Philippa Dowding nominated for Silver Birch Award 2012

Author prepares for release of third book in Gargoyle series. Author Philippa Dowding's latest book, Gargoyle Overhead, is nominated for the Ontario Library Association Silver Birch Award 2012. Courtesy photo

Gargoyle statues, illuminated by the flame of flickering candles in a nearby stairwell, intrigued her.

"One of my children called me and I looked away for a second," said Dowding sitting in one of her favourite neighbourhood haunts, Lit Expresso Bar, on College Street near Ossington Avenue. "When I looked back, I swear it looked like they had moved."

Those gargoyles became inspiration for a bedtime story Dowding told her then 10-year-old daughter and six-year-old son. Her kids enjoyed it so much that her daughter said, 'Mom, why don't you write a book?'

That bedtime story was woven into not one, but two books with the third scheduled for release next year. The first, the critically acclaimed 'The Gargoyle In My Yard' was a 2011 Diamond Willow Nominee, for titles written for upper elementary readers (grades 4-6). Its sequel, 'The Gargoyle Overhead,' is nominated for the Ontario Library Association Silver Birch Award 2012, which Dowding was alerted to in mid-October.

"I actually had to sit down I was so overwhelmed, overjoyed," she said recalling the phone call from the library association. "It was pretty amazing."

'The Gargoyle Overhead' is set in Toronto and is the story of Gargoth of Tallus, a 400-year-old gargoyle, who's a naughty and troubled lost little creature living in 13-year-old Katherine Newberry's backyard. Gargoth is on a quest to find his long-lost best friend, Ambergine, whom Gargoth has no idea is searching for him too.

Meanwhile, Gargoth is in grave danger as his adversary is roaming the streets. With help from Katherine, Gargoth must stop him as quickly as they can.

Dowding admits there was a lot more research required for the second installment. It delves into Gargoth's back story. It's a history lesson of sorts that touches on major world events like the Great Plague of London, the French Revolution and the 1939 World Fair - afterall, the gargoyle has lived four centuries.

"The story is quite intertwined and intricate," said Dowding. "I learned a lot."

Dowding said she loves the fact that kids are reading about downtown Toronto.

"The gargoyle goes on the subway," she said. "If they read this book, they'll get a glimpse into our neighbourhood. I think that's pretty exciting."

Dowding was born in England, but grew up in Oakville. She was a kid who loved reading and writing and always had her nose buried in a book. She said she wrote her first story when she was nine. Dowding attended the University of Western Ontario and pursued a master's degree at the University of Toronto. She said she always knew she wanted to work in publishing. Her first job was at The Financial Post. She's been a freelance copywriter for the past 10 years. Being a professional writer, she said writing her first book wasn't a challenge, but fun. It took a year to write. 'The Gargoyle in My Backyard' in its first draft was 69 pages, but grew to 96 in its second.

"The story didn't change, but the character matured," she said.

It then took about three years to find a publisher.

Dowding makes regular visits to elementary schools to read from her Gargoyle series. She brings with her a giant gargoyle puppet, which the kids get a kick out of.

For further details, visit pdowding.com