Welcome
Welcome
to my website. I write books and plays, many of which fall into the general
category of “for and about kids." I’ve never found it hard to enter into
a child’s state of mind – probably because I grew up the second-youngest of
nine siblings, and there’s a part of me that never stopped feeling like a
kid. Also, I’m drawn to strong narratives like myths and fairy tales, and
I find that those kind of stories are often the best medium to express what
I want to say. I think that kids today are hungry for big stories – not just
the kind that teach them lessons or reflect their own lives back to them,
but stories that allow them to experience danger, exhilaration and terror
– the full range of human possibility.
I have a particular interest in what I call girl-hero stories, because I think there still aren’t enough opportunities for girls to see themselves as the central character. I find that much of what I write appeals to adults as well as kids, that the usual age categories don’t apply nearly as much as they used to. I usually describe my audience as age nine and up.
What's new
Hot off the press! The Songweavers, the third
book in my fantasy trilogy The Notherland Journeys.
I’m thrilled to finally complete the trilogy. This new novel tells a very
unusual story and touches on many things that interest me – music, textiles,
the origins of the universe (yes, really). Click here
for ordering information and to learn more about all the books in the trilogy:
The “Your Imaginative World” contest to celebrate The Songweavers, sponsored by Second Story Press, has now ended, and the response was fantastic - many intriguing, well-written stories and essays. Lots of imagination out there! Click here to read a selection of entries.
Click here
to become a fan of The Songweavers on Facebook.
Songweavers launch party
The Songweavers was launched at a musical celebration on May 22, 2008 at the Imperial Pub in downtown Toronto. Lots of fine music was made by me and various musical friends, including The Sandbar Sisters, Trio Kundzuli, and my daughters Martha and Ivy Mairi. I'll be doing readings and signing copies of The Songweavers at various places in Toronto in fall of 2008. Check back here for more details or click here to go to The Songweavers Facebook page.
Kathleen McDonnell
Web design by Baye Hunter www.bayehunter.com
