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CANSCAIP Members Beatrice C. VanderveldeAuthor
Toronto, ON
Born: Amsterdam, the Netherlands. BiographyI was born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. As a child, the fifth of seven, I immigrated with my family to Canada. We travelled by ship from Rotterdam to Halifax, then took the train West. In spite of a storm at sea, seasickness, eating dry bread and crackers for days, getting covered with soot on the train, for us children it was a wonderful trip. Our journey ended on a deserted farm near Edson, Alberta. We loved exploring the woods behind our house, getting water from a natural spring, picking wild flowers in the fields, gazing at the Rocky Mountains visible on the horizon, even the novelty of using an outhouse. That summer we didn't miss the big city of Amsterdam at all. Then school started. Suddenly we became aware we were odd ducks. Our clothes were different. We could barely speak or understand the language. I had always loved school, but now I developed stomach aches, headaches--anything to be allowed to stay home and skip school. We had a few very rough months. Fortunately, children learn a new language quickly, especially by immersion. By the time we moved to Edmonton a year later, my siblings and I could understand almost everything, speak English fairly well, read easy books, and even write the language. Spelling and grammar were the hardest subjects, but by then we were well on the way to becoming real little Canadians. Most of my schooling took place in Edmonton. Early on I knew I wanted to be a teacher, so I went to the University of Alberta and later to Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I taught several years in Edmonton, then in Michigan, but most of my teaching career took place in Toronto. Teaching is a wonderful career. It is challenging, sometimes frustrating, but also rewarding. Children are constantly learning. They change. There are many opportunities to help them develop their skills and gifts. I tried to make the classroom an exciting place to be and to make learning fun. I loved books. While teaching at the Kindergarten and elementary school level, my awareness of children's literature grew. Having children of my own helped me value good stories even more. I enjoy making children aware of the richness of our language, of different ways of using language or telling a story. Eventually I began to write. Over the years I had many stories, poems, and articles published, but book manuscripts kept being returned. Also, while combining teaching with writing worked well as far as inspiration and subject matter was concerned, there was never enough time to keep at a project. A few years ago, while on sabbatical in England, I took a big step--I decided to quit teaching and write full time. My goal was finally to get some books published. Fortunately I did. I hope they are the first of many. Published WorksHome Ice, James Lorimer & Company Ltd, 2004. No. 76 in their Sport Series Approximately fifty different poems published in magazines and weeklies over the years. Awards
Ice Attack : First place Children & Young Adult Book, The 2003 Word Guild Canadian Writing Award. PresentationsAvailable for author talks and readings in schools and libraries for Kindergarten through grade eight. Presentations on ideas, the writing process, and development of character. Other MembershipsCanadian Children's Book Centre |
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