Madi and the Dads Shine at Central Saanich’s 75th Anniversary Celebration

Central Saanich’s 75th anniversary celebrations on July 25, 2026, delivered an eclectic soundtrack to a memorable community afternoon. Local musicians of every generation took to the stage, from rising 14-year-old singer-songwriter Chase Varnes to teenage rock bands Wreckage, Wet Knees, and Kingston Weesa. The ever-popular 130-voice Victoria Rock Choir delighted the crowd with a collection of classic rock anthems before professional acts including Vanilla Riot and energetic headliners The Best Laid Plans, fronted by local school alumnus Nick La Riviere, brought the celebrations to a fitting climax.

For this review, however, the spotlight falls on one of the day’s standout performances: Madison Olsen and her band, Madi and the Dads.

The band features Madison’s father, Nick Gilchrist, on bass, a respected local music producer at Roosa Records; Dave Bosma on guitar and backing vocals; Brentwood School of Music owner Mike Preston on drums; and keyboard virtuoso Andy Sloniowski—the only member of the band who isn’t actually a dad.

The performance took place beneath a large tented stage at Centennial Park, surrounded by towering trees that offered welcome patches of shade on a warm summer afternoon. Around 80 people gathered directly in front of the stage, enjoying excellent sound from the PA system. Unfortunately, those relaxing in the nearby fenced beer garden didn’t experience quite the same audio quality—but judging by the atmosphere in that space, they were still having fun.

Madison Olsen has become one of the Brentwood Bay and Central Saanich area’s most admired young musicians. An accomplished singer, songwriter and pianist, she fronts Madi and the Dads—a group affectionately described in their promotional material as “a talented crew of dad-vibe musicians in varying states of beard.”

From the opening song onward, a common thread emerged throughout the set. Whether performing carefully chosen covers or introducing original material, each song explored themes of love, heartbreak, self-discovery, emotional struggle, teenage uncertainty and the complicated journey of growing up. It was a thoughtful and emotionally connected set that suited Madison’s expressive style.

The band opened with Cage the Elephant’s “Cigarette Daydreams,” immediately showcasing Madison’s rich, powerful voice. Her vocal maturity is remarkable as she effortlessly captures both the vulnerability and emotional depth of the song.

Madison then revealed that the audience would be among the first to hear several original songs from her forthcoming debut album, which is expected to be released on Spotify.

The first, “Get Well Soon,” proved to be an immediate highlight. Leaning fully into her greatest strength – her vocals – the song carried echoes of youthful heartbreak, regret, love and memory. It was emotionally honest without becoming melodramatic and demonstrated genuine songwriting ability.

She followed with another original currently titled “Unfortunate Sons,” although she later mentioned it may be renamed “Red Flags.” That may prove a wise decision, avoiding any inevitable comparison with Creedence Clearwater Revival’s classic Fortunate Son.

One of the strongest moments of the afternoon came with “Ghost at the Helm,” another original that further demonstrated Madison’s growing confidence as both a songwriter and performer.

The emotional intensity continued with Lola Young’s “Conceited.” Its haunting lyrics and driving rhythm filled the field, prompting genuine goosebumps. Madison delivered the song with conviction, exploring themes of fractured relationships and emotional conflict with impressive maturity.

Her lower vocal register was particularly striking, carrying shades of Adele and Amy Winehouse without ever sounding imitative. Instead, Madison’s performance retained its own identity while demonstrating remarkable control, warmth and emotional expression.

Throughout the set it was evident that nerves occasionally crept in, something entirely understandable for any live performer introducing original music. Madison also explained that she was battling hay fever, with the pollen from the surrounding grass affecting her voice. At times she seemed to struggle to reach a handful of higher notes, but these brief moments did little to diminish what was otherwise an outstanding performance. If anything, they highlighted the professionalism required simply to continue delivering under difficult conditions.

The set closed with Bruno Mars’ “Locked Out of Heaven,” an energetic finale that allowed both Madison and the band to finish on a high. Dave Bosma’s backing vocals added welcome depth, while the entire band provided a tight, polished performance throughout – Well done Dads!

This self-deprecating anthem has touched listeners around the world. Reading comments on social media about this song, it seems to have helped many overcome their depression.  Let’s hope anyone listening to these songs will have the same outcome.

