Author Linda Smith • Illustrator Karen Patkau
Orca Book Publishers 2003
Ages 4-8

Linda Smith grew up in an undeveloped area of Alberta, where she and her four siblings dug caves and played endless games of make believe. Linda grew up dreaming of being a writer. She continued her involvement with children and stories through twenty-nine years as a children’s librarian, but did not start writing for children until she was working on her MA in Children’s Literature … For Sir Cassie to the Rescue, Karen Patkau researched medieval times and used an ancient Viking chess set, the Lewis Chessmen, as inspiration. Building castles and playing knights along with the characters in the book was great fun for her. Karen works in the medium of digital collage.

LOOK INSIDE

AWARDS & HONOURS
• Applied Arts Magazine Illustration Award 2004
• Canadian Children’s Book Centre Our Choice 2004 Selection
• Resource Links 2004 Year’s Best List

REVIEWS
• “Books make wonderful launching pads for the imagination. When our children were young, I read them a book … about a bunch of bears who built a rocket to take them to the moon. … it triggered an afternoon of cardboard boxes “blasting off” up the stairs … We all had a wonderful time, very much as Sir Cassie had with her book of knights. And when she and Trevor had finished cleaning up, she “thought for a moment. Then she picked up a book about pirates.” Treasure indeed!” – Highly Recommended – Canadian Materials

• “The lighthearted mood of the story is enhanced by Karen Patkau’s colourful and playful illustrations. The illustrations are executed in a highly imaginative digital collage medium, which suits the energetic tone of the book. This is definitely a story that will appeal to all little girls and boys who thrive on the excitement of dressing up and role-playing games.” – Canadian Children’s Book News “We Recommend”

• “This is a wonderful picture book that encourages imaginations to stretch beyond normal limits!” – Resource Links

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