writes about war from a young person's view #bannedbyrussia
I had the pleasure of doing a presentation with Tuan Ho for his daughter’s class yesterday about Tuan’s escape by boat from Vietnam after the war as recounted in our book, Adrift at Sea, published by Pajama Press. I hope our visit inspired students to ask their own parents and grandparents about their own early life. There are many silent heroes walking among us.
Enjoyed skyping about Adrift At Sea with Ms Flygare’s students this morning. Thanks for the great questions!
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!
It is such an honour to have my picture book, Adrift at Sea included in an exhibition in Bologna, Italy on the occasion of Pope Francis’ planned visit to the city. The themes of the 200 chosen books include Peace, Work, School, and Migrants.
The exhibit catalogue can be downloaded here.
The books have been arranged on tree-like structures. Adrift at Sea has been included on the tree about Migrants. Here are photos of the exhibit:
Susan Gibson attended the launch of Adrift at Sea and she wrote about the fabulous evening on her blog here.
From Laura Fabiani and Sandra Olshaski on their blog Library of Clean Reads:
Laura says “I highly recommend this book as a teaching tool and feel that it should be in every library. It’s books like this that will make history come alive for our next generation of children.”
And Sandra says “The soft-focus artwork done by Brian Deines that illustrates each page is amazing….The author has produced a very readable book that both parents and children should read together. I highly recommend this beautiful book.”
From Literacy Daily: “The evocative text and powerful illustrations, painted with oils, enable readers to feel as though they, too, are refugees adrift at sea during this risky journey to freedom.”
Sal’s Fiction Addiction says “The authors include personal photographs of Tuan’s family, before their escape and following their settling in Canada, to help readers understand this historical moment in time….Brian Deines (as he always does) has created truly beautiful artwork using oils on canvas to bring Tuan’s story to this book’s readers.”
Sherry Early’s Semicolon says: This nonfiction picture book opens with a bang. The illustrations in this book, full color paintings, are absolutely stunning….Brian Deines, has outdone himself in two-page spreads that bring this refugee story to life….[A] good introduction to the subject of the Vietnamese boat people…”
A surprise snow storm didn’t keep people away from coming to the Station Cafe on Dec 6th. We had a packed house!
Tuan came with his entire family and we all autographed the books that were sold that night. Proceeds of the event were donated to the Brant Anglican Churches Support for Syrian Refugees. Sweets were provided by the Brant Anglican Churches refugee committee. The Family Literacy Committee of Brant, Kids Can Fly and the St. George Girl Guides hosted the event. Many thanks to Mike Tutt and the Station Cafe for the great venue.
Here I am with the amazing Sharon Brooks of Kids Can Fly. Sharon was the master organizer of the launch. Sharon is dedicated to improving the lives of the kids of Brant (she has my vote for being a woman selected for Canadian currency!)
