A childhood illness inspired the boy who was not big for his age and not from a wealthy family to grow up to make an important difference in the lives of every child and adult in Canada. Here is the little-known story of Tommy Douglas and his dream.
A Boy Named Tommy
When Tommy was a boy in Winnipeg his knee injury led to osteomyelitis, and doctors made the frightening decision to amputate his leg. His leg was saved by a specialist who performed surgery at no cost so Tommy could run and play games again. Growing up, Tommy never forgot that other children whose parents didn’t have money to pay surgeons were not so fortunate. He became a fiery politician and his dream to have good medical care for all Canadians came true. Tommy Douglas is known as the Father of Medicare.
Midtown Press thanks the Douglas-Coldwell Foundation for supporting the publication of this children's book.
Beryl Young, the author of A Boy Named Tommy, is the author of eight books for children. She writes novels, biographies and picture books. Among many award nominations, her books have won the Rainforest of Reading Reader's Choice award (2014), the B.C. Chocolate Lily Reader's Choice Award (2012) and the U.S. Silver Moonbeam Medal (2010), (2019).
www.berylyoung.com
Joan Steacy illustrations. Joan is a graduate of Sheridan College and the Ontario College of Art and Design. She and her husband Ken Steacy co-created the comics and graphic novel program at Camosun College in Victoria, B.C. where she taight from 2012-2020. Her first graphic novel Aurora Borealice: a Graphic Memoir by Conondrum Press in 2019, and was listed as one of "Ten Canadian comics to be read right now" by CBC.
www.joansteacy.com
This book is also available in French, titled
La Jeunesse de Tommy Douglas
ISBN 978-2-925064-13-8
Books are available in bookstores across Canada
through Sandhill Book Marketing.
Midtown Press, Vancouver, B.C.
Available Spring, 2022
Hardcover $19.95
Age range 5 - 10 years
