Jackie’s Drawing
Out May 13, 2025
Book description
When a rusty haze falls over a city, a young girl named Jackie keeps up her spirits by drawing whatever nature she can see from her window, including the mountain where she used to bring her sketchbook and draw all day.
As the days wear on into weeks and months, Jackie eventually loses the heart to do anything, even to draw. But one day, in the canal below her window, a dolphin leaps into the air. Soon, a moose, an eagle and other animals begin to wander into the city—a sight that inspires Jackie to pick up her pencils again and create a drawing unlike any she has ever made.
Poignantly illustrated in a bright painterly style, this ecological fable celebrates the resilience of both the natural world and human creativity, and will have young readers eager to head outdoors and do some drawing of their own.
Book trailer and CBC Radio interview
To listen, click on image or here
Wow!
Did you know?
The mountain at the heart of Jackie’s city is directly inspired by Mount Royal, the mountain at the heart of my own city, Montreal. People from across Montreal flock to Mount Royal all year round to relax, exercise and play. In Montreal, there is a rule that no building can be taller than the mountain, so Mount-Royal truly does “stand guard above the city,” as described in the book.
A starting point for discussion and creativity
Jackie’s Drawing explores the resilience of the natural world—its ability to flourish when it gets a chance. After reading the book, parents and teachers can explore with kids specific steps we can all take to help give nature that chance, and discuss how when nature thrives, so do we.
My hope is that Jackie’s Drawing will also inspire young readers to pick up their pencils and do some nature drawing of their own and to share their drawings with others.
Educational back matter
Two additional pages at the back of the book describe real-life examples of nature’s resilience and teach kids about “chimeras” (fantastical creatures with mismatched parts).
