Canadian Métis author and literacy advocate David Bouchard has produced more than fifty books for readers of all ages, including two guides on reading for parents and educators.
An erstwhile teacher and school principal, he is particularly concerned with Aboriginal-related issues and is a sought-after speaker for conference keynotes and school presentations and on topics of reading, literacy and aboriginal well-being.
David Bouchard's books have won numerous awards, including a Special Mention for Non-Fiction in the 2010 Bologna Ragazzi Awards for The Drum Calls Softly, a Gold Medal in the 2008 Moonbeam Award for I am Raven, the 2004 Governor General's Award for The Song Within My Heart, the 1999 Red Cedar Award for The Great Race and the 1997 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award for Voices from the Wild. An Aboriginal Carol was included in the 2008 White Ravens Catalogue.
In April 2009, Bouchard was named as a Member of the Order of Canada "for his contributions as an author of children’s books and an advocate who has championed the cause of reading and writing, and who has shared his pride as a member of the Métis community through his stories."
David lives in Victoria, British Columbia, with his wife Vicki and their daughter Victoria.
The pictures here are by famous mouth painter Robb Dunfield. The poems are about Robb's memories of being able to move. Sad and beautiful, the pictures and poems are very moving.
I'd forgotten this book from my childhood until I came across it this week. These poems are heart wrenching yet uplifting. They are the memories of how much the author enjoyed life before the accident that left him a quadriplegic so they're painful in some ways; yet, they're also a strongly put message to enjoy the little things so they're motivational. The art that accompanies them is lovely.