Children's author, poet, musician | Winner, Governor General's Literary Award & Ruth & Sylvia Schwartz Book Award | Writing & musical stuff | NEW BOOKS: The Love Song of Mr. Byrd (2025/DCB); The War Lantern (2026/DCB) | pdowding.comhttps://bsky.app/profile/phdowding.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/phdowding.bsky.social/post/3mqzbhmhjts2dTHE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD is a Telling Tales Festival Reading Selection for 2026! Thank you! This curated list of great Canadian children's literature is a resource for parents, guardians, and educators. More about Telling Tales and Mr. Byrd here: phdowding.blogspot.com @cormorantbooks.bsky.social19 Jul 2026 17:09 +0000at://did:plc:4sa2bosmhpzoswtv2rr2jtsp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqzbhmhjts2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/phdowding.bsky.social/post/3mp4wyago7s2oIntroducing THE WAR LANTERN, coming from DCB Young Readers, October 2026. This middle-grade historical fiction follows the lives of three children one day in 1941, when bombs fall, families vanish, and the war lantern burns. More: phdowding.blogspot.com @cormorantbooks.bsky.social25 Jun 2026 17:22 +0000at://did:plc:4sa2bosmhpzoswtv2rr2jtsp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mp4wyago7s2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/phdowding.bsky.social/post/3mnv6vuqcps2rTHE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD is a Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Book Spring 2026! Thanks to my publisher DCB and the CCBC and congrats to all! @cormorantbooks.bsky.social @kidsbookcentre.bsky.social09 Jun 2026 21:57 +0000at://did:plc:4sa2bosmhpzoswtv2rr2jtsp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mnv6vuqcps2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/phdowding.bsky.social/post/3mksngwryt22nA little cherry blossom action at High Park in Toronto today. Happy May Day!01 May 2026 17:24 +0000at://did:plc:4sa2bosmhpzoswtv2rr2jtsp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mksngwryt22nhttps://bsky.app/profile/phdowding.bsky.social/post/3mihklch6ks2dThank you to the SYRCA WILLOW AWARDS! "The Love Song of Mr. Byrd" is a Shining Willow 2026 nominee, congrats to all! willowawards.ca/ @cormorantbooks.bsky.social01 Apr 2026 20:43 +0000at://did:plc:4sa2bosmhpzoswtv2rr2jtsp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mihklch6ks2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/phdowding.bsky.social/post/3mhvzul5ysk2bThe robins in the park yesterday reminded me it's spring! To celebrate, here's Bat and Byrd's origin story: One summer night, a bat and bird flew over my head then chirped & swooped & flew into a tree together. I couldn't stop thinking about them, and so a story was born! phdowding.blogspot.com/25 Mar 2026 21:29 +0000at://did:plc:4sa2bosmhpzoswtv2rr2jtsp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhvzul5ysk2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/phdowding.bsky.social/post/3mebtfhyiuk26Celebrate friendship with THE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD! An early reader chapter book about what it means to love your friend, right to the very end. For ages 6 to 9 (and 99), a gentle read-aloud for everyone. MORE: phdowding.blogspot.com @cormorantbooks.bsky.social07 Feb 2026 16:24 +0000at://did:plc:4sa2bosmhpzoswtv2rr2jtsp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mebtfhyiuk26https://bsky.app/profile/phdowding.bsky.social/post/3mcujonbgzs2eThe Ontario Library Association Super Conference is next week in Toronto! I'm delighted to be signing my new book, THE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD on Thursday, Jan. 29, 1:20 p.m. Find me in the OBPO Pavilion, please drop by and say hi. #olasc #writer #newbook @cormorantbooks.bsky.social20 Jan 2026 16:00 +0000at://did:plc:4sa2bosmhpzoswtv2rr2jtsp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcujonbgzs2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/phdowding.bsky.social/post/3mchrmyo23c2lWinter! Today is all about skiing through the woods to the cottage and a roaring fire. If you're in southern Ontario today, my guitar instrumental with Allister Thompson is for you! @allistert.bsky.social #music #wintersong #musician https://thegatelessgate.bandcamp.com/track/winter15 Jan 2026 14:18 +0000at://did:plc:4sa2bosmhpzoswtv2rr2jtsp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mchrmyo23c2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/phdowding.bsky.social/post/3mccwou65h22nEnjoy a little sweetness from Grade 4 students. Thank you to them for writing to me about THE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD! @cormorantbooks.bsky.social #writing13 Jan 2026 16:05 +0000at://did:plc:4sa2bosmhpzoswtv2rr2jtsp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mccwou65h22nhttps://bsky.app/profile/phdowding.bsky.social/post/3maqriqapv22mA story for your heart's desire the Christmas that