Posts by L. E. Carmichael


Here Comes the Sun: Spring Equinox and Circadian Rhythm

Here Comes the Sun: Spring Equinox and Circadian Rhythm

Last weekend, many of us suffered through the tortuous ritual known as "springing ahead" - moving the clocks forward one hour to begin Daylight Savings Time. We hates it, precious. I live in the Northern Hemisphere, and I am very, very ... Read More  

Book Cover - Polar Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth by L.E. Carmichael

Award-winning Author Pens New Science Book for Kids on Polar Wildlife

Despite changing climate and savage conditions, animals in the polar regions can still thrive. Author L. E. Carmichael’s 23rd children’s science book takes a fascinating look at how they manage it—and how young environmentalists can help. Read More  

Bliss Adair and the First Rule of Knitting by Jean Mills

Jean Mills: A Yarn About Yarn – And More

I don’t know about other writers, but every story I write has a connection to something in my own life and experience. Music, sports, the Nova Scotia shore and, in Bliss Adair and the First Rule of Knitting – ... Read More  

Wolves for World Wildlife Day, March 3, 2023

Wolves for World Wildlife Day

All across the boreal forests of Canada, wolves look for the same things: clean water, safe dens, and places where deer or moose are plentiful. When wolves find everything they need in one area, they establish a territory, and ... Read More  

International Polar Bear Day - February 27 2023

23 Cool Facts About Polar Bears

It's International Polar Bear Day! Since it's 2023, I've rounded up 23 cool facts about these icons of the Arctic, including a surprising discovery I helped make during in my former life as a wildlife geneticist. Is your favourite ... Read More  

Cover of Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth

New Year’s News Nuggets!

OK, I realize it’s mildly absurd to be writing a Happy New Year post in the middle of February, but here we are, so let’s do this!  New Year’s Resolutions Did you make any? How are they going for ... Read More  

sunset over a lake

The Longest Night

It's winter solstice here in the northern hemisphere--the longest night of the year. Tomorrow, and each day after, the light returns, one extra moment at a time. Read More  

These Are Not the Words, by Amanda West Lewis

Amanda West Lewis – Warming Up

All artists need to warm up. Painters, actors, dancers, musicians, and writers must all do something to tune up the physical and mental muscles required for the work. As choreographer Twyla Tharp says, when you warm up, won’t hurt ... Read More  

Too Much Trash by Joan Marie Galat

Joan Marie Galat – Too Much Trash: How Litter Is Hurting Animals

Did you know litter on the ground often ends up in water? It can travel from creeks to rivers, and onward to the sea. When I first dreamed of becoming an author, I didn’t exactly picture myself writing a ... Read More  

This I Read Canadian Day, Blast Off with Mortimer: Rat Race to Space

Tomorrow is I Read Canadian Day, the day we support Canada's fabulous children's bookmakers by reading a Canadian book for 15 minutes. Don't be surprised if you find yourself wanting to read for more than 15 minutes - in fact, ... Read More  

Judy Ann Sadler holding her picture book While We Wait

Judy Ann Sadler: Inspiration All Around

I live in a village that remained mostly unchanged for a few decades. We were surrounded by corn fields and horse pastures and that suited us just fine.  But then the nearby big city annexed neighbouring towns including ours ... Read More  

One Tiny Bubble by Karen Krossing, illustrated by Dawn Lo

Karen Krossing: Sparking Connections With One Tiny Bubble

I’m not a scientist. I’m a science lover. I have been one since childhood. Back then, a special book on my shelf was a science textbook that my father co-wrote. I couldn’t understand the big words or concepts then, but ... Read More  

Museum in the Classroom: The Pleistocene Extinction Teaching Kits

Did you have a dinosaur phase when you were a kid? I did. I was in the second grade, and I was obsessed. I pored over library books, memorizing five-syllable names and amazing the adults with my stockpile of ... Read More  

Cover of Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth

Science Literacy Week! And The Cover of My New Book It’s So Pretty I Can’t Even!!

It's Science Literacy Week! And while I cannot even believe it's the middle of September already, I am always so excited when SLW rolls around. Because SLW is the week when we celebrate science, and what science is, and ... Read More  

When Spider Met Shrew by Deborah Kerbel

Deborah Kerbel: Get Thee to a Crit Group!

My newest picture book, WHEN SPIDER MET SHREW (illustrated by Genevieve Cote and published by Groundwood Books), is about a group of unlikely creatures – Spider, Shrew, Bat, Possum, Dog, and Pony – who find friendship, compassion, and community ... Read More  

hiding from a T rex

Jurassic World: Less Dominion, More Extinction

I vividly remember going to see Jurassic Park (1993) in the theatre. It was me and two of my besties, on the edge of our seats... at least until Kelsey and I glanced over at Julie-Ann and she wasn't ... Read More  

I Can, Too! written by Karen Autio and illustrated by Laura Watson

Karen Autio: I Can, Too! – Book Highlights Adaptive Inventions That Allow Inclusion

My daughter opened my eyes and heart to the world of disabilities. Annaliis was born with spina bifida and used a wheelchair from preschool onward. It was a great joy to see kids welcome and fully include her in ... Read More  

One More Angel in Kitty Heaven

Sasquatch celebrated her 20th birthday on May 30. On June 23, we sent her to kitty heaven. She had arthritis and kidney failure and took more medications than I do. But she was as happy and snuggly as a ... Read More