Madison threw herself fully into the song, confidently navigating its Police-inspired phrasing before unleashing the soaring chorus and dynamic bridge with infectious energy. It was a performance that left the audience smiling and provided a fitting conclusion to an impressive afternoon.

The music industry is notoriously difficult to navigate, particularly for emerging artists. Canada’s beloved singer-songwriter Jann Arden often reminds aspiring musicians that she was never an overnight success. In her memoir If I Knew Then, she recalls receiving countless rejection letters early in her career. Had she followed the advice she was given, she later reflected, she would have ended up sounding like everyone else instead of herself.

Her breakthrough album Living Under June was initially rejected by A&M Records because executives simply didn’t know where her music belonged. It wasn’t until one executive revisited her recordings after experiencing his own heartbreak that the emotional honesty of her songs finally resonated. The rest, as they say, is history, with millions of albums sold worldwide.

It’s a timely reminder that originality often takes time to be recognized.

Madison possesses something that cannot be taught: authenticity. Her songwriting is thoughtful, her voice is exceptional, and her stage presence will continue to grow with experience. If she continues writing from the heart and trusting her own musical instincts, there is every reason to believe her journey is only just beginning.

Set List

• Cigarette Daydreams — Cage the Elephant
• Get Well Soon — Original
• Unfortunate Sons (working title, possibly changing to Red Flags) — Original
• Crazy — Gnarls Barkley
• Teenage Dirtbag — Wheatus
• Ghost at the Helm — Original
• Conceited — Lola Young
• Cold Mess — Original
• Locked Out of Heaven — Bruno Mars

Madi, keep going; you have pure talent that should go far.

Link to Video Clips:

Madi and the Dads – Live in Central Saanich, July 2026:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAOIOutzjgY

Make Raising Funds Easy – Simply include Music, Dancing, Fun and a dash of Community Spirit!

Fundraising is rarely easy, but add great music, dancing and a shared sense of community, and you have the recipe for a memorable and successful event.

I recently had the pleasure of organizing a Dance Party Fundraiser in support of an exciting Native Garden Project for a school community in British Columbia, Canada. The event was hosted at a local 55+ association—its first-ever dance fundraiser—and proved to be a resounding success.

The evening featured two live bands with something for everyone. CB Music Collective got the night underway with an entertaining mix of folk, country and classic rock favourites, creating the perfect atmosphere as guests arrived, enjoyed drinks and snacks, and caught up with friends.

As the evening progressed, the 80s experience, cover band, Neon Waves, took to the stage and transformed the hall into a lively 80s dance party. Performing crowd-pleasing hits such as I Love Rock ‘n Roll, Walking on Sunshine, Call Me and many other iconic favourites, the band had the dance floor packed from the first song to the last.

The event attracted a wonderfully diverse crowd, with attendees ranging in age from 22 to 82 years. It was inspiring to see multiple generations dancing, singing along and enjoying the music together. The evening sold out, proving that great live entertainment can bring a community together while supporting an important cause.

By the end of the night, more than $1200 had been raised for the Native Garden Project, helping to create a beautiful outdoor learning space where students can connect with nature, Indigenous plants and learn about the local ecosystems.

The success of the fundraiser is a reminder that raising money doesn’t have to feel like hard work. When people are given the opportunity to enjoy themselves while supporting a worthwhile cause, everybody wins.

Link to Neon Waves playing Blondie’s hit “Dreaming”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xqaOL7nVr8

Summary of promotion tools utilized for this event:

• Inclusion in two articles for community newsletters
• Regular email notices to residents in the community
• Posters displayed around the neighbour/local shops’ poster boards
• Social Media posts, teaser videos
• Personal emails to contacts
• Flyers distributed in neighbourhood
• Online Event listings
• Event information sent to local newspapers/magazines/

Best Birthday Bash Ever!

Imagine you’re planning your very big 60th birthday. What’s on your wish list? Fireworks? A surprise flash mob? A nap that lasts three uninterrupted hours?

For me, the dream was simple: hop on a plane, land on a hot island, and engage in some serious R & R. Sadly, Covid had other plans. The party was cancelled, the friends stayed home, and the passport sulked in a drawer. Still, it wasn’t all doom and gloom – I managed to go mask-free and take long, dramatic walks along a conveniently deserted beach in BC, pretending I meant to celebrate that way. No pity required, though – I eventually lived the island dream a few years later!

