I once lived on an island that made me fall deeply in love with the sea: Newfoundland and Labrador, in the city of St. John’s. It is a truly distinctive place, shaped by a culture that blends Irish and Canadian influences, a recognizable local accent, and a beauty that lives in everyday language where people call each other love, ducky, and sweetheart.
At the same time, Newfoundland carries a certain sharpness: in its cliffs, fierce winds, and dramatic coastline that give the island somewhat wild character.
Even after moving to another country, memories of Newfoundland are still linger in my heart. That is why the idea of writing and illustrating a children’s book set there came to me naturally.
Elsie and the Miracles of Newfoundland (working title) is a story about the daughter of a fisherman who must spend more time at sea than Elsie wishes. She misses her father deeply, but whenever he returns home, he brings with him extraordinary stories of his adventures on the water. This time, he has something even more special to share. Together, Elsie and her father set off on a journey across the island in search of magical artifacts that will help them see hidden wonders, encounter a fairy, and discover a small companion who can deliver Elsie’s letters to her father while he is away at sea.
With this story, I wanted to celebrate the landscape, folklore, and emotional world of Newfoundland through a child’s perspective blending maritime magic into an adventure shaped by love and longing.
