May 17, 2012

Children’s book by graduate school professor honored in Canada

David Ward not only teaches children’s literature—he writes it. Now one of his books has been honored in Canada, Ward’s home country.

David Ward, an assistant professor of education at the graduate school, researches and teaches literacy and children’s literature. But he doesn’t just study kids’ books—he writes them.

Now, one of his books has been honored in Canada, Ward’s home country. One Hockey Night, written by Ward and illustrated by Brian Deines, is an OLA Blue Spruce nominee. Blue Spruce is a read-aloud program for primary students sponsored by the Ontario Library Association. Each year, ten top-notch Canadian picture books are selected for the Blue Spruce list. Teachers read the books aloud to their classes and students vote for their favorite. School children from across Canada take part via their local public or school library, and more than 250,000 readers participate each year.

One Hockey Night has also been selected as a 2012 Best Book for Kids and Teens, was shortlisted for the 2011 Lillian Shepherd Memorial Award for Illustration, and was named a 2011 OLA Best Bet.

Ward was born in Montreal and grew up in British Columbia, where he was an elementary school teacher for 11 years. He moved to Portland to join the graduate school faculty in 2011. He has written seven books for children.

Read more about David Ward’s work at Lewis & Clark.
Read more about David Ward’s work as a children’s book author.