Meanwhile, one very special lady had a birthday wish of her own. Instead of sun and sand, she wanted her favourite university R & B band, Sci 87 Swollen Members, to play at her party.

Now, over the years, life has scattered people far and wide – for work, love, adventure, or just because Google Maps said “why not?” Band members had lived everywhere from the UK, Belgium, France, and the USA to pretty much every corner of Canada. Miraculously, about 90% were still on this side of the Atlantic, albeit inconveniently spread across Vancouver, Victoria, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, various parts of Ontario, and the USA.

Not ideal, but engineers love a challenge. A plan was hatched to reunite all band members. This is no small ensemble, by the way – 11 musicians in total. Hence the name Swollen Members. And yes, they were the original Swollen Members, not the other band with the same name in Vancouver.

Amazingly, 10 out of the 11 were available. Before anyone could suddenly remember a prior engagement or develop a mysterious limp or claim to have a bad back, a date was locked in, a venue chosen, a set list agreed upon, and flights booked.

True to form, the band’s engineers couldn’t resist giving the tour a name with a classic double entendre. Since the birthday girl was a devoted fan of The Tragically Hip, the show was scheduled for early February—arguably one of the most unforgiving months in Ontario. Thus, the “Tragically Stiff Tour 2026” was born.

Mother Nature fully committed to the theme. Clarksburg, Ontario was hit with arctic air so cold it deserved its own warning label: minus 20… no wait, minus 30-plus with wind chill. Roads were blocked by snow and sleet, and stepping outside felt like being exfoliated by a furious ice demon wielding razor blades. Character-building weather, some might say.

Despite the conditions (or perhaps because surviving the journey felt like an achievement), the party was a roaring success. Around 180 friends arrived from near and far, and the reunited university band absolutely delivered. A full two-hour set, packed with energy and professionalism, was no small feat considering they’d been playing many of these songs for over 40 years.

A few special additions were included for the occasion, featuring favourites like Lost Together by Blue Rodeo, and, of course,Tragically Hips‘  Wheat Kings.

Cold toes aside, it was a night to remember – proof that with the right people, the right music, and just a touch of frostbite, birthday wishes really can come true.

If you are interested, visit YouTube to find more music from the Sci 87 Swollen Members, including a longer highlight video from their last Tragically Stiff Tour.

The Forgotten Soldiers of D-Day: One Man’s Journey from Conscription to Freedom

One lesser-known story of the Allies’ D-Day landings is the fate of thousands of conscripted men, many of them Eastern  Europeans, forced into the German army against their will. For these men, the Allied invasion presented a rare and dangerous opportunity: a chance to escape, surrender, and eventually fight for freedom alongside the Allies.

Among these hidden survivors were over 89,000 Polish men, out of a likely total of 220,000, who had been conscripted by the Germans. Many found themselves in Normandy during the invasion, silently hoping for a way out.

One of them was my father-in-law. At just 14 years old, he was forcibly taken from his home in Lithuania and conscripted into the German war machine. He was first sent to Berlin for training, then transferred to Paris to work as a delivery driver. In the spring of 1944, he was relocated to Lorient, Brittany, to help guard a U-boat bunker – one of the most vital German naval bases (it housed up to 30 U-Boats) – which caused havoc in the Atlantic.

Despite two thousand Allied bombing missions, Lorient’s massive 9-metre-thick concrete bunkers withstood the attacks. The town, however, was devastated and flattened by bombs, leaving its 47,000 residents to bear the brunt of the destruction. As D-Day unfolded and the tide of war shifted, most of the U-boats were withdrawn and moved to Germany or Norway. My father-in-law and other young conscripts were then sent to Rennes to guard supplies, where the security presence had weakened, offering a glimmer of hope for escape.

With the chaos of war surrounding them and the German retreat underway, he and four other young Polish men planned their escape. During the American-led Operation Cobra, they leapt from a moving truck and vanished into the French countryside. For over a month, they dodged German patrols, avoided suspicion from French locals, and relied on the bravery of the French Resistance fighters and sympathetic farmers to survive.

