In Episode 28, I’m joined by Kate Jenks Landry, author of A Summer Without Anna, to discuss the hardship children face when a family member is sick.
When we think about sickness, especially those requiring hospitalizations and long-term care, the focus is on the patient and rightfully so. But what happens to the children in the family, who often have to live with a relative or family friend? Is there any impact of this separation on their state of mind and worldview?
A Summer Without Anna revolves around Junie, a young girl who is placed in the care of her grandparents when her sister, Anna, is sick. Part memoir, the book is a glimpse into Kate’s own experiences as a child and offers a photographic contemplation of nature and family love.
Kate and I discuss the importance of allowing children to process feelings of anger and resentment during this time and the ways nature can offer a reprieve in the bleakest of circumstances.
Show highlights
- The inspiration behind the story
- Exploring emotional honesty in children’s literature
- The impact of illness on siblings
- Finding community in difficult times
- The importance of perspective in storytelling
- Navigating childhood conversations about illness
- Processing emotions in a digital age
- The impact of literature on children
- Personal reflections on writing
“I really did want to speak to the experience … that in life … hard experiences and wonderful memories kind of swim alongside each other.”
Kate Jenks Landry
A Summer Without Anna is available now, and you can buy it here.
Got any thoughts on this episode or want to suggest authors you’d like to see on the show? Send me a note here.
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About Kate Jenks Landry
A member of CANSCAIP and The Writer’s Union of Canada, Kate is also a graduate of the MA in Creative Writing program at the University of Toronto. She’s the creator of the blog The Needle and The Knife, where she interviews other creatives about their life and work.
Kate’s debut picture book, Beatrice and Barb (Kids Can Press) launched in 2023.
Her brand new book, A Summer without Anna (Kids Can Press), was released in June, 2025. Her third book, All the Basements on Blackberry Street (Kids Can Press), is forthcoming in 2027. Kate lives with her partner Michael, their two children, and a wily bernedoodle named Leo in Kitchener, Ontario, on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples
About A Summer Without Anna
When Junie’s mum and dad leave her with Nan and Pop for the summer, they promise they’ll be back to get her “the minute Anna’s well enough.” Then they hand her Anna’s camera with a note that reads, “In case you find Edmund.” Over the course of the long summer, Junie spends her days floating in the lake, fishing with Pop and taking lots of pictures – though none of Edmund, the elusive giant turtle. Edmund will have to wait, just like Junie’s waiting, until Junie finally gets to see her sister again.
A heartfelt tribute to the love between siblings, this poignant exploration of a child’s inner world during uncertain times is perfect for any young person dealing with an ill family member or any type of uncertainty.
Guest’s links
Buy A Summer Without Anna: https://www.kidscanpress.com/product/a-summer-without-anna/
Follow Kate on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katejenkslandry/
Follow Kate on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/katejenkslandry.bsky.social
Host’s links
Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/
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