New Releases by Maxine Trottier

This fictional story of a young girls courage sets the stage for the heroism that made Laura Secord a household name. When her cow, Peg, wanders off one day Laura follows her and soon finds herself deep in the forest. Peg dies giving birth and Laura struggles to bring the newborn calf home safely. The final pages include factual information about one of Canada''s best knownhistorical figures.

I will take care of your garden, Mr. hiroshi," I offered. He smiled. "That would give me great comfort, Mary," he said. "The koi are greedy, you know. Do not let them get fat." We watched the bus drive away. For Mary, too young to fully understand about war and far-off places, the promise was meant to last only until Mr. Hiroshi came back. But after a while it was clear the her friend wouldn''t be coming home. Still, Mary faithfully kept her word all through that long summer. And when the new people came to live in Mr. Hiroshi''s house, she knew exactly what to do. Once more, Maxine Trottier takes a small piece of a larger story, nurtures it with care, and grows a tale as elegant as a Japanese Garden. Flags is a simple story of innocence and friendship set against a backdrop of fear and suspicion. A story that must be told and told again--but never allowed to recur.

It is 1760, and Lord MacNeil decides that the way to make a man of his 13-year-old son, John, is to bring him along from England to Canada. He knows that John, with his expert drawing skills, will make an excellent cartographer of Canada''s wilderness; an activity that will keep him away from the dangers of war. On the eve of John''s departure, his beloved twin sister, Jane, gives him her treasured silver ring. As John wears this circle of silver, it becomes the link to everything he loves: his homeland, the frontier, and his newly-made friends - especially the intriguing Marie Roy. Set against a backdrop of tradition, growing unrest, and the looming danger of Pontiac''s Rebellion, John''s experiences in a young Canada do indeed carry him toward manhood. The first in a trilogy, A Circle of Silver brings history, memory, and hope together in a seamless adventure of discovery.

Our Choice outstanding book selection, CCBC Outstanding Book, Parent Council In this exquisitely wrought tale, young Van finds a walking stick at the foot of a huge teak tree. Blessed by Buddha, it becomes his talisman, his life long link to the past, and the support he will need to carry him into the uncertain future. For when the winds change blow, not even the deep forest of Vietnam remain safe. With the walking stick and his indomitable spirit, Van leads his family to safety and new land. Though the years pass in peace, the ever-present tap, tapping at the brass-tipped walking stick is Van''s constant reminder of the customs, voices, and land he will always remember with love. When the stick''s long odyssey is finally over, it is Van''s granddaughter who carries it home and places it at Buddha''s feet. The Walking Stick is a tribute to all those who must see beyond the next hill.

Selected as a Starred Book for the 1998/99 Our Choice Awards by the Canadian Children''s Book Centre Short listed for the Ruth Schwartz award 1999 Notable Book, Social Studies, Children''s Books Council Children''s Choice selection, Children''s Book Council and International Reading Association Emily''s weeping willow becomes a living symbol of the warmth, strength, and history shared by generations of one family. When Emily''s family moves to the ocean of grass called the prairie, she can''t help but dream of trees. After building their sod house, ploughing, planting and then harvesting, her Papa tells her there is a little money left over to get something special from the mail-order catalogue. She chooses a willow tree. The Prairie Willow chronicles the life of this little girl and her pioneering family.

In English and Gaelic, "Heartsong" tells the story of a fiddle passed down through four generations. From father to son, who built the fiddle together, from that son to his daughter, from that daughter to her daughter, and from her daughter to a new toddler in the family--and all the events it attended throughout those years. Full color.

Too poor to buy a real kite, Eddie flies an imaginary one that catches the attention of Old Chan, the wealthy patron of the kite festival.

In Loon Rock, an Indian boy goes to sleep on the lakeshore and dreams of a loon with a flaming red eye. When he wakes, he does what he did in his dream: he grinds red stones to paint the loon high on the rocks across the lake from his village. When he returns, the villagers clap and sing -- he has come home a warrior who has left his mark on the rocks.

A CCBC Our Choice book. The letter was signed by Czar Nicholas, himself. He was asking her to perform once more for his ailing son. Though her days on the stage were behind her, Anna Pavlova had no choice. She would have to dance for Prince Alexis. Or would she? Perhaps, for the greatest dancer in all of Russia, the answer lay in the old gypsy woman''s carved, wooden heart. Anna Pavlova was once the greatest ballerina in all of Russia. Now, she spends her days dancing alone. So, when Czar Nicholas pleads with her to perform for his ailing son, she must put aside her fear of reappearing in public. She must hope there is enough skill left in her dance to encourage the boy to live. As Anna hastens to her sleigh, an old gypsy woman presses a carved wooden heart into her hand. "Look into your own face tonight and choose how to give your gift." she says. With the strange words still ringing in her ears, Anna rides into the wintry night where a mysterious encounter is about to take place. Maxine Trottier and Victoria Bersichevsky bring a perfect blend of history and fantasy to life. Set on the eve of the Russian Revolution, Pavlova''s Gift is a poignant tale of generosity and promise.