On July 2, 1944, after travelling more than 50 miles on foot, they reached Avranches and encountered U.S. troops. Initially mistaken for enemy soldiers, they were beaten up until one Polish-American serviceman recognized their language and intervened. Taken into custody, they were brought to the Normandy beaches, along with thousands of other prisoners, to await transfer to a POW camp.

One month later, they were transported to join 7,500 German/Italian soldiers in a POW camp in Le Marchant, Devizes, Wiltshire, in the UK. At its peak, following D-Day, the camp processed up to 2,500 prisoners a day. Though now technically hoping to be “free,” the ordeal was not over. Each prisoner was interrogated, and their political allegiances carefully examined. Known Nazis were transferred to harsher camps like Camp 21 in Perthshire, Scotland or other locations in Le Marchant such as Camp 23.  For Polish conscripts, immediately identifying themselves was a risk as they feared being mistaken for spies or traitors.

British officials employed several methods to identify legitimate Polish nationals. Once cleared, these young men were removed from the general prison populations to Displaced Person Camps or allowed to join the Polish Forces in exile.

These men had endured unimaginable trauma, having been taken from their homes as boys, forced to fight for an enemy, and left to survive amid the horrors of war. For many, the end of World War II did not bring a return to peace or a reunion with family. It’s also understandable that some struggled to make sense of their wartime experiences.

For those men who joined the Polish Army in the West (or Polish Freedom Fighters), the end of the war did not necessarily mean a return home and the chance to be reunited with their families.

Of the thousands who joined the Polish Army in the West, only about 105,000 eventually returned to Poland. There, they faced the risk of arrest, execution, or deportation to Soviet labour camps. However, roughly 150,000 chose exile, hoping to rebuild their lives abroad. These included not only many former child conscripts but also veteran pilots and soldiers, who were excluded from official British victory celebrations, including the VE Day parade.

Despite the odds, Polish refugees became one of the most successful immigrant groups in post-war Britain. My father-in-law was among them. It took 19 years before he was finally reunited with his family. With help from the Red Cross Tracing Service, he learned that his relatives had been relocated from Lithuania to Poland. By then, sadly, his father, brother, and grandmother had all died during and after the war, such was the bitter-sweet news.

Determined to understand and help others cope with the psychological wounds of war, he became a psychologist. He never forgot his friends who suffered long after the battles had ended—what we now recognize as PTSD. One of his most influential papers, The Stress of Predictable and Unpredictable Shock, became a classic in its field.

Beginning as an assistant lecturer in the UK, Dr. Artur Zylinski went on to become an associate professor at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, and later the Director of the Clinical Psychology graduate program at Queen’s University in Canada.

Against My Will – Lithuania to Freedom.  is the fictionalized novel based on the remarkable life of Artur Zylinski – an updated edition is now available at Amazon or orderable at your favourite bookstore.

Readers can now enrich and enhance their reading experience with the newly added Book Club questions and Classroom activities at the back of the book.

Join our conversations on Facebook at SandraArthurBooks.

The Red Cross Tracing Service helped millions of families reunite after World War II

German Red Cross tracing service extended to 2025

“Between 1945-50, the Red Cross received over fourteen million enquiries. From all those enquiries, only eight million were resolved. Today, between 8,000-10,000 continue to be received – EACH YEAR!”

Approximately 12 million people were displaced in Europe after WW2. This was due to forced labour camps, prisoner of war release, concentration camps, army releases, displaced people not living in their country of origin and much more. In addition, thanks to the services of the Red Cross Tracing Service, thousands of people were able to find their “lost” families after World War Two (WW2). The Red Cross staff and volunteers worked hard to reconnect loved ones through letters and phone calls. This tracing service was established shortly after the end of WW2, tasked with searching for more than 20 million people who “disappeared”. Today, that work continues for people trapped in war zones and areas of conflict, but also those who may have been arrested, abducted, killed, or who may have been displaced as a result of emergencies and disasters and are unable to reach loved ones.

The wartime Enquiry Bureau which attempted to trace missing troops transformed over time into a Tracing and Reunion service which helped re-establish contact with, first, displaced persons in Europe in the aftermath of the war, and, later, any family members or overseas with whom contact was lost as a result of war.

