Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Nov 16/05) - Children in three Kivalliq communities were clucking their appreciation for the visit of children's writer Margriet Ruurs this past week.

Children's author Margriet Ruurs and Emma entertained kids at Leo Ussak elementary school in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Ruurs visited Baker Lake, Arviat and Rankin Inlet as part of Canadian Children's Book Week activities.

The tour was sponsored by the Toronto-Dominion Bank and organized by the Canadian Children's Book Centre in Toronto.

Ruurs said she was excited to learn she had been selected to visit the Kivalliq.

She said everyone she met during her visit made her feel right at home.

"This tour allowed me to come into the schools and libraries, meet people and talk to kids about books," said Ruurs.

"I have a special place in my heart for the North.

"I'm intrigued by the way people live here and its wonderful history."

Ruurs has lived in Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon, but now calls Shedd, Oregon, home.

She has a master's degree in education from Simon Fraser University and has enjoyed using her imagination to write for as long as she can remember.

She said every group of kids she met in the Kivalliq were enthusiastic towards her stories.

"They had many good questions about books, writing and reading.

"And, they always react positively to Emma.

"Kids are the same all over the world. They love to learn and enjoy themselves."

Ruurs doubts she will pen a book about her Kivalliq visit.

That, she said, is better left to those who live here.

"I don't live here, so I would find it really hard to write about.

"The people who live here should be the ones to tell the rest of the world about Nunavut.

"I do have a rhyming picture book coming out with Scholastic called I Live in the North, but that's based on my 10 years in the Yukon."

Ruurs said she always encourages kids to be writers, and to write about their own personal experiences.

When she talks about writing her own books, she does it in a way she hopes will help kids realize they can be writers too.

The first step is for them to realize they have that talent within themselves.

"I met some great kids at Simon (Ford) Alaittuq school who want to be writers.

"They promised to email me some of their stories, so I'm looking forward to reading those.

"Real people write and illustrate books and it's so gratifying when you see kids realize they can do this too."