I SPY Montreal » Verdun

Parenting Expert Alyson Schäfer in Montreal

Jessica Howard — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:05:39 +0000

Whether it’s bedtime, mealtime, bath time or homework time … we all have our parenting battles. Toronto-based expert and author Alyson Schäfer may be able to help get beyond those daily dilemmas with an upcoming talk titled “Why do my children keep doing that?”

Schäfer will be speaking Feb. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Elgar Community Centre, 260 Elgar St., Nuns’ Island, Verdun. Cost: $30. Register by calling Dora at 514-586-8447 or Ugo at 514-833-4384.

Squiggles Art in the Park

Jessica Howard — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 02:35:05 +0000

Many of us love doing art projects with the kids, but don’t love de-splattering the house after. With the beautiful summer weather here (fingers crossed!), it’s a great idea to bring that art to the park.

Two Nuns’ Island mothers run a popular summer session that does just that, offering activities like painting on canvas or pottery and collage for age 1 to 5 at Elgar Park (view map). Plus, there is storytelling, parachute play, bubble-blowing, music and yoga, all on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, from June 21 to July 7.

You can either register for the whole session of six classes or drop in on one or two. No easels are required – the materials are provided!

Elgar Park is easy to get to, and has lots of free parking. It is located next to a community centre that has bathrooms and a library with lots of children’s books (you can browse even if you don’t have a library card). For food or drinks, there is a depanneur and a few small restaurants right next to the park (sandwiches, pizza, coffee).

Squiggles Art in the Park
When: June 21 to July 7, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. or 10:45 a.m.
Where: Elgar Park, 260 Elgar St., Nuns’ Island, Verdun (view map)
Cost: $100 for six classes, $20 for drop-in
More information

Book Reading: Ten Big Toes and a Prince’s Nose

Jessica Howard — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 02:31:50 +0000

This weekend, Montrealer Nancy Gow will be reading from and signing copies of her book Ten Big Toes and a Prince’s Nose at Balouni Enfants toy store on Nuns’ Island. On Sunday, Feb. 6 at 11 a.m., you can hear the story of a princess and prince who are struggling with being “different”. In this short interview, Nancy talks about why she wrote the book. Keep reading for full details about the event.

I Spy Montréal: The book is about a princess with big feet and a prince with a giant nose. What inspired the story and what do you hope it inspires in children?

Nancy: I had come up with the idea for a refrain, I am what I am and that’s all right with me / I don’t have to be different, I just have to be . . . etc., but had no idea what kind of story could be built around it. Meanwhile, the rhythm and meter of the refrain were chugging along in the back of my mind for a couple of months. Then one warm spring day, just as I was about to have a nap, the words for the story started bubbling up from my subconscious.

The refrain has a lot of meaning for me because self-acceptance has been something I’ve worked on most of my life – and I know I’m not alone! If children can get a feeling of self-worth at a young age, they’re off to a good start. And reading about the humourous struggles of a big-footed princess and a big-nosed prince makes the story easily accessible.

ISM: The illustrations are such a big part of the story. Can you talk about how the images evolved from basic ideas?

Nancy: It comes as a big surprise to most people that I’ve never met or talked to the illustrator. He was working totally on his own, and when my editor asked me if I had suggestions for the art work, I gave her only one. I didn’t want to interfere with his creative process.

I did see early sketches and thought they were hilarious. It’s not easy to illustrate a princess with big feet skiing without skis, but he saw the story in romantic, wistful terms and drew from that perspective. He managed to portray the prince and princess in a comical yet compassionate way. And I love how he envisioned the snowy Alps and the courtly royal dances.

ISM: What do you like most about writing children’s books? Are you working on other books at the moment?

Nancy: Writing for children is much freer and more fun than writing for adults. I can be quite silly, and I just love to play with words. Recently, I finished a collection of poetry called Down in the Deep Blue Sea, and a musician friend, Ian Cooney, set ten of the poems to music. It’s been so much fun to record them – with crazy titles like A Porpoise with a Purpose, Three Slick Sharks, and Barnacle Bob. My dream is to have them developed into an animated film (just in case any producers are reading this article!).

Ten Big Toes and a Prince’s Noes
When: Sunday, Feb. 6 at 11 a.m.
Where: Balouni Enfants, 7 Place du Commerce, Nuns’ Island
Tip: Very close to Balouni is a Second Cup, and various lunch options.

Should You Take the Kids to: Montréal Complètement Cirque?

Jessica Howard — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 02:24:04 +0000

ID – Cirque Eloize from Montréal Complètement Cirque on Vimeo.

Montréal Complètement Cirque kicked off today, bringing circus acts from all over the world to Montreal, until July 25.

One of the first shows on the agenda is Cirque Éloize’s Id, set in the world of a “surreal megalopolis”, where the performers are expressing their individuality and finding their identities. Children will probably love the fact that hip-hop, breakdance and some BMX bike tricks are part of the process. Based on the video, I think my 5-year-old would definitely be into it, and would probably be able to sit through the whole show. It lasts two hours, with an intermission.

Cirque Éloize’s Id is playing through July 25, under the big top in the Old Port.
Tickets cost $30 to $50 and family ticket packages are available.
More information on the show.

Most of the shows on the Complètement Cirque program are said to be for all ages, with some that are recommended as being for age seven and up. Find out more in the full list of show descriptions.

Montréal Complètement Cirque will also be offering free activities on specific days during the festival at TOHU, in Hochelaga Maisonneuve, Ste. Geneviève and Verdun. See the schedule of free activities.

This Just In: Balouni Enfants Toy Store Opening

Jessica Howard — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 03:57:32 +0000

This is Balouni Enfants pre-launch. The shelves are being stocked as we speak!

I hate shopping at Toys R Us. There, I said it.

It smells like plastic. There are towers of TV-related toys. The candy displays surrounding the cash registers are almost guaranteed to induce a tantrum. Fun is not included.

I would much rather take the kids somewhere else to buy toys. Somewhere like Balouni Enfants, a new independent children’s store in Montreal.

Balouni stocks toys, clothes and kids’ accessories, featuring many Canadian-made and eco-friendly products.

The launch of the store is the realization of a dream for Karina Von Byern, a good friend and neighbour. You know the kind of neighbour who will help track down an expert to take care of three orphaned baby squirrels that show up in your driveway? That’s Karina.

Balouni Enfants has its grand opening on Saturday, June 26, with animation for the kids. Plus, it’s right next to a Second Cup coffee shop, a casual lunch spot called Le Vin Levain, and close to the beautiful Lacoursière Park. Read on for details!

ISM: Tell us the story behind the name “Balouni”.

Karina: Balouni is my 4-year-old daughter’s imaginary sister from Africa. She’s been part of our family for over two years, after some friends went on an African safari and she was quite impressed by that. Balouni changes age and appearance a lot, and in the past was often blamed for many misdemeanors!

ISM: Opening a store has been a dream of yours for a long time – what made you decide to do it?

Karina: A really great location became available and I thought, “It’s now or never!” I always knew I had to open my own store.

ISM: What has been the best part of launching the store? The worst?

Karina: There are many great parts. Being a buyer is one of them. The support from the people around me. Pulling together the big picture. I’m still in pre-launch, so the real best part will come when the business is running successfully – that would be undescribeably rewarding! The worst part has been paying almost 4 months rent for an unopened store during renovations.

ISM: Many parents go for the convenience of buying children’s products at big-box stores like Wal-Mart or Toys R Us. How does Balouni offer a different experience?

Karina: Balouni offers conveniences that surpass those types of stores: free gift-wrapping, helium balloons for the kids, new baby gift-baskets, a play area. We’ll also have a birthday club where kids get signed up and … well, it’s a surprise!

As a small, neighbourhood retailer, I take customer service and a pleasant shopping experience seriously, and customers will feel it the moment they walk in. I look at the origins and safety of items, and encourage Canadian-made, ethically traded, eco-conscious, and educational products.

My father was an art dealer, so I value this artisan connection. We’ll have silly things like baby dinosaurs that hatch from eggs, T-Rex masks, shark bathing caps, etc. You’ll also find a really great selection of bilingual cards, books, CDs and stationery, too. Did I mention we’ll have gorgeous clothing?

Tell us about what you have planned for the store opening on Saturday, June 26.

Karina: FUN!! We’ll have face-painting and a balloon sculptor to entertain the kids while they discover the store with their parents. You’re all invited to the opening of Balouni Enfants, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 3, at 7 Place du Commerce, Nuns’ Island. (View map)

Guided Tour: Salon Maternité Paternité Enfants (Parents and Kids Fair)