Brian’s Latest Novel:
Previous Publications:
The L.I.E
A brilliant young woman, shut off from the world, determines to seek her revenge by stealing the energy of children and selling it to the infirm. However, a young girl’s friendship miraculously transforms her life and the lives of the inhabitants of her historic village forever.
Barrie is clearly a storyteller that never abandoned childhood, collecting decades of life experiences to foster his imagination. This is the kind of story I always hunted for when I was devouring books, as a boy. The illustrations dress the sharp descriptions – perfectly invested with their own invention.
Barrie writes from a place of innocence, with sparkling spontaneity but yet a story line grounded in hard earned wisdom. I enjoyed reading this clever and charming story.
The Neighbour That Wasn't
Around the corner from our home was an historic, abandoned home- a heritage property which was built as American Consulate, in Owen Sound, at a time the City port was known as The Chicago of the North.
The Lady Of The Cat
The Lady of The Cat is a creation myth. Our children wanted to know how stars came to wink at them in the night sky and how the northern lights ignited their shimmering dance of colour.
Story Of A Bear Twice-told
‘EST’ is a story of a Bear with an attitude. In the winter months he terrorized a mountain village, gaining the reputation as the scari-EST, ornery-EST, mean-EST bear that ever lived.
The Lady Of The Cat
The Lady of The Cat is a creation myth. Our children wanted to know how stars came to wink at them in the night sky and how the northern lights ignited their shimmering dance of colour.
Long ago, the night skies were pitch black, posing never ending danger for ancient families who were forced to travel at night, in search of food.
One very brave little girl followed her heart instead of her parent’s instruction and opened the hut door , in a raging winter storm, to save a starving , shivering snow cat from certain death. Her kindness was rewarded by the grant of a wish from a magic feline spirit: “ The fire had burned low. It was absolutely still.She couldn’t see the snow cat anywhere. Then suddenly, in the corner of the hut, there it was, spinning in a tail chase. Toeshia watched in amazement as the rotations blurred into a tornado of fur which spiralled upwards into a dark cloak. Above that was the most remarkable face she had ever seen: with deep grey feline eyes and delicately pointed ears, The finely chiseled features of this graceful creature were framed by a crown of black cascading hair. Toeshia felt calm and unafraid. For the first time in a long time, she felt wonderfully warm. “
Read this story to find how this little girl’s courage and kindness changed our world forever. The illustrations of Bonita Johnson deMatteis leap from the page and dance like the flames from the warming hut fire.
The Neighbour That Wasn't
Around the corner from our home was an historic, abandoned home- a heritage property which was built as American Consulate, in Owen Sound, at a time the City port was known as The Chicago of the North. Our children walked by this residence, daily, on the way to school and were spooked by its run down, near ghostly, appearance: “It looked like a tired, whiskered old man, trying to stand himself up out of the soil, with his face, brick- red from the effort. The eyes of the house were dark, empty and haunted. Their light had left them years ago.”
Read this story to see how two children overcame their fear of this looming three story building by sharing in the telling of this ghost story. Bonita Johnson deMatteis’ illustrations pop!
Est: The Store Of A Bear, Twice-told
‘EST’ is a story of a Bear with an attitude. In the winter months he terrorized a mountain village, gaining the reputation as the scari-EST, ornery-EST, mean-EST bear that ever lived.
Two village children challenged him, by journeying up the mountain, where a fateful confrontation occurred: “You foolish little bits and bites. I am going to eat you up and clean my teeth with your bones, ‘EST roared.
It depends on whose version you believe, who prevailed. The children, spoke through their conduct and were celebrated by the villagers and their countrymen for inventing skiing. A subdued bear claims he inspired the invention. Read the book to your children and let them decide.
The book is beautifully illustrated by Bonita Johnson deMatteis.
