SARAH ELLIS

Place of birth: Vancouver, British Columbia
Place of residence: Vancouver, British Columbia

In her adult life, Sarah Ellis has been a librarian, book reviewer, columnist, story-teller, teacher of children’s literature and an award-winning children’s author. Her novels take place in Vancouver where she has lived most of her life. Many of the events in her stories had their genesis in her memories and musings about the people and places which were part of her childhood. A quiet youngster, she grew up in a family which loved to share stories and read books. Although she didn’t think about becoming a writer, her love of reading led her to study librarianship and, later, children’s literature at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and Simmons College in Boston. When she began her first novel, she didn’t tell anyone what she was doing. Now, with six successful books to her credit, she considers herself “mostly a writer”.

Awards

• 1987 Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Book Prize for The Baby Project.
  
• 1992 Governor General’s Literary Award / Children’s Literature (for best text) for Pick-Up Sticks.
  
• 1994 Mr. Christie’s Book Award (for best English book age 12 and over) for Out of the Blue.
  
• 1995 National Chapter of Canada IODE Violet Downey Book Award for Out of the Blue.
  
• 1995 Vicky Metcalf Award (for an author’s body of work).

Selected Bibliography

Books for Children and Young People

The Baby Project. Vancouver: A Groundwood Book, Douglas & McIntyre, 1994, (c1986).
144 p.; 28 cm.
ISBN 088899222X

A Family Project. New York: McElderry Books, 1988, (c1986).
137 p.; 22 cm.
ISBN 0689504446
(American edition of The Baby Project)

Next-Door Neighbours. Vancouver: A Groundwood Book, Douglas & McIntyre, 1989.
123 p.; 20 cm.
ISBN 0888990847

Out of the Blue. Toronto: A Groundwood Book, Douglas & McIntyre, c1994.
120 p.; 23 cm.
ISBN 0888992157 (bound)
ISBN 088899236X (pbk.)

Pick-Up Sticks. Toronto: A Groundwood Book, Douglas & McIntyre, c1991.
124 p.; 23 cm.
ISBN 0888991460 (bound)
ISBN 0888991622 (pbk.)

Putting Up with Mitchell: My Vancouver Scrapbook. Illustrated by Barbara Wood. Vancouver: Brighouse Press, c1989.
24 p.: ill. (some col.); 23 cm.
ISBN 0921304072

Cassettes

Mud and Gold.
Vancouver: First Avenue Press, 1986.
FRCD-1002
1 sound cassette: analog.
"Performed by Sara Ellis and Bill Richardson".
Contents: Stan Bolovan -- The Steadfast Tin Soldier.- The Swineherd.- The Happy Prince.

Pobbles and Porridge Pots.
Vancouver: First Avenue Press, 1986.
FRCD-1001
1 sound cassette: analog.
"Performed by Sara Ellis and Bill Richardson".
The Jumblies.- A Tale of Two Noses.- The Magic Porridge Pot.- The Travels of a Fox.- The Great Big Enormous Turnip.- The Pobble Who Has No Toes.- The Teeny-Tiny Woman.- The Wee Wee Manny.- The Queen's Feet.- The House that Jack Built.

Books for Adults

Lois Simmie, Critical Evaluation.
Written by April Davies and Sarah Ellis.
Regina: Saskatchewan Library Association, 1986.
6 p.: port.; 28 cm.