A Ponoka author has received an award for a book she wrote last year.
Christine Orme wrote We Need More Toilet Paper to create a story that can explain how children can remain safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recently, she learned her work was one of the winners at the Canada Book Awards, which is a program that recognizes and promotes the work of Canadian authors.
“I found out about (the Canada Book Awards) when I saw a lady had posted about it on Facebook – her book was going through the program,” Orme said.
“I Googled it and figured, ‘What the heck?’ It was free to enter and it was for Canadian authors, so I submitted my manuscript and everything, and boom. I was stunned when I learned I was one of the winners.”
READ MORE: Ponoka woman writes children’s book about being safe during pandemic
The self-published book, which is intended for ages three to eight, is about a family of cairn terriers coping with the pandemic and aims to deliver its message in a “non-frightening” way.
A couple of schools within the Wolf Creek Public Schools district has picked up the book for their libraries, which makes Orme particularly proud, she said.
Orme wrote the story and a friend of hers who lives in Texas, DeAnne DiCesare Edlund, did the illustrations. The duo has already teamed up to publish a second book, Sand Up My Nose and Between My Toes.
“We figured we weren’t going to do another COVID book – we had been there and done that. We made something that was just a fun thing,” Orme said.
“It’s got the same characters in it and it’s just about a fun family day, where they go to the beach and there are a bunch of fun adventures going on.”
Orme, who is currently working at a local seniors lodge, is now putting the “final touches” on her third book, which is about volunteering. She expects it to be out within the next month.
“Writing is a new passion of mine. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but up until recently I had never pursued it. Now that I’ve dipped my toes in the pool, away we go.”
Both the award-winning We Need More Toilet Paper and her latest book, Sand Up My Nose and Between My Toes, are available in digital format or paperback on Amazon.ca.
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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