Jacqueline Guest in Ontario

Who knew I would spend so much time on every known transportation system but a dog sled! It was truly a week of planes, trains and automobiles and at every stop I met fantastic school staff, knowledgeable Library Goddesses and enthusiastic students.

My presentation is on Canadian History, the Era of the Fur Trade, and ties in with my novel Belle of Batoche. Dealing with Social Studies on an author visit sounds like there might be the possibility, albeit slim, that this could be a trifle boring. That all changes when I show up with Big Red, my Suitcase of Wonders, with over fifty actual artefacts including the real beaver and fox pelts, buffalo bone tools, authentic aboriginal toys, genuine Métis sashes and a Red River Cart, (model only!). The amount of goodies stowed away in that case is always astonishing to those watching me unpack. It is much like a Tardis: bigger on the inside that it looks on the outside.

At one school in Richmond Hill, I asked for a student to assist me. Hands shot up and I chose my victim, I mean volunteer. As a new Canadian from Iran, this young lad was more than shocked when I turned him into a mighty Voyageur, complete with Métis sash, map making tools and a fuzzy fur hat. The experience only became more surreal as we set out on an imaginary canoe trip to the nearest Hudson’s Bay Trading Post with our cargo of beaver pelts and it was up to him to do all the tasks involved in journeying on the river in 1799. His classmates took delight in the outrageous play, the laughter at times nearly out of control; even staff had tears in their eyes. My fearless young man now has a whole new take on volunteering. Not your usual author presentation and the kids loved it.
This very successful session almost didn’t happen. We had arrived late due to a delay at Pearson Airport, but the staff accommodated us by simply keeping the students after regular hours – long after, as it turned out. Without this cooperation, the packed room of over one hundred students would have missed a wild and wonderful window into Canada’s past. Well done, teachers!(And a big kudos to Monica for her warp speed driving through the torrential downpour. Amazing skid control…)

In every school and library, the enthusiasm and warm welcomes were unforgettable. Who says today’s youth is jaded and techno-wired? Put a buffalo bone toy in their hands then let them compete against their teachers and they turn into kids on a mission.

I wish to send a huge thanks to the CCBC and their Wonder Tour. Monica Winkler and Carolyn Code are two amazing women to pull this off every year. They have the gift of making magic happen for thousands of students across Canada and I for one think they need a pay raise!