Such a thrill that Adrift At Sea has won the Golden Oak Award. The nominated books are read and judged by adult literacy learners, and for me this is so very special. I am dyslexic and didn’t learn to read until I was nine years old. I have an inkling of the challenges adult learners confront and am in awe of their courage. All of the shortlisted books were fantastic. Not in a million years did Tuan and I expect to win. We had actually placed our bets on Fight to Learn: The Struggle to go to School as the winner. I had been taking pics and tweeting them throughout the ceremony and was all set to take a pic of the winner, but then we were called up! So I don’t have a pic of Tuan and I receiving the award. Maybe someone will send me one? The pic above was taken in mid-May when we spoke at Downsview Library to Golden Oak participants.
The pic below is Tuan and I with Marlene Shuan, who passionately presented our book to the audience. See the bottom pic of Marlene in action. All of the shortlisted books were presented by adult literacy learners — such bravery to get up there in front of your peers and present like that!
