Mom, Dad, Our Books, and Me

Reading takes many forms. Some of us read novels, while others read cookbooks, sheet music, tarot cards, or even the stars in the sky. We read clocks, train schedules, and facial expressions. In this ode to reading, each form is lovely and worth celebrating. Mom, Dad, Our Books, and Me follows a young boy and those around him — parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and neighbors — as they all read, immersed in what moves them.

Vibrant, whimsical paper collage artwork depicts the colors and textures of the many places in which we read, from hammocks and bubble baths to park benches and waiting rooms. The diverse cityscapes and landscapes often include fanciful elements of imagination.

Mom, Dad, Our Books, and Me will leave young readers reveling in this newfound or soon-to-come skill that sparks new adventures and brings people together.

Danielle Marcotte earned a degree in literature and has worked in journalism, teaching, scriptwriting, publishing, and the cultural sector. Since 1984, she has been writing fiction for children and adults. She has received the Mr. Christie’s Book Award and was a finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award. She lives in Montreal, Quebec.

Joseé Bisaillon obtained a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and illustrates books using a mix of collage, drawing, and digital montage. Her work has twice been shortlisted for a Governor General’s Literary Award. She lives near Montreal, Quebec with her husband and children.