I drove to Quebec City after leaving Shawinigan High School. I didn’t get stuck in traffic and arrived at the Courtyard Marriott in the heart of old Quebec City at around 6:30pm. There was enough time to walk through town and find a place to eat, and what a treat it was.
Friday May 9, 2014
I packed up and checked out early, then headed to Corcelette for a visit to the students of Dollard des Ormeaux School.
Librarian Kerry Ann King asked me to time my arrival for just after the buses had departed, so I waited, then parked in the bus lanes. I followed the last students into the school.
Here’s a photo of Kerry Ann, standing beside the TD Book Week poster. She is wearing red in honour of our veterans.
I did three sessions in speedy back to back to back without even a minute break in between. The first two sessions were 30 minute ones for the primaries and the final session was for grades 3 and 4. Some parents attended as well, and many students and adults wore red in honour of our veterans. I wish I had known, and I would have worn red as well! When I finished, Kerry Ann helped me pack up quickly. “There’s a parade starting up soon,” she said. “And you don’t want to get stuck in the middle of it.” I was so thankful for my good parking spot. I dashed out and made it out of town just before the parade.
I drove back into Quebec City to meet Guy Dubois of La Maison Anglaise Bookstore at Cosmos restaurant. How wonderful to have good food and good company. When we finished, I followed Guy’s car to St-Charles Garnier School where I presented to French students who were in the advanced English language program.
I finished at about 3:30, then hopped into the car and drove to Cornwall, where I stayed overnight (running into friends from Brantford there too!). On Saturday, I drove the rest of the way back to Brantford.
A fabulous adventure! I met many wonderful students and many devoted teachers, librarians, booksellers and parents. I’d do it again in a flash.
Thank you, Canadian Children’s Book Centre, for organizing all of the author visits across the country. One school visit at a time, we can transform the country into passionate readers.