This valuable service focused on helping WW2 families to reconnect was slated to close but the Red Cross in Germany has said it will extend the operation of its service to find individuals who went missing in the Second World War until 2025. The decision reflects an increased interest from families. The service has continued to do extraordinary work, such as reuniting two brothers in 2010 after being separated for more than 60 years. Improved technology and unclassified documents in other countries, especially Russia, have meant that some once unanswerable queries can now be solved. Despite this good news, the Red Cross had said in 2018 that it estimated that the fate of some 1.2 million people would remain a mystery.

Last year alone, inquiries about people who went missing during the war or in its immediate aftermath through forced displacement totalled 10,091!

Thanks to this incredible service, my husband’s father was finally able to reconnect with his family in 1962—after 19 long years apart. His ordeal began in 1943 when, at just 14 years old, he was forcibly conscripted into the German Army in Lithuania. Once captured by the Nazis under brutal conditions, he later escaped with Polish comrades and briefly hid with the French Resistance. Eventually, he was discovered and attacked by American soldiers and, with no other option, surrendered.

“From the 220,000 men who served in the Polish Forces in the UK, a staggering 89,000 had originally been conscripted to work for Germany – many against their will.”

He then endured the hardships of life as a Prisoner of War in the UK, before ultimately joining the Polish Freedom Fighters in 1944. After the war, he had no idea where his family had gone. It took nearly two decades before he was finally reunited with them.

This remarkable reunion was made possible by the tireless efforts of the volunteers with the Red Cross. I offer my heartfelt thanks to all those who contributed to this vital and compassionate service.

The children who were stolen and taken against their will to work and fight would be in their 90s today, and I sincerely hope that if there are still people seeking their families that they may find closure.

The experiences of ethnically Polish families living in Lithuania during WWII have seldom been shared with the wider world. It is this overlooked history that forms the foundation of my book,  Against My Will: Lithuania to Freedom.

This novel sheds light on the untold experience of Artur Zylinski and his family, an ethnically Polish family living in Lithuania during the war—such stories are rarely recorded, often lost, and seldom translated into English. Rooted in true events that span Lithuania, Germany, France, the UK, and Canada, Against My Will – Lithuania to Freedom draws from oral histories shared by surviving relatives and meticulous research by the author.

Though fictionalized, the narrative remains deeply grounded in historical truth, offering readers not only a compelling and emotional story but also a rare glimpse into a forgotten chapter of European wartime history.

I hope this book provides insight into the experiences of many Eastern European men during WW2 —and just a heads-up, the Red Cross plays a pivotal role in the story that unfolds.

If you’re a fan of historical fiction, you might enjoy my account of this true story, written with love and deep gratitude. A short video trailer about the book is featured below:

Kindle Unlimited members can download an ebook for free on Amazon or purchase it as a low-cost paperback

You can learn more about this untold history in this video below, presented by the author, Sandra Arthur:

WW2 History: A Tale of Survival, Separation, and Resilience

It has been 80 years since the end of World War II. For many, the war is something they’ve only encountered in history books. But for others, including our family, it’s a deeply personal legacy. Our parents, grandparents, and relatives lived through its horrors—some fought, some flew in combat, some were imprisoned. One family member, in particular, endured an extraordinary journey that tested every ounce of his strength and resilience.

Book Review Received “A Great Story that should be shared: This gripping story follows a young man swept by fate into the complex and chaotic events of World War II. Poignant moments are powerfully contrasted with exhilarating episodes, making it a truly captivating read. Having grown up in rural Normandy in the 1950s—when there was no television and older generations passed the time by recounting war stories and memories of the Battle of Normandy—I found myself deeply connected to the narrative. I could easily imagine Arthur as one of the many caught in the storm of history, shuffled between opposing forces, doing whatever he could to survive—sometimes hiding in farmers’ barns, sometimes helped by strangers.”

After more than a decade of research, I finally completed a historical fiction novel based on the true story of my father-in-law. The book is titled Against My Will: Lithuania to Freedom.

This novel sheds light on the largely untold experiences of ethnically Polish families living in Lithuania during the war—stories rarely recorded, often lost, and seldom translated into English. Rooted in true events that span Lithuania, Germany, France, the UK, and Canada, it draws from oral histories shared by surviving relatives and meticulous research by the author.

Based on a true story, this powerful new novel traces the extraordinary journey of a young Polish-Lithuanian boy and his mother as they are torn apart and tested by the brutal forces of World War II. Spanning six countries and a generation, the narrative unfolds as a gripping testament to the unbreakable bonds of family and the unrelenting will to survive.