you were six ... enjoy the Tin Foil Fairy❤️ https://phdowding.blogspot.com/2011/12/tin-foil-fairy-story.html24 Dec 2025 17:19 +0000at://did:plc:4sa2bosmhpzoswtv2rr2jtsp/app.bsky.feed.post/3maqriqapv22mhttps://bsky.app/profile/phdowding.bsky.social/post/3majd5zxf5s22"It is an emotional rollercoaster ... our class loves it." And more very sweet letters from grade 4 students. Enjoy a little love from the next generation of readers! @cormorantbooks.bsky.social #writers #kidsbooks https://phdowding.blogspot.com/2025/12/it-is-emotional-rollercoaster-and-more.html21 Dec 2025 18:14 +0000at://did:plc:4sa2bosmhpzoswtv2rr2jtsp/app.bsky.feed.post/3majd5zxf5s22https://bsky.app/profile/phdowding.bsky.social/post/3m6wy7sadik2uWhat is The Love Song of Mr. Byrd about? What made you write it? Are there books that inspired you? Who would enjoy this story? Q & A about Mr. Byrd on the blog today! @cormorantbooks.bsky.social https://phdowding.blogspot.com/2025/12/5-questions-and-answers-about-love-song.html01 Dec 2025 17:45 +0000at://did:plc:4sa2bosmhpzoswtv2rr2jtsp/app.bsky.feed.post/3m6wy7sadik2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/phdowding.bsky.social/post/3m62ytlhpjk2hWhat pairs well with a new book? Shortbread book cookies (bookies?)! "The Love Song of Mr. Byrd" cookies are almost too cute to eat ... (but they're delicious!) #writer #newbook #bookcookies #MrByrd #chapterbook @cormorantbooks.bsky.social20 Nov 2025 14:42 +0000at://did:plc:4sa2bosmhpzoswtv2rr2jtsp/app.bsky.feed.post/3m62ytlhpjk2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/phdowding.bsky.social/post/3m4vijjgaw22wMeet Bat and Mr. Byrd, one with fur and one with feathers, who celebrate joy, loss, and love over one sweet summer. Enjoy the Book Trailer for THE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD, with illustrations by Caroline Clarke @cormorantbooks.bsky.social #writer #booksforkids #Canadianbooks #ireadcanadian #chapterbook https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-43mOX5WKA05 Nov 2025 16:41 +0000at://did:plc:4sa2bosmhpzoswtv2rr2jtsp/app.bsky.feed.post/3m4vijjgaw22whttps://bsky.app/profile/phdowding.bsky.social/post/3m4ga6dctu22g"I wonder. I wonder if she’ll be back?" A wobbly start to a new friendship captured beautifully by illustrator Caroline Clarke. Is Bat his friend? Mr. Byrd just isn't sure ... how DO you make friends, anyway? THE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD: https://phdowding.blogspot.com/2025/10/mr-byrd-and-sometimes-wobbly-feeling-of.html #writers #booksforkids30 Oct 2025 15:02 +0000at://did:plc:4sa2bosmhpzoswtv2rr2jtsp/app.bsky.feed.post/3m4ga6dctu22ghttps://bsky.app/profile/phdowding.bsky.social/post/3m424izmsw22qIt's publication day for THE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD! Welcome, welcome new book, I hope you bring the world a little more love. Sing your song! @cormorantbooks.bsky.social #writers #writingforkids #newbook25 Oct 2025 19:24 +0000at://did:plc:4sa2bosmhpzoswtv2rr2jtsp/app.bsky.feed.post/3m424izmsw22qhttps://bsky.app/profile/phdowding.bsky.social/post/3lzybxtyh4s2vMy author copies of "The Love Song of Mr. Byrd"! "This story is about friendship and love and is for everyone who has ever been moved to sing (or dance, or paint, or write, or celebrate) like Mr. Byrd. I hope he inspires you to hear your own song, & sing it, too." More on the blog! #cormorantbooks29 Sep 2025 15:06 +0000at://did:plc:4sa2bosmhpzoswtv2rr2jtsp/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzybxtyh4s2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/phdowding.bsky.social/post/3lzj4t7binc24Delighted to be signing THE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD at Word on the Street, Toronto, this weekend. I'll be at the Cormorant/DCB booth, B11, this Saturday, September 27, at 2:45. Drop by and say hello! @cormorantbooks.bsky.social #WOTS202523 Sep 2025 14:24 +0000at://did:plc:4sa2bosmhpzoswtv2rr2jtsp/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzj4t7binc24https://bsky.app/profile/phdowding.bsky.social/post/3lwek652dyc2r"A new friend is a scary thing, sometimes." Here's the lovely back cover of "THE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD," (Oct/2025), from DCB Young Readers. The sweet feather is one of 10 beautiful illustrations by Newfoundland artist Caroline Clarke. Booklovers, you can pre-order now! @cormorantbooks.bsky.social14 Aug 2025 14:24 +0000at://did:plc:4sa2bosmhpzoswtv2rr2jtsp/app.bsky.feed.post/3lwek652dyc2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/phdowding.bsky.social/post/3luvity23j22nHonored to publish "The Love Song of Mr. Byrd" (Oct/25), with @cormorantbooks.bsky.social. An independent publisher, all their books are entirely made in Canada! Written by Canadians Illustrated by Canadians Edited by Canadians Designed by Canadians Published by Canadians and Printed in Canada!26 Jul 2025 21:25 +0000at://did:plc:4sa2bosmhpzoswtv2rr2jtsp/app.bsky.feed.post/3luvity23j22n