Mcfarlane, Sheryl. (2012). Island Santa. Victoria, BC: Children's Health Foundation of Vancouver Island.
(Illustrated by Sheena Lott)
(Illustrated by Sheena Lott)
Today I had the exciting job of helping with a book launch in our library. Author Sheryl McFarlane, illustrator Sheena Lott and philanthropist Jeneece Edroff all arrived at South Park with film crews from CTV and Chek News and support staff from The Children's Health Foundation of Vancouver Island. Louisa's class were treated to the first reading of the brand new book by the author and got to see the original illustrations presented by the illustrator herself. After the story, Louisa's class got to ask Sheryl and Sheena a few questions. They had spent a lot of time learning about good questions and thinking about the first two pages of the story that I had read them as an introduction. The questions were thoughtful and topical - Sheryl and Sheena were pleased and impressed. Then the students got to meet Jeneece, one of the people who inspired the book, and ask her questions too. It was wonderful to see how inspired the students were by Jeneece's thoughtfulness and determination to raise money to 'give back' to those who have helped her. Jeneece raised money to build a house where families with children who need medical care can stay while their child is in hospital. Here is a link about the house they built, Jeneece Place.
The book, Island Santa, is based on the true story of Kaare Norgard, a man who travelled to the islands and lighthouses around Vancouver Island at Christmas time to deliver presents to isolated families. He dressed as Santa and decorated his boat with lights. Children could hear the boat approaching because Kaare played Christmas carols over the loud speakers. Louisa remembers seeing the "Santa boat" when she was little. Kaare Norgard's family donated a large amount of money to Jeneece place and the book is a thank-you to his family. Sheena Lott's detailed water colour illustrations bring the west coast to life and echo the emotions of the story which follows Sam as he helps on the Santa boat through long days and a brutal storm on his way to visit his sister who is in the hospital over Christmas and his parents who are staying at Jeneece Place. This touching story of people helping each other and finding ways to give when it really matters inspired the children at South Park Family School and I am sure will inspire many others.
Primary
Sheryl McFarlane wrote about the launch at South Park in her blog.
Here is a link to the CTV newscast of the launch.
Here is a link to the Chek News segment:
When
you click on this page there will be 8 boxes under the playing window.
The last box has Jeneece’s face in it and says coin drive.
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