Five Things Literary: Guelph, with Jo Ellen Bogart

As part of our mapping of literary Ontario, we're highlighting five things about literary life in communities throughout the province. What do our cities, towns and villages have to offer writers, readers and the curious? Follow Five Things Literary to find out.

Today's feature on literary life in Guelph was contributed by Jo Ellen Bogart, whose book Capturing Joy (illustrated by Mark Lang and published by Tundra Books) introduces young readers to the remarkable life of Nova Scotia artist Maud Lewis.

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1. A rather amazing fact about Guelph for me is that it is the birthplace of John McCrae, author of the famous poem “In Flanders Fields.” I was in grade three in San Antonio, Texas when my class was asked to memorize this poem, and its words stay with me to this day. I live a few kilometers from the small stone McCrae house that is situated by the shores of the Speed River. Linda Granfield, author of In Flanders Fields: The Story of the Poem by John McCrae (Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2005), launched her book Remembering John McCrae: Soldier-Doctor-Poet (Scholastic Canada, 2009) at the house. The illustrator, Janet Wilson, lives nearby in the village of Eden Mills, another source of enrichment for Guelph.

 

2. Guelph is a cultural centre, as evidenced by the lovely River Run Centre that brings to Guelph events of literary, theatrical and musical merit. As a sometime songwriter, I take some lyrics as seriously as literature. In addition, the University of Guelph is a learning centre offering courses in many disciplines and visiting professors who give lectures that are open to the public. Many faculty members are writers. Local theatre is alive and well, being performed at the River Run, the University and the Guelph Little Theatre. I feel that all arts encourage the creation of more arts, so the interplay is vital.

 

3. Guelph is the birthplace and continuing home of the Bookshelf, a place that incorporates an excellent bookstore, movie theatre, restaurant and a live entertainment venue that has hosted many launches of books and musical works. The Bookshelf also sponsors readings in larger venues such as a recent appearance by Miriam Toews at a majestic church. Guelph’s proximity to other cities such as Kitchener and Waterloo gives Guelphites added opportunities to enjoy arts of all kinds close at hand.

 

4. Sometimes I am stunned by the number of writers, including many children’s writers, who live in Guelph and its surroundings. Just blocks from me are author/illustrator Robin Baird Lewis and author Thomas King, while a few more kilometres yields the homes of Jean Little, Robert Munsch, Adwoa Badoe, and Werner Zimmerman. Our satellite communities (how’s that for Guelph-centric?) of Eden Mills (home of the Eden Mills Writers Festival, of course) and Rockwood are home to Linda Hendry, Janet Wilson, Paul Morin, Kathy Stinson, Peter Carver, and more. A few years ago the The Guelph Public Library had a gathering of the city’s authors and the group was quite impressive. We think it is something in the water.

 

5. Guelph Public Library provides a quiet place to do research or just relax, with books, magazines, music, movies and internet access for its patrons, along with helpful librarians. I particularly appreciate the collection of books on CD that I listen to on highway trips. The shelves of new releases at my small local branch tempt me with books that I might not have run into otherwise. I never get out without one more book under my arm.

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Jo Ellen Bogart is the author of many best-selling children’s books, including Jeremiah Learns to Read, Daniel’s Dog, and Gifts. She has degrees in elementary education and psychology from the University of Texas, and she now writes full time. Jo Ellen has won the Ruth Schwartz Award and has been shortlisted for the Mr. Christie’s Book Award. Her first book for Tundra is Capturing Joy: The Story of Maud Lewis. Born in Houston, Texas, she now lives in a pet-filled home in Guelph, Ontario. For more information about Capturing Joy: The Story of Maud Lewis please visit the Tundra Books website.

Buy this book at your local independent bookstore or online at Chapters/Indigo or Amazon.

Would you like to contribute five things about literary life in your community? Send an email with your ideas to erin@openbookontario.com.