Ann Connor Brimer Award for Children’s Literature
Jan L. Coates, A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk (Red Deer Press)
How does it feel to be nominated?
I’m honoured and grateful, and hopeful the recognition will enable Hare to provide further support for Wadeng Wings of Hope and the important work Jacob is doing in Sudan.
In 140 characters or less (a la Twitter) tell us what your nominated book is about:
Inspired by the childhood of Jacob Akech Deng, SMU graduate and former Lost Boy of Sudan, this novel is about an extraordinary journey of courage, perseverance and hope.
Who or what is your major influence when writing?
Other writers for young people, whose books I read and analyze in attempting to figure out what makes them so good.
What compelled you to become a writer?
My mother owned a bookstore in Truro for twenty-five years, and I grew up immersed in the world of books, but it was really sharing books with my own kids that made me decide to try writing for young people.
Of all living and deceased authors, who would you like to meet and why?
John Irving, because my writing life would be complete if he could just share a few choice secrets to help me write a book like Owen Meany.
Briefly share 3 things about yourself that we don’t know:
1) Inside, I’m still twelve years old.
2) I’m scared of water.
3) I want to live in France someday.
Jan L. Coates - "What if...?" 