The Quebec Writers’ Federation announced their finalists for the 2009 QWF Awards. The winners of the 2009 QWF Awards will be announced at the QWF Awards Gala on Tuesday November 17th, 2009 at the Lion D’Or, Montreal.
Tundra would like to congratulate Jane Barclay for being a finalist in the QWF Prize for Children’s & Young Adult Literature!
Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion
Written by Jane Barclay
Illustrated by Renné Benoit
ISBN 978-0-88776-951-1
Much has been written about war and remembrance, but very little of it has been for young children. As questions come from a young grandchild, his grandpa talks about how, as a very young man, he was as proud as a peacock in uniform, busy as a beaver on his Atlantic crossing, and brave as a lion charging into battle. Soon, the old man’s room is filled with an imaginary menagerie as the child thinks about different aspects of wartime. But as he pins medals on his grandpa’s blazer and receives his own red poppy in return, the mood becomes more somber. Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion has relevance to a growing number of families, as new waves of soldiers leave home.
“Small photos in sepia shades evoke the past in images… the lively animal images in the words are also part of the pictures. …The blend of grim reality, heroic battle, and playful fantasy will speak to kids.” – Booklist
Jane Barclay will be celebrating the launch of Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion on Thursday, October 29, 2009. Please join her at Babar Books (46 rue Ste-Anne #6, Pointe-Claire, QC H9S 4P8) from 6:00 to 8:00pm.
