Author Marsha Skrypuch has two picture books out this week, When Mama Goes to Work, and a revised version of The Best Gifts, which was originally published in 1998. (BRIAN THOMPSON Brantford Expositor)
Brantford author Marsha Skrypuch’s recently released picture books are a marked departure from the historical fiction that continues to garner acclaim.
Out just this week are her 16th and 17th works: a picture book called When Mama Goes to Work, and a revised version of The Best Gifts, one of her earliest books, originally published in 1998.
“Having these two picture books out in the midst of the serious war fiction is a nice breath of fresh air,” she said.
It won’t be long before Book 18 hits the shelves. Underground Soldier is the third volume in a Second World War trilogy that includes Stolen Child and Making Bombs for Hitler. Publication is set for Jan. 1.
Skrypuch has also written a young adult novel scheduled to be published next summer — a First World War love story that originates in Brantford.
What with book launches, speaking engagements and school and library visits that take her across the country, life is sometimes a whirlwind for the successful writer.
“It’s crazy busy, but it’s good busy,” she said.
When Mama Goes to Work follows several children and their working mothers as they move through the day. The story idea, said Skrypuch, was inspired in part by her friend Sharon Brooks of Kids Can Fly. Brooks, and several librarians consulted by Skrypuch, agreed there is a dearth of books about working moms and the children they leave in the care of others.
“The story parallels what’s happening with mom and child as they do the same things throughout their days,” said Skrypuch. “They’re thinking of each other and wishing they could be together but they are in each other’s hearts.”
Skrypuch has dedicated the book to her mother and two grandmothers, all working women.
Fans of Skrypuch will remember The Best Gifts, the story of Sara and the important moments in her life. The author’s second published book, released 15 years ago, has sold worldwide.
This rewritten version makes Best Gifts a more multicultural tale with all new illustrations by Elly MacKay.
“The original pictures were all blue-eyed and blond,” said Skrypuch. “We wanted to make it more inclusive. It’s a similar story but the cultural details are different.”
On the heels of her 2013 Silver Birch Award (Grades 3 to 6 reader category) for Making Bombs for Hitler, Skrypuch has been shortlisted for more honours.
Making Bombs was a finalist for the $5,000 Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People. The book is also a finalist for the $25,000 Kobzar Literary Award. The winner will be announced in March.
One Step at a Time: A Vietnamese Child Finds Her Way — based on the childhood of a Brantford woman — is shortlisted for the 2014 Silver Birch non-fiction award. This is one of the Forest of Reading programs in which 250,000 Ontario kids choose the winners.
A launch for Skrypuch’s newest books will be held at the Brant County Library in Paris on Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. Proceeds from the launch will go to Kids Can Fly, a registered charity that supports early learning and parenting.
