WOTS 2017 Official Festival Program FINAL Sept 8

John DeMont / Belle Demont
Jackie Halsey
The Little Tree By the Sea: From Halifax to Boston with Love
Children’s Books
Writer – John DeMont is the best-selling and award-winning author of Citizens Irving: The Irvings of New
Brunswick and The Last Best Place: Lost in the Heart of Nova Scotia. He has written for many publications,
including the Financial Times, Canadian Geographic, The Walrus, and Maclean’s, where he was Atlantic bureau
chief for 10 years.
Illustrator – Belle DeMont is John’s daughter. Her love of visual story telling brought her to NSCAD where
she developed into a very special talent. She continues to live and work in her hometown, Halifax. Although
The Little Tree By the Sea is Belle’s first book, it singles the emergence of a major young talent on the provincial
art scene.
About the Book
On December 6, 1917, two ships collided in wartime Halifax Harbour, creating what became the largest manmade
explosion of its time. More than 2000 people died (500 of those children) and 9,000 were injured. A single
little tree whispered from its branches the word “Help” that was carried by the wind to the people of Boston.
Within 48 hours Boston and Massachusetts organized trains to carry 33 doctors and 79 nurses. To repay the
City of Boston for its generosity, the little tree (which now had become huge and majestic tree) was given to the
city of Boston as a way to say thank you, a tradition that continues to this day.
Explosion Newsie
Children’s Books - History
12 Noon - 1 PM
12 Noon - 1 PM
Originally from the UK, Jacqueline Halsey moved to Nova Scotia in 1984 where she raised a family,
and as a mature student, obtained a BA degree at Mount Saint Vincent University. She has written 4 books
– a rollicking, piratical picture book with former co-worker and friend Carrie Muller, and three historical
fiction titles. The first, Peggy’s Letters, was based on her mother’s wartime memories. Bluenose Adventure and
Explosion Newsie are school-age picture books exploring the lives of child-workers in Canada. Peggy’s Letters
and Explosion Newsie both made the Canadian Children’s Book Centre – Best Books for Children and Teens list.
Before becoming a full-time writer, Jacqueline worked for many years as a children’s programmer in the Youth
Services department of Alderney Gate Library. Currently she is a Board member of the Friends of McNabs
Island society and loves being involved in the care of an island so rich in natural bio-diversity and history.
About the Book
On December 6, 1917, two ships collided in the busy wartime harbour of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The resulting
explosion was the biggest man-made blast prior to the development of nuclear weapons. It flattened one fifth
of the city. Thousands of people were killed that day and thousands more injured or made homeless. One lucky
survivor, ten-year- old newsie Macky, has a key job to do -- get the news out.
This story is based on the real experiences of young boys who worked as paperboys in the 1900s. Jacqueline
Halsey has woven a wonderful story, which conveys the value of the work of young people in a compelling
real-life setting.
BMO COMMUNITY ROOM First Book Canada stage
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