{"id":423,"date":"2012-06-15T19:34:55","date_gmt":"2012-06-15T19:34:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/library.ryerson.ca\/asianheritage\/authors\/rachna-gilmore\/"},"modified":"2026-03-25T16:27:28","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T20:27:28","slug":"gilmore","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/library.torontomu.ca\/asianheritage\/authors\/gilmore\/","title":{"rendered":"Rachna Gilmore"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Rachna Gilmore was born in India in 1953 and lived in Bombay. Her family moved to England when she was a teenager. Gilmore completed a B.Sc. (hon.) at Kings College, London. Upon moving to Canada, she completed a B.Ed. at the University of Prince Edward Island. Gilmore is a prolific, widely respected writer of literature for children and young adults, but she has also written fiction for adults using the pseudonym Rachna Mara<\/span>. She lived in Ottawa from 1990 until her death on February 1, 2021.<\/div>\n<\/section>\n
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\n

Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)<\/h3>\n

Aunt Fred is a Witch<\/h3>\n

Illustrated by Chum McLeod.
\nToronto: Second Story Press, 1991.
\nPZ7 .G5536 A96 1991<\/a><\/p>\n

Synopsis (from the National Library of Canada catalogue record)<\/h4>\n

When Leila is invited to spend the weekend with her Aunt Fred, she takes a necklace of garlic because her cousin Jeremy claims that Aunt Fred is a witch.<\/p>\n

Awards and Honours<\/h4>\n

1991 Canadian Children’s Book Centre Choice<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)<\/h3>\n

Catching Time<\/h3>\n

Illustrated by Kirsti Anne Wakelin
\nMarkham, Ont.: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2010.<\/p>\n

Publisher’s Synopsis (from its website)<\/h4>\n

Scurry and worry, bustle and whirl. When a family’s hectic schedule leaves no room for family fun, Sara decides to take matters into her own hands. With a preserve jar from Mom’s cupboard in one hand, and a butterfly net in the other, she sets out to capture time itself. But where can it be? Is it underneath a desk, or is it twinkling in the sunlight?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Fiction (Juvenile, chapter book)<\/h3>\n

Ellen’s Terrible TV Troubles<\/h3>\n

Illustrated by John Mardon.
\nToronto: Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 1999.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Fiction (Juvenile, chapter book)<\/h3>\n

Fangs and Me<\/h3>\n

Illustrated by Gordon Sauv\u00e9.
\nToronto: Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 1999.<\/p>\n

Awards and Honours<\/h4>\n

1999 Canadian Children’s Book Centre Choice<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)<\/h3>\n

The Flute<\/h3>\n

Illustrated by Pulak Biswas.
\nVancouver: Tradewind Books, 2011.
\nPZ7 .G5536 F58 2011<\/a><\/p>\n

Publisher’s Synopsis<\/h4>\n

Her parents swept away by a catastrophic flood, Chandra finds solace in her mother’s flute. Set in India, The Flute<\/em> is an enchanting tale of the power of hope and the resilience of the human spirit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Fiction (Juvenile, Novel)<\/h3>\n

A Friend Like Zilla<\/h3>\n

Toronto: Second Story Press, 1995.<\/p>\n

Awards and Honours<\/h4>\n

1995 Canadian Children’s Book Centre Choice
\n1996 International Reading Association Children’s Book Award (Nominated)
\n1996 Mr. Christie Book Award (Nominated)
\n1996 Silver Birch Award–Ontario Library Association (Nominated)
\n1998 Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Award (Nominated)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)<\/h3>\n

A Gift for Gita<\/h3>\n

Illustrated by Alice Priestley.
\nToronto: Second Story Press, 1998.
\nPZ7 .G5536 G54 1998<\/a><\/p>\n

Awards and Honours<\/h4>\n

1999 Canadian Children’s Book Centre Choice
\n2002 Saskatchewan Young Reader’s Choice Award for Grades K-3 (Nominated)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)<\/h3>\n

Grandpa’s Clock<\/h3>\n

Illustrated by Amy Meissner.
\nVancouver: Orca Book Publishers, 2006.
\nPZ7 .G5536 G73 2006<\/a><\/p>\n

Publisher’s Synopsis<\/h4>\n

“Slow and steady,” that’s how you make a grandfather clock. Grandpa should know. He and Cayley have made many clocks together. Now they are making Cayley’s very own, a Lord Nelson. Then, one night, Cayley awakes to the sound of a siren. Grandpa is gone.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Fiction (Juvenile, Novel)<\/h3>\n

