NEWS

Sydell's years of teaching Creative Writing and Writing for the Children's Market for the Toronto Board of Continuing Education, helped her refine a repertoire of tested exercises and experiences for the developing writer.

MUSEUM EXHIBIT

In the Fall of 2003, My Mannequins will be featured in a Museum exhibit at the Beth Tzedec Synagogue. Although My Mannequins is a secular story, the pictures, with intricate accuracy, reflect life in the 1940's while the postscript deals with immigration. By shedding light on the underlying reasons for the tight link between Jewish immigration and the garment industry, Sydell has added a new dimension to this thematically-layered picture book.

Schools planning to view and discuss this rare exhibit and feel they might benefit from an author visit, please contact the author. Teachers can also review the teacher's guidelines for My Mannequins on this site.

CANSCAIP

After much deliberation and careful consideration, Sydell will now be part of the Canscaip (Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators and Performers) executive for the year 2003-4. She's looking forward to working with this creative and inventive team. Always an active member of Canscaip, she previously handled the registration desk for Packaging Your Imagination and for many years wrote the market section of their Newsletter.

Sydell is also a member of SCBWI (Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators), The Writers' Union of Canada and the Canadian Children's Book Centre.

THE PLAY'S THE THING

The Rooster Prince lends itself to playacting, an added dimension to Sydell's presentations. One school turned the book into a musical production.

EXCERPTS FROM REVIEWS:

"outstanding....magical and engaging ...retold with admiration.... wonderful children's book...informative, delightful...Waxman skillfully integrates...a winning combination..combines history..charming, very realistic... attention to period detail superb..curriculum connections... succeeded admirably.. lively original illustrations..impressive role model...speaks to my heart."

For full reviews click individual books on the home page.