07. Finding the Power Within

These characters will show young readers how to believe in themselves—even if, and especially when, things get scary. Through engaging presentations and readings, kids will meet Lena the Chicken, Linda Bailey’s lovable chicken with the ferocity of a dinosaur, who springs into action to protect her coop from a weasel; and Kate Beaton’s Shark Girl, who takes revenge on a greedy fishing captain after getting caught in his net. In Little Shoes, David A. Robertson tells a touching story about an Indigenous boy who finds comfort through his family when he learns about the history of residential schools for the first time. With captivating illustrations from the books, this event will provide inspiration for overcoming one’s fears. Grades 1–3.

Themes: Picture books, read-aloud, fantasy, conservation, Indigenous, residential schools
Curriculum Connections: Arts Education K-3, English Language Arts K-3, Social Studies 3

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Event Participants:

Linda Bailey

LINDA BAILEY has written nearly forty books for children, including Carson Crosses Canada and If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur. Her books have been translated into twenty languages and have won multiple awards such as the Ontario Blue Spruce and Silver Birch Awards. Linda has been honored for her body of work in children’s literature with the Vicky Metcalf Award. She lives in Vancouver.

Kate Beaton

KATE BEATON is a Canadian cartoonist from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. A Mount Allison graduate in History and Anthropology, she launched the acclaimed webcomic Hark! A Vagrant while working in Alberta. Her witty, historically themed comics earned international acclaim and helped redefine the landscape of literary webcomics.

David A. Robertson

DAVID A. ROBERTSON is the bestselling author of the ongoing Misewa Saga, the forthcoming picture book Little Shoes, and new adult titles All the Little Monsters and 52 Ways to Reconcile, and the two-time winner of the Governor General’s Literary Award. Dave is a member of the Norway House Cree Nation and lives in Winnipeg.