Gander: The Town that Welcomed the World by Nikki Bergstresser illustrated by Reilly Fitzgerald

The musical Come from Away is based on the events in Gander in 2001. This production affected me so deeply when I first saw it in London that I went on to see it again here in Australia in Melbourne and last month again in Vancouver and now I have discovered there is a children's picture book about these events. I originally went to see this show after reading a detailed article in our Sydney Morning Herald back in 2019.

I rarely talk about books I have not seen, but Gander: The Town that Welcomed the World is not readily available here in Australia but I think it looks good. I have read a couple of reviews and seen some pages. IF it ever comes here, it is a book I would like to own. Gander is a new picture book published in June 2026.

Image from publisher page

Publisher blurb: On September 11, 2001, thousands of travellers were stranded far from home in a town called Gander, Newfoundland. They were strangers in a place most had never heard of before. Scared and confused, the travellers were not sure what to expect. Gander: The Town That Welcomed the World is a true story about a world that was hurting and a community that came together with kindness, compassion, and East Coast heart. With sparse text and painterly illustrations, Nikki Bergstresser and Reilly Fitzgerald thoughtfully capture and commemorate this 9/11 story for a new generation.

Many young children, particularly in Canada, may not be aware of the events of 9/11. Unless they were directly impacted by a relative who was there or by perhaps a parent who was pilot or a resident of Gander, most adults will not discuss the events of the day with them. But there is a way to speak to them about it with sensitivity, and Nikki Bergstresser's Gander: The Town That Welcomed the World would be a tasteful and enlightening way to do so. BC's Nikki Bergstresser packs a lot of depth in her words, conveying easily the exceptionality of this day with the natural response of these Ganderites and Newfoundlanders in general. Her words take us through those days by balancing the fears and confusion with action and kindness.  CanLit for Little Canadians

Poppy's House by Karla Courtney illustrated by Madeline Kloepper

 

Our young storyteller spends time with her grandfather - her Poppy. He lives on an island and he is busy.

"He chops the wood, he picks the cloudberries, he catches the fish and he watches his world float by as he sits in front of a huge supper plate of salt beef and pease pudding."

His grand daughter helps with the daily chores.

"Every morning we have bread from the oven for breakfast. Then we make sure the house is just right. We tidy the kitchen, dig up the potatoes, and water the garden. When our chores are done, we get to explore the island together, counting our favourite things."

At this point your young reading companion is sure to join in counting fish, tracks, stones and waves. When the visit is over they are both sad but they know the little girl will return again and again. 

"And (then) we count the days until we are together again."

This story is a gentle exploration of island life and it celebrates slowing down and spending time outdoors with a loved family member.

The details may not be familiar to all readers, but the strong feelings of love and companionship will resonate. The earth-toned illustrations, rendered in colored pencil and gouache and finished digitally, are a fitting match for the flora and fauna depicted. Kirkus

Bookseller blurb: In a picture book as cosy as wool socks and as sweeping as a lighthouse beam, a little girl takes a ferry to an island to spend time with her Poppy. After fresh-baked bread for breakfast, the two tidy up, garden, and set out to explore together. They pass docks and green hills specked with puffins, counting their favourite things along the way: masts, animal tracks, silvery waves. At the end of each day, they snuggle on Poppy’s worn velvet armchair to read by lantern light. When it’s time to travel home, the little girl begins counting the days until she and Poppy will be together again. A patchwork of exquisitely patterned and textured art evokes a traditional quilt in this ode to coastal Canada and to the days spent with an attentive, caring older person.

One of our large bookshops here in Sydney - Dymocks - have set out tables full of sale books. I think their criteria might be books from 2022 and earlier which seems a little sad as a 2022 book is not old! Anyway this book - Poppy's House was published in 2022 and the retail price was $30 but my copy was discounted to $20. I also picked up a copy of Gooney Bird Green for just $5.

If you want to talk about excellence in book design with a class of older students or with aspiring authors and illustrator this book is one you could use. It has a dust jacket and when this is removed there is a different image underneath. The end papers anticipate the story as well as being a colourful and inviting invitation to read the story. 

Oh and I do need to mention there are puffins on the book cover and on the end papers and if you have read this blog previously you will know I adore puffins (and lighthouses). I also love Canadian picture books and Karla Courtney is from Toronto but spent her summers in Newfoundland so this book is based on her own childhood and Madeline Kloepper lives in British Columbia. She is the illustrator of The Keeper of Wild Words.  See more pages inside this book here. 

I need to find this book also illustrated by Madeline Kloepper.