A Group of One<\/h3>\n

New York: Henry Holt, 2001.
\nMarkham, ON: Fitzenhry and Whiteside, 2004.<\/p>\n

Synopsis (from the National Library of Canada catalogue record for the Holt ed.)<\/h4>\n

Learning from her grandmother that her family was active in the Quit India movement of 1942, a rebellion against nearly two centuries of British occupation, gives fifteen-year-old Tara new pride in her heritage, but she still objects when her teacher implies she is
\nnot a “regular Canadian.”<\/p>\n

Awards and Honours<\/h4>\n

2002 Bank Street College of Education–The Best Children’s Books of the Year
\n2002 Cooperative Children’s Book Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Choices
\n2002 Jane Addams Children’s Book Award, Honor Book
\n2002 New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age List<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)<\/h3>\n

Island Morning<\/h3>\n

Illustrated by Brenda Jones.
\nCharlottetown, PEI: Acorn Press, 2015.<\/p>\n

Publisher’s Synopsis (from its website)<\/h4>\n

Island Morning<\/em> is a gentle story of a girl and her grandfather\u2019s early morning walk through the fields of Prince Edward Island. On their journey, they see gentle pastures, farm animals, scenic vistas and a glorious sunrise. But this walk is about more than just viewing the beautiful scenery. It is also about the special time between grandfather and granddaughter and how they see the world through each other\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)<\/h3>\n

Jane’s Loud Mouth<\/h3>\n

Illustrations by Kimberly Hart.
\nCharlottetown, P.E.I.: Ragweed Press,1990.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)<\/h3>\n

Lights for Gita<\/h3>\n

Illustrated by Alice Priestley.
\nToronto: Second Story Press, 1994.
\nPZ7 .G5536 L54 1994<\/a><\/p>\n

Awards and Honours<\/h4>\n

1994 Canadian Children’s Book Centre Choice
\n1995 American Bookseller Pick of the Lists<\/p>\n

Adaptations<\/h4>\n

Lights for Gita<\/a> was adapted into a short animated film directed by Michel Vo and issued by the National Film Board of Canada as part of the Tailspinners series, 2001.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)<\/h3>\n

Making Grizzle Grow<\/h3>\n

Illustrated by Leslie Elizabeth Watts.
\nToronto: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2007.
\nPZ7 .G5536 M34 2007<\/a><\/p>\n

Publisher’s Synopsis<\/h4>\n

An imaginative, endearing story about what happens when your temper gets the better of you. Making Grizzle Grow<\/span> is also about love–the kind that doesn’t disappear just because you get mad.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Fiction (Juvenile, Novel)<\/h3>\n

Mina’s Spring of Colors<\/h3>\n

Markham, Ont.: Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 2000.<\/p>\n

Awards and Honours<\/h4>\n

2001 Canadian Children’s Book Centre Our Choice Award
\n2001 Silver Birch Award–Ontario Library Association (Nominated)
\n2001-02 Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award<\/a> (Nominated)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)<\/h3>\n

My Mother is Weird<\/h3>\n

Illustrations by Brenda Jones
\nCharlottetown, P.E.I.: Ragweed Press, 1988.
\nCharlottetown, PEI: Acorn Press, 2012.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Fiction (Short stories)<\/h3>\n

Of Customs and Excise: Short Fiction<\/h3>\n

Published under the pseudonym: Rachna Mara.
\nToronto: Second Story Press, 1991.
\nPS8576 .A73 O38 1991<\/a><\/p>\n

Publisher’s Synopsis<\/h4>\n

From India to England to Canada – stories of women whose lives are intertwined in a clash of cultures, class and race.
\n… Mara links together a number of very different women. As they strive to escape the confines of traditions and duties, the women become irrevocably joined across oceans and decades.<\/p>\n

Awards and Honours<\/h4>\n

1992 Commonwealth Book Awards–Best First Book (Canada and Caribbean Region) (Nominated)
\n1993 Ottawa-Carleton Book Award (Nominated)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)<\/h3>\n

Roses for Gita<\/h3>\n

Illustrated by Alice Priestley.
\nToronto: Second Story Press, 1996.
\nPZ7 .G5536 R67 1996<\/a><\/p>\n

Awards and Honours<\/h4>\n

1996 Canadian Children’s Book Centre Choice<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)<\/h3>\n

A Screaming Kind of Day<\/h3>\n

Illustrated by Gordon Sauv\u00e9.
\nMarkham, Ont.: Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 1999.<\/p>\n

