By Karen Bliss
As we near the final week of Culture Days (Sept. 23-Oct. 16), York Region is offering a on-line Literary Spotlight with author and artist Tracy McGlynn on Friday, Oct. 7 at noon until 1 p.m.
McGlynn, also a paramedic, who lives in Markham with her husband and children, started writing after she experienced a brain hemorrhage and was at home recuperating on disability. She started by creating/writing TV shows, comical sketches, and stories, and self-published her first book, Maggie the Muskie: The Lost Glasses, an illustrated story for kids under the age of 7.
“Tracy McGlynn has a vivid imagination and has always loved telling stories,” it reads on the Friesen Press web page. “But the tale of the Lost Glasses didn’t need much embellishment! It’s based on the true story of the time her husband lost his own glasses in Long Lake and spent three days trying to find them—and he did! Inspired by his tenacity and Blair’s beautiful song, Tracy wrote her own story of a fish who just won’t quit.”
One parent wrote, in praise of the story: “I loved the book and my son said he liked the fact that Maggie is a native fish because native fish are underrepresented in children’s books.” Another posted, “It’s fun to read! Lively, wonderful situations, and brightly coloured pictures on every page help children to feel confident while building their reading skills.”
McGlynn bio says she has another story in the works. “It’s exciting to see the story of Maggie the Muskie come to fruition.”
The free one-hour session is part of the Markham Arts Council’s digital Artist Spotlight program, a series that launched in the fall of 2021 that highlights both local and international artists.
More than a dozen artists have showcased their work, ranging from still life to landscapes, animal drawings to abstract.
https://culturedays.ca/en/events/85d6410b-ce77-4e19-9c93-f62e5ef6a49d
https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000204643053/Tracy-McGlynn-Maggie-the-Muskie
Karen Bliss is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in Billboard, Rolling Stone, Pollstar and others. She has interviewed thousands of musicians, including Kurt Cobain, Eddie Vedder, Eminem, Shania Twain, Metallica and Michael Bublé.