At just 14 years old, the Polish/Lithuanian schoolboy is thrust into a nightmarish world when he is captured by the Nazis. What follows is a harrowing odyssey that carries him far from home, first through brutal Nazi forced marches, transfers and camps, then into the covert arms of the French Resistance. Despite his youth, he navigates treacherous terrain both literal and emotional, witnessing humanity at its darkest, but also glimpsing unexpected moments of kindness and solidarity.

From the 220,000 men who served in the Polish Forces in the UK, a staggering 89,000 had originally been conscripted to work for Germany. At the end of WW2 105,000 did return to Poland and risked imprisonment, or being sent to a Gulag camp, or even death. However, 123,000 remained in exile with the hope for a better life.

After facing the bleak reality of POW camps in the UK, his path eventually leads him to join the Polish Freedom Fighters, where he matures beyond his years amidst constant danger, forging a new identity shaped by loss, courage, and resistance. Each border crossed marks not just a shift in geography but a transformation in his soul—a reckoning with who he was, and who he must become to survive.

Meanwhile, his mother’s story runs in painful parallel. Trapped behind the Iron Curtain, she wages her own war—a quieter, yet no less heroic struggle. Left to endure the slow unraveling of her family, she fights despair, hunger, and oppression, as one by one, those she loves are taken from her through death, departure, or disappearance. Her courage lies not in the roar of battle, but in the quiet refusal to give up hope, to keep a candle lit for the son she prays is still alive.

Told with unflinching honesty and emotional depth, this novel paints a vivid portrait of resilience under impossible circumstances. It is a story of war and displacement, but also of connection across time and space—of the strength of the human spirit when everything else is stripped away.

From the cold forests of Eastern Europe to the underground of Resistance fighters in France and from the barbed wire of POW camps in the UK this sweeping narrative brings history to life through the eyes of those who lived it. It is a tribute to the countless unnamed who endured, and a reminder of the cost of freedom.

Above all, it is the story of a mother and son who, though separated by war and distance, are united by love and the unyielding hope of reunion.

At the close of the book, there are suggested questions for Book Club Members and a second section for Student Activities and Projects. We look forward to reading your reviews on Amazon.

My Voyage into the Heart of Borneo

This engaging hour-long presentation is well worth your time if you’re interested in learning more about Borneo. Author Sandra SC Arthur shares her personal dream of visiting Borneo, offering fascinating insights along the way.

She delves into little-known history from the 1960s, highlights the significance of the Borneo rainforest and its wildlife (including orangutans), and takes us on a whirlwind tour of her family’s visit to East Malaysia. Sandra also discusses the impactful work she has done since her trip.

A key focus of the presentation is how her teen book, Corporal Ron’s Borneo Warrior Rescue (which includes Borneo facts and vintage photos), is helping educate young people while raising funds for charity.

The presentation concludes with a powerful call to action, urging everyone to be the change they wish to see in the world. Sandra shares updates on the successful campaign that encouraged Nestlé to adopt sustainable sourcing practices to combat Palm Oil plantations and deforestation.

Join Sandra in her mission to stop the destruction of virgin rainforests and ensure that enough land remains for orangutans and other animals to thrive for future generations—just let them be.

Popular Boys Book Revised!

Author, Sandra Arthur has revised her popular jungle adventure, Corporal Ron’s Borneo Warrior Rescue with environmental facts for eco-warriors. Updates include many fascinating facts and figures about Borneo’s unique flora and fauna, complemented by vintage photographs from the sixty years ago as well as the Royal Air Force and the people of Borneo.

If you’re a fan of thrilling, heart-pounding adventures filled with unexpected twists, set in the wild beauty of Borneo’s rainforest, this book is now perfect for teens—and even adults! It tells an incredible story of survival in the jungle, highlighting a daring rescue from a plane crash at sea. Along the way, the protagonist shares touching and humorous moments with Indigenous warriors as they navigate the dangers of the rainforest and learn about each other’s cultures.

The new edition is available on Amazon: Link here:

INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR

Why did you write this book?

I wrote this book as a heartfelt tribute to my father, who served with the RAF in Borneo during the “secret war” of the mid-1960s. His experiences and the rich history of that time deeply inspired me.