Awards and Honours<\/h4>\n

1999 Governor General’s Literary Award<\/a>–<\/a>-Children’s Literature, Text, English language (Winner)
\n1999 Chapters Write for Canada selection
\n2000 Canadian Children’s Book Centre starred selection<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Fiction (Juvenile, Novel)<\/h3>\n

The Sower of Tales<\/h3>\n

Markham, Ont.: Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 2005.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Fiction (Juvenile)<\/h3>\n

That Boy Red<\/h3>\n

Toronto: HarperTrophy Canada, 2011.<\/p>\n

Awards and Honours<\/h4>\n

2011 OLA Best Bets for Children and Young Adults<\/a> (Ontario Library Association)–Junior Category (Honourable Mention)
\n2012 CLA Book of the Year for Children Award<\/a> (Canadian Library Association) (Honour Book)
\n2012 Silver Birch Award-Fiction (Forest of Reading, Ontario Library Association) (Nominee)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Fiction (Juvenile)<\/h3>\n

The Trouble With Dilly<\/h3>\n

Toronto: HarperTrophy Canada, 2009.<\/p>\n

Publisher’s Synopis<\/h4>\n

That new kid, Gedion–Sulky-face–is shoplifting from her family’s store, and her mom is just letting it happen.\u00a0 No wonder her parents can’t afford to buy her those new hockey skates she’s always wanted.\u00a0 But as soon as Dilly tells on Gedion, she realizes that some things are better left unsaid.\u00a0 Dilly decides she must do something to make up for her thoughtless action, and she comes up with the most fabulous, beautiful, wonderful idea in the whole wide world.\u00a0 She’ll throw a Christmas party for Gedion’s family.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)<\/h3>\n

Wheniwasalittlegirl<\/h3>\n

Illustrations by Sally J.K. Davies.
\nToronto: Second Story Press, 1989.<\/p>\n

Reissued:<\/p>\n

When-I-Was-A-Little-Girl<\/h3>\n

Illustrations by Renn\u00e9 Benoit.
\nToronto: Second Story Press, 2006.
\nPZ7 .G5536 W43 2007<\/a><\/p>\n

Publisher’s Synopsis<\/h4>\n

A little girl can\u2019t measure up to her mother\u2019s perfect behaviour as a child \u2014 until Grandma visits and reveals what her mother was really like!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)<\/h3>\n

Wild Rilla<\/h3>\n

Illustrated by Yvonne Cathcart.
\nToronto: Second Story Press, 1997.
\nPZ7 .G5536 W45 1997<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Anthology (Memoir, Juvenile)<\/h3>\n

Gilmore, Rachna. “Snapshots From the Fringes.” In Piece by Piece: Stories About Fitting Into Canada<\/span><\/em>, edited by Teresa Toten. Toronto: Puffin Canada, 2010, 17-28.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Selected Criticism and Interpretation<\/h3>\n

Chilana, Rajwant Singh. “Rachna Gilmore.” In South Asian Writers in Canada: A Bio-Bibliographical Study<\/em>. Surrey, BC: Asian Publications, 2017, 247-248.
\nZ1376 .S68 C45 2017<\/a><\/p>\n

Rahman, Shazia. “Resisting Women: Orientalism, Diaspora, and Gender.” Ph.D. diss., University of Alberta, 2002.
\nAvailable from Proquest Dissertations and Theses<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Links<\/h3>\n

Rachna Gilmore obituary<\/a> that first appeared in the Ottawa Citizen<\/em> around Feb. 13, 2021<\/p>\n

Entry from Writers Union of Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

Publisher Acorn Press<\/p>\n

Publisher Fitzhenry & Whiteside <\/a><\/p>\n

Publisher HarperCollins Canada<\/a><\/p>\n

Orca Book Publishers<\/a><\/p>\n

Publisher Red Deer Press<\/a><\/p>\n

Publisher Second Story Press<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Canadian Children’s Book Centre<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Rachna Gilmore was born in India in 1953 and lived in Bombay. Her family moved to England when she was a teenager. Gilmore completed a B.Sc. (hon.) at Kings College, London. Upon moving to Canada, she completed a B.Ed. at … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":16,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-423","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/library.torontomu.ca\/asianheritage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/423","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/library.torontomu.ca\/asianheritage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/library.torontomu.ca\/asianheritage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/library.torontomu.ca\/asianheritage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/library.torontomu.ca\/asianheritage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=423"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/library.torontomu.ca\/asianheritage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/423\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21997,"href":"https:\/\/library.torontomu.ca\/asianheritage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/423\/revisions\/21997"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/library.torontomu.ca\/asianheritage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/library.torontomu.ca\/asianheritage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=423"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}