Dereekio’s Big Adventure
This is the story of a brave young boy named Dereekio who selflessly and courageously battles evil creatures and, in the process, saves his town, his family and his friends.
The story was actually written in 1989 by a very brave and sweet six-year-old boy named Derek and his nurse Claire Loach during Derek’s admission to the chemotherapy ward at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children. Derek had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of lymphoma which required frequent hospital admissions for him. Claire was one of his nurses. It was during one of Derek’s hospital stays that they wrote this story.
Derek’s chemotherapy treatments were successful, and he moved on. Claire and Derek lost touch with one another. Thanks to social media, they reconnected twenty-eight years later. Derek asked Claire if she remembered the story. Of course she did! Conversations ensued. The end result is this book, a song – The Song of Dereekio – and a healthy Derek who is now the father of two children of his own.
Dereekio’s Big Adventure is available in Canada from Friesen Press, Amazon and Indigo, and, in the US, from Barnes and Noble . Formats: e-book, Kindle, hardcover and softcover. Dereekio’s Big Adventure is also available directly from the authors. Published 2018.
Here are some peoples’ comments.
“Heart Warming“, “I read this book to children and then loaned it to some of my friends.“; “The illustrations were amazing and the story was so heart warming and lovely.“; “Five Stars“; “Terrific!“; “Inspiring and imaginative with beautiful illustrations“; “Lovely story to share with kids.“; “Inspiring and imaginative with beautiful illustrations.“
Click here to learn more about how this story came to be written.
My Aunt’s Ant’s Aunt
A fun and magical story of a young girl staying at her favourite aunt’s house. The first night, in the enchanted attic, she meets the aunt of an ant who is missing, and helps to reunite them. It has wonderful flow, humour and poetry, and teaches about compassion and respect for others. As a bonus, there is also a video of the story being read and sung by the author that can be seen on YouTube.
My Aunt’s Ant’s Aunt is available now at Friesen Press, Amazon and Indigo. Published 2018.
Streetcar Rosey
Rosey the schnauzer loves to ride the rails. Whether it’s a subway or a streetcar, she and her human friend Claire can be found having the time of their lives in Toronto. On Hallowe’en, they board the Queen streetcar ready for an adventure. But they get a whole lot more than they expected! When a spirit appears and plays a magical flute, little Rosey gains the ability to speak, and finds herself driving the streetcar! The two go on a grand adventure through the city, and say their goodbyes when the flute playing spirit returns. But they know this won’t be the last time. Rosey has a thing or two more to say…..
Streetcar Rosey is available now at Friesen Press, Amazon and Indigo. Published 2021.