Best selling Canadian Métis author, David Bouchard was in Sudbury last Thursday and Friday to speak to students, parents, educators and board staff on the “importance of reading.” Born and raised on the Canadian prairie, Bouchard, a latecomer to literature first became a dedicated reader at the age of twenty-seven and did not write his first book until a decade later. The author of over 34 bestselling books now lives in British Columbia with his wife Vicki and their combined family of seven.

David Bouchard’s books have won several prestigious awards, among them the Governor General’s Literary Award for The Song Within My Heart and the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry award for Voices from the Wild; If You’re not from the Prairie, was listed by MacLean’s as one of Canada’s top twenty children’s books. His latest is Nokum Was My Teacher.

“I have the best job in the world,” Bouchard told students at St. Raphael and St. Andrew Catholic Schools during his presentations. “I get to travel the world and write stories, when I speak to educators, parents and students about the importance of reading I inspire educators and parents to share the most valuable gift we can give our youth, the gift of reading.”

Bouchard’s presentation, entitled “For the Love of Reading” inspired students, parents, and teachers by addressing real literacy issues in schools and promoting reading as a tool for success.

In addition, as part of Sudbury Catholic Schools Aboriginal Initiative, the Board hosted an inspirational evening for parents, students and community members with David Bouchard at the Community Centre on Whitefish Lake First Nation on Thursday evening.

David’s message is spelled out in his books, The Gift of Reading and For the Love of Reading. A former teacher and principal of 28 years, Mr. Bouchard offers parents, teachers and administrators a concrete and realistic plan to promote reading and fight illiteracy.

Mr. Bouchard was also in Sudbury to help celebrate the Board’s Aboriginal Faith-Based Professional Development Day for all Sudbury Catholic School staff at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School. The theme of the day was Sudbury Catholic Schools…Creating hopes and dreams through excellence: Bwaajige Daa “Let’s All Dream Together.” Vendors and information booths promoted and shared Aboriginal and Catholic resources and cultural artistry was showcased in the form of crafts, books, literature and artwork. The day also featured a dancing and drumming ceremony and a celebration of the Liturgy with First Nation Elders.