I wanted to craft an adventure novel that resonates with younger readers, particularly boys (age 11-16) and eco-warriors, encouraging them to develop a lifelong passion for reading while also fostering a greater awareness of environmental issues.

Additionally, I believe it’s crucial to raise awareness about the plight of endangered species and ecosystems. The information panels at the end of each chapter aim to shine a light on these urgent concerns.

I truly hope you enjoy the book, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts and feedback.

CANADIAN SCHOOL WELCOMES CHILDREN’S “make reading fun” BOOK AUTHOR

With literacy issues being a hot topic at schools today, it is no surprise that the Head and Teachers in Year 1-2 at Kingston’s Rideau Public School, in Ontario Canada, Canada, jumped at the chance to welcome a children’s author, who aims to “make reading fun”.

Sandra Arthur, a British-born, France-based writer of junior fiction and early learning books collaborated with Canadian teacher/poet, Anne C Dupont Salter on Arthur’s latest book, The Golden Gondola (English Version) or both English and French in one book The Golden Gondola/La Gondola Dorée – the books can be purchased from Amazon or Lulu.  French rhymes differ from English language rhymes in many ways. The subtle complexities of the language make creating poetry in French both a challenge and a delight. Taking the words of The Golden Gondola, translating the spirit and storyline and delivering a poem in French is therefore a tall order but Anne C Dupont Salter has done just this. Anne, who works part-time at the Rideau, had in fact, just completed creating the French text for this fun read aloud story “La Gondole Doree”, when Sandra advised she would be travelling to Kingston for a private visit.

Having staged a series of successful storytelling workshops in France, she offered to visit the Rideau Public School to share details of her work and The Golden Gondola.

Having an author who focuses on making reading fun can really inspire kids. Sandra enjoyed engaging with the students through her storytelling activities and interactive workshops. It was a great opportunity for children to see how exciting reading can be and to spark their imaginations.

The Golden Gondola story features a sad orphan called Maria and a Venetian lion who take magical rides in a gondola to visit fun places in the world. The book has been written for children aged 4 to 9 and parents report their children love hearing again and again. The rhythm and rhyme of Arthur’s story, The Golden Gondola, makes it wonderful to read aloud.   The chance to learn about unusual music and places in a participatory session punctuated by music, videos and activities all adds up to fantastic adventure.

Another bonus to note is that all book sales support the Children’s Home,Nepal – a non-profit social welfare organisation dedicated to providing care for orphans and underprivileged children in Nepal.

Annie Kidder, executive director of People for Education, an organization that promotes improvement in schools. “Participating in “extra-curricular” activities is linked to a greater degree of engagement in school,” she says. “And engagement is linked all over the place to academic success.”  Despite current teacher protests on extra-curricular, Rideau School teachers knew a good opportunity when they learnt about her visit and warmly welcomed Sandra to their school.

In the main school hall, decked out in Halloween decorations, Sandra greeted 110 + children and their respective teachers whilst showing a short video of “Venice clips” and playing her commissioned music: Venice Escape.  This mixed group of French Immersion and English instruction students were ready to be entertained. 

Sharing the design of the front cover Sandra asked the students if they could identify the image on the book.  One confident young lad shouted out “It’s a canoe!”.  A teacher quickly clarified to the author, “This is Canada, after all!” to waves of laughter. 

The image in question was naturally not a canoe but a Venetian Gondola.

Growling, lion roars and movement at the beginning of the storytelling session, assured that impatient children were capable to sit politely throughout the workshop.

Sandra peppered her presentation with lots of additional facts and figures about Venice, Venetian explorers, as well as a brief introduction to unusual musical instruments.

Colourful illustrations that had been produced by British artist, Will Stevens, and featured in book, The Golden Gondola, were projected two metres high onto the stage screen.  Children were treated to a whirlwind visit to China, Japan, Iran as well as Venice during the 30 minute storytelling session.

After the book reading, Rideau school children were granted their own “magic rose” to discover more about music. Sandra was impressed to learn that children at this school loved a huge range of music genres: Rock, Pop, Classical, Jazz, Country, Hip-hop, Rap, Opera and as one little one was keen to include “Disco!”.  These were children aged between 5-7 years old, so hats off to their parents for exposing them to such a wide range of music at such an early age.

