Making community
May 29th, 2015
Annette LeBox was born at Bognor Regis, England, on April 21, 1943, and immigrated to Canada in 1945. She was raised in Ontario. During her twenties, she lived in England, Ireland and Spain and worked as a nurse’s aide, clerk, bartender and bunny (at a copycat Playboy Club), before becoming a teacher. She taught elementary school for many years, earning a Bachelor of Education from SFU and an MFA from UBC. In 1995, she earned an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia.
Many of her published works are inspired by nature and her efforts to preserve the natural world. She was the founding member of the Pitt Polder Preservation Society and a major stakeholder in the conservation of two regional British Columbia Parks, Blaney Bog and Codd Wetlands.
In 2003, Annette LeBox was a co-recipient of the first Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize for her role as the author of Salmon Creek (Groundwood, 2002) illustrated by Karen Reczuch of Acton, Ontario. The story concerns the life cycle of one Coho salmon, Sumi, from her birth in a remote creek to her final hours when she spawns and dies.
Her YA novel, Miracle at Willowcreek, was shortlisted for the Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Award and the Hackmatack Award. Her YA novel, Circle of Cranes, was shortlisted for the Manitoba Readers’ Choice Award.
Peace is an Offering (Penguin Random House 2015) is an illustrated poem about a group of neighbourhood children dealing with the ups and downs of childhood. Whether its patience, kindness or consideration, the poem shows various ways that the friends use to help each other. Ultimately, the children create a community where they care for one another in a world where selfishness and conflict dominates. Illustrations by Stephanie Graegin.
Her other books for children include Circle of Cranes (Dial Books, Penguin 2012), Wild Bog Tea (Groundwood, 2000), Miracle at Willowcreek (Second Story Press, 1998), The Princess Who Danced With Cranes (Second Story, 1997) and Miss Rafferty’s Rainbow Socks (HarperCollins, 1996). Most of these are children’s picture books except Miracle at Willowcreek and Circle of Cranes, both of which are juvenile novels.
Annette LeBox lives in Maple Ridge, B.C. and has a cabin in the Cariboo.
BOOKS
Miss Rafferty’s Rainbow Socks (HarperCollins, 1996)
The Princess Who Danced With Cranes (Second Story, 1997)
Miracle at Willowcreek (Second Story Press, 1998)
Wild Bog Tea (Groundwood, 2000)
Salmon Creek (Groundwood, 2002) illustrated by Karen Reczuch of Acton, Ontario
Circle of Cranes (Dial Books, Penguin 2012)
Peace is an Offering (Penguin Random House 2015) 978-0-8037-4091-4 $16.95
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