Award-Winning Children’s Author Speaks at Library

You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover and also shouldn’t judge an author by the clothes that he wears. That’s certainly the case of Brian Doyle, an award-winning writer who wore a ball cap over his grey hair, a blue-and-white striped shirt, white slacks, and sneakers to his talk last Saturday morning at the TMR library.

In his case, perhaps his simple, casual clothing style perfectly demonstrates why his books connect with his pre-teen and early teen readers. His narrative voices are always someone their own age and he authentically draws from his own youthful experiences or from stories told by his elders.

”Writers should write about what they know and the places where you live,” Doyle explained before about 10 people in the reading room of the children’s section. “I build a story around a place that’s intimate whether it’s a specific event, a work site, or a move to a new place.”

His first book Hey Dad! (1978), was written for his daughter to encourage her to read more books, and the second, You Can Pick Me Up at Peggy’s Cove (1979) was for his son.

Then his writings caught on and he has continued until he has now written 12 books. “I had to go back and use myself as a kid for the rest of them.”

Growing up in Ottawa and spending summers in the Gatineau Hills, Doyle absorbed keen memories of childhood and his love of language of that region. “I started to write when I was about 10 years old, noting what people were saying by eavesdropping.”

Asked about his own writing style, the 33-year English teacher in various Ottawa schools replied that he takes the ability of giving good names to his characters from Shakespeare and Dickens. “Don’t waste a name,” he advised. “Give them a good-sounding name or one with two meanings.”

In one book, Doyle tells the story of the “biggest liar” in the Gatineau valley named “Mickey Mularky” who was lying before he could talk. Bragging that he had caught a few barrels full of fish, his fellow (and sceptical) farmers questioned him until he had to admit that he didn’t even like fishing.

Doyle also told his audience that he writes in a style so he can read the stories aloud. “The sound is almost as important as the meaning in the reading. Reading the phone book isn’t very interesting because there’s no sound to it.”

Like his stories, much of his presentation was informal and humorous. Asking one young person how much reading he has done since school started, he replied that he hasn’t done that much. “You should quit school,” Doyle advised perhaps only half-jokingly, “because it’s interrupting your reading and education.”

More seriously, he advised prospective authors to write something everyday even if it’s only a little bit. Asked whether he’s nervous when one of his works come out, Doyle replied that he’s concerned about what people think. “But don’t be afraid. Do it anyway.”

Out of his 12 novels, he hasn’t had much need to worry. Eight have either won, been a finalist, and been nominated for major children’s literary awards, and three have won multiple prizes: Uncle Ronald (1996), Mary Ann Alice (2001), and Boy O’Boy (2003).















“Awards are a kind of recognition that gives you confidence as a writer.”

Recently, Doyle was named as Canada’s writer-nominee for the 2008 Hans Christian Andersen Awards that recognize a lasting and significant contribution to literature for children and young people. Held every two years since 1956, they are recognized around the world as the highest honour in the field.

Since retiring in 1992, Doyle has given numerous talks to young people. The local visit was part of the Canadian Children’s Book Week where authors and illustrators give talks at schools and libraries as a way to connect with young readers and even inspire some to take up those creative arts themselves. To get an appreciation of his writings, several of his books are available at the local library.

(Photo: Éric Carrière)