Very Last First Time: Diamonds from the Tundra

Jan Andrews (auth)
Ian Wallace (ill)
Groundwood Books /
Douglas & McIntyre
1985
32 pp


Ever wonder what it would be like to walk under the ocean? Without scuba gear? Open the pages to this book and let Jan Andrews and Ian Wallace take you there. "Very Last First Time" is a story about coming of age, set against one of the coolest backdrops I have come across. It tells the story of Eva and her adventure under the ocean. She is an Inuit girl. living in a small village on Ungava Bay in northern Canada. Each winter the ocean freezes. When it does, Eva and her mother wait for the tide to roll out, so they can crack a hole in the ice and crawl underneath. While the tide is low, they collect mussels from the ocean bed. (Do they offer adventures like this for tourists?) Andrew follows Eva as she embarks on her first expedition under the ice, alone. When the light on Eva's candle is extinguished, she must be brave and remain calm in order to find her way back to the hole in the ice. As the tide rises, so do the stakes. However, Eva is able to find her way out, just in the nick of time.

The setting may be exotic, but the story speaks to everyone. We have all had those first experiences that required our bravery. Andrews has written a story that will transport the reader to another world, while reminding them of their own triumphs. We have all been left home alone, driven a car, or ridden a horse, for the first time, at some point in our lives. Using a unique setting lends added depth. By taking us away from the familiar, Andrews is able to evoke those first time feelings, for us again. You will find yourself biting your nails, even though you know it is a children's book and no publisher in their right mind would have touched it if anything bad were to happen to Eva. First experiences are like that. Even though we know they are rites of passage that many before us have already been through, we are often consumed with anxiety.

The illustrations are beautiful, and require mention. At times it seems as though pointilism has collided with the Group of Seven in a burst of vibrant primary colours. Wallace has clearly met the challenge of demonstrating such a strange setting, while creating art.

This story is sure to conjure both nostalgia and wonder. This is one that will intrigue the imaginations of children young and old. My 4 1/2 year-old inspiration had her father read it to her, until they both knew it by heart. (As I have now maxed out my renewals with the library, I will have to buy her a copy.) I am willing to bet, you will have thought of a few stories to share with your children, by the time you are finished this book. I would also like to point out that it would make a nice present for any child about to enter a new stage of growing up, such as a first day of school.

Jiggling with the Wiggles

If you happened to catch the Wiggles in Grand Prairie on Thursday, that crazy redhead, who was rockin out harder than any kid in the Crystal Centre, was me. I freely admit, I love the Wiggles. Gettin' down next to my two-year-old, with my baby on my hip, brought back memories of the good ole days. Picture it- Brisbane, 2000, Saturday morning, two enthusiastic girls flanking me on the couch. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I had been informed that I just had to watch the Wiggles. There they were. Murray, Gregg, Anthony and Jeff. Four grown men singing silly songs and carrying a cardboard cut out of a car. That was back in the days (now, don't let your kids read this) when Anthony secretly played Captain Feather Sword. (Ever wonder why the man on "The Polk-a-dot Door" disappeared when Polkaroo came around?) Anyway, back on track ... I was hooked. Now I am 31 and I have to admit, I have been a fan for eight years. Only problem is, I don't wiggle anymore. Now, I just jiggle.

I was sad that Gregg was absent from the tour, but his replacement, Sam, did a great job. My daughter is pretty hard to fool (she's almost 5, you know), and Gregg is her favourite, but she didn't seem to know the difference. Not that the Wiggles were trying to pull a fast one. They did introduce the new man in yellow, by his name and mentioned it a few times throughout the evening. I was happy to see that same over-enthusiastic blond boy (he's actually grown up now) grinning like your prom date meeting your parents, and twitching his head like he were headed for a night at the Roxbury. He gets an A+ for effort, from me. The whole cast seemed to genuinely enjoy themselves, and it was infectious. I was blown away by Anthony's athleticism. He leapt across the stage like a frog, hitting heights only seen before by inspector gadget on his go-go gadget legs.

The set was brilliant (the largest bouncy castle I've ever seen), the music was quite a bit more enjoyable than those heavy metal concerts I used to attend (the crowd was a lot more friendly, too), and the pace was just right. Just when I expected a preschool riot to erupt, they dimmed the lights and played "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star". Amazing crowd control. Flashy sticks with Big Red Cars on the end replaced the Bick lighters of my concert going days. The kids were in awe. This show wasn't sappy like a "Barney" episode, though. No, just like all great kids entertainment, the fun was two tiered, and there was a lot to keep the big ones entertained (I loved the Beatles spoof).

If the "Pop Goes the Wiggles" tour comes to your town, be sure to hop in your Big Red Car (or whatever it is you drive) and head on down to the show. You'll be glad you did. Don't forget a rose for Dorothy and a bone for Wags (I'd leave the fish for Henry at home). If you haven't got a child, don't worry. In the mayhem, no one will ever notice. There'll be kids running wild everywhere. You'll feel inspired. I plan on throwing out my Pilates DVDs and popping in the Wiggles. If I point my fingers and do the twist enough times, I'm sure it won't be long before I quit jiggling and start wiggling.

Innuit Literature: Unearthing Margaret's Diamonds

Check out my guest blog for Tea Time at Annick!


Thank you to Annick Press for the wonderful opportunity.