Sigmund Brouwer turns to sports when seeking a metaphor to describe how to get kids to embrace reading.
“To me, when it comes to reading and writing, it's like hockey,” he said. “If they have fun playing hockey they'll get better at skating.”
It's a natural fit, since the Red Deer author has co-written two hockey fiction books in French with Gaston Gingras, who won a Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens in 1986, and often uses sports in his novels as a way to hook boys on literacy.
“Boys tend to like action and sports,” he said, adding a good storyline helps too. “If they get stories that they can relate to on an emotional level that's all the motivation they need to keep reading.”
Sigmund Brouwer hits 300 schools a year with his Rock & Roll Literacy production, which melds music, storytelling and writing tips. The event will hit the Penhold and District Library April 17th at 7 p.m.
“It's going to be focused more on story than on literacy,” he said. “I'm going to try to reach the reluctant reader.”
Brouwer, who produces work through both mainstream and evangelical publishing houses, had the second bestselling kids' novel in Canada in March with Devil's Pass. The book was part of a series called Seven, featuring adventure stories from Eric Walters, John Wilson, Ted Staunton, Richard Scrimger, Norah McClintock, and Shane Peacock.
Though Brouwer's books tend to be plot-driven rather than character-driven he certainly has created some memorable characters. Justine McKeen: Queen of Green, for example, is a strong female protagonist with a love of the environment.
“She's smart and sassy, trying to save the planet one person at a time,” he said.
It's fun elements like this that keep Brouwer's work upbeat, something he's quite conscious of.
“I think idealism is important,” he said. “I think sometimes our society is a little too cynical.”
Brouwer's notoriety has grown over the decades, but he says that's been a long process.
“It's so slow and gradual you hardly ever notice it,” he said, noting he's always just focused on the next task at hand. “I'm working on the next book. I don't really have a chance to look around and see what's happening.”
