Poetry Friday Greetings! Want to know more about Poetry Friday? Check out: What in the World is Poetry Friday. Please hop over and visit our talented host, teacher, poet, and artist Jone Rush MacCallough for this week's roundup.
Please join me in welcoming author extraordinaire, my friend, Lisa Carmody Doiron! [Bonus: you can find some great surprises on her Facebook Page.]
Lisa, thank you for visiting with me. What a joy to read your new picture book Ahoy! Mate, Ahoy, Miss Molly Malloy.
TKJ: Please tell us how living on Prince Edward Island influenced Ahoy! Are any parts of the story autobiographical?
LCD: PEI is a tiny island on the east coast of Canada. Growing up, I spent most of my time on a boat with my dad. After he passed away in 2019, I knew a story dedicated to our relationship was brewing. There are elements of truth to Ahoy, Mate, Ahoy! For example, the relationship between Molly and Dad is very much the way my dad and I felt about each other, but the story itself is fiction.
TKJ: What a wonderful tribute to your father! I loved the references to various nautical knots throughout your story and how the illustrations showed what they look like. How did you learn about knots?
LCD: The only knots I know how to tie are the ones used to attach your boat to the dock! But my dad loved Celtic knots and collected a few ornaments and pieces of jewelry over the years. I love the symbolism of neverending interconnectedness of Celtic knots and knew they had to play a big part in this story.
TKJ: That is beautiful symbolism. Let’s get technical. The selection of anapestic meter feels natural with stories of the sea. Did you consider other meters or write this story in anapestic meter from the start?
LCD: The meter of this story is entirely based around the phrase Ahoy, Mate, Ahoy! Miss Molly Molloy. Everything had to jive with that lilt because I wasn’t willing to adjust that phrase. Truthfully, I didn’t analyze the meter until very late in the process. (Don’t tell the poetic purists!) I have a music background and tried to make the text ‘sing’ as best I could. I wasn’t aiming for a perfect anapestic meter. Instead, I wanted the story to stand out within the lilt of the meter and took liberties where needed.
TKJ: That makes perfect sense. Patrick Guidon’s whimsical illustrations suit this rhyming story beautifully. I noticed that Patrick is also from PEI. Did you get a chance to meet or collaborate?
LCD: Isn’t Patrick just the best!? He’s actually originally from Ontario, but we won’t hold that against him. I didn’t know Patrick prior to this collaboration. I had heard of him because it’s PEI, so everyone knows everyone’s cousin. I did have a chance to hang out with him recently though, and it was a fast friendship. We are definitely of the same quirky ilk and have lots of things planned for our book launch events.
TKJ: That sounds like a unique partnership and so lovely it worked out that way. Ahoy! touches on several wonderful themes such as aging, generational bonds, the dangers of seafaring life, and overcoming fears. What would you like your readers to take away from Molly’s adventures?
LCD: My favourite takeaway from this story is that we are eternally and intrinsically connected to our loved ones no matter where they are. There is more to this life than ‘this life’ if you know what I mean. As the Celtic knot suggests, we are part of the endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth. I’m a fan of children’s books that illuminate the inevitably of death. My own two children have experienced indescribable losses in their short lives. I want stories that support children through these inevitable and heartbreaking truths. While Dad doesn’t die in this story, it is suggested that he is aging, and when it’s his time, the knot is handed down. My hope is that this story is used to generate discussions among families about our neverending bonds with our loved ones.
TKJ: That is gorgeous. Thank you for creating this story to support children through difficult times, and thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on your journey to create Ahoy, Mate, Ahoy! How can folks get thar hands on a copy?
LCD: Thank you so much for the opportunity to share my book with your audience, Tracey. Folks can order through the following links. I’m so grateful for your support!
https://pownalstreetpress.com/book/ahoy-mate-ahoy-miss-molly-molloy/