Tegan Thomas with her book at the Rutledge Park LFL
Local illustrator Tegan Thomas, has hidden three copies of her new book in little free libraries across the region. Thomas is the illustrator of “The Book Witch, the Wee White Dog and the Little Free Library,” written by Lana Shupe and published with Nimbus Publishing.
The book tells the story of a Book Witch and her dog. After having spent a lifetime filling their sweet houseboat to the brim with books, a gust of wind and a hurt tail forces them to reconsider their collection. They set out to find new homes for the books.
“I wrote a picture book about a little free library because I believe in the ‘magic’ of these little buildings. I have seen first hand how they bring together a community,” said Calgary-based author Lana Shupe. “I have watched, in a neighbourhood where families struggle economically to even put food on the table much less to OWN a book, hug a book from a little free library to their chest and head home to read. I have seen the spirit of giving shine through when a child is encouraged to share a beloved book in a little free library and think of the other child who might enjoy it just as much.”
Tegan Thomas with her book in front of the Alder St. LFL
“I am so lucky to have been matched with Lana’s story for my first picture book. Witches, dogs, and books… all in a cosy houseboat? It was worth the wait,” said illustrator Tegan Thomas, raised in Victoria and now resides in Halifax. “I really enjoyed blending inspiration from Victoria’s Fisherman’s Wharf and Halifax’s Waterfront. It was comforting to build the Book Witch’s world from my own West and East Coast homes.”
“For Lana and myself witchy fun is year round, but Halloween is extra magical. That’s why I’ve decided to make a special Book or Treat event featuring the Book Witch,” said Thomas. “On Halloween I will hide three treat bags in LFLs containing a copy of “The Book Witch, the Wee White Dog and the Little Free Library,” colouring sheets and a unique piece of original art featuring a character from the story.”
Tegan Thomas at the Alder LFL
The Greater Victoria Placemaking Network’s Pocket Places Project will also be distributing colouring sheets that depict scenes from the book and a “create your own LFL” activity page to LFLs around the region in the lead up to Halloween.
Little free libraries are little book boxes that operate on the principle of ‘leave a book – take a book.’ They come in all shapes and sizes and can be found throughout the region. While most share books, there is a growing number of LFLs that share plants, seeds, toys, yarn, household items, board games, puzzles, art supplies, art, food, and more.
Since 2017, the GVPN has been running the Pocket Places Project, which maps, promotes, stocks, and helps build LFLs across the CRD. The Project is led by Teale Phelps Bondaroff, a volunteer with the GVPN, who you can regularly find cycling around the region with a bike trailer full of books, topping up LFLs. To date, the project has delivered over 108,000 books to LFLs across the CRD, mapped out 887 LFLs, and helped set up over 126 LFLs.
“My involvement with the little free library community has been amazing!” said Shupe. “With this book my hope is to encourage readers to share their love of reading and possibly one day have a little free library of their own.”
“I can’t think of a more magical way to celebrate this delightful and beautiful book than hiding them in little free libraries,” said Teale Phelps Bondaroff, the volunteer Pocket Places Project Lead. “I am so pleased to see our region’s growing network of little free libraries helping celebrate Canadian authors and illustrators, sharing fantastic books, and bringing people together.”
Tegan Thomas at the Rutledge Park LFL
About The Book Witch, the Wee White Dog, and the Little Free Library
After travelling the world and collecting books from every country, the Book Witch is now settled at home with her wee white dog. She spends her days reading, surrounded by piles and piles of books. Life is good. Until one stormy day when a massive gust of wind blows a pile of heavy books over, landing on the Wee White Dog’s tail! Something must be done before tragedy strikes again. What can the Book Witch do with all these books? From Nimbus Publishing Limited.
Tegan Thomas is an illustrator and animator from Victoria, British Columbia. She has been working in the animation industry on projects such as My Little Pony – Friendship is Magic, Carmen Sandiego, and Star Trek: Lower Decks. She currently lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Lana Shupe fell in love with books when she was a toddler and has never stopped loving them. Telling and writing stories has always been a part of her life. Her house is full of books – even the bathroom has books! She reads anywhere she can find a spot while devouring potato chips that are entirely not good for her. Lana’s best little writing buddy, her Westie, Thunder, was by her side while she wrote this story.
Guest Author Dr. Teale Phelps Bondaroff
Visit Teale’s Blog / Website: https://www.teale.ca/
