Melanie Florence’s new book One About The Blackbird is far more than a children’s book. The author discusses its creation with Vivascene.
Melanie Florence is an award-winning Canadian writer. Her book Jordin Tootoo: The Highs and Lows in the Journey of the First Inuk to Play in the NHL was chosen as an Honor Book by The American Indian Library Association. Her first picture book, Missing Nimama, won the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award. She is also the author of Righting Canada’s Wrongs: Residential Schools. She has also written the YA novels The Missing, One Night, Rez Runaway, and He Who Dreams.
Her new illustrated children’s book is titled The One About The Blackbird. Music figures strongly in the story: our recent review can be read via the link below. Melanie generously agreed to talk with us about her book.
Vivascene: Your new illustrated book centres around the connections between a grandfather and his grandson, and their shared love of music. What was the inspiration for creating this story?
Melanie: I write about the relationship between kids and their grandparents a lot. This was another version of that. In my own life, my connection with my grandfather was stories. But music is just another medium for storytelling and music is something that’s really important to me.
V: In addition to writing, you’re also a guitar player. Is your own musical journey reflected in the book?
M: Only in the sense that I have found that music is such an amazing way to connect to people. No matter what genre you enjoy, it’s incredible how music can be such an equalizer. I do play guitar. But strictly as an amateur.
V: In Daniel Levitin’s recent book I Heard There Was A Secret Chord, he pays considerable attention to the role that music can play in memory loss, dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease and stroke. What is it that makes music such a powerful force?
M: I’m in no way an expert. But I do think there’s something therapeutic about music. If you hear a song, are you ever transported to a place or time or experience? I remember hearing songs for the first time. Or songs that make me think of certain people in my life. My grandmother had dementia and there are songs that make me think of her as well. Even when she couldn’t remember things, she’d remember song lyrics.
V: I particularly enjoyed the illustrations by Matt James? How did you come to work with him? Was it a coincidence that he is a part-time musician as well?
M: When Matt was suggested as a possible illustrator, it was pretty cool that he’s also a musician. But even if he wasn’t, he’s an amazing artist. But I do think he brought something really unique to the book with his background in music.
V: How much collaboration is involved in combining narrative and illustration?
M: Not a lot, truthfully. Once the text is done, it’s out of my hands. I did get to see some early art. But I trusted Matt and my editor implicitly.
V: What are your plans for the promotion of Blackbird?
M: We’ve got a book launch on the 23rd and we’re doing interviews and I’m really hoping people like it! I’m not great at self-promotion but I’m doing more than usual this time. This book is one that I think is really special, so I hope readers think so too.
V: You’ve published more than 20 books, ranging from illustrated children’s books to young adult fiction to serious social commentary. Is there a new project in the works you can tell us about?
M: Always! I’m working on a young adult novel that ties music into the story and some picture book ideas … nothing too solid to report yet. But I do have a couple more books coming out next year. Please look for another gorgeous Tundra book called Sarabeth’s Garage, illustrated by Nadia Alam.
Many thanks to Melanie for taking the time to connect with us. Here’s a sample page from the book and a link to our review below :