It was apparent that many children in this group were already well versed in music and many could already play a variety of musical instruments such as recorder, piano, and violin.

Sandra shared more interesting videos featured in her story such as those featuring the instruments:  Pipa, Shamisen and Kamanchen.  The children were challenged to listen to the music of the pipa and determine what “story” the composer was trying to convey.  Time for more movement as by now the children had been sitting calmly for 50 minutes.  To the music of Vivaldi’s Four Season’s Winter, the group, including teachers, happily played their invisible violins.  Sandra kept a sharp eye on all would-be musicians for those keeping their bowing best in time with the music.  Thirty children were rewarded with bookmarks for their efforts.

Finally, to close the successful workshop, Sandra asked the children to share where they would like to travel if they had a magic rose and golden gondola to take them on such a trip.   Responses included: Canada(!), France, China, Paris, New York, Japan, Montreal etc.  This compared with children in France asking to travel to Italy, UK, China, Australia, Ireland, Corsica, Isle Maurice, Canada, USA, – who says young children don’t know anything about geography!?

Finally, the workshop closed with a special Question and Answer session.  The author’s twin sons had also attended the workshop and were happy to answer questions about their life in French Schools.  The Canadian school children were shocked to learn about the long days endured by French students.  Commencing school at 8.30 am until 4.30 pm with 30-45 minutes of homework.  There was even an option to remain at school at an “after school” option for help with homework up until 6.00 pm. However, it came as a surprise to understand that there is no school on Wednesday in France.  This day is left for children and parents to choose the sport, art or music class they may wish to attend.  There was strong praise for the French school cooked lunches by the young visitors.  No packed lunches allowed.  For children whose mother’s did not work, they typically had to go home for lunch.   All other children sat down to 3 or 4 course lunch each day.  Example: Tomato, Feta Cheese and green Salad, Roast turkey with vegetables, Yoghurt, Fresh Fruit, Bread and water. The cost of school lunch is means tested, such at low income families receive lunch for free and the highest price that was charged was 5 euros per day. The bonus of the school lunch break was that this ran for two hours! Yes, two hours so that everyone at the school could be seated in the canteen to eat and then have an additional one hour to digest their food and play in the playground.

The Food Research Action group reported: School lunch is critical to student health and well-being, especially for low-income students—and ensures that students have nutrition they need throughout the day to learn. Research shows that receiving free or reduced-price school lunches reduces food insecurity, obesity rates, and poor health. In addition, the new school meal nutrition standards are having a positive impact on student food selection and consumption, especially for fruits and vegetables.

Canadian educators take note!

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Sandra Arthur is a children’s book author and campaigner. Her titles all raise money for different charities. Her mission in writing is to Make Reading Fun. She has two junior fiction books: A great jungle adventure for boys: Radio Ron’s Borneo Warrior Rescue (for 9 years +) and Venice Escape – Maria’s Golden Gondola Adventures – a whirlwind voyage to discover music, history, food and unusual instruments. For early readers, Sandra has two environmental-themed stories: Radio Ron’s Postcards from Borneo: Crocodile Attack and Orang Utan to the Rescue. Available in various formats include ebook/audio ebook. The Golden Gondola should appeal to young and old and is a charming story to read aloud and share! It has been beautifully illustrated by UK artist, Will Stevens and will be a book you will want to read over and over and treasure. The clever rhyming will charm children and will be entertaining for both groups and one-on-one sharing. It is also available in FRENCH.

Her Latest book : Against my Will : Lithuania to Freedom is a bold new novel based on a true story, that spans a generation, a world war and six countries.

Why Write?

I write books for kids, teens and adults and do it to share my passion about the environment, travel and true stories. I’ve been lucky to host workshops, presentations etc and the feedback and response I receive at these events more than compensates me for the hours I devoted to creating my books.

The reality every author should know is that it is very difficult to make money by selling books.

Example, 300,000 NEW books were published in the USA, 186,000 in the UK last year and thousands in many other countries but only 200 books sold more than 100,000 copies. Books that sold over 1 M was less than ten…. Does that surprise you?

Unless you are a top selling author then don’t write books to make money! The exception is to have your book titles help you with your marketing. This could be a great way to promote a service (be an expert in X); sharing an experience (I sailed around the world etc) that will lead to the author gaining speaking opportunities, run workshops etc for which they can charge a fee.