Voices from the Wild
David Bouchard
Illustrated by: Ron Parker


What would it be like if more than two dozen different wild animals from around the world got together to boast about their senses? David Bouchard delivers a unique explo...ration of the realm of the senses in 25 animal portraits. In warm, lyrical verse, Bouchard introduces the reader to some fascinating aspects of natural history and explores each sense—sight, smell, touch, hearing, and taste—through the voices of such captivating animals as the eagle, orca, wildebeest, cougar, elephant, moose, koala, and wolf.
Enhancing Bouchard's whimsical poetry are the wildlife paintings of noted British Columbia artist Ron Parker. In fact, it is the artist whom the various animals try to impress with their respective senses, whether it is the grizzly's lofty claims for best smell, the penguin's gentle declaration of superior vision, or the gorilla's confident assertion of closeness to humans in all senses.

David Bouchard's vivid poetry and Ron Parker's wonderful artwork breathe life into this endearing menagerie, reminding us of how precious our wildlife is. Together, artist and poet have created a heartfelt portrayal of the age-old relationship between humans and animals, one that young and old alike will remember and cherish.

An acclaimed author of children's books, David Bouchard is also a champion of literacy. This former teacher and school principal has written more than 50 books. He is a member of the Order of Canada.

Ron Parker is recognized as one of the top wildlife artists in North America. He has had many successful shows in Canada and the United States. He spends many hours hiking and photographing in such diverse places as the Northwest Territories, Kenya, Costa Rica and the Rocky Mountains, gathering firsthand knowledge of his subjects and their environment. He lives on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.





1554552958
978-1-55455-295-5
Ages 8 and up
11.25 x 7.75, 72 pages, Trade Cloth
Juvenile Non-Fiction / Natural History / Poetry



$24.95 CAD

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The Great Law

Our new book, the Great Law, has arrived. It was conceived, created and printed in Canada.

It should be available on my website as well as in bookstores by early October. As luck would have it, I was available when the two pallets arrived and heaven only knows, I could use the exercise that comes with unloading 4000 books.

Arifin Graham, our book's designer, stopped by to see the end product. In English and Mohawk, The Great Law features the art of Tuscarora artist Raymond Skye, Mohawk language by Franklin W. Miller, and the music of Oneida singer Joanne Shenandoah.

Home from Paris

Festival des Ameriques

I stepped off a plan from Beijing and boarded another for Paris.

The "Festival des Ameriques" was the seventh festival Vincenne has hosted for authors from the Americas. Vincennes, in fact all France, has a vested interest in those far off lands that their ancestors were so attracted to and put so much into. Books offer an obvious and natural medium through which the French can scratch that "thirst for knowledge" itch.

I was one of approximately twenty invited Canadian authors. Most of us were francophone but not all were; Margaret Atwood and pictured here, Joseph Boyden.

We were wined and dined in exchange for workshops, debates and lectures. A large tent was erected for our publishers to display our work and for booksellers to do what they do. We were available for signings - daily and usually more than once a day.

One full day was dedicated to youth. I did one workshop for grade elevens and another for grade twelves. I was interviewed in the youth tent where I was asked to tell a story and play my flutes.

And in the midst of it all, my birthday. God Bless Joseph who told our audience it was my birthday and who led them in singing me happy birthday. The only thing missing was family and in life, there is nothing more important than family.

Group hug to you and yours...

China and back...

The Chinese have much in common with the beliefs of Canada's Aboriginal people.

I have just returned from an interesting trip to China where I met with numerous publishing houses that are interested in publishing my books. Les Editions des Plaines is negotiating with several houses, one in particular (one of China's top ten publishing houses) that is interested in packaging two series, one with a focus on my Raven books and one that focuses on governance (Seven Sacred Teachings/The Great Law). In a perfect world, they would have one of the two series in place for their National Book Festival in January at which time they would have me back to present at the University of Beijing.

Politics and religion are two topics that seem to be avoided at all times by all segments of Chinese society. The spirituality of FNMI culture however is acceptable, in fact very appealing to them. Mother Earth, Father Sky, Grandmother Moon and Grandfather son. ...Sweetgrass and Sage...Tobacco and our Dreamcatcher.

They asked many questions about the topics in my work and are clearly excited about the possibility of translating them into Mandarin and making them available to their vast market.

This experience has already greatly enhanced my life (and that of Vicki and Victoria). Pictured here is my publisher Joanne (les Editions des Plaines) and members of her team.

Next week's trip to Paris where I will participate in the Festival des Ameriques might prove to be equally as exciting.