Wildlife Rescue Series!

Hi everybody! How are you doing? Thank you so much for inviting me to ‘visit’ your class to talk a little about my latest book, Gaia Wild! I’ve been visiting Madame Bentivoglio’s classes since 2005, when we first met at Earth Rangers, and we always have a great time. I’m really thankful for all the support she’s shown me as a new author on the Canadian publishing scene, and her students have always been among the most thoughtful I’ve encountered as I travel around the country.

It was in the fall of 2003 that I first pitched the idea of doing a book about an elephant to my publisher-to-be, Whitecap Books Ltd. I was actually pitching a series, and their editors wanted to see synopses for three books, and the first chapter of the first book. Because I was planning to base the series on my own volunteer work with the Wildlife Rescue Association of BC, I didn’t have much trouble choosing subjects for the first two books: I would write about an oil spill, because that’s how I first became involved with wildlife rescue and rehabilitation; and I would write about crows, because the media had gone crazy the year before when our little rescue centre chose to euthanize crows rather than put its staff and volunteers at risk of West Nile Virus. The third book idea was proving to be more of a challenge, though, because I couldn’t get an elephant out of my mind … and we sure as heck had never had an elephant at the rescue centre!

In the summer of 2003, Tina the elephant made the front page of the paper and the six o’clock news every night for over a month. At 34 years old, she had been held in captivity the whole of her life, and had spent most of that time alone, in a small, barren enclosure devoid of the companionship of others of her kind. By this time, she was overweight and sick, her feet were badly infected from the pressure of standing on concrete day after day, she was refusing to lie down, even to sleep, and she bobbed her head back and forth uselessly, for hours on end, in a behaviour called a “stereotypie” that is typical of caged wild animals who have become despondent and depressed.

Worst of all … I knew her. When I was six and my little sister was four, my mom and dad took us to what was then called The Vancouver Game Farm to see the animals, and one of the main attractions was a baby elephant the owner had bought from the United States to give rides to little kids. My sister and I lined up with the others and waited our turn to climb the crude wooden stairs up to the platform that was the same height as baby Tina’s back. From there, we climbed onto the colourful woven rug that covered her back, and then her keeper led her around a dusty dirt yard. The ride couldn’t have lasted more than a few minutes, but I can still remember the smells — the wild, musky smell of this wild animal, the dirt and leaves in the summer sunshine, the fresh, wet-hay smell of her poop! — and the thick, bristly, wrinkly feel of Tina’s skin. I absolutely loved her. I begged my parents to take us back to the Game Farm every chance I could, and in fact we went for two more summers, while Tina was still giving rides. When she got too big, we stopped going, and other than the times I looked at the photographs in our family album, I’m ashamed to say I forgot all about her.

But then, in 2003, there she was again, in the news every day. The reason? Her current owners — the managers of the Greater Vancouver Zoo, as it is now called — had decided she was no longer of any use to them, and wanted to sell her to a circus in Ontario. It was soon discovered, though, that the circus owner was known for beating his animals, including his elephants. In fact, he said so himself to a reporter. This fact made the news in Vancouver, and soon everyone in the city who had ever known, visited or loved that baby elephant — children like me who were all grown up by this time — was in an uproar about Tina!

Okay … want to know more?? Well, how about I blog some more for you next week. Meanwhile, I’d love to hear your comments and questions (you can post them directly to this blog), and I’d also love to know what section you’re on in Gaia Wild and what you think of the book! Can’t wait to hear from you! Talk to you again soon.

Diane

p.s. Think this can’t happen today? Do some detective work and see what you can find out about Lucy at the Edmonton Zoo …

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Holly Elementary Welcomes Author Diane Haynes!

Filed under: Uncategorized, Author Events, School Visits, Educators — Diane at 10:19 am on Friday, May 2, 2008

Holly Elementary Welcomes Diane Haynes

Originally uploaded by Jane Ray’s Wildlife Rescue Series

I arrived at Holly Elementary School at 8 am Wednesday morning to the sight of what appeared to be the entire student body out running around the field. Sure enough, this is the most athletic school I’ve ever visited; most of the 180 students I met with are on the track team, and they were getting ready for a big meet that afternoon. Congratulations, Holly!

