Stories, stories and more stories
Stories at home, in the classroom, in the car, at the office, in the board rooms, at the grocery store... We are all story tellers because we have all lived our own stories.
Educators, rely on stories. Teach through stories. Hear and cultivate the stories of your students.
There is little if anything as important than our individual stories. Our birth, growing up and our aging reflects who we are and why we are who we are.
The reason If You're not from the Prairie is my best selling book is clear -
it tells my story. It also tells the story of many who grew up where and how I did. I was born and raised...on the prairie.
Over time, I came to realize that there was more to be told. I had overlooked a number of elements that made me into the person I am today. I worked to right the wrong with the assistance of artist Peter Shostak.
Prairie Born is Out of Print but the story lives on through our book. It is there if you look hard enough. Amazon. ABE Books. Russel Books and the many used book stores and book sellers.
For now...
"This book offers a near-perfect match between words and pictures, poem and paintings. Hopefully, this collaboration is not their last." ...the independent publisher (U.S.) "And the prairie continues to live in my heart
It's much more than memories that tell me apart
It's the wind and the sun, the cold and the snow
Only things that a child of the prairie will know." If I had a penny for each time I spoke
Of cold howling winds, of deep drifting snow
Of darkness of winter on route to the rink
Of so many memories, I smile as I think
Knowing full well that others who've never lived there
Will nod and listen but don't really care
As "Mornin', fine day" means nothing much more
To me it means ..." ...taken from Prairie Born (ISBN 1-55143-092-4) REVIEWS: "This book offers a near-perfect match between words and pictures, poem and paintings. Bouchard and Shostak explore together the days of a small town somewhere in the nation's heartland. Prairie Born is Bouchard's 12th book and Shostak's third. Hopefully, this collaboration is not the last." Independent Publisher (U.S.A.) "...a companion volume to If You're Not From the Prairie, this book is sure to have adults reminiscing. It would make an excellent gift to share with a child or a grandchild." Calgary Harold "...the poetry is sentimental in the best sense of the word. Each mood piece is accompanied on the opposite page with stunningly beautiful paintings by Peter Shostak. It may take the form of a picture book, but the audience ranges from junior right through to adult." Emergency Librarian - Best Canadian List "The ability to create memorable images is Shostak’s strong suit, and the scene on the cover of Prairie Born - a game of road hockey on a snowy street near a Ukrainian Church - is a stunner." Victoria Times Colonist "This book is a beautifully illustrated poem about the passing of seasons and their effect on the people and the land around them. The poem helps us understand the value of growing up on the prairie... I recommend you read it..." Rural Missouri Magazine | | "...Bouchard's poetic narrative takes the form of a stream of memories; the writer uses the past tense throughout with the exception of one repeating section in present tense which acts as a sort of chorus. The resulting sing-song rhythm will appeal to young listeners, and will make Prairie Born a great read-aloud favorite." Christian Library Journal "Dave Bouchard has once again truly captured the feeling of time and place in Prairie Born. The poetic, flowing text is beautifully complemented by wonderful
paintings by Peter Shostak." OLA Best Bets 1997 In this follow-up to the 1994 bestseller If You're Not From the Prairie, award-winning author David Bouchard has teamed up with well-known artist Peter Shostak to once again explore in verse and image the prairie experience that is so cherished in the memories of countless Canadians. Prairie Born focuses on the passing of the seasons - spring, summer, fall and winter - and their effect on the people and the landscape. This is a book that will stir warm memories for all those "prairie born" scattered across North America. AWARDS: * 1997 Canadian Children's Book Center Our Choice Award * OLA Best Bet for 1997 - The Ontario Library Association Canadian Materials Committee consists of librarians from across Ontario. The titles included in this annual list of recommended new Canadian titles are selected based on their distinctiveness, quality and appeal to children. * 1998 "Selected as Outstanding" by the Parent Council AUTHOR'S COMMENT: When I was asked to write a sequel to If You're Not From the Prairie, it was suggested that I write something on the Harvest. I had to chuckle, as I know little about the harvest. My mother and father were hair dressers. No - I would write a sequel, but it would be about the thing that we prairie folk ALL share! It would be about that which makes us unique and special. I would again write about nature! I would write about our seasons! And yes - I went out and found Peter as I thought that his paintings would work very well with the spirit of my message.
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