About the Book

1. Sailor Anna Goes to Sea takes readers on such an exciting journey! Can you introduce
us to Anna and what inspired her adventure?

I used to sail in the Canadian Coast Guard when I first started my career. I started by
writing my non-fiction book called Women at Sea with sea stories from real women
sailors. Then I decided I wanted to teach kids about the oceans and marine life, Sailor
Anna Goes to sea is book one of 7. The second one is just being illustrated right now.

2. Anna sails all the way to the Arctic Ocean. What made you choose that setting, and what
do you hope young readers will take away from exploring it?

The Arctic Ocean is just the first one of the seven oceans. I choose it first because I
have always dreamed of going to the Arctic, there is something magical about it. Just
this past year I realized that dream and went to the Arctic twice with work. The last trip I
got a selfie with a 200-foot iceberg and saw so many different species of wildlife. It was
truly magical!

3. Your story blends fun with learning—kids get to discover marine life and even nautical
language. What was your favorite fact or term to include?

My favourite fact was that the Navigation Star called the North Star is the biggest and
brightest in the night sky. I always used to look up at the North Star as a kid and even
when I was sailing. The best part of being on the water was staring up at the sky full of
stars on a clear night with no other ambient light around. It was phenomenal!

4. Which part of Anna’s journey do you think kids will enjoy the most?

From what I have been told, it sounds like kids enjoy finding Salty the Crab on each page
of the book. It’s kind of like a look and find.

Inspiration & Process

5. What first inspired you to write a children’s book about the sea?

I was a sailor myself and have grown up around the ocean my entire life (I live on an
island), and I have lived on a boat twice in my life, once as a baby on a sailboat, and
when I was in Highschool as a teenager.

6. Were you a little like Anna growing up—curious and adventurous?

Absolutely! I am always up for an adventure, especially if it involves the ocean or beach. I
used to always look in tide pools as a kid to see what sea creatures I could find!

7. How did you decide on the balance between storytelling and educational content for young readers?

Not everyone lives around the ocean. Some kids may have never seen the ocean and I
wanted to share the beauty and wonder the ocean has to offer. I wanted to teach kids
about the ocean, especially those that haven’t grown up around it like I have.

8. What was your favorite part of the writing (or illustrating) process?

I was actually taking a writing course when I was inspired to write the Sailor Anna and
the Seven Seas books. The first one is published, the second one is being illustrated,
and I have written the other five that are just waiting to be published. I love creating the
characters. I wanted the characters to reflect my kids in some way so Sailor Anna looks
like my daughter and Kash looks like my son.

Characters & Themes

9. Anna is such a curious and brave character. What do you hope kids see in her that they can connect with?

I really hope that when kids (especially little girls) read about Sailor Anna, they can see
themselves doing hard or unexpected things. That girls can be anything too, even sailors
if they want to be.

10. Why do you think it’s important to help children learn about the ocean and its creatures through stories?

I am a big advocate for reading to children and if I can make reading more fun, inspiring,
or educational at the same time, I have done what I’ve set out to do.

11. If you could describe Anna in three words, what would they be?

Brave, strong, and adventurous

Writing & Publishing Journey
12. What was the biggest challenge in creating Sailor Anna Goes to Sea?

I think making sure that kids are connected to the characters.

13. How did it feel to hold the finished book in your hands for the first time?

Surreal, it took me two years to write and publish Sailor Anna Goes to Sea, and I loved
the feeling of holding my creation in my hands for the first time.

14. What advice would you give to other writers who dream of creating books for children?

There is a lot to know about writing kids' books including formatting, how many words
are just a couple to name a few so do your research. Then just start brainstorming
characters, and storylines. Let your imagination lead you.

Read with Brie

15. You’ve started a YouTube channel, Read with Brie! Can you tell us more about it and what kids (and parents) can expect to find there?

Yes, I started a kids YouTube channel last year, where I write and read kids book videos
that are of course all about the ocean and educational too. I want to keep teaching kids
about the ocean, and the precious marine life that lives in it and also how to protect our
oceans. So if you have little ones, check out Read with Brie on YouTube!

16. How does your love of the ocean influence both your books and your videos?

It guides me in everything I do. When I think of ideas, and when I write about it, my love
for the ocean and respect for the ocean is limitless. I used to joke that I was married to
the ocean but now that I am married, my husband would probably have a problem with
that.

Fun & Quickfire
17. If you could sail anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go?

I would love to sail around all of the Hawaiian Islands. One of these days, I will rent a
boat in Hawaii and sail around all eight of the big islands.

18. Do you prefer to read by the beach, on a boat, or at home with a cozy blanket?

Beach for sure! I love listening to the sound of the waves.

19. What’s your favorite sea creature and why?

I am going to have to say a Narwhal which is also known as “unicorns of the sea”. I had
never seen one before (most people haven't) and I actually got to see a pod of Narwhal swimming on my trip to the Arctic this summer. I think it’s so cool that they can swim with great big tusks on their heads.

20. If Anna could go on another adventure, where do you think she’d travel next?

Well, the second book is already being illustrated and I have a sneaky suspicion she is
headed to the Pacific Ocean next! Stay tuned!