I spent the morning with the grades 4, 5 6 and 7 students — two groups of 90 students each, for an hour and a half at a time … and we could have gone longer! These students had just completed a unit on wildlife; were studying mythology; handle the school’s recycling; and proved themselves to be on top of any animal- or environment-related issue I could bring up. Their questions were thoughtful and insightful and showed a genuine concern for and curiosity about the natural world. I was seriously impressed.

Several students practiced the technique for containing and rescuing and injured or orphaned bird. The grade 5s performed a beautiful Earth Day song for me, a capella, which was a highlight, and one student stayed behind to perform a magic trick he’d been working on, and to introduce me to his little sister, a kindergarten student.

All in all, it was a great morning! Thank you, Holly Elementary!

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Holly Elementary Library Welcomes Author Diane Haynes

Filed under: Uncategorized, Author Events, School Visits, Educators — Diane at 10:08 am on Friday, May 2, 2008

Holly Elementary Library Welcomes Author Diane Haynes

Originally uploaded by Jane Ray’s Wildlife Rescue Series

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Diane Haynes to Visit Holly Elementary School

Filed under: Uncategorized, Author Events, School Visits, Educators — Diane at 9:08 pm on Monday, April 28, 2008

I’m getting excited about a double-barrelled author presentation to Holly Elementary School in Ladner (BC) this coming Wednesday morning!

Librarian Linda Waterman has booked me for two “Animal Rescue!” presentations, to grades 4, 5 6 and 7 — I’ll be meeting about 180 students in all!

We’ve got a full agenda planned:

readings from my books
a quiz on animal rescue facts and figures
slide shows and photographs of animals at the Wildlife Rescue Association of BC
info on how to build your own Animal Rescue Kit
animal rescue activities … and …
a very special surprise (a world premiere!)

I’m looking forward to meeting everybody … see you Wednesday!

DH

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A Big THANK YOU to Champlain Heights School!

Filed under: Uncategorized, Author Events, School Visits — Diane at 7:20 pm on Wednesday, February 27, 2008

In 2001, I became a volunteer with the Wildlife Rescue Association of BC. That’s where I met Jackie Ward, team leader extraordinaire. Through Jackie, I met her friend and my fellow volunteer, Christa Duttchen. A few weeks ago, I received an out-of-the-blue email from Christa asking if I’d be interested in presenting about Jane Ray’s Wildlife Rescue Series at her school.

Would I?!!

So Ms. Duttchen put me in touch with teacher-librarian Lina D’Onofrio, and today, I visited Champlain Heights. Small world.
Three classes of grade 6 and 7 students gathered in a downstairs media room. Many of the students were dressed in something pink, to show their Zero Tolerance for bullying. I was impressed by all the students willing to make a public statement about their stance. I’d also heard in advance that many of the students were studying ecosystems and the environment, so I knew they’d have some great questions about the oil spill I experienced, and the environment-related plots of Flight or Fight and Crow Medicine.

The presentation went really well — the initial technology glitches got sorted out (THANKS Rick!) and as I’d suspected, students had some amazingly thoughtful questions.

One thing I realized afterward that I forgot to mention was just how prominently guys figure in Jane Ray’s Wildlife Rescue Series. Sure, the protagonist is female, but there are lots of guys in the books — many of whom carry through from one book to the next — and guys are also heavily involved in the intrigue and the animal rescue adventures.

I was presenting at a Victoria school once, and asked the guys in the class whether having a female protagonist in a book would make them lose interest in that book. I’d heard that line of thinking from more than one marketing “expert.” The answer was, “That’s a bunch of crap! Of course we’d still read it!” I took heart from that, because the environment is definitely a gender-neutral issue, and involves us all, and I think we all have lots to learn from one another.

As one of the teachers said today at the end of the presentation, there are lots of ways to make a difference. Sure, you can rescue animals or work in the environment yourself. But you can also write books; keep a blog; start a school project; raise money for the SPCA or the wildlife rescue centre; plant a garden that attracts wildlife; donate old blankets and towels and equipment to an animal shelter; ride your bike to soccer practice. The list goes on.

I had a great time at Champlain Heights, and want to say a big thank you to all the students and staff who made my visit so special! (Extra thanks to Jade and Kendra for helping me pack up all my gear!)
Enjoy the books, and watch for Gaia Wild this fall!

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Don Christian Elementary School Students LOVE TO READ!

Filed under: Uncategorized, Author Events, School Visits — Diane at 6:49 pm on Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Don Christian Elementary School Mural

Originally uploaded by Jane Ray’s Wildlife Rescue Series

Last Friday, I was the guest of teacher-librarian Emiline Downs and the students of Don Christian Elementary School in Surrey. And what a school! They’re celebrating “We love to read!” month, and it’s obvious! For starters, this is the mural I saw when I pulled up outside the front doors of the school. I’d definitely come to the right place. Mrs. Downs said when she first took the position of teacher-librarian at Don Christian, she thought the same thing: I’m in the right place.

Mrs. Downs had created a beautiful display, all about Jane Ray’s Wildlife Rescue Series, in the display case outside the library, and the whole school was gearing up for the Scholastic Book Fair.

Two hundred and fifty students packed the gym, and asked some fantastic questions about animal rescue and the life of a professional writer.

Two library monitors stayed behind after my presentation to help me pack up all my gear, and all in all, the students made me feel very welcome.

Thank you, Don Christian Elementary!

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Caulfeild Elementary–Family Literacy Night 2008

Filed under: Uncategorized, Author Events, School Visits — Diane at 9:49 pm on Monday, February 4, 2008

Caulfeild Elementary–Family Literacy Night 2008

Originally uploaded by Jane Ray’s Wildlife Rescue Series

Wow.

Caulfeild Elementary is a school that reads!

I arrived at Caulfeild on a blustery, snowy January night to find myself in a cosy, vault-ceilinged library filled to brimming with books about animals! Librarian Louise Biggar and her parent and student helpers had pulled every animal-related book from the shelves and displayed them around the room, alongside artwork and origami depicting animal migration and other animal-related themes. I felt the warm welcome even before any of the students arrived!

And when they did arrive, they showed up in droves! This is a community that really supports reading and literacy. Because it was an evening event, students arrived in their pajamas, robes and slippers, and many were carrying their favourite stuffed animal — in keeping with the night’s theme. Parents came, too, many also in pajamas. It was a cosy event from start to finish.

Mrs. Biggar and her parent helper extraordinaire, Mrs. Strang, devised an ice-breaker game consisting of a sheet covered in squares, and in each square was an activity to do with animals. Every student had to find someone in the room who had done that activity, and then write their name in the square. I was surprised to discover that I was not the only person in the room who had ridden an elephant! In fact, about 8 people raised their hands, and one parent even told me later that she had ridden elephants professionally with Ringling Bros. Circus in the United States!

Once students had completed the game, Principal Lund introduced me, and my presentation got underway. I told listeners the story of Mouse, and of how I became a writer. I showed a series of slides of animal photos — wild animals that had been patients at the Wildlife Rescue Association of BC (photos by Devin Manky); a series of shots taken at Grouse Mountain during the activities of the Hummingbird Monitoring Network; and a few of my very own Frances, Sadie and Mousie.

I read from Flight or Fight, and told listeners about Crow Medicine as well as a little about Gaia Wild (coming this fall). Many guests bought books to take home and read; we even sold out of Flight or Fight!

I was so impressed by all the support for reading at this school, and by all the help Mrs. Biggar received from students and parents alike. I felt very welcome, and thoroughly enjoyed the evening!

Thank you, Caulfeild! Until we meet again …

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Happy Earth Day!

Diane Haynes Presents on GAIA WILD

Gaia: What’s in a name?

Diane Haynes “Travels” to Toronto with Gaia Wild, Thanks To Madame Bentivoglio!

Holly Elementary Welcomes Author Diane Haynes!

Holly Elementary Library Welcomes Author Diane Haynes

Diane Haynes to Visit Holly Elementary School

A Big THANK YOU to Champlain Heights School!

Don Christian Elementary School Students LOVE TO READ!

Caulfeild Elementary–Family Literacy Night 2008

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