even though bluejays look blue to us, their feathers are actually brown. What happens is a trick of light. All of the colours of light pass through the feathers except for blue, and that’s what we see. Neat!

Bluejays are very smart. They are a member of the crow and raven family, and they know how to use tools to get food. Also, they are very good at waiting for opportunities to eat, such as carefully watching as people enjoy their picnic lunch and when they turn away, bluejays will swoop in for the steal.

Lastly, bluejays can imitate the sound of hawks. When they spot one looking for its next meal, they call out like a hawk to warn other birds that a hawk is nearby. That way, the birds around take heed so that they don’t become lunch.

Thank you so much for your birdwatching report. You’ve done a lovely job.

Stay well